AFC East Draft History
The AFC East Draft history will give us a look at the what could potentially happen in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Buffalo Bills
GM: Doug Whaley
2015: Ronald Darby CB Florida State (2nd round, 50th overall) Grade: A-
Karlos Williams RB Florida State (5th round, 155th overall) Grade: B
2014: Sammy Watkins WR (1st round, 4th overall) Grade: A-
Overview: Since taking over for former GM Buddy Nix, Whaley has been striking gold with his first picks. Sammy Watkins is on his way to becoming a top 5 receiver in the league. The way he handled the 2015 draft was extremely impressive, especially considering he lacked a first-round pick.
Whaley was able to land Ronald Darby in the second round. He started in all 15 games he played and led his team in pass breakups with 15. As well, Karlos Williams played very capably when LeSean McCoy went down with an injury.
Miami Dolphins
GM Chris Grier (New hire in January 2016)
2015: Devante Parker WR Louisville (1st round, 14th overall) Grade: INC
Jay Ajayi RB Boise State (5th round 149th overall) Grade: C+
2014: Ja’Wuan James OT Tennessee (1st round, 19th overall) Grade: B-
Overview: Grier will be the new kid in the playground in Chicago this month. Past Dolphins GM’s have done an adequate job at best. (Ryan Tannehill has been the definition of adequacy so far) However, with Lamar Miller’s exit, Ajayi could be a sleeper for the upcoming season.
New England Patriots
GM Bill Belichick
2015: Malcom Brown DT Texas (1st round, 32nd overall) Grade: B
2014: Dominique Easley DE Florida (1st round, 14th overall) Grade: C
2013: Jamie Collins LB Southern Mississippi (2nd round, 52nd overall) Grade: B+
Overview: The mastermind Bill Belichick is always in action and arguably has the best AFC East Draft history. He doesn’t have a first round pick this year because of the deflate gate incident. He usually cashes in on his picks though. Jamie Collins and Devin McCourty are the best examples of that. I loved the selection of Malcom Brown last year. He is almost a prototype of Vince Wilfork, and I believe he will be a pro bowler sooner than you think.
New York Jets
GM Mike Maccagnan
2015: Leonard Williams DE Southern Cal (1st round, 6th overall) Grade: B
Devin Smith WR Ohio State (2nd round, 37th overall) Grade: INC
Lorenzo Mauldin OLB Louisville (3rd round, 82nd overall) Grade: A-
Overview: The Jets might have gotten the most athletically gifted pass rusher in the draft last year. Williams will only get better playing next to Muhammed Wilkerson and he is a possible pro bowler next season. Mauldin was a pleasant surprise for New York. He had 4 sacks in his rookie season. Smith will fit in nicely as the teams possible number 3 behind Marshall and Decker.