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.

TMG DraftZone 2013 NFL Draft Grades: AFC East

The New England Patriots continued their dominance of the AFC East, and as long as Bill Belichick is calling the shots and Tom Brady is calling the plays, things don't look to change any time soon. The Patriots also continued their tradition of trading down in the draft, while Buffalo, Miami and the Jets were making moves to catch up. Free agency was very good for the Dolphins, and they made the biggest splash in the draft to trade up to #3 and select Dion Jordan third overall. The Jets made their big move before the draft by trading Darrelle Revis to Tampa Bay for the 13th overall pick, and the Bills made their move by trading down from #8 to #16 with the Rams. On a side note, I'd like to pat myself on the back just a bit by being one of the first mock drafters to have Tavon Austin going eighth in the draft. Playmakers are at a premium, and Austin was a player the Bills could use. So could the Rams, and they wanted him more and made the move up to get him. Buffalo then made the shocking move of the entire draft by selecting E.J. Manuel at #16 with the pick they got from St. Louis. Many see Manuel as needing work and seasoning, but with the Bills quarterback situation, he could very well be Day 1 starter for Buffalo. So here is the TMG DraftZone grades for the AFC East, with key selections and sleeper picks for each team: Buffalo: B E.J. Manuel (QB)/Robert Woods (WR) Marquise Goodwin (WR) The Bills immediate future is tied to Manuel, who has all the physical gifts to star in the NFL, his game is going to need some time to adjust, and the future of Manuel is tied to Woods. I don't put as much stock in workouts as game film, but just watch Woods catching balls from Matt Barkley at the USC Pro Day. He caught everything. Manuel and Woods could very well be the QB/WR combo to build around. Goodwin can find his place in the league because you can coach a player to play the game, but you can't coach them to be fast. As in what one analyst called him at the Senior Bowl practice as Spaceballs fast, because Goodwin has Ludicrous Speed. Players with that kind of speed can always make an inpact. Miami: B+ Jamar Taylor (CB) Jelani Jenkins (LB) The Dolphins made the bold move to move up and get their next Jason Taylor by selecting Dion Jordan at #3 overall, and they did it by not breaking the bank and only giving Oakland the #12 and #42 picks. Miami then got the cornerback that many looked for them to take at #12 in Round 2 by picking Jamar Taylor, who was seen as a late riser to the bottom of Round 1. Dallas Thomas could be the eventual replacement to Jake Long at right tackle. Jenkins needs to add some strength and bulk up just a bit, but he is a smart player who, if Jordan is Jason Taylor, Jenkins could be Zach Thomas. New England B- Jamie Collins (LB) Logan Ryan (CB) The proudest person coming out of the draft has to be the defensive coordinator at Rutgers, as just about all of his players now play for the Patriots. Ryan could have an immediate impact depending on what kind of punishment the league gives to Alfonzo Dennard, and Jamie Collins was overlooked by many just because he played on a team that went winless in 2012 at Southern Mississippi. But the previous year, they were conference champions and Collins is a talent that Belichick can mold into a solid pro. NY Jets: C+ Sheldon Richardson (DT) Oday Aboushi (OT) The Jets filled re-occupied Revis Island with Dee Milliner, the top rated cornerback in the draft. The pick of Richardson had many scratcing their heads, with Muhammad Wilkerson and Quinton Coples already in place, but you can never have too many athletic defensive lineman who can get after the quarterback, and Richardson might be able to work his way into the starting rotation. The Jets only made their quarterback situation murkier by taking Geno Smith in Round 2, but now that Tim Tebow is out of the picture, Smith could also eventually become the starter. But the Jets did not address their need to get playmakers on offense, but Aboushi and Brian Winters can help solidify the offensive line.

AFC East Draft Grades: New York Jets

The New York Jets are coming off of their second straight season playing in the AFC Title Game, and many people feel the clock is ticking on whether or not they can get over the hump and make it to the Super Bowl. The biggest need was defensive line, and the Jets hit the mark on their first two picks.

Muhammad Wilkerson is an athletic end for their 3-4 defense, and Jets fans everywhere are hoping he isn't the second coming of Vernon Gholston. They also got the prototype 3-4 nose tackle in Kenrick Ellis from Hampton. But off the field issues scared away a few teams, but the Jets were willing to take a chance and select him in the third round.

A sleeper pick for the Jets was their highest pick on the offensive side of the ball, running back Bilal Powell from Louisville, selected in the fourth round. Powell is a between the tackles back, who looks to be a complimentary back to Shonn Greene and an eventual replacement for LaDanian Tomlinson for the Jets.

