Sunday, May 11, 2014

2014 NFL Draft Grades: AFC East

Ever since 2001, teams in the AFC East, for the most part, have been looking up at the New England Patriots. As long as Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are with the patriots, everyone will be trying to catch up. Buffalo made the first big trade of the draft, and are pretty much going all in this year when they traded nest year's 1st Round pick along with an additional pick to move up and get Sammy Watkins. Along with their additional picks and offseason moves, Buffalo looks to make their move to the top of the AFC East. Buffalo: B+ Best Pick: Sammy Watkins Late Round Sleeper: Cyril Richardson Watkins is the playmaker the Bills desired and they made the big move to get him. Now last years first rounder, quarterback E.J. Manuel, has the big play weapon that can light the fire under the Bills offense. But the selection of tackle Cyrus Kouandjio and late round sleeper Cyril Richardson will give Manuel the protection he needs and open up running lanes for Fred Jackson and Bryce Brown. If Seantrel henderson can play up to his potential then the Bills will have a powerful o-line for years to come. Preston Brown is a tough inside linebacker who will help plug up the middle and stop the run. Miami: B Best Pick: Jarvis Landry Late Round Sleeper: Jordan Tripp Miami needed to rebuild their offensive line and may have reached to select Ja'wuan James at #19, but he is a solid right tackle that the the Dolphins can build around. Billy Turner is a mauler of an offensive lineman but is also a small school talent who will need to work his way into the line. Landry is a sure handed receiver that could become a go-to target for Ryan Tannehill. Tripp is an FCS star who will play like a BCS playmaker on defense. New England: B- Best Pick: Jimmy Garoppolo Late Round Sleeper: Bryan Stork The Patriots picked Dominique Easley in Round 1, and if the injury plagued defensive tackle can hold up physically then this pick will be a steal. But 2 ACL injuries in college makes one wonder if hen can withstand the rigors of the NFL trenches. Garoppolo is the latest heir apparent to Tom Brady, and now he may be the one who eventually replaces the future Hall of Famer. But the Patriots put a lot of draft pick eggs in one basket by selecting Stork, Cameron Fleming, and Jon Halapio to shore up the defensive line. New York Jets: B+ Best Pick: Jace Amaro Late Round Sleeper: Jeremiah George The Jets picked hard hitting safety Calvin Pryor in Round 1, and he looks to be the defensive enforcer in the middle of the field that Rex Ryan is looking for. Amaro gives Geno Smith a big target down the middle, and he should be targeted in play action with the free agent addition of Chris Johnson. Dexter McDougle should get plenty of action at corner now that he is healthy after a shoulder injury cost him most of last season. George can be a sleeper pick as an outside edge rusher in Ryan's 3-4 defense.

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