NFL Draft 2011: Power Ranking Top 10 AFC East Rookies to Watch in 2011

With two legitimate Super Bowl contenders in New England and New York, the AFC East is one of the most dominant divisions in the league. Buffalo and Miami may not be contending in 2011, but they are two highly competitive and gritty teams from week to week.

All four teams greatly improved following the draft weekend as they each landed elite, Pro Bowl-caliber talent.

Bill Belichick may have ‘reached’ for certain players, but they will all fill a necessary role in his offensive and defensive systems to help lead the team towards the Super Bowl.

Rex Ryan improved his pass rush mightily with his first two selections, who will certainly be featured on this list.

Buffalo had a tough decision with the No. 3 overall selection, but their shift to a hybrid 3-4 4-3 defense allowed them to take the best player on their board.

Miami secured two positions of need to help inch them closer towards a winning record.

With a ton of impact players in this draft, here are your top 10 AFC East rookies to watch in 2011.

10. Charles Clay, Miami Dolphins RB

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Height: 6’3”

Weight: 245 lbs

Career Stats: 179 attempts, 911 yards, 10 touchdowns

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash—4.73

Bench Press—18.0

Vertical Jump—33.5

Broad Jump—118.0

3-cone Drill—7.07

20-yard Shuttle—4.15

60-yard Shuttle—11.82

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Charles Clay was my No. 2 fullback in the class and I suggested leading up to the draft that Miami would be the perfect destination for him. Clay is a powerful, tough-nosed runner who is always looking to knock around defenders. He may not be the best lead blocker, but his versatility is what will keep him on the field.

He will be a fantastic short-yardage back, but can also be a check-down option for Chad Henne out of the backfield with his receiving ability. He often lined up at tight end at Tulsa, so I would expect Tony Sparano to do the same to create mismatches and catch the defense off guard.

9. Aaron Williams, Buffalo Bills CB

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Height: 6’0”

Weight: 204 lbs

Career Stats: 89 tackles, three sacks, four interceptions, five forced fumbles, one touchdown

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash—4.56

Bench Press—18.0

Vertical Jump—37.5

Broad Jump—127.0

3-cone Drill—6.72

20-yard Shuttle—4.07

60-yard Shuttle—11.35

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Aaron Williams was my No. 5 cornerback, but he still had late first-round abilities. Williams is a versatile player as he can play both cornerback and safety in the NFL with his size, speed and strength. He is more of a risk-taker than the other top cornerbacks, but that is what makes him so great. He is willing to jump routes and often knocks away passes with his quick, strong hands. He has very good speed and won’t lose sight of his man in coverage.

8. Ras-I Dowling, New England Patriots DB

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Height: 6’1”

Weight: 198 lbs

Career Stats: 159 tackles, one sack, eight interceptions, three forced fumbles

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash—4.46

Bench Press—19.0

Vertical Jump—N/A

Broad Jump—N/A

3-cone Drill—N/A

20-yard Shuttle—N/A

60-yard Shuttle—N/A

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If Ras-I Dowling was healthy in 2010, he would have gone in the first round. Many thought he would slip to the end of the second or third round, but Bill Belichick knows talent when he sees it. More importantly for Bill, Dowling is a versatile defensive back who can play both cornerback and safety. Belichick loves to position his defenders all over the field and will get great use out of this potentially elite defensive back.

Dowling has fantastic instincts, which allow him to make great plays on the ball. He has a high-football IQ and will attack the ball in the air, and ball carriers on the ground.

7. Nate Solder, New England Patriots OT

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Height: 6’8”

Weight: 319 lbs

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash—5.05

Bench Press—21.0

Vertical Jump—32.0

Broad Jump—110.0

3-cone Drill—7.44

20-yard Shuttle—4.34

60-yard Shuttle—N/A

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A converted tight end, Nate Solder is one of the most athletic offensive lineman in the entire class. He was my No. 4 offensive tackle with his athleticism and all-around skills. He is one of the more complete offensive tackles in the class and has a great understanding of the game.

He’ll be surrounded by veteran talent, which will help ease his transition into the NFL. He has great footwork and specializes in his ability to protect the passer. The Patriots want to throw early and often as they rely on Tom Brady, so Solder will be asked to step in immediately to excel in pass-protection.

6. Mike Pouncey, Miami Dolphins OG/C

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Height: 6’5”

Weight: 303 lbs

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash—5.28

Bench Press—N/A

Vertical Jump—25.0

Broad Jump—96.0

3-cone Drill—7.66

20-yard Shuttle—4.64

60-yard Shuttle—N/A

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Miami bolstered their offensive line in the first round when they grabbed the best interior lineman and highly athletic Mike Pouncey. Mike’s brother Maurkice made an immediate impact in Pittsburgh as he was named to the Pro Bowl and helped lead the Steelers to the Super Bowl.

