2014 NFL Draft – AFC East – Saturday Discussion

2014 NFL Draft – AFC East

Draft Day 1 (Round 1) – Recap

Bills – Sammy Watkins, WR

Jets – Calvin Pryor, FS

Dolphins – Ja’Wuan James, OL

Patriots – Dominique Easley, DT

*************************************************

Draft Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) – Recap

Bills – Cyrus Kouandjio, OT / Preston Brown, LB

Jets – Jace Amaro, TE / Dex McDougle, CB

Dolphins – Jarvis Landry, WR / Billy Turner, OT

Patriots – Jimmy Garoppolo, QB

 

What do the Experts say?

Cyrus Kouandjio, OT / Preston Brown, LB: Both players were pre-draft visitors to Buffalo, so neither selection was unexpected. Kouandjio, known as a better run-blocker than a pass protector, will be in the mix to start at right tackle. Brown is a run-stopping linebacker who adds depth at a position that has been in flux with the Bills’ coaching changes on defense. Thumbs up  ………….Mike Rodak

Jarvis Landry, WR / Billy Turner, OT: After failing to work out a trade on Thursday, new Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey moved around the draft board three times Friday. Miami got two potential contributors in Landry and Turner and now has five picks at its disposal on Saturday. Thumbs up ………………James Walker

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB: Immediate New England-based reaction to using a late second-round pick on Garoppolo trended negative, but there’s no more important position than quarterback. ESPN’s Bill Polian can best attest to that, as his Colts struggled after Peyton Manning went down in 2011 and it cost him his job. In New England, Garoppolo offers short-term insurance and a potential succession plan for Tom Brady. Thumbs up ……………………………………….. Mike Reiss

Jace Amaro, TE / Dex McDougle, CB: The New York Jets addressed two needs in the second and third round, picking pass-catching tight end Amaro and cornerback McDougle. There’s risk. Amaro could be a product of a pass-happy system at Texas Tech and McDougle missed most of his senior year due to shoulder surgery. They passed on some talented receivers. Thumbs up…………………………………. Rich Cimini

What I have to say, and feel free to disagree with me

It is very clear to me that three of the four AFC East teams are addressing needs; granted the New England Patriots have basically won the division all century, but… if the intention this off season was to close the gap with Denver, they don’t seem to think its necessary, neither are they trying to.

Great job by Miami on Day 2 for adding another OL and a good WR.

The Bills finally addressed needs on Day 2 as well; kudos to them.

The Jets continue to upgrade their offensive skill positions, as Jace Amaro may be the best catching TE in the draft.

The Patriots selected Garoppolo, an interesting young man, but I think they did so one round too soon, and unless Brady is on the way out the next two seasons, this makes no sense for a team aspiring to win the SB.

Have a great Saturday!