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 Draft Day Needs: AFC East
by Chris Brophy
23/4/2008
Buffalo Bills: It seems WR is the place the Bills want to go but is any prospect worth taking at #11? The Bills might be one of the teams really looking to move down but if they can’t and want value, then addressing a lesser need like DE is possible although the next option after WR is more likely cornerback where they lost Nate Clements a year ago and have little else behind Terrence McGee.
WR certainly should get attention from the Bills before the third round, someone with a physical presence to compliment the speed of Evans is a likely option. A better receiving option that Robert Royal could also be a useful addition to the passing game.
In the bottom rounds, doubling up on positions of need already mentioned is likely, offering another option just in case Plan A backfires.
Miami Dolphins: With Jake Long now securely in the fold, the Dolphins can address their myriad other needs.
The defensive line is a clear need as Jason Taylor is unlikely to ever produce a season like 2006 again. Equally, a QB in the second round will also be a strong consideration, giving John Beck some much needed competition as signal caller of the future. In the secondary, they lack a true shutdown corner so that could also be an area that gets addressed before day one is out.
Lower down, I expect quite a few prospects for both sets of lines to come on board, giving options to the veterans already on the roster.
New England Patriots: Spygate cost the Pats their first round pick but a canny trade with the 49ers last season gives them the #7 pick overall and a chance to add an impact defender early.
Defensive help seems to be what most of what the Pats draft will be made up of. Age is catching up on some guys and free agency seen several defensive backs depart. With that in mind, cornerback seems a likely pick at #7 as they should be able to target the top prospects at the position but don’t rule out another pass rushing option for Belichick to add to his schemes. Inside linebacker could use some youth but that has never been the Patriots’ way and the fact they tried to sign Zach Thomas is further proof of that.
Lower down, the Pats will look for depth, they nearly always try and add a TE somewhere and more secondary option could come in the lower rounds too.
New York Jets: Having already opened the cheque book in free agency, the draft adds another chance for the Jets to get some impact players and given their entire offense needs a spark, RB could well be the call at #6, especially if Darren McFadden is still on the board. A home run threat that can take the pressure off the passing game should allow the whole offense – and whoever starts at QB – a bit more freedom.
The Jets could be the wild card in the Matt Ryan stakes though. QB is certainly in a state of flux at this point with either the inexperienced Clemens or the injury prone Pennington so if McFadden is off the board, Ryan might just hear his name called by the Jets. A QB addition at some point in the draft is at least likely. Elsewhere, a compliment to last year’s top pick, Darrelle Revis, is required at cornerback and another secondary addition could well come at safety to go along with Kerry Rhodes.
Lower down, I see WR and DE getting some attention.
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