AFC East: Grading the Drafts 2008-2011

A few days ago, I graded all of the Miami Dolphins' drafts since 2008.  I was scrutinizing the work of Miami's general manager, Jeff Ireland.  Many of our readers requested that the entire AFC East be put the test as well.  Well, here it is. 

The Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets and their general managers will receive scores for their drafts between 2008-2011.

It is too early to judge the 2012 draft.

My Scoring System

I will decide whether any given draft choice was productive or a bust. The higher the draft pick, the higher the expectation. A wise first-round pick will be worth one point and a first-round bust will be worth seven negative points. Inversely, a decent seventh-round pick will be worth seven points and a seventh-round failure will be worth one negative point.

Here is the scoring breakdown:

ROUND	SUCCESS	FAILURE
1	1	-7
2	2	-6
3	3	-5
4	4	-4
5	5	-3
6	6	-2
7	7	-1

This is a subjective exercise and no scoring system is perfect.  I'm keeping it simple.

Buffalo Bills' 2008 Draft

ROUND			SCORE
1	Leodis McKelvin	DB	1
2	James Hardy	WR	-6
3	Chris Ellis	DE	-5
4	Reggie Corner	DB	-4
4	Derek Fine	TE	-4
5	Alvin Bowen	LB	-3
6	Xavier Omon	RB	-2
7	Demetress Bell	T	7
7	Steve Johnson	WR	7
7	Kennard Cox	DB	-1
	POSSIBLE MAX		46
	POSSIBLE MIN		-34
	ACTUAL SCORE		-10

GM: Russ Brandon

Abandoned by former general manager, Marv Levy, Brandon did poorly on his own in 2008. 

Second-rounder James Hardy has 10 career receptions and has not contributed in the NFL since 2009.

Third-rounder Chris Ellis has 13 career tackles and has not contributed in the NFL since 2010.

Although he has a perfect name for his position, Reggie Corner started 13 games in four years for the Bills.  He only has two career interceptions.

Tight end Derek Fine caught 19 passes in two years and is no longer in the NFL.

Alvin Bowen has one career tackle and Xavier Omon has 11 career rushing attempts.

Stevie Johnson was a seventh-round gem and Demetress Bell exceeded expectations as a final-round selection.

New England Patriots' 2008 Draft

ROUND			SCORE
1	Jerod Mayo	LB	1
2	Terrence Wheatley	DB	-6
3	Shawn Crable	LB	-5
3	Kevin O'Connell	QB	-5
4	Jonathan Wilhite	DB	-4
5	Matt Slater	WR	5
6	Bo Ruud	LB	-2
	POSSIBLE MAX		24
	POSSIBLE MIN		-32
	ACTUAL SCORE		-16

GM: Scott Pioli (Bill Belichick)

While Pioli was the "general manager" for the Patriots, Belichick had the final say.  Together they executed a terrible draft plan.  Only their first-round pick, Jerod Mayo, and fifth-rounder Matt Slater have produced in the NFL.

Second-rounder Terrence Wheatley has started one game in his career and has never made an interception.

Shawn Crable has four career tackles, and the Patriots' other third-rounder, Kevin O'Connell, has thrown six NFL passes.

Jonathan Wilhite started 13 games in three seasons for New England and made three interceptions in that span.

Matt Slater has made two pro bowls as a special teamer.

Bo Ruud never produced an NFL stat.

New York Jets' 2008 Draft

ROUND			SCORE
1	Vernon Gholston	DE	-7
1	Dustin Keller	TE	1
4	Dwight Lowery	DB	4
5	Erik Ainge	QB	-3
6	Marcus Henry	WR	-2
7	Nate Garner	T	-1
	POSSIBLE MAX		24
	POSSIBLE MIN		-24
	ACTUAL SCORE		-8

GM: Mike Tannenbaum

Vernon Gholston is a huge bust.  The sixth overall pick of 2008 produced 42 combined tackles in three years for the Jets, including zero sacks.

Dustin Keller has been an above-average tight end for New York.

Fourth-rounder Dwight Lowery has started 38 games in his career and has 10 interceptions.

Erik Ainge never threw an NFL pass, and Marcus Henry never caught one.

Ironically, Nate Garner has been a productive seventh-rounder for the Miami Dolphins.  Chalk one up for Jeff Ireland, who snatched Garner from the New York Jets practice squad.

Final Analysis for 2008 Draft

Here are the players Miami drafted in 2008:

ROUND			SCORE
1	Jake Long	T	1
2	Phillip Merling	DE	-6
2	Chad Henne	QB	-6
3	Kendall Langford	DE	3
4	Shawn Murphy	T	-4
6	Jalen Parmele	RB	-2
6	Donald Thomas	G	6
6	Lex Hilliard	RB	-2
7	Lionel Dotson	DT	-1
	POSSIBLE MAX		37
	POSSIBLE MIN		-35
	ACTUAL SCORE		-11

For more detail, read my article, "Grading All of Jeff Ireland's Drafts."