Pouncey is great in run and pass-blocking with his amazing footwork and knowledge of the game. He is rarely caught out of position and will become a staple on the offensive line led by Jake Long. He is a versatile interior lineman with the ability to play guard or center, which will give Tony Sparano options to work with to ensure the best offensive line is put out each week.

5. Shane Vereen, New England Patriots RB

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Height: 5’10”

Weight: 210 lbs

Career Stats: 556 attempts, 2,834 yards, 29 touchdowns

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash—4.5

Bench Press—31.0

Vertical Jump—34.0

Broad Jump—115.0

3-cone Drill—6.95

20-yard Shuttle—4.28

60-yard Shuttle—11.58

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Shane Vereen is easily the best receiving running back in this class, which made him one of Bill Belichick’s primary targets. He will instantly step in to fill the Kevin Faulk’s role, who most likely won’t return as his skills have diminished mightily due to age and injury.

Shane is a fantastic receiver as he will go get the ball and uses his eyes to help bring the ball into his hands. He is shifty after the catch and will gain a great chunk of yards on check downs. He will become one of the best third-down backs in the game immediately as a rookie this season.

4. Marcell Dareus, Buffalo Bills DT

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Height: 6’3”

Weight: 319 lbs

Career Stats: 66 tackles, 11 sacks, one interception, one touchdown

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash—4.93

Bench Press—24.0

Vertical Jump—27.0

Broad Jump—N/A

3-cone Drill—7.83

20-yard Shuttle—4.62

60-yard Shuttle—N/A

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Marcell Dareus is an elite defensive lineman in this class with his ability to be shifted across the defensive line in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense. As the Buffalo Bills shift to a hybrid 3-4 4-3 defense, he will be able to anchor the defense at all times. He will primarily play tackle for Buffalo as his incredible athleticism, quickness and power will allow him to shred blockers with ease.

He will greatly increase the pressure on the quarterback, which will in turn cause them to make quick decisions and erratic throws. His force up front will give his teammates more opportunities to make plays and improve the unit.

3. Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets DE

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Height: 6’4”

Weight: 315 lbs

Career Passing Stats: 138 tackles, 17 sacks, two forced fumbles

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash—4.96

Bench Press—27.0

Vertical Jump—26.0

Broad Jump—106.0

3-cone Drill—7.31

20-yard Shuttle—4.59

60-yard Shuttle—N/A

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New York’s first-round selection Muhammad Wilkerson is a beast of a defensive lineman with the versatility to play tackle or end in the 3-4 defense. He will play end, where he should dominate off the bat in Rex Ryan’s system.

He has the nonstop motor, work ethic, strength and quickness to destroy offensive lineman on the line of scrimmage. He is a relentless pass-rusher and will pressure the quarterback often. The Jets lacked an ideal pass rush last season, but with a menacing force like Wilkerson on the front line, the Jets will be much improved in all defensive areas.

2. Kenrick Ellis, New York Jets DT

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Height: 6’5”

Weight: 346 lbs

Career Stats: 186 tackles, seven sacks

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash—5.28             

Bench Press—26.0               

Vertical Jump—N/A

Broad Jump—N/A

3-cone Drill—N/A

20-yard Shuttle—N/A

60-yard Shuttle—N/A

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Kenrick Ellis is the nose tackle Rex Ryan and the Jets have been desperately seeking the past two years. Kris Jenkins is a fantastic nose tackle, but his inability to stay healthy may have been the reason the Jets could not get past the AFC Championship.

Ellis is a highly athletic defensive tackle who can shred tackles with his quickness and power. He has the speed to attack the quarterback and ball carrier in the backfield. He will consistently blow up plays at the line of scrimmage with his destructive nature. He is the missing link to this defense and will greatly improve the team overall.

1. Daniel Thomas, Miami Dolphins RB

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Height: 6’0”

Weight: 230 lbs

Career Stats: 545 attempts, 2,850 yards, 30 touchdowns

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash—N/A

Bench Press—21.0

Vertical Jump—N/A

Broad Jump—N/A

3-cone Drill—N/A

20-yard Shuttle—N/A

60-yard Shuttle—N/A

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Daniel Thomas is a perfect fit for Tony Sparano’s run-first offense. Thomas will be the Dolphins’ new workhorse runner and has every tool necessary to succeed in this offense. He is a decent receiver, but has the power, speed, vision and quickness to dominate in Miami.

He will excel immediately behind a dominant offensive like that already boasts arguably the best offensive tackle in the league in Jake Long. I suggested Daniel for the Dolphins over the past few months, and it was a great move by the organization to trade back into the second round to acquire their newest workhorse running back.