AFC East Draft Recap

Buffalo Bills: Marv Levy and Dick Jauron used this spring and draft to cement their own identity in Buffalo.  Willis McGahee never meshed with Jauron’s coaching staff.  So now they are banking their run game behind Marshawn Lynch.  Lynch is a very instinctive and versatile back who can make big plays, was never a durable workhorse in college. 

Despite the development of J.P. Losman last season, this coaching staff isn’t yet sold on whether he’s their long-term answer at quarterback.  That led the Bills towards Trent Edwards.  Edwards was physically beaten up at Stanford and will need a year to clear his head, but is smart and has good natural tools.  He could surpass Losman in terms of his feel for the intermediate passing game.  The Bills also replenished themselves at linebacker with Paul Poslusnzy.  He’s smart and instinctive while possessing the mentality to fit in the blue-collar culture around Buffalo. 

Miami Dolphins: Ted Ginn will provide a big-play dimension in the return game, but its very uncertainty whether he’ll be able to justify himself as the 12th pick in the draft.  He’s not very polished in the passing game and lacks the toughness to get dirty in traffic, but has the speed to stretch the field.  John Beck has physical limitations, but is a great fit in Cam Cameron’s offense and could become a late bloomer like Trent Green.  But going for Beck in the second round was a reach.  Beck is smart and will make good decisions with the football. 

Lorenzo Booker was a nice pickup to complement Ronnie Brown in the backfield.  He displays good run instincts and versatility.  Samson Satele is raw, but has the physical tools to eventually make an impact as an interior blocker.  Paul Soliai has excellent size and strength to develop at nose tackle, but is very raw. 

New England Patriots: The Patriots have struggled with depth issues, forcing Bill Belichick to piece together a secondary the past couple years.  Eugene Wilson has regressed the past two seasons and hasn’t been durable.  Rodney Harrison has been breaking down physically. 

So Brandon Merriweather should be a nice addition.  Merriweather is a smart and versatile defender who is athletic enough to cover slot receivers, but tough enough to support the run.   Most importantly, Merriweather is a true football player who loves playing.  He'll make his presence felt within the New England defense. 

And the Patriots got tremendous value using their fourth round pick for Randy Moss.  Moss is motivated and hungry for a championship.  Moss is motivated and hungry for a championship.  That means we’ll see Moss at his best this season and the Patriots will be a team very difficult for opposing defensive coordinator to match up against.   

New York Jets: Eric Mangini came away with two solid starters for his defense in cornerback Darrelle Revis and linebacker David Harris. 

Revis fills a major need for talent at cornerback.  Andre Dyson is their most accomplished veteran and he’s better suited as a nickel corner at this stage.  And the rest of the secondary returns fringe players.  Revis displays good instincts and physical ability to make an impact within Mangini’s cover-2 scheme.  And Harris provides the Jets with a physical presence inside to take pressure off Jonathan Vilma against the run.  Vilma hopefully can have more freedom to use his quickness and instincts on the move rather than take on blockers.  Harris is strong at the point of attack and displays good instincts as a run defender. 

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