AFC East Scorecard: 2008 Draft

Best 2008 Draft: The entire AFC East failed miserably in 2008.

Worst 2008 Draft: New England, who only hit on their first-rounder.

Best Pick: Buffalo, who drafted Stevie Johnson in the seventh round.

Worst Pick: New York, who drafted Vernon Gholston sixth overall.

Buffalo Bills' 2009 Draft

ROUND			SCORE
1	Aaron Maybin	DE	-7
1	Eric Wood	C	1
2	Jairus Byrd	DB	2
2	Andy Levitre	G	2
4	Shawn Nelson	TE	-4
5	Nic Harris	LB	-3
6	Cary Harris	DB	-2
7	Ellis Lankster	DB	-1
	POSSIBLE MAX		28
	POSSIBLE MIN		-36
	ACTUAL SCORE		-12

GM: Russ Brandon

Buffalo's 2009 draft is ruined by Aaron Maybin's selection in the first round, 11th overall.  Maybin started one game for Buffalo in two years and compiled only 24 tackles for the Bills.

Eric Wood, Jairus Byrd and Andy Levitre have started consistently for the Bills.  Byrd has 18 interceptions in his four years with Buffalo.

Shawn Nelson had 20 receptions in two years with the Bills.

Nic Harris started only two games for Buffalo.

Cary Harris played in Buffalo for two years and has six career tackles.

Ellis Lankster has started only one game in his career and played in Buffalo for only one year.

New England Patriots' 2009 Draft

ROUND			SCORE
2	Patrick Chung	DB	2
2	Ron Brace	DT	-6
2	Darius Butler	DB	-6
2	Sebastian Vollmer	T	2
3	Brandon Tate	WR	-5
3	Tyrone McKenzie	LB	-5
4	Rich Ohrnberger	G	-4
5	George Bussey	T	-3
6	Jake Ingram	LS	-2
6	Myron Pryor	DT	-2
7	Julian Edelman	WR	7
7	Darryl Richard	DT	-1
	POSSIBLE MAX		49
	POSSIBLE MIN		-47
	ACTUAL SCORE		-23

GM: Floyd Reese (Bill Belichick)

Considering New England had 12 picks, including four second-rounders and two third-rounders, this draft was a massive failure.

Patrick Chung and Sebastian Vollmer have started, at least, 30 games for the Patriots.

Second-rounder Ron Brace has been a bust, starting only seven games in four seasons and compiling only 39 tackles in that span.

Darius Butler only played two seasons for New England, starting eight games and making three interceptions.

Brandon Tate caught 24 passes in two years for the Patriots.

Third-rounder Tyrone McKenzie never suited up as a Patriot during the regular season.  He has 17 career tackles.

Rich Ohrnberger played in only five games as a Patriot, and George Bussey has not played in an NFL game.

Jake Ingram is a long snapper that played less than two seasons for New England and has not played in the NFL since 2010.

Myron Pryor started two games for the Patriots in three years and compiled 34 tackles in his career.

Julian Edelman has 69 career receptions and has been a special teams contributor.

Darryl Richard has never played in a regular-season NFL game.

New York Jets' 2009 Draft

ROUND			SCORE
1	Mark Sanchez	QB	-7
3	Shonn Greene	RB	3
6	Matt Slauson	G	6
	POSSIBLE MAX		10
	POSSIBLE MIN		-14
	ACTUAL SCORE		2

GM: Mike Tannenbaum

Why was Mark Sanchez allowed to start for a fourth season?  Why did he receive a contract extension?  These are mysteries that now have the New York Jets in a major hole.

On December 17, I wrote, "Mark Sanchez and Mike Tannenbaum Must Go!"  Tannenbaum is gone, and there is not much more to say about Sanchez. 

Shonn Greene is no superstar but he has amassed two 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

Matt Slauson has started 48 games for the Jets.

.

Final Analysis for 2009 Draft

Here are the players Miami drafted in 2009:

ROUND			SCORE
1	Vontae Davis	DB	1
2	Pat White	QB	-6
2	Sean Smith	DB	2
3	Patrick Turner	WR	-5
4	Brian Hartline	WR	4
5	John Nalbone	TE	-3
5	Chris Clemons	DB	5
6	Andrew Gardner	T	-2
7	J.D. Folsom	LB	-1
	POSSIBLE MAX		35
	POSSIBLE MIN		-37
	ACTUAL SCORE		-5

Again, for more analysis of Miami's picks, read, "Grading All of Jeff Ireland's Drafts."

AFC East Scorecard: 2009 Draft

Best 2009 Draft: The AFC East had another bad year, but Miami drafted four players who have contributed.

Worst 2009 Draft: New England, who received very little from two second-rounders and two third-rounders.

