2012 NFL Mock Draft: Mocking Need Picks for Every AFC East Team, Round 3

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 third-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 | Round 2

Miami Dolphins

Needs: QB, OL, DB

The pick: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

OK, so the Dolphins aren't hungry for talent at wide receiver with a laundry list of "serviceable" options, but could use some more threats for whomever's throwing the ball around next year, especially if it's not a guy like Peyton Manning or Robert Griffin III that will likely get the most out of his weapons.

He's a bit raw, but has the size (6'3.5", 215 pounds, long arms) that you like to see in an X receiver. Hill's 40 time could drive his stock up a bit from the third round, especially if he runs in the 4.4 range as he expects to.

And imagine Hill and Brandon Marshall in the red zone: who gets double coverage? That would present quite the dilemma for a defense.

Buffalo Bills

Needs: OLB, DE, DB, WR

The pick: Travis Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma

With the decision to switch from the 3-4 to a 4-3 base defense comes a commitment to overhauling quite a bit of the defensive personnel. While the Bills have some pieces in place, they will need to make some renovations to a linebacking corps that's built more for the former than the latter.

Defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt told BuffaloBills.com that he's not looking for big linebackers like you'd see in a 3-4, but instead for guys who can run sideline to sideline.

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We have a lot needs. (We need) three linebackers who can run, not the big 3-4 linebacker. We're looking for guys who can run and make plays.

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Lewis would give him a player that has experience defending spread offenses and can tackle well despite his size.

New York Jets

Needs: OLB, WR, RT, S

The pick: Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia 

The Jets need to get younger up front, and even though Cam Johnson isn't regarded as one of the better pass-rushers in this year's draft, the Jets don't necessarily need elite rushers as much as they just need physical bodies up front.

Johnson would give the Jets a good run-defending outside linebacker that can also move well for his size (267 pounds) and has experience playing in the 3-4 defense under Al Groh.

New England Patriots

Needs: DE, DT, OLB, DB, WR

The pick: Marvin Jones, WR, California

If the Patriots are going to target a wide receiver in the draft, they need to look at guys that can contribute quickly. On that note, I'll defer to my friend Doug Kyed of NEPatriotsDraft.com, who has scouted Jones closely and had the opportunity to interview him. He wrote:

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At Cal under Coach Tedford, Jones got the experience of playing under a pro style offense. He has experience running option routes, changing his route depending on what coverage he’s facing and he says he can run the whole route tree. That could be a tremendous help coming to a team like the Patriots, who themselves expect players to be able to read defenses and make changes mid-play. 

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Sounds like a Patriots wide receiver to me.

At just under 6'2", Jones gives the Patriots a tall threat on the outside they don't currently have, and also has the speed to force a defense to respect him deep. Getting him in the third round will probably be considered a steal by the time the draft process is done, but if the draft were today without any 40 times to draw upon, Jones might fall far enough and would be a solid pick for the Patriots.

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