2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Matt Miller's Latest Mock for Every AFC East Team

We will have a much clearer picture for how teams will draft after the free agency signing period has gone into full swing. For now, though, it's fun to at least speculate on potential prospects each team should and could be targeting.

B/R's lead NFL Draft guru, Matt Miller, did just that in his most recent mock draft. Let's give his draft some perspective from an AFC East take.

8. Miami Dolphins: Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

Matt says: "Quinton Coples is a classic example of teams and the media falling in love with a player based on what he should be able to do—not what he does. Coples had 7.5 sacks in 2011. A reputable number for a big-bodied defensive end who saw a lot of double-teams. Look closer at that number, though, and you'll see that four of his sacks came against perennial powers (hint, sarcasm) James Madison and Duke. How many offensive linemen will those two schools put in the NFL? Answer—none. Coples in the Top 10 is a massive reach, and a mistake, but it's likely one that will happen."

My slant: Well, if nothing else, it addresses a need. A gigantic one, at that. The Dolphins are switching from a 3-4 base defense to a 4-3 front, and although they already have defensive end/outside linebacker Cameron Wake, they will need another defensive end capable of rushing the passer and setting the edge.

Coples has shown the promise to do that, but can he do so on a consistent basis against the top talent in the NFL? He won't be facing many slouch offensive tackles in the AFC East, but like Jason Pierre-Paul in 2010, he has shown a ton of athletic ability and has a high ceiling.

If the Dolphins think they'll be getting the most out of Coples, this is a slam dunk. If Miller is right, though, a top 10 pick would be a massive reach.

10. Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

Matt says: "With needs at virtually every position, Buddy Nix can identify value in the position and player they will draft. Michael Floyd from Notre Dame not only has incredible value, but he fills a need at the position if/when Stevie Johnson leaves via free agency. Floyd impressed by running a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash at the combine, so much so that it's not unthinkable that he will be the first receiver drafted."

My slant: The Bills would have needed a wide receiver whether or not they locked up Stevie Johnson to a five-year deal, but in doing so, the Bills have ensured that they won't need two wide receivers. Adding another big, fast wide receiver to the offense would really open things up for head coach Chan Gailey, who loves a spread attack.

There were some questions about Floyd's speed before he blazed through the 40-yard dash at the combine. The Bills probably have more pressing needs, but as Matt points out, his pick is based on value, and with good reason. The Bills have so many needs that they can't really go wrong with any position.

Still, with the transition to a 4-3 defense looming, many fans are probably anxious to see what the future of the defense is at defensive end, as the team presently lacks a true 4-3 end. South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram and Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw are both options the team could look at.

16. New York Jets: Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, South Carolina

Matt says: "Jeffery was criticized for playing out of shape in 2011, but impressed by weighing in at 216 lbs at the combine. He didn't run there, instead waiting to focus on his speed at the South Carolina Pro Day. There, Jeffery will have the chance to make or break his stock. Jeffery's game is not built on speed, but instead on using his big frame and great hands to separate and go up for the football. Like Anquan Boldin and Plaxico Burress before him, Jeffery will make his living in the red zone." 

My slant: The Jets absolutely need a wide receiver; that much is clear. The fact that they're looking at bringing back Braylon Edwards is evidence enough of just how desperate that need is. But is the need worth the risk that Jeffery presents?

Priority Nos. 1, 2 and 3 for the Jets should be finding true leaders in their locker room. Taking a shot on a receiver who played out of shape in 2011 isn't exactly the most promising way to get things back on track for a team that had so many issues off the field last season.

The Jets also need help at outside linebacker, with 34-year-old Bryan Thomas' future uncertain and with Calvin Pace now 31 years old himself. After the tough way the Jets season ended, though, their biggest need is more than a position: it's leadership.

27. New England Patriots: Vinny Curry, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Marshall

Matt says: "The New England Patriots are always tough to predict, but this year, they have clear-cut needs. Finding a No. 1 wide receiver is a must, as is finding a true speed rusher off the edge. ...Vinny Curry has played defensive end at Marshall, but has the quickness and loose hips to make an easy move to outside linebacker in the Patriots' hybrid scheme."

My slant: A pass-rusher? For the Patriots? In the first round? Anyone who knows the Patriots knows that even thinking about this will draw some eye rolls from the collective masses.

Belichick either doesn't value the position highly enough to do so or simply hasn't found the "perfect prospect" he envisions at the position. That perfect prospect is a carbon copy of former Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest, who could set the edge, rush the passer and drop into coverage. 

From a need perspective, though, the pick makes sense in a developmental sense. If the Patriots are able to retain Andre Carter and Mark Anderson, who combined for 20 sacks in 2011, they will have at least a year to develop a guy like Curry, who may need some polishing before he's ready to hit the field on a full-time basis.

31. New England Patriots: Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback/Safety, Alabama

Matt says: "[Kirkpatrick] lacks the speed, the physicality and the technique to be an elite cornerback. At free safety, though, Kirkpatrick could be a star. New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has a tie to the Alabama program, and he's shown in the past that drafting players from his friend Nick Saban's program isn't an issue. ...Kirkpatrick and Patrick Chung would solidify the safety position, giving the Patriots a safety who has the coverage experience to line up against tight ends and even slot receivers."

My slant: This pick is as good as gone. I'm not sure why more mock drafters aren't projecting a trade here.

The Patriots are no strangers to moving a college cornerback to safety; Eugene Wilson did so back in 2003, and this pick wouldn't be too far out of the "value" range that Wilson was (taken with the 36th overall pick). I would say the difference between a first and second-round pick would be too much for Belichick to pull the trigger here, but it makes more sense given the rookie wage scale.

What the Patriots need most sorely in the secondary is consistency. Their coverage units were a revolving door all year, and that revolving door spun all the way through the team's journey to the Super Bowl, when they used different packages for man and zone coverage. 

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