Best Pick: Miami, who drafted Brian Hartline in the fourth round.

Worst Pick: New York, who drafted Mark Sanchez fifth overall.  Miami's Pat White selection was close behind.

Buffalo Bills' 2010 Draft

ROUND			SCORE
1	C.J. Spiller	RB	1
2	Torell Troup	DT	-6
3	Alex Carrington	DE	-5
4	Marcus Easley	WR	-4
5	Ed Wang	T	-3
6	Arthur Moats	LB	6
6	Danny Batten	DE	-2
7	Levi Brown	QB	-1
7	Kyle Calloway	T	-1
	POSSIBLE MAX		41
	POSSIBLE MIN		-31
	ACTUAL SCORE		-15

GM: Buddy Nix

Nix failed miserably in conducting his first draft for the Buffalo Bills.  Other than C.J. Spiller, only sixth-rounder Arthur Moats has met his expectations.

Second-rounder Torell Troup has started two games for the Bills and produced 31 combined tackles in his career.

In three seasons, Alex Carrington has started six games and produced 43 total tackles.

Marcus Easley has not made an NFL reception.

Ed Wang suited up for six NFL games with Buffalo.

Arthur Moats has started eight games for the Bills and has made 87 tackles, including five sacks.

Danny Batten started four games for Buffalo in 2011.

Levi Brown, the quarterback?  He has three pass attempts in the NFL, which includes an interception.

Kyle Calloway has not suited up for a regular-season game.

New England Patriots' 2010 Draft

ROUND			SCORE
1	Devin McCourty	DB	1
2	Rob Gronkowski	TE	2
2	Jermaine Cunningham	LB	-6
2	Brandon Spikes	LB	2
3	Taylor Price	WR	-5
4	Aaron Hernandez	TE	4
5	Zoltan Mesko	P	5
6	Ted Larsen	C	-2
7	Thomas Welch	T	-1
7	Brandon Deaderick	DE	7
7	Kade Weston	DT	-1
7	Zac Robinson	QB	-1
	POSSIBLE MAX		53
	POSSIBLE MIN		-47
	ACTUAL SCORE		5

GM: Floyd Reese (Bill Belichick)

In 2010, Reese and Belichick had 12 picks for the second year in a row.  They easily found more success than in 2009 but still missed with a second- and third-rounder.

Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez are two of the best tight ends in the NFL.

Devin McCourty has averaged more than 80 tackles a year, and the safety has 14 interceptions in three years.

Jermaine Cunningham has started 14 games in three years and has produced less than 20 tackles a year.

Brandon Spikes had 92 combined tackles in 2012.

Taylor Price caught three passes for the Patriots in a little more than one season.

Zoltan Mesko has been New England's punter the past three seasons.

Ted Larsen did not play a down for New England.

Thomas Welch started one game for the Patriots.

Brandon Deaderick has started 14 games in three years and has compiled five sacks.

Kade Weston and Zac Robinson have not logged an NFL down.

New York Jets' 2010 Draft

ROUND			SCORE
1	Kyle Wilson	DB	-7
2	Vlad Ducasse	T	-6
4	Joe McKnight	RB	-4
5	John Conner	RB	-3
	POSSIBLE MAX		12
	POSSIBLE MIN		-20
	ACTUAL SCORE		-20

GM: Mike Tannenbaum

The New York Jets' 2010 draft was perfectly bad.

With Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie in place, it is difficult to crack into the Jets starting lineup for a cornerback.  Kyle Wilson, though, is a first-rounder and has made only three interceptions in three years.

Second-rounder Vlad Ducasse has started only one game for New York.

Joe McKnight has started one game in three years and averages 167 yards rushing per season.

John Conner started 10 games in three years with the Jets and amassed 88 rushing yards in that span.

Final Analysis for 2010 Draft

Here are the players drafted by Miami in 2010:

ROUND			SCORE
1	Jared Odrick	DE	1
2	Koa Misi	LB	2
3	John Jerry	T	3
4	A.J. Edds	LB	-4
5	Nolan Carroll	DB	5
5	Reshad Jones	DB	5
7	Chris McCoy	DE	-1
7	Austin Spitler	LB	7
	POSSIBLE MAX		34
	POSSIBLE MIN		-30
	ACTUAL SCORE		18

AFC East Scorecard: 2010 Draft

Best 2010 Draft: New England, based on star power.

Worst 2010 Draft: New York, who missed on all four of their choices.

Best Pick: New England, who drafted Aaron Hernandez in the fourth round.

Worst Pick: Buffalo, who drafted Torell Troup 41st overall, immediately before the Patriots drafted Rob Gronkowski.

