Ranking the AFC East Rosters, Pre-NFL Draft Edition

It's not much of a surprise that the New England Patriots have the best roster in the AFC East after the team nearly won Super Bowl XLVI, but if you had read me these rankings before the free-agency frenzy, I might have called you at least a little crazy.

The 2012 NFL draft will shake things up considerably, but over the past few weeks, I've done my diligence to provide insight into each of the positions on the roster and how each team in the AFC East was positioned at those spots:

• Quarterback
• Running back
• Wide receiver
• Tight end
• Offensive line
• Defensive line
• Linebacker
• Defensive back
• Special teams

Now, we cap it all off with an overall ranking of each roster in the AFC East.

Scoring guide: Each ranking has a numerical point value. The No. 1 ranking at any spot earns four points, the No. 2 spot earns three points, a No. 3 ranking earns two points and the No. 4 ranking earns one point.

1. New England Patriots

The Patriots dominated the offensive rankings with the No. 1 rankings at quarterback, receiver, tight end and offensive line.

In fact, the Patriots only ranked below second in three positions: secondary, defensive line and running back. They will likely make additions at both of the defensive spots through the draft, but adding another running back high doesn't make sense until they've seen what they have in Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen.

But with so many key components already in place on their roster, especially after making 14 free-agent signings, the Patriots can safely address their depth through the draft.

2. Buffalo Bills

Big-time improvements to their first-ranked defensive line boosted their stock significantly, as did the dynamic duo of Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller in the AFC East's No. 1-rated backfield. 

They were the best of the rest at wide receiver, and could still use an explosive playmaker at that spot. Their linebacking corps ranked out as my worst unit in the AFC East, but adding Luke Kuechly could drastically help there. The third-ranked offensive line in the division could also use a right tackle.

The Bills have a lot of options with their draft picks, and 10 picks with which to try to address their needs.

3. New York Jets

The Jets were the only team in the AFC East that ranked No. 1 in only one category. Every other team ranked at the top of the division in at least two positions.

Interestingly enough, the Jets only ranked at the top of the AFC East's secondaries because of Darrelle Revis.

Nonetheless, they ranked admirably in several positions: second in defensive line, offensive line and tight end (again, because of one guy). 

They need to surround Mark Sanchez with weapons and help him grow into the quarterback everyone in East Rutherford wants him to be. A younger core of linebackers would help, but not in the way a revamped offense would.

4. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins had the No. 1-ranked linebacker corps and special teams unit, and also boasted the second best running back squad via Reggie Bush's dominant performance. 

But they ranked dead last in four categories: quarterback, offensive line, defensive line and wide receiver. They also had the third ranking in the defensive secondary and at tight end.

These are all positions of need for the Dolphins heading into the draft.

And to think, before free agency, the Dolphins were primed to land Peyton Manning and become a contender in the AFC East.

What Do You Think? 

Now that the rankings are done, how did I do? What do you think of your team's ranking? Let me know in the comments below. Thanks for following along!

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