 Posted: Mon 11:26, 28 Mar 2011 Post subject: AFC East draft grades Besides Gholston, Jets have |
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| Editor's note: Anyone in the NFL will tell you it takes three years to judge a draft. With that in mind, we asked analyst Bucky Brooks to take a look at how every NFL team fared over the last three years. In the first of a four-day series, he examines the AFC and NFC East divisions:
New York Jets: A- Total picks made: 13 Picks on current roster: 10 Touchdowns: CB Darrelle Revis, LB David Harris, TE Dustin Keller, QB Mark Sanchez Fumbles: LB Vernon Gholston Jury still out: RB Shonn Greene Brooks' draft grades NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks takes a look this week at how every NFL has drafted over the last three years: Monday: AFC East, NFC East Tuesday: AFC South, NFC South Wednesday: AFC North, NFC North Thursday: AFC West, NFC West Analysis: The Jets have enjoyed outstanding draft success of late, and their discovery of top talent undoubtedly keyed their run to the AFC title game last season. Revis has emerged as the league's premier cover corner, Sanchez has flashed immense potential as a franchise quarterback, while Keller and Harris are on the cusp of becoming stars at their respective positions. Though Gholston could go down as one of the biggest busts of all time, the Jets deserve kudos for their outstanding draft hauls over the past three seasons. Miami: B Total picks made: 28 Picks on current roster: 19 Touchdowns: OT Jake Long, QB Chad Henne, DE Kendall Langford, CB Vontae Davis Fumbles: QB John Beck, C Samson Satele, RB Lorenzo Booker Jury still out: WR Ted Ginn,karen millen day dresses, Jr. Analysis: The Dolphins' draft grade is obviously impacted by the arrival of Bill Parcells and Co. two seasons ago. The Dolphins' czar brought in his own GM to orchestrate the rebuilding process. The drastically different draft approach has made most of the 2007 draft class a memory. Beck, Satele and Booker have all changed uniforms, while Ginn Jr. has struggled establishing himself as a legitimate No. 1 receiver. In spite of those failures, the Dolphins have come up with several gems in Long, Henne, Langford and Davis over the past two seasons. Given the immediate impact of each of those players, the Dolphins' improvement has undoubtedly been keyed by new administration's ability to find talent in the draft. New England: B- Total picks made: 29 Picks on current roster: 19 Touchdowns: LB Jerod Mayo, S Brandon Meriweather, WR Julian Edelman, CB Darius Butler Fumbles: LB Shawn Crable, QB Kevin O'Connell Jury still out: CB Terrence Wheatley, DT Ron Brace Analysis: The Patriots are typically one of the more active teams on draft day, as Bill Belichick aggressively maneuvers around the board to accumulate picks in the middle rounds. The bevy of selections has given the team the flexibility to move up to grab targeted players, but also allowed them to keep the costs down to a minimum. Although the jury is still out on some of the results, the Patriots have to be pleased with the first-round selections of Mayo and Meriweather. Additionally, Butler, Sebastian Vollmer and Edelman have been solid discoveries. If the Patriots can get solid production from Brandon Tate, Tyrone McKenzie or Brace, their recent draft haul will be considered an overwhelming success. Buffalo: C+ Total picks made: 25 Picks on current roster:18 Touchdowns: S Jairus Byrd, RB Marshawn Lynch, LB Paul Posluszny Fumbles: DE Chris Ellis, RB Dwayne Wright Jury still out: DE Aaron Maybin, QB Trent Edwards Analysis: The Bills' playoff drought isn't indicative of the solid drafts that the team has put together over the past three seasons. The team has identified a handful of young players who comprise the core of a roster on the cusp of playoff contention. Byrd and Posluszny are outstanding young defenders. Leodis McKelvin has displayed dynamic skills as a cornerback/returner. Although Lynch lost his starting job last season, he started his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns. The jury is still out on Maybin and Edwards after they struggled last season. |
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