2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Wes Bunting's AFC East Picks (With Video)

Most mock draft experts are putting the finishing touches on their final versions for the 2012 NFL draft, and Wes Bunting of National Football Post is one of the experts we love to turn to for a reliable opinion.

Here are his AFC East picks, with some thoughts on each pick.

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

Wes says: "The Dolphins have received pretty average quarterback play over the past couple seasons and adding a talent like Tannehill who has the skill set to mature into a franchise QB could be too good to pass up at eight."

My slant: This has been one of the most popular first-round picks to the Dolphins in the mock draft maelstrom. It's not hard to see why: The Dolphins have cycled through 16 starting quarterbacks since Dan Marino retired in 2000.

The Dolphins were at Tannehill's pro day in full force, and even had dinner with the quarterback after his workout. Clearly, the interest is there to an extent.

Many experts believe that Tannehill will need time on the bench before he becomes a franchise-caliber quarterback, but Jeff Ireland has said those opinions won't sway his decision. With quarterback the biggest need for the Dolphins going forward, Tannehill looks like their guy.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Wes says: "Reiff is an athletic tackle with good range off the edge, natural change of direction skills and has the ability to sit into his stance on contact. He needs to get stronger and fill out a bit more. However, this former tight end recruit has the type of athleticism and demeanor to mature into the kind of blind side protector the Bills are looking for."

My slant: After losing left tackle Demetress Bell to the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent, the Bills are short on top-end talent at the tackle position. Their lack of depth was exposed by injuries last year, and they could use to find another tackle for the future to plug in opposite last year's fourth-round pick, Chris Hairston.

There are mixed reviews about Reiff.

While some, including ESPN's Todd McShay, wonder whether he will ever develop into an elite tackle, others, including Russ Lande of Sporting News, have even reported that teams aren't as high on Reiff as the media is. 

We'll see for sure next Thursday, but Bills assistant GM Doug Whaley had nice things to say about other offensive linemen, such as Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn and Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin.

While most experts are projecting Reiff to be the second tackle off the board, there are clearly some options worth exploring at a position of need for the Bills.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

Wes says: "Upshaw is a thick, powerful kid who can line up all over the Jets 34 front and get after the passer. He’s got the power to win consistently on contact vs. both the run and pass game and would be the kind of “NFL ready” prospect the Jets would love to get in the middle of round one."

My slant: Upshaw would be a solid addition for a Jets defensive front that sorely needs to find answers for the future, with Calvin Pace already 31 years old and Bryan Thomas nearing the end of his career at 34.

What's more, Upshaw has the experience in the 3-4 defense, having played multiple spots in the front for head coach Nick Saban, including inside and outside linebacker as well as a hand-in-the-dirt "rush" end.

The Jets have already stated at least some level of interest in Upshaw, and while he might be viewed by some as a reach at No. 16, he's a dedicated football player that fills a need. The Jets could use a bit of both right now.

27. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Wes says: "New England has had to piece together their secondary this year, but in terms of talent they could certainly use an upgrade at a number of spots. Barron is a smart, instinctive safety with good ball skills, can play in the box and be effective bumping/running with tight ends underneath."

My slant: What a dream this would be.

Barron has been projected in the top half of the first round, but some feel he'd be a reach at that point. Grabbing the top-rated safety in this class would be a draft-day move that has Bill Belichick's name all over it.

Instead of reaching for a defensive end or outside linebacker with the No. 27 pick, the Patriots can get an instant upgrade at safety and a player who could potentially compete for a starting job. His skill set is somewhat similar to Patrick Chung's, but bringing in Barron could allow Chung to do different things, perhaps even line up as the single high safety. 

31. New England Patriots: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Wes says: "Perry has worked out well all post-season and is a versatile 43 DE or 34 OLB prospect who could line-up all over. His versatility on third down gives the Patriots even more options in pressure situations."

My slant: The Patriots already lost defensive end Mark Anderson to free agency when the Bills handed him a hefty contract. They don't know exactly what they'll get out of Andre Carter in 2012, coming off of knee surgery. Those two players alone accounted for half of New England's sack production in 2011.

Even if Carter plays at the same level as 2011, the Patriots will have to find answers for the future at defensive end/outside linebacker at some point.

Perry played both spots in college, and the Patriots will be turned on by that versatility. The question with Perry is whether he can remain assignment-disciplined or if he will continue to ignore the call in relentless pursuit of the quarterback.

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