Spring Break
Draft grades for AFC East
Jets at top of the class after drafting Sanchez
Mike Mauro
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Sports
After looking at how the NFC East and NFC North fared in the draft this past weekend, here is a first look at the other conference, as we analyze the AFC East teams:
New York Jets - Grade: A-
The Jets were the biggest winners of draft weekend. They traded into the No. 5 pick with the Browns and took a franchise-quarterback in USC's Mark Sanchez. This was the best pick of the draft. Sanchez has the charisma, personality, focus and drive to be the best quarterback for the Jets since Joe Namath. Sanchez does lack game experience, but he did practice every day against NFL-caliber players at USC. Sanchez is going to be a better pro than Matthew Stafford and has everything in place for him to become a great NFL quarterback. The team's second pick, Iowa running back Shonn Greene, was another good value and someone who gives them a physical running back as new coach Rex Ryan likes to be physical on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Their third and final pick, guard Matt Slauson from Nebraska, has a chance to develop as a backup and stick on the roster with his toughness and strength.
Buffalo Bills - Grade: B
Penn State defensive end Aaron Maybin was a good pick at No. 11 with his blazing speed around the outside, but he is questionable against the run and will need time to develop. However, he has the skills to become a 10+ sack guy per season. Their second first-rounder, Louisville center Eric Wood, is a tough, solid player who will start immediately, along with second-rounder Andy Levitre, a guard from Oregon State. Oregon cornerback Jairus Byrd is another solid pick in the second round and fourth round pick, tight end Shawn Nelson from Southern Mississippi, was a steal at that point and can immediately become a major threat in the passing game as his blocking develops.
New England Patriots - Grade: B
New England ended up with four second-round picks and traded for two in next year's draft. All of the second-rounders were solid players. Oregon safety Patrick Chung and UConn corner Darius Butler inject some youth into the Patriots secondary and both can eventually develop into starters. Boston College nose tackle Ron Brace is a huge presence in the middle of the defense and Houston offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer is an underrated prospect. North Carolina receiver Brandon Tate was a surprise in the third round. Coming off an ACL tear he will have a chance to recover but has the dynamic playmaking ability to become a deep threat and special teams ace.
Miami Dolphins - Grade: C
Illinois cornerback Vontae Davis, the Dolphins first-round pick, is a boom-or-bust prospect who can either become a No. 1 corner whom quarterbacks fear or be unheard of in a few years. It all depends on his work ethic. Then Miami took West Virginia quarterback Pat White in round two. This was a little bit of a reach and it will be interesting to see how the Dolphins use White - if it will be strictly in the Wildcat formation or also at receiver. Their other second-round pick, Utah corner Sean Smith, was a great pick. He is enormous for a corner at 6-foot-3, but has the speed to stay at the position or be a great free safety as well. However, the rest of the draft was full of reaches and players who won't make a major impact this year.
New York Jets - Grade: A-
The Jets were the biggest winners of draft weekend. They traded into the No. 5 pick with the Browns and took a franchise-quarterback in USC's Mark Sanchez. This was the best pick of the draft. Sanchez has the charisma, personality, focus and drive to be the best quarterback for the Jets since Joe Namath. Sanchez does lack game experience, but he did practice every day against NFL-caliber players at USC. Sanchez is going to be a better pro than Matthew Stafford and has everything in place for him to become a great NFL quarterback. The team's second pick, Iowa running back Shonn Greene, was another good value and someone who gives them a physical running back as new coach Rex Ryan likes to be physical on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Their third and final pick, guard Matt Slauson from Nebraska, has a chance to develop as a backup and stick on the roster with his toughness and strength.
Buffalo Bills - Grade: B
Penn State defensive end Aaron Maybin was a good pick at No. 11 with his blazing speed around the outside, but he is questionable against the run and will need time to develop. However, he has the skills to become a 10+ sack guy per season. Their second first-rounder, Louisville center Eric Wood, is a tough, solid player who will start immediately, along with second-rounder Andy Levitre, a guard from Oregon State. Oregon cornerback Jairus Byrd is another solid pick in the second round and fourth round pick, tight end Shawn Nelson from Southern Mississippi, was a steal at that point and can immediately become a major threat in the passing game as his blocking develops.
New England Patriots - Grade: B
New England ended up with four second-round picks and traded for two in next year's draft. All of the second-rounders were solid players. Oregon safety Patrick Chung and UConn corner Darius Butler inject some youth into the Patriots secondary and both can eventually develop into starters. Boston College nose tackle Ron Brace is a huge presence in the middle of the defense and Houston offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer is an underrated prospect. North Carolina receiver Brandon Tate was a surprise in the third round. Coming off an ACL tear he will have a chance to recover but has the dynamic playmaking ability to become a deep threat and special teams ace.
Miami Dolphins - Grade: C
Illinois cornerback Vontae Davis, the Dolphins first-round pick, is a boom-or-bust prospect who can either become a No. 1 corner whom quarterbacks fear or be unheard of in a few years. It all depends on his work ethic. Then Miami took West Virginia quarterback Pat White in round two. This was a little bit of a reach and it will be interesting to see how the Dolphins use White - if it will be strictly in the Wildcat formation or also at receiver. Their other second-round pick, Utah corner Sean Smith, was a great pick. He is enormous for a corner at 6-foot-3, but has the speed to stay at the position or be a great free safety as well. However, the rest of the draft was full of reaches and players who won't make a major impact this year.
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cj
posted 4/29/09 @ 5:58 PM EST
I can't believe you give a team with 3 picks an A-. They mortgaged potential players/depth for essentially two guys. Best since Joe Namath? That ain't saying much. (Continued…)
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