AFC East – 2014 Expectations

Every year we get so excited about the NFL draft, and rightly so. This is how the teams stock up future talent. The draft is the bloodline that can stabilize and build a franchise for years to come.

Right now we are all excited to see our picks in action, but this week, I would like to focus on last years’ picks; the sophomores coming in. A second year player can make the biggest impact on any team; just look at the Bills with E.J. Manuel, the Jets with Geno Smith, the Dolphins with Dion Jordan, and the Patriots with Jamie Collins and Aaron Dotson.

 

I will post each team’s picks. Starting tomorrow, I will give you my pick for the breakout player from this group, for each team. I will detail why I believe that, and how it may help each team.

 

#2 Jamie Collins, OLB, Southern Miss

#2 Aaron Dobson, WR, Marshall

#3 Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers

#3 Duron Harmon, SS, Rutgers

#4 Josh Boyce, WR, TCU

#7 Michael Buchanan, DE/OLB, Illinois

#7 Steve Beauharnais, LB, Rutgers

 

 

 

#1 Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon

#2 Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State

#3 Dallas Thomas, OT, Tennessee

#3 Will Davis, CB, Utah State

#4 Jelani Jenkins, OLB, Florida

#4 Dion Sims, TE, Michigan St.

#5 Mike Gillislee, RB, Florida

#5 Caleb Sturgis, K, Florida

#6 Don Jones, SS, Arkansas State

 

#1 Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

#1 Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

#2 Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

#3 Brian Winters, OT, Kent State

#5 Oday Aboushi, OT, Virginia

#6 William Campbell, DT, Michigan

#7 Tommy Bohanon, FB, Wake Forest

 

 

 

#1 EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State

#2 Robert Woods, WR, USC

#2 Kiko Alonso, ILB, Oregon

#3 Marquise Goodwin, WR, Texas

#4 Duke Williams, FS, Nevada

#5 Jonathan Meeks, DB, Clemson

#6 Dustin Hopkins, K, Florida State

#7 Chris Gragg, TE, Arkansas

 

 

Discuss these picks and how they will help each team.

 

My take:

Overall, the immediate help provided by these picks clearly made the Bills and Jets the winners of the draft in year 1. As we move forward, I think the Dolphins draft will be considered a good one as well. One of these three teams will emerge as the Queen of the 2013 AFCE Draft. The Patriots’ draft was not quite as good as the other three, yet one or two starters will emerge from the group.