NFL Draft 101: 2009 AFC East Preview

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

Three Reasons for Optimism:

• Trent Edwards: Last season Edwards completed 65% of his passes and lead the team to a 7-5 record during games he started.
• Secondary: With young players such as Donte Whitner, Leodis McKelvin and Terrence McGee, this defense can play an aggressive style and finally start to generate more turnovers
• Middle of Defense: Paul Posluszny, Marcus Stroud and Kyle Williams are stout up the middle as the run defense should improve

Three Reasons for Concern:

• Offensive Line: Two Rookies starting at guard and Langston Walker starting at left tackle could equal disaster in a division with three talented defensive fronts
• Pass Rush: With Aaron Maybin continuing his holdout, it appears Aaron Schobel is on his own to generate a pass rush once again
• Terrell Owens and Marshawn Lynch: Big problem when your two best offensive players are your two biggest locker room distractions

2009 Composite Projected Record: 9-7

Miami Dolphins

Three Reasons for Optimism

• Ronnie Brown: Looks like the Ronnie Brown of old
• Defensive Line: Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford were outstanding additions from the 2008 Draft
• Young Receivers: Ted Ginn Jr, Davone Bess and Anthony Fasano are continuing to improve

Three Reasons for Concern

• Quarterback: Chad Pennington lead teams average less than 5 wins per year following a playoff trip the year before
• Pass Rush: Joey Porter and Jason Taylor are aging and have no long term replacements
• Cornerback: Vontae Davis and Sean Smith will start eventually but this position lacks overall talent

2009 Composite Projected Record: 7-9

New England Patriots

Three Reasons for Optimism

• Tom Brady: Best player in the league returns to the best team
• Youth on Defense: 2009 Draftees Ron Brace, Patrick Chung and Deon Butler will contribute immediately
• Wide Receivers: Adding Joey Galloway to Randy Moss and Wes Welker adds another dangerous component

Three Reasons for Concern

• Tom Brady: Coming off an ACL injury without an experienced backup
• Offensive Line: Overachievers normally, however they struggle against athletic front sevens
• Running Back: At some point this team needs a go-to running back

2009 Composite Projected Record: 12-4

NY Jets

Three Reasons for Optimism

• Offenisve Line: With Alan Faneca, DeBrickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold, this team should be able to help out its young skill players
• Up the Middle Defense: With Kris Jenkins at NT, Bart Scott and David Harris and ILB, and Kerry Rhodes and Jim Leonard at S this team has a solid defensive foundation
• Marc Sanchez: Sanchez has the physical tools and matching personality to become a big star in the media capital of the world

Three Reasons for Concern

• Wide Receivers: Outside of Jericho Cotchery, this team lacks experience and talent at Wide Receiver
• Pass Rush: With Calvin Pace suspended 4 games, 1st round bust Vernon Gholston must step it up.
• RB egos: Leon Washington and Thomas Jones are both unhappy with their contracts and will be unhappier now that rookie Shonn Greene will figure into the equation. See the three man backfield in Baltimore last season

2009 Composite Projected Record: 7-9

*** 2009 Composite Projected Record is based on the average number of wins projected by the NFLDraft101.com writing team

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