2012 NFL Mock Draft: Mocking Need Picks for Every AFC East Team, Round 2

With the 2012 NFL draft on April 26, we will look at some solid prospects that fill needs for each AFC East team in each round of the draft, from now until the real thing. This is the second round edition. Check back at the AFC East blog for updates and more rounds each week leading up to the draft.

Previous posts: Round 1

Bills

Needs: OLB, DE, DB, WR

The pick: Andre Branch, DE Clemson

The Bills logged just 29 sacks as a team last year, a number that must improve if the defense wants to get out of the doldrums. In an attempt to improve the pass rush, the Bills are switching to a 4-3 front which will allow their two defensive tackles Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams to get after the quarterback. Adding a stud pass rusher off the edge would make that endeavor even more successful.

With 16 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks in 14 games, Branch proved his ability to penetrate the backfield and create negative plays. His junior year was his best, but he wasn't a one-year wonder—he improved every year over the course of his collegiate career.

Dolphins

Needs: QB, OL, DB

The pick: Chase Minnifield, DB Virginia

The Dolphins thought they had their answer at cornerback with Vontae Davis and Sean Smith, but the latter didn't hold up his end of the bargain in 2011. Minnifield is a fast cornerback with size, and although he may struggle with the league's better receivers, he wouldn't face them immediately. Davis handles most of those responsibilities, and the AFC East doesn't offer a wealth of top-end receivers for him to cover.

Minnifield has good ball skills and the ability to play both man and zone coverage. He's a solid addition for a secondary that's searching for answers.

Jets

Needs: OLB, WR, RT, S

The pick: Nick Toon, WR 

With question marks at wide receiver in Plaxico Burress and Santonio Holmes, and marginal cap space to find an answer, the Jets will need to add talent at the position in the draft. Last year's fifth-round pick Jeremy Kerley could potentially be a No. 2 or 3 receiver for the Jets, but seventh-round pick Scotty McKnight is unlikely to make a big impact in the NFL.

Toon offers something both Kerley and McKnight lack: size, which will allow him to win inside leverage when he inevitably runs Mark Sanchez's favorite route to throw: the inside slant. Whether Toon still has that speed or not is another question, and one that will have to wait until after the Combine to be answered.

Patriots

Needs: DE, DT, OLB, DB, WR

The pick: Mohamed Sanu, WR Rutgers

Our friend Mike Loyko over at NEPatriotsDraft.com did a great job outlining why the Patriots have struggled to develop talent at wide receiver, and Sanu seems to be everything past Patriots draft picks at receiver haven't been. He comes from a pro style offense where he was asked to run precision routes; he has also caught a lot of passes in his career. 

Sanu has shown the ability to read coverages and get open at Rutgers, despite having yet to do so against top-flight cornerbacks. He may not be the fastest receiver in the draft, but at 6'2" and 215 pounds, he will certainly give Tom Brady another great target in the red zone.

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