Draft Grade: B

Preseason Power Rankings

Going into the 2010 NFL season, the top two teams are the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts. The teams that faced each other in the Super Bowl look to be the strongest in their respective conferences, as neither took a major hit in personnel losses, and drafted very well to supplement the talent on the roster. The question is 'Who should be ranked #3?'

For my money, the third best team in the NFL going into the 2010 season is the New York Jets. Mark Sanchez is going into his second season, and he looks to only get better. But the focus of the offense is still the running game and the offensive line. But Shonn Greene will be looked to carry the majority of the load, and the loss of Alan Faneca might be overlooked since the rest of the offensive line has been so good. Santonio Holmes will give Sanchez another target, but he will be sitting out a 4 game suspension at the beginning of the season.

The offense will be looked to not lose games. The strength of the team is on defense. The addition of Jason Taylor and Antonio Cromartie makes the pass rush and secondary that much better. Darrelle Revis has become the best cornerback in the game. And the selection of Kyle Wilson gives them the nickel corner they lacked against the Colts in the AFC Championship game.

One thing the Jets have going for them, perhaps more than anyone else, is bravado. With Rex Ryan as the head coach, they just believe they can win. They went into Cincinnati and won a playoff game that was a toss up. They went to San Diego and won a game they had no business winning. They went to Indianapolis and nearly won the AFC title. Ryan has them believing they are the best team in football. It will be seen whether that translates to wins on the field. The Jets have an even bigger target on their backs, and the rest of the league will be taking aim.

Draft Grades: New York Jets

The New York Jets were the surprise team of the NFL in 2009. With a rookie quarterback in Mark Sanchez, they finished with a 9-7 record and a wild card appearance. They then went on the road and won at Cincinnati and San Diego before falling to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game. They were active in the offseason, acquiring LaDanian Tomlinson, , Jason Taylor, Antonio Cromartie, and Santonio Holmes. The Jets look to be ready for another run through the playoffs.

The first round selection of the Jets was Kyle Wilson, considered by many to be either the first or second best corner of the 2010 NFL Draft. Wilson will be the third corner, and that was where the Colts attacked them in the playoffs.

The drafting of Vladimir Ducasse signaled the end of Alan Faneca with the Jets, and Ducasse looks to be able to step in right away at guard. Ducasse has the tools and physical skills, but coming from UMass and playing against lesser competition may hinder him at the start.

A late round sleeper looks to be Joe McKnight. The Jets traded Leon Washington, and McKnight is an open field playmaker who can have an impact on third down and passing situations.

Draft Grade: C+

The Santonio Holmes Trade and the New York Jets

Ever since the trade of Santonio Holmes to the New York Jets, it has been widely speculated that the New York Jets were now looking at positions other than wide receiver in the upcoming 2010 NFL Draft. I have to ask why they would not look at a wide receiver with the 29th overall selection.

They now have a pair of outstanding receivers in Holmes and Braylon Edwards. They still have Jerricho Cotchery. They have a need for an interior defensive lineman, and they need an outside pass rushing threat to compensate for the lack of production they have gotten out of Vernon Gholston. But for my money it is the presence of Holmes and Edwards that will lead them to take a wide receiver in the first round.

Both are under contract through the end of the 2010 season. Holmes will be sitting out the first 4 games of 2010. Edwards has proven to have a case of the dropsies throughout his career. It can be deduced that while both players will help them immensely in 2010, they may not be the long term solution.

Let's say that both Holmes and Edwards have outstanding seasons in 2010. What kind of contracts will they be looking for down the road? Do the Jets want to keep both of them on the team at a high price tag and a history of off the field problems? My thought is no.

They have a franchise quarterback in place in Mark Sanchez. They have a 2 back system in place with Shonn Greene and LaDanian Tomlinson. They have perhaps they best offensive line in the NFL. The Jets proved to be a run first team in 2009, and even with the development and maturity of Sanchez I believe they will remain a running team. Holmes and Edwards may not be too happy with the number of touches they are getting. If that happens how long will it be before they start to have problems with remaining on the Jets? I see all of this adding up to the Jets taking their wide receiver of the future in the first round.

I have had the Jets taking Golden Tate with the 29th overall selection, and I still feel they are looking at a receiver. If they look towards the defense then Jared Odrick, Brian Price, Everson Griffen or Jerry Hughes could be their target. One thing has been proven true over they year. You can't have enough weapons on offense. I see the Jets adding one more to their arsenal.