2009 Draft Report Card: AFC East

2009 Draft Report Card: AFC East

Buffalo Bills

Defensive End was a huge need for Buffalo, so in Round One they selected DE Aaron Maybin. But with Brian Orakpo on the board, this pick didn't make didn't make sense to me. Maybin needs to bulk up to play the run more effectively.

C Eric Wood and G Andy Levitre should both start immediately on one of the worst offensive lines in the league.

CB Jairus Byrd was not a need pick, but he's very underrated as a cover corner.

The Bills also added two more corners in Cary Harris and Ellis Lankster. Both will have to make an impression on special teams to break camp in this talented secondary.

TE Shawn Nelson was Buffalo's best value pick. He is a willing blocker and that skill could be more important as a rookie than catching passes.

Analysis: Taking Aaron Maybin over Brian Orakpo and not getting a tackle to replace Jason Peters overshadows the picks of Wood, Levitre, Byrd, and Nelson.

Grade: C+

Miami Dolphins

Last year, Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland focused on the trenches during the draft, so this year, the skill positions were addressed.

CB Vontae Davis and CB Sean Smith are Parcells-type defensive backs: aggressive and versatile. Both could start at either corner or safety immediately.

QB Pat White adds a throwing element to the Wildcat formation. Chad Pennington will have lots of pressure to perform this year with Chad Henne and White looming.

WR Patrick Turner was the biggest head-scratcher of all the third-round picks coming from a major program; he couldn't dominate at USC despite superior size, so what can be expected of him as a pro? If he's to be just a goal-line receiver, the price was too high.

WR Brian Hartline is very underrated and could become an immediate third-down receiver.

S Chris Clemons is an athletic safety but might be simply a workout warrior.

TE John Nalbone and OLB J.D. Folsom are hard workers with limited upside who should contribute on special teams.

OT Andrew Gardner is a decent right tackle prospect who fell on some boards after a shoulder injury last year.

Analysis: They made tremendous picks for the secondary with Sean Smith and Vontae Davis, but Patrick Turner was a reach in Round Three. They passed on several 3-4 OLBs to replace Joey Porter in the future, yet took several Day Two players with limited upside.

Grade: C

New York Jets

The Jets were aggressive and paid a heavy price to get Mark Sanchez, but the young QB will embrace the New York media and has the intelligence and work ethic to start right away despite only 16 starts in college.

RB Shonn Greene was one of the best power backs on the board. He may push Thomas Jones out the door.

G Matt Slauson slid due to a torn pectoral muscle in February but will not have to play right away, though the Jets are getting old at guard.

Analysis: The Jets only had three picks, but they filled three major needs. WR was not addressed, which lowers my grade slightly, but they got a franchise quarterback who can bring excitement to this organization in a city dominated by the Giants.

Grade: B

New England Patriots

The Patriots had an insane number of picks and actually used some of them.

CB Darius Butler and S Patrick Chung add youth and toughness to an aging secondary. Both should start right away.

DT Ron Brace may mean the end of Vince Wolfolk in Foxboro after this season. Wilfolk will get a huge payday on the free agent market in 2010.

WR Brandon Tate has off-field issues but should give the Patriots a solid kick return element as a rookie. His upside is huge.

LB Tyrone McKenzie will likely move to the inside for the Patriots. He is a tackling machine that could replace Teddy Bruschi.

OT Sebastian Vollmer is raw but has the size and long arms to play either tackle spot.

G Rich Ohrnberger and OL George Bussey should have been undrafted free agents.

The best values were defensive linemen Myron Pryor and Darryl Richard. Both are great penetrators and excellent scheme fits.

QB Julian Edelman is a run/pass dual threat who may add the Wildcat element to the Patriots offense.

LS Jacob Ingram fills a need.

Analysis: The Patriots traded down a lot, but this time they got impact players on the defensive side of the ball. New England found several long-term replacements on their aging defense. I was disappointed by the lack of talent drafted on the offensive line; the Pats will have to deal with several expensive free agents there in the near future.

Grade: B+

Dan Wernery is Chief Scout for NFLDraft101.com and can be reached [e-mail]