The New England Patriots-and-those-other-guys division, also known as the AFC East, has a host of new reasons to pay attention to both the Patriots and those other guys in this year’s NFL Draft.
Buffalo Bills (7-9 in 2007)
Head Coach: Dick Jauron (3rd year)
The Bills started the season off looking like the worst team in football, but fought hard to get to an acceptable level of mediocrity. The Bills have some key players set a certain positions, but a vast improvement in the overall talent level of the team will be necessary in order for them to compete for a playoff berth in 2008.
Draft Day Needs
1. Cornerback: The Bills were scary bad at defending the pass last season. Grabbing a corner in the draft should be the Bills highest priority.
2. Linebacker: Buffalo wasn’t too great at any position on defense last year, and adding an impact player at linebacker could help shore up the beleaguered unit.
3. Tight End: Quick, name the tight end for the Buffalo Bills. That’s what I thought.
Miami Dolphins (1-15 in 2007)
Head Coach: Tony Sparano (1st year)
The Dolphins need just about everything, but they nabbed the right guy to shop for the groceries with the hiring of Bill Parcells as Executive V.P. of Football Operations. Parcells will build this team back to respectability, but will it be this year?
Draft Day Needs
1. Offensive Line: Some people believe the Dolphins offensive line last season was the worst professional unit ever. Ouch.
2. Quarterback: Whether or not developing John Beck is the answer in Miami remains to be seen, but the Dolphins should spend a draft pick to give them some options at the position anyways.
3. Wide Receiver: Trading away veteran playmaker Chris Chambers last season left a gaping hole at receiver for the hapless fish.
New England Patriots (16-0 in 2007)
Head Coach: Bill Belichick (9th year)
How many holes does a team that went undefeated during the regular season last year really have? Leave it to Bill Belichick to find the answer.
Draft Day Needs
1. Cornerback: The loss of All Pro corner Asanti Samuel stings less when you’re holding on the the #7 pick in the upcoming draft.
2. Linebacker: While they possess a core of steady players at the position, an infusion of young blood would do this aging unit some good.
3. Wide Receiver: The Pats parted ways with several key receivers from last season that helped QB Tom Brady break all sorts of records, but did hold on to superstar Randy Moss. Still, they’ll need to reload to add some depth to the position behind Moss and speedster Wess Welker.
New York Jets (4-12 in 2007)
Head Coach: Eric Mangini (3rd year)
The J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets, S-U-C-K-E-D, sucked, sucked, sucked last year. Wonder-coach Eric Mangini fell off his pedestal and the magic began to fade. They’ll need to upgrade several positions in order to compete next season. The good news is that when you need as much help as the Jets, you can draft just about anyone.
Draft Day Needs
1. Linebacker: The Jets need more talented linebackers to fit into their 3-4 scheme. This should be the Jets top priority on Draft Day.
2. Wide Receiver: Someone to catch the ball is important to quarterbacks these days, right?! There is little on the roster after speedy wide out Laveraneues Coles.
3. Quarterback: The players behind injury prone Chad Pennington are pretty unimpressive, and it never hurts to have depth at the position.
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