Inside the War Room: AFC East
by Luke Paul Chandler
Writers Luke Paul Chandler and Dave Gardner will be describing each team’s last draft class, top needs and draft strategies daily until the draft. Today, Luke analyzes the AFC East.
Buffalo Bills
Draft Strategy
The Bills need to make upgrades to their offense. The passing game was incredibly stagnant last year, and teams rarely had to worry about a receiving option outside of Lee Evans, who struggled. Look for the Bills to spend at least a first day pick on either an athletic tight end like Martin Rucker, or a physical receiving target like Malcolm Kelly. There are rumors in the first round though that the Bills will be selecting a defensive end to upgrade their pass rush, like a powerful bull rusher like Lawrence Jackson in the second. Finally the team has to add overall depth to the interior offensive line, and needs someone to challenge Melvin Fowler at center.
A Look Back
- Picks (Round picked in parentheses): Marshawn Lynch (1), Paul Posluszny (2), Trent Edwards (3), Dwayne Wright (4), John Wendling (6), Derek Schouman (7), C.J. Ah You (7). Grade: B
- Comments: Injuries hurt all three of their picks, who will all likely become building blocks for the team, which lowers the team’s grade. Lynch is the workhorse back they need to move the chains, and Edwards could end up being a franchise quarterback. Wright played a limited role in 2007, but will be the primary backup the Lynch in 2008. Schouman and Ah You both are not on the active roster.
Free Agency Free-For-All
- Key Losses: LB Josh Stamer (Tennessee), CB Jason Webster (New England), WR Sam Aiken (New England)
- Key Additions: TE Courtney Anderson (Atlanta), CB William James (Philadelphia), OLB Kawika Mitchell (New York Giants)
- Top Remaining Needs: Wide receiver, cornerback, center.
Miami Dolphins
Draft Strategy
The Dolphins rebuilding process will be in full stride with new vice president Bill Parcells in charge. Parcells is known for turning around bad teams through the draft with his 3-4 defense, and aggressive downfield passing attack. The Dolphins need a quarterback who can push the ball deep, which may not be Matt Ryan’s, whose arm strength is in question. Parcells will also add options at the tight end position, which lacks a true weapon. On defense, he could have his shot at his trademark weak-side rush linebacker if he chooses to draft Vernon Gholston number one overall. On the offensive line, starters at left tackle, and depth across the board is needed. Parcells tends to favor big, physical drive blockers.
A Look Back
- Picks (Round picked in parentheses): Ted Ginn Jr. (1), John Beck (2), Samson Satele (2), Lorenzo Booker (3), Paul Soliai (4), Reagan Mauia (6), Drew Mormino (6), Kelvin Smith (7), Brandon Fields (7), Abraham Wright (7). Grade: C-
- Comments: The Dolphins got great production out of Satele, Mauia, and Fields, all of whom held down starting jobs as rookie and thrived. The Ginn Jr and Beck picks have to suceed, especially since they will always be tied into Miami’s decision to pass on Brady Quinn. Abraham Wright has some upside as a situational pass rusher, but his rookie season was lost to injury.
Free Agency Free-For-All
- Key Losses: C Rex Hadnot (Cleveland), RB Jesse Chatman (New York Jets), QB Cleo Lemon (Jacksonville), MLB Zach Thomas (Dallas)
- Key Additions: CB Nathan Jones (Dallas), QB Josh McCown (Oakland), G Justin Smiley (San Francisco), DT Randy Starks (Tennessee), OLB Reggie Torbor (New York Giants), WR Ernest Wilford (Jacksonville)
- Top Remaining Needs: Offensive tackle, quarterback, inside linebacker, strong safety, tight end
New England Patriots
Draft Strategy
The Patriots were nearly perfect last year, but don’t have that same luxury this season. The team has serious needs in the secondary and at linebacker. The signings made at corner were stop gap moves, and young talent needs to be brought in. The Patriots play mostly zone coverage with their corners, and a player who can make quick reactions. A perfect fit for their needs is junior Aqid Talib of Kansas, who should be available in Round 2. At linebacker, a position they haven’t had many draft picks at, the team needs quickness on the inside, and pass rush ability on the outside. While head coach Bill Belichick favors veterans at linebacker, he may not be able to pass up Vernon Gholston to take over for Roosevelt Colvin on the outside, or former Georgia standout Marcus Howard later on in the second day. At the inside position, the team will likely grab a lesser known, later round prospect, and build him up through special teams work. A few players to watch who fit that mold is Kaleb Thornhill of Michigan State or Thomas Williams of Southern California.
A Look Back
- Picks (Round picked in parentheses): Brandon Meriweather (1), Kareem Brown (4), Clint Oldenburg (5), Justin Rogers (6), Mike Richardson (6), Justise Hairston (6), Corey Hilliard (6), Oscar Lua (7), Mike Elgin (7). Grade: D
- Comments: This was an alarmingly unproductive draft for Belichick and Pioli. It took them till the offseason to pick a position for Meriweather, which ended up being cornerback. The only other pick left on roster is Kareem Brown, who is a third string defensive end. The team felt that they had few needs coming into 2007, and did, but still failed to make a meaningful draft.
Free Agency Free-For-All
- Key Losses: CB Asante Samuel (Philadelphia), WR Donte Stallworth (Cleveland), DB Eugene Wilson (Tampa Bay), CB Randall Gay (New Orleans)
- Key Additions: CB Fernando Bryant (Detroit), CB Jason Webster (Buffalo), S Tank Williams (Minnesota)
- Top Remaining Needs: Inside linebacker, cornerback, free safety, tight end
New York Jets
Draft Strategy
The Jets still lack athleticism on both sides of the ball. Even with the addition of Pace, the Jets still need to look at adding a pass rushing outside linebacker. Quentin Groves of Auburn is a bit raw as a two point rusher, but he has athleticism to play linebacker. Another name to watch is Derrick Harvey, though he may have outgrown the linebacker position. At quarterback, the team may look add a strong armed vertical passer who can challenge Kellen Clemens and Chad Pennington, possibly Chad Henne in the second round. Adding size and physicality to the wide receivers is also key.
A Look Back
- Picks (Round picked in parentheses): Darrelle Revis (1), David Harris (2), Jacob Bender (6), Chansi Stuckey (7). Grade: C
- Comments: The team sold the house to get their hands on Revis and Harris with their first two picks. Revis became the aggressive man cover corner that Mangini desired, and was playing at a high level by season’s end. David Harris made former cornerstone player Jon Vilma expendable, but still made a great deal of mistakes in 2007. Bender was given a starting job with the release of Pete Kendall, but he will be fighting for a roster spot in 2008. Stuckey was a practice squad player.
Free Agency Free-For-All
- Key Losses: S Erike Coleman (Atlanta)
- Key Additions: G Alan Faneca (Pittsburgh), TE Bubba Franks (Green Bay), OLB Calvin Pace (Arizona), OT Damien Woody (Detroit), FB Tony Richardson (Minnesota)
- Top Remaining Needs: Quarterback, offensive tackle, guard, defensive end, free safety, wide receiver.