2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing James Walker's AFC East Picks

When it comes to mock drafts, a community mock makes much more sense. It's a better simulation of the multiple minds representing different teams that are at work during a draft.

ESPN's community of divisional bloggers got together for their own mock draft, with each divisional blogger representing all four teams they cover. The AFC East blog is run by James Walker, and he gave all four teams some solid new talent to work with.

Who did he pick? Here are his thoughts, with my thoughts accompanying.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB Texas A&M

The Dolphins need a quarterback for the future, and Walker points out that both Matt Moore and David Garrard will be free agents come the 2013 offseason. 

On the one hand, there's no pressure for Tannehill to start this season, as both Garrard and Moore have starting experience, and the pieces aren't in place to make Tannehill's transition smooth. On the other hand, does the team want to spend a top-10 pick on a player that's going to ride the bench all year? If nothing else, it would give the team time to find their identity on offense and to equip him with talented offensive linemen and receivers.

We know Tannehill is also familiar with Mike Sherman's offense, so he's a fit in that sense. He's also a solid quarterback on short and intermediate throws, so he should be a fit for Joe Philbin's West Coast offense, as well.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT Iowa

Depending on who you ask, this might be considered overdrafting, but it's hard to pass up the best player available at one of the most important positions on the roster. One concern about Reiff is his ability to translate to the left tackle spot in the NFL, as many have criticized his short arms as a reason why he could be stuck at right tackle. If that's the case, he's hardly worth a top 10 pick.

All things considered, though, the Bills desperately need depth at tackle, especially if left tackle Demetrius Bell leaves in free agency, but even if he stays.

As much as Bills fans might love the idea of adding a dynamic playmaker like Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd, they can get more wide receivers in later rounds, as the position is considered one of the deepest in the draft. Besides, they already have some depth at the spot, and more receivers at this point would be a luxury more than a necessity. Tackles, on the other hand, are an undeniable necessity.

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame

The best thing the Jets can do for their offense, believe it or not, isn't to add a back-up quarterback that plays 20 snaps a game. It's to add a wide receiver on the outside, one who can stretch a defense vertically and win one-on-one matchups.

Floyd can do just that. In fact, his ability to do so will open up the offense even more for Santonio Holmes (we all know how much he'll love that) as well as the running game. Interesting that adding a dynamic wide receiver would allow the Jets to return to the ground-and-pound style of offense they love. 

Whether it's Mark Sanchez or Tim Tebow throwing the ball, their job becomes much easier with a wide receiver that tilts the numbers game in their favor.

27. New England Patriots: Andre Branch, DE/OLB Clemson

If the Patriots draft a pass-rusher with a first-round pick, it will be the first time in Bill Belichick's head coaching tenure with the team. That being said, Branch adds a dynamic to the defense that the team lost with the departure of Mark Anderson: a talented sub-package pass-rusher.

His scheme versatility will make him an instant hit in the Patriots defense, and although the pressure probably won't be on him to contribute early, his ability to play in both the 3-4 and 4-3 fronts will allow him to do so.

The Patriots need to get younger and more athletic on defense, and with Branch, they'd be off to a great start.

31. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, CB Northern Alabama

This is a polarizing pick from my perspective. The Patriots have been known to roll the dice on a player with character concerns in the past, especially an ultra-talented player like Jenkins. He's a top-15 talent in the eyes of most talent evaluators, but it's his ability to stay out of trouble that has him slipping down boards. 

That being said, the Patriots put a lot of emphasis on high character players, and Jenkins' checkered past lends itself to the question of whether he can actually stay out of trouble. He was kicked out of Florida for his run-ins with the law, and that behavior won't fly in the NFL before he's suspended for multiple games.

From a purely on-the-field perspective, though, he has the ability to translate to a legitimate No. 1 cornerback, playing well in both man and zone coverages. 

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