by AFC East
Buffalo Bills
2 (54). A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
3 (86). Zack Moss, RB, Utah
4 (128). Gabriel Davis, WR, UCF
5 (167). Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
6 (188). Tyler Bass, K, Georgia Southern
6 (207). Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Oregon State
7 (239). Dane Jackson, CB, Pittsburgh
The time is now for the Bills as the division is set up for their control. This change in power has been in the works for the last two years. Solid drafts have been a key factor in this change for Buffalo. Also a bit of fortune with the demise of the Patriots would be needed. The path is there, so another beneficial draft could establish Buffalo as one of the best teams in the AFC.
Without a first round pick, the Bills still managed to have a first round talent fall into their lap. A.J. Epenesa was a sack artist at Iowa and his power also makes him effective versus the run. Epenesa will immediately get time on the field and should produce right away. Epenesa belongs in cold weather wreaking havoc just as he did in the Big Ten.
The only other defensive pick for Buffalo was Dane Jackson in the seventh round. Jackson could have easily been selected by someone in the fifth or sixth round due to his talent. Instead, the Bills grab him right at the end and he gets to learn from Tre’Davious White and Josh Norman.
The defense for the Bills is one of the best in the NFL. The main need for a playoff run is more help on offense for Josh Allen. The Bills mainly focused their draft around this.
Zack Moss was selected in the third round after having a productive career at Utah. There could be an intense battle at running back for a starting job come September. Devin Singletary, TJ Yeldon and Moss will all want shots at carrying the rock.
So far in Josh Allen’s young career, he has really only had slot receivers to work with every game. It was time for the Bills to get him a true star and some bigger guys. The Bills started with Stefon Diggs just a couple weeks before the draft. Then they selected Gabriel Davis of UCF and Isaiah Hodgins of Oregon State. Davis specifically should make an impact early on. Allen’s passing game should go to the next level in 2020.
In the fifth round, the Bills surprised many with the selection of Jake Fromm. Fromm slid down the board due to his lack of arm strength compared to other prospects. This worked out great for the Bills. Some question the decision because Allen has a rocket for an arm. Why would the Bills go for someone so different as the backup? The answer is simple. Fromm is smart and diligent. He will be able to help Allen prepare for games and opposing teams as well as any backup QB out there. Being a backup quarterback isn’t just about being ready when your number is called, but it is crucial to assist the guy ahead of you with game prep. This is what winning football looks like.
We can’t forget that they grabbed a kicker in Tyler Bass. All parts of the Bills roster are locked and loaded.
Draft Grade: A-
Way Too Early Prediction: 11-5
Miami Dolphins
1 (5). Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
1 (18). Austin Jackson, T, USC
1 (30). Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
2 (39). Robert Hunt, T, Louisiana
2 (56). Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
3 (70). Brandon Jones, S, Texas
4 (111). Solomon Kindley, G, Georgia
5 (154). Jason Strowbridge, DE, North Carolina
5 (164). Curtis Weaver, DE, Boise State
6 (185). Blake Ferguson, C, LSU
7 (246). Malcolm Perry, WR, Navy
It felt like the Dolphins had a million picks this year. Due to the amount of picks and the moves made in free agency to patch up the defense, the Dolphins actually appear to have a competent roster.
The Dolphins started the draft with a bang and three – first round picks. At five, quarterback was addressed with Tua. Some teams were worried about his injury issues but the Dolphins did not seem phased. They see the accuracy and efficiency and got their guy. I believe Tua will immediately win the starting job, the main thing is just keeping him upright. If that is accomplished, he will be productive.
Keeping Tua upright was the goal of pick 18 overall. The Dolphins selected the young but talented Austin Jackson out of USC. Ideally, Jackson should have gone to a team where he could learn from an experienced tackle. Instead, he will probably be starting at left tackle in Miami. The talent is there, but I would expect some small bumps in the road.
At the end of the first round, the team selected Noah Igbinoghene. He is fairly physical and has some nice speed. I look at him as more of a second-round talent but the Dolphins liked him a lot. He will most likely be starting like the other two first rounders.
