Showing posts with label Buffalo Bills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Buffalo Bills. Show all posts

Monday, March 18, 2013

AFC Team Needs (East)

East
Buffalo Bills
Quarterback
Even before they cut Ryan Fitzpatrick the Bills had a big need at quarterback.  His contract not withstanding he was never seen as the long term solution.  General Manager Buddy Nix has talked about their desire to land a franchise quarterback this off-season and if history shows us anything, that could mean they'll be drafting one at #8 regardless of value.  Ryan Nassib has been a hot name with his ties to new Head Coach Doug Marrone.  But don't rule out Matt Barkley whose stock is on the rise again.

Wide Receiver
Stevie Johnson and that's about it.  Not a good sign when summing up Buffalo's receiving group.  They could really use a bigger possession type receiver that would complement Johnson well.  Luckily there should be a quality group of receivers available in the second round that they could target.  Somebody like DeAndre Hopkins or Justin Hunter could easily do that job.

Guard
Losing starting left guard Andy Levitre to the Titans leaves a huge hole that needs to be filled.  They could slide Cordy Glenn to guard and then draft a tackle.  But look for the Bills to take a long look at Alabama guard Chance Warmack at #8.  If they pass on him there Larry Warford or Kyle Long could be options in round two.

Middle Linebacker
The Bills haven't been too happy with the development of starting middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard and they are looking for a player with good range that can match up with the talented tight ends that they'll see a lot of.  A player to watch in the middle rounds is Florida MLB John Bostic.  Bostic is a sideline to sideline linebacker that could fill what they are looking for.

Defensive End
You would think this would be an area of strength with last year's signings of Mario Williams and Mark Anderson.  However both were very underwhelming last year.  Williams is more proven and was injured  while Anderson shouldn't have gotten the big contract in the first place.  Add in that Chris Kelsey retired and they need to add somebody opposite of Williams.

Miami Dolphins
Cornerback
The combination of Sean Smith and Vontae Davis gave the Dolphins one of the top cornerback tandems, but with last year's trade of Davis and now Sean Smith signing with the Chiefs they are desperate to get some talent there.  They'll hope that Demarcus Milliner falls to them at #12 otherwise they'll have to either trade back or wait till the second round.

Offensive Tackle
Jake Long won't be back and that means the Dolphins have to decide whether Jonathan Martin can be a full time left tackle or not.  Either way they need to add somebody.  They'd hope that Lane Johnson somehow falls to them otherwise they could target somebody like Menelik Watson on day two.  However if feel that Martin can play left tackle, DJ Fluker could be a possibility.

Defensive End
Miami has an elite pass rusher in Cameron Wake but he's their only pass rushing threat.  Right now Jared Odrick starts opposite of him and is more of a run stuffer than pass rusher.  They could really add another pass rusher to bring in on passing downs to fill in for Odrick.  With neither a cornerback nor tackle likely available, the Dolphins could land a pass rusher at #12.  Somebody like Dion Jordan or Ezekial Ansah could be brought in to be specialists before developing into every down players.

Guard
Both Richie Incognito and John Jerry are just average guards.  They're not great, but they also not hurting the team.  But if they had a chance to upgrade it wouldn't be a bad idea.  At a minimum adding depth a great idea.  Chance Warmack or Jon Cooper could be in play at #12, but likely they would use a 4th or 5th rounder on somebody.

Running Back
This isn't a huge need, but with Reggie Bush leaving to the Lions, the Dolphins are hoping that Daniel Thomas and Lamar Miller can step up and provide a solid 1, 2 punch.  However what have these two done to warrant that trust?  With the large group of talented running backs in the middle round they could take one to  add to the mix.

New England Patriots
Right Tackle
This position could be taken care of with a quick resigning of Sebastian Vollmer.  However if they aren't able to get a deal done they'll have a huge hole to fill as Vollmer is one of the best right tackles in the league.  But if they don't do it, they'll have plenty of options in this draft.  DJ Fluker at the end of the first round would be a great addition while Brennan Williams, Chris Faulk, or Ricky Wagner could be options in the third or fourth rounds.

Defensive End
Chandler Jones was a great addition last year, but they could really use somebody to start opposite of him because Jermaine Cunningham isn't getting the job done and Rob Ninckovich is pass rushing specialist.  Bjoern Werner would be a great addition of he falls.  However a versatile player like Datone Jones could really catch Billicek's attention.

Defensive Tackle
With New England playing more of a 4-3 defense the past couple of years they really haven't had much of a pass rush because they have more run stuffers.  They'd love to add somebody who could come in passing situations and give them some pressure up the middle.  A second day pick could be in line here, maybe somebody like LSU's Bennie Logan.

Wide Receiver
They brought in Danny Amendola to replace Wes Welker and Donald Jones was also signed, but they desperately need somebody on the outside to stretch the defense.  Brandon Lloyd was thought to be that guy but he struggled last year and was cut.  They could look to Baylor wide receiver Terrence Williams in the second round to take the top off the defense and free up their talented tight end duo.

Offensive Line Depth
It must be pretty nice to have one of your biggest needs as depth.  New England has a talented offensive line, but are pretty thin.  Their top reserve Donald Thomas gave them a very talented player off the bench, but now he'll likely be starting for the Colts.  They could add Justin Pugh who could help them at both tackle and guard.

New York Jets
Quarterback
When your head coach preaches competition at the quarterback spot, you know that Mark Sanchez's time in New York is limited.  But we all knew that.  They signed David Garrard, but look for them to draft somebody.  Probably not at #9, but they'll likely take somebody in the top of the second round and hope they can get the next Andy Dalton or Colin Kaepernick.

