Inside The Playbook

AFC East Draft Analysis

By: Lily Zhao

Now that the NFL Draft is over and players are reporting to their respective teams, which AFC East teams did the best job in addressing their needs and came out the winner of the 2012 NFL Draft? Well, the Jets, Bills and Dolphins have been making moves all off-season, especially during the free agency and now the draft to close the gap between themselves and the perennial top-seed, the Patriots.

Here's a look at how each team stands after the draft:

MIAMI DOLPHINS

(NBC.com)

Could the Dolphins have a new Dan Marino in their grasp? They certainly hope so. Former Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill was the first quarterback taken in the first round by Miami since Marino in 1983. With the Dolphins drafting Tannehill at number 8, they must believe he'll be the franchise quarterback they're looking for. Coming into the season, the reality of having the rookie quarterback jump incumbent starter Matt Moore and the free-agent signing of David Garrard is not likely. However, Tannehill has all the skills to be that starter two or three years down the road. He's already somewhat familiar with offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, who coached him while he was with the Aggies.

But, to make Tannehill that franchise quarterback, he will need the right pieces around him to succeed. With that said, Tannehill will need weapons in the open field to throw to. After trading veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall, it's boggling why the Dolphins signed another receiver, B.J. Cunningham from Michigan State, in the sixth round. Cunningham had a mediocre career with the Spartans and has had some off-the-field issues. Furthermore, head coach Joe Philbin made sure to get Tannehill lots of protection up front, drafting OT Jonathan Martin, who could play alongside Pro Bowler Jake Long.

Grade: C

Media analysts believe the Miami Dolphins fared the best out of all the other AFC East teams following the first round of the NFL Draft, where the Dolphins drafted Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

NEW YORK JETS

(Newyorkjets.com)

GM Mike Tannenbaum and head coach Rex Ryan decided to draft wide receiver Stephen Hill who impressed during the NFL Combine, running the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.38 seconds. A standout at Georgia Tech, Hill mastered the triple-option, but now has to translate those skills to the Jets offense. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound receiver also adds a big body to the Jets offense. With great hands and speed,  Hill will be among fellow veteran receivers Santonio Holmes, Jeremy Kerley and Dustin Keller. However, New York failed to address two big weaknesses on its offensive line, left guard and right tackle.

Rex Ryan also decided to take a big gamble drafting North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples. Following an average senior season, Coples failed to deliver on his immense potential. However, the team is hoping he can be the big-time pass rusher they need. But, drafting safeties Antonio Allen and Josh Bush helps the Jets bring in some play-making ability to the team's secondary. At South Carolina, Allen played a safety/linebacker hybrid position and is a sure tackler, especially on the line of scrimmage. What he'll need to work on is learning how to read NFL defenses. Bush recorded six interceptions last season with Notre Dame and has the ability to help the Jets with their weakness at corner, due to his ability to cover tight ends and receivers in the slot, especially in open field.

Grade: B-

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

(sportsagentblog.com)

The Patriots did something no one expected them to do... trade up twice in the first round. Bill Belichick has only done that twice in the past 12 drafts, which should mean he believes Syracuse DE Chandler Jones and Alabama LB Dont'a Hightower will be able to shore up the Patriots defense immediately. Outside of the first round, the Patriots' second-round pick of Illinois defensive back Tavon Wilson was a bit surprising. Wilson recorded 74 tackles and 1 INT last season playing with the Illini.

New England also drafted Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard who slipped all the way to the seventh round due to an April 21 arrest. Dennard, aside from his off-the-field problems, is a physical cornerback who can play strong at the line and plug up holes. He has good closing speed and good instincts, and the talent to compete for a starting position if he cleans up his act. Last season, he recorded 31 tackles.

Belichick did a solid job in restocking his defense with players who fit the team's profile. If the first-rounders can live up their expectations and if Dennard pans out, this will have been a successful draft for the Patriots.

Grade: B-

BUFFALO BILLS

(postandcourier.com)

The Bills could provide the most competition moving forward this season. Although the team didn't make any flashy picks, the Bills did address their immediate concerns in the secondary and on the offensive line. Following a free agency period where the Bills brought in pass rushers Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, the team also drafted talented cornerback Stephon Gilmore and offensive tackle Cordy Glenn. Gilmore and Glenn have the play-making ability and potential to both be starters this coming season.

Another need Buffalo addressed was on offense. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will hopefully have a new wide receiver to throw to in order to take the pressure off receiver Steve Johnson, and that player could be receiver T.J. Graham. The 6'0'', 188-pound receiver out of NC State caught 46 passes for 757 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He has the speed to compete in the NFL, and was NC State's top return man as well.

                                                                Grade: B+