Buffalo Bills' 2011 Draft

ROUND			SCORE
1	Marcell Dareus	DT	1
2	Aaron Williams	DB	-6
3	Kelvin Sheppard	LB	3
4	Da'Norris Searcy	DB	-4
4	Chris Hairston	OL	-4
5	Johnny White	RB	-3
6	Chris White	LB	-2
7	Justin Rogers	DB	7
7	Michael Jasper	DT	-1
	POSSIBLE MAX		39
	POSSIBLE MIN		-33
	ACTUAL SCORE		-9

GM: Buddy Nix

Another year and another bad draft for Buffalo as the Bills missed on a second-rounder and two fourth-rounders.

Since he was drafted, Marcell Dareus has started every game but one and has averaged 5.5 sacks per year.

Aaron Williams has started 16 games in two seasons and only has one interception.

Kelvin Sheppard started 15 games in 2012 and made 80 tackles.

Da'Norris Searcy has started three games in two years and has made only one interception.

Chris Hairston has started 15 games in two years.

In two years with Buffalo, Johnny White had 20 rushing attempts for 72 yards.

Chris White has not started a game for the Bills and has logged 19 tackles in two years.

As a seventh-rounder, Justin Rogers made 37 tackles in 2012.

Michael Jasper has not played in an NFL regular-season game.

New England Patriots' 2011 Draft

ROUND			SCORE
1	Nate Solder	OL	1
2	Ras-I Dowling	DB	-6
2	Shane Vereen	RB	-6
3	Stevan Ridley	RB	3
3	Ryan Mallett	QB	-5
5	Marcus Cannon	OL	-3
5	Lee Smith	TE	-3
6	Markell Carter	LB	-2
7	Malcolm Williams	DB	-1
	POSSIBLE MAX		34
	POSSIBLE MIN		-38
	ACTUAL SCORE		-22

GM: Floyd Reese (Bill Belichick)

This was New England's third failed draft in four years.  The Patriots did find some players using their shotgun approach (five picks in the top three rounds).

Nate Solder has started every game but three in his first two seasons.

Second-rounder Ras-I Dowling is the definition of a bust.  In two seasons, he has started two games and has made 10 total tackles and no interceptions.

Shane Vereen has not met his lofty second-round status, with only one start and 308 total rushing yards in two years.

Stevan Ridley rushed for 1,263 yards in 2012.

Ryan Mallett may have the goods but the Patriots have received zero return for one of their 2011 third-rounders.

Marcus Cannon has started one game in two years.

Lee Smith has only produced for the Buffalo Bills.

Markell Carter has not played in the NFL, and Malcolm Williams has two total tackles in two years.

New York Jets' 2011 Draft

ROUND			SCORE
1	Muhammad Wilkerson	DT	1
3	Kenrick Ellis	DL	-5
4	Bilal Powell	RB	4
5	Jeremy Kerley	WR	5
7	Greg McElroy	QB	-1
7	Scotty McKnight	WR	-1
	POSSIBLE MAX		27
	POSSIBLE MIN		-21
	ACTUAL SCORE		3

GM: Mike Tannenbaum

This was the New York Jets' best draft in the span between 2008-2011 and it was nothing to write home about.  It was the only draft in the studied time frame in which they did not draft a first-round bust.

Muhammad Wilkerson has started every game but one in the last two years.

Kenrick Ellis has started four games in two years and has produced a total of 25 tackles.

Fourth-rounder Bilal Powell had 577 combined yards in 2012, including four touchdowns.

Fifth-rounder Jeremy Kerley had 827 receiving yards in 2012.

Greg McElroy has produced very little and Scotty McKnight has produced nothing.

Final Analysis for 2011 Draft

 In 2011, Miami drafted the following players:

ROUND			SCORE
1	Mike Pouncey	C	1
2	Daniel Thomas	RB	2
4	Clyde Gates	WR	-4
6	Charles Clay	TE	6
7	Frank Kearse	DT	-1
7	Jimmy Wilson	DB	7
	POSSIBLE MAX		27
	POSSIBLE MIN		-21
	ACTUAL SCORE		11

 AFC East Scorecard: 2011 Draft

Best 2011 Draft: Miami, who landed a perennial pro bowl center.  While Pouncey was snubbed this year, he can't be kept down for long.

Worst 2011 Draft: New England, who missed on two second-rounders and one third.

Best Pick: Miami, who drafted Mike Pouncey in the first round.

Worst Pick: New England, who drafted Ras-I Dowling in the second round.

In Conclusion

While my intention was not to make Jeff Ireland look pretty, he looks like a superstar compared to the general managers of the AFC East.

Mike Tannenbaum has run the Jets into the ground and has cast a dark cloud on their future.

Bill Belichick may be a game-day genius but has produced very little with New England's division-leading 40 selections during the examined period.

Russ Brandon and Buddy Nix have failed miserably in every one of the period's drafts.

This also shows that drafting collegiate players is a difficult task.

For those that want Ireland out, be careful what you wish for.