Rush Linebacker
The Jets haven't had a great pass rushing specialist since John Abraham and the lack of a pressure from the outside really has hurt their defense.  Without a top tier quarterback available to them at #9, they could use this opportunity to get that pressure they desperately need.  Ezekial Ansah, Barkevious Mingo, or Dion Jordan would all be great fits.

Wide Receiver
This position hasn't been the same since they jettisoned Jericho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards.  If they want to give their offense a chance, they'll have to bring somebody in to pair up with Santonio Holmes.  A receiver at nine is too early but in the second round they should have plenty of options with DeAndre Hopkins, Justin Hunter and Robert Woods.

Tight End
Dustin Keller has left for Miami, but the Jets needed an upgrade anyways.  Whoever is their quarterback, they'll need a safety valve that the tight end provides.  Luckily this draft class has some depth to it where they can get a quality prospect on day two.  Dion Sims would give them a good blocker and receiver while Vance McDonald is another tight end that could give them that complete package.

Safety
Rex Ryan loves safeties and without Laron Landry and Yeremiah Bell coming back they'll have to draft somebody.  They'll have plenty of choices to choose from come April.  Phillip Thomas and DJ Swearinger would give Rex Ryan the cover safeties he likes.  They could also double up and add a run defender like TJ McDonald or Robert Lester in the 5th or 6th rounds.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

AFC East Draft Grades

Buffalo Bills

In most years the Bills often reach for needs, but this year they got great value and several players that should be able to come in and make an impact early. Buffalo really made out when Marcel Dareus was available at #3. He was the best player in the draft in my opinion and he'll really help their poor rush defense. Aaron Williams really reminds me a lot of Malcolm Jenkins. He'll start out at cornerback, but look for Williams to eventually be a stand out safety. Kelvin Sheppard and Chris Hairston are two picks that are really going to pay out. Sheppeard is a physical inside linebacker that will be able to hold his own and become an eventual starter. Hairston is a massive tackle who has surprisingly good footwork. He'll have a shot at left tackle, but look for him to take over at right side too. Da'Norris Searcy is another underrated pick that has the shot to become a starter. Buffalo ended up with one of the best drafts in the league.


Best Pick: Marcel Dareus DT Alabama

Worst Pick: Justin Rodgers CB Richmond

Overall Grade: A+





Miami Dolphins

I found it a little comical that people actually thought that Miami was going to take a quarterback at #15. All the Ryan Mallett projections really panned out....heck they passed on him twice. Instead they went with instant impact and took Mike Pouncey to become their new starter at center. Miami has been looking for a big physical center to bang with the top nose tackles in their league and found one here. With no second round pick the Dolphins traded up to get Daniel Thomas who will try to help fill the void at running back with both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams being free agents. Thomas also can help the Dolphins in their Wildcat package. Thomas was a JUCO quarterback before being moved to runningback at Kansas State. Miami is also hoping that Emmanuel Gates will give them the field stretching receiver they need to complement Brandon Marshall and Devon Bess. After those three it was a pretty unspectacular draft.




Best Pick: Mike Pouncey C Florida

Worst Pick: Jimmy Wilson CB Montana

Overall Grade: C




New England Patriots


One thing is always true come draft day. The New England Pariots will be very active. It seems like a yearly tradition for the Patriots to make smart moves to accumulate picks. This year they traded their 28th selection and acquired a 1st and a 2nd for next year. Having all these picks allows the Patriots to move around and take the players they really want. New England really did a good job this year with their first pick. Nate Solder may be a little raw, but he is the only player that I know will be a left tackle. He has great size and athletic ability and will do very well. Ras-I Dowling when healthy is a good cover corner that fits into their scheme but that's when he is healthy. Shane Vereen is another solid pick that could become their new Kevin Faulk. The Marcus Cannon pick was just flat out highway robbery. Teams were scared away by his cancer diagnosis, but Cannon will be fine in due time and the Patriots have a solid developmental player. Ryan Mallett is the most NFL ready quarterback in this draft but his attitude just scares teams. Being in New England might have been the best thing for him. He'll be able to learn from the organization how to be a pro and he'll eventually get traded away for a 1st round pick. I just don't understand the Steven Ridley pick. Even if they loved him, the 3rd round was way too early. Plus they already have BenJarvis Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead and then add Vereen? How many backs do they need?

Best Pick: Marcus Cannon G/T TCU

Worst Pick: Steven Ridley RB LSU

Overall Grade: B-



New York Jets

The Jets went into this draft needing to address their defensive line which was razor thin. In the first they were able to take Muhammad Wilkerson who could have easily gone in the top 15 and nobody would have flinched. Wilkerson is a tackle that moves like a defensive end. He's use to playing against double teams game in and game out at Temple, so moving to the defensive end spot in the 3-4 should be an easy transition. In the third round the Jets took Kendric Ellis who has a ton of talent but many question his character. If Ellis can behave off the field he'll become a starter at nose tackle and lock down a spot that they've been missing the past two seasons. With their three remaining picks the Jets went after depth. Greg McElroy was taken to be Mark Sanchez's back up, Bilal Powell is LT's eventual replacement, and Jeremy Kerley and Scott McKnight will battle for Brad Smith's old spot. Nothing flashy here, but addresses some key needs.


Best Pick: Muhammad Wilkerson DT/DE Temple

Worst Pick: Scotty McKnight WR Colorado

Overall Grade: B


What do you think? Have any issues? Let me know what you think. Leave a comment or email me at brianajohannes@gmail.com.