2010 NFL Draft: AFC East Grades

The 2010 NFL Draft is now in the books and the staff members of NFLDraft101.com have each submitted their grades. 

We will go division by division, recapping each team's draft and presenting our staff grades. (click on the team name for pick by pick analysis)

AFC East:

Buffalo Bills - The Bills decision to wait until day three to fill needs at quarterback and offensive tackle has garnered the bulk of the draft talk but the front office realized they had needs pretty much everywhere but in the secondary as shown by this draft.

RB CJ Spiller was a best player available in round one and he brings the type of game breaking ability to take pressure off of the quarterback and offensive tackle positions. 

The primary focus of the Bills draft was on acquiring personnel for their new 3-4 defense as witnessed by the day two selections of NT Torrel Troup and DE Alex Carrington plus late round small school rush linebackers Arthur Moats and Danny Batten.  

Offensive tackles Ed Wang and Kyle Calloway were added on day two and it will not be a surprise if one earns a starting job this season. By waiting until round seven for a quarterback (Levi Brown) you can also argue that no team is in better position to take advantage of next year's strong quarterback class than Buffalo.  

Grade: C

Miami Dolphins - Bill Parcells and company made their splash prior to the draft acquiring WR Brandon Marshall allowing them to focus on the trenches with their early selections.

DE Jared Ordrick was the best five technique in the draft.  Second rounder Koa Misi is a high effort rush linebacker arguably filling their largest draft need. Third round selection John Jerry is a roadgrading run blocker who would be an ideal fit at right guard. Fifth rounder Reshad Jones is a big hitter who could earn early playing time at safety. 

Overall, the Dolphins had a solid draft with the biggest gripe being the lack of a nose tackle selection. 

Grade: B-

New England Patriots - No team does a better job of acquiring picks than the Patriots but they have failed to take advantage of them in recent seasons and at first glance 2010 does not appear to be any different. 

Armed with four picks in the top 62, the Patriots were poised to fill needs on an aging roster yet did not appear to get great value with those top selections. CB Devin McCourty is a bend but don't break corner known as much for his special team's play as his cornerback play (and taken ahead of Kyle Wilson). OLB Jermaine Cunningham does not appear to be an impact pass rusher. ILB Brandon Spikes is a solid, instinctive inside backer but lacks great upside. 

Of the four early picks only TE Rob Gronkowski is a potentially impact player at a position of need. Trading back at 22 with WR Demaryius Thomas on the board was arguably the most questionable move as he would have been the ideal field stretcher/developmental receiver to play opposite Randy Moss. The early pick criticism aside, the Patriots did make quality selections in the later rounds including WR Taylor Price, TE Aaron Hernandez, C Ted Larson and DE Brandon Deaderick.  

Grade: C-

New York Jets - The Jets have had arguably the best offseason of any team in the NFL but for the third time in four years they made four draft selections or less making them a difficult team to grade. 

CB Kyle Wilson was not a great need but was a great value in round one. G Vladimir Ducasse is a developmental prospect with a high ceiling but will likely be forced to play before he is ready after the release of Alan Faneca. 

The addition of RB Joe McKnight facilitated the trade of Leon Washington. Speaking of Washington, it is hard to believe he was traded straight up for blocking back John Connor. Overall solid picks but failed to fill needs along the defensive line and at rush linebacker. 

Grade: C-

(Please note: grades are based on how team's utilized their picks on draft weekend.  Trades made prior to the draft are not accounted for in these grades)


Chris Maier is Senior Editor for NFLDraft101.com.  He can be reached at [e-mail].  Follow me on twitter: nfldraft101.