Looking at the rest of the draft for the offense, the goal was to get lineman for Tua. Hunt, Kindley and Ferguson will all likely be immediate backups and depth. The Dolphins were thin up front which makes these all wise selections. Grabbing Malcolm Perry at wide receiver in the seventh round is nothing big aside from the fact that Perry was a record-setting quarterback at Navy.
On defense, more holes were patched up and valuable depth was added. Raekwon Davis will be a backup nose tackle and Brandon Jones is the playmaking safety the team has needed. Both players will likely put pressure on the guys ahead of them to perform. Jason Strowbridge was not used correctly at North Carolina and should excel better as a defensive end in a 3-4. Not only will he provide great depth but so will Curtis Weaver. Weaver was one of the best true pass rushers in this draft class. It will be interesting to see him standing up as an outside linebacker, but I expect him to learn quickly from Kyle Van Noy and Vince Biegel.
Draft Grade: B
Way Too Early Prediction: 8-8
New England Patriots
2 (37). Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
2 (60). Josh Uche, LB, Michigan
3 (87). Anfernee Jennings, LB, Alabama
3 (91). Devin Asiasi, TE, UCLA
3 (101). Dalton Keene, TE, Virginia Tech
5 (159). Justin Rohrwasser, K, Marshall
6 (182). Mike Onwenu, G, Michigan
6 (195). Justin Herron, G, Wake Forest
6 (204). Cassh Maluia, LB, Wyoming
7 (230). Dustin Woodard, C, Memphis
The Patriots are pulling some strings and you can’t convince me otherwise. They did not address quarterback in this draft, which makes me believe they will target Andy Dalton or Jacoby Brissett for a one-year deal. They will not be tanking because that is not the Patriots way… but they might be trying to lose enough games to sit around the tenth pick next draft. The tenth pick is close enough to the beginning that they could throw a handful of picks at another team for Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields. Then they would have their franchise QB of the future.
Bill Belichick put his energy towards the defense this year in order to sure that up before focusing on his offense next season. At least that is my theory and I am sticking to it. Kyle Dugger is a playmaking safety due to his great return ability. If he pulls in an interception, there is a serious threat that he might take it to the house. Dugger was one of the best small school prospects in this draft. The only question mark here is that safety is one of the stronger positions in the team with Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Adrian Phillips and Terrance Brooks.
Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings were the next two selections. Uche will add a quickness to the outside linebacker spot and gets to team back up with Chase Winovich. Uche is the pass rush threat while Jennings is the bigger body. Jennings has sound technique and can standup as an outside linebacker or even be bumped down to defensive end in a full-on pass rush scenario.
The rest of the draft brought in a ton of tight ends and interior offensive lineman. Asiasi and Keene might see some time early due to the Patriots need at tight end. As for the interior lineman, they will provide depth and get plenty of time to learn.
Draft Grade: C-
Way Too Early Prediction: 7-9
New York Jets
1 (11). Mekhi Becton, T, Louisville
2 (59). Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
3 (68). Ashtyn Davis, S, California
3 (79). Jabari Zuniga, DE, Florida
4 (120). La’Mical Perine, RB, Florida
4 (125). James Morgan, QB, Florida International
4 (129). Cameron Clark, G, Charlotte
5 (158). Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
6 (191). Braden Mann, P, Texas A&M
The Jets have a good defense and a mediocre offense. They desperately need offensive lineman and talented wide receivers. This draft should have covered right? Wrong.
The Jets failed in my books. Mekhi Becton was the first selection and he will start at left tackle. Many fall in love with his size and strength, but I see lack of technique and a boom or bust player. He was undoubtedly a top prospect, but I don’t see him being worth the risk for the Jets. Becton will probably struggle early on and I question if he will ever have success in New York.
Denzel Mims was the next selection. He was a productive wide receiver at Baylor, but he was the only receiver they picked in this draft. There might be too much pressure on his shoulders to produce with a lack of talented receivers on the roster. Picking up Breshad Perriman this offseason was helpful yet not enough. Another wide receiver or two would have been beneficial.
The best selections in my books were Ashtyn Davis and Bryce Hall. Davis is a talented safety who will provide depth or start if Jamal Adams is traded. Also, Bryce Hall had the talent of a second round prospect but his leg injury caused him to fall. If healthy, the big corner will get some time early off the bench.
Jabari Zuniga is also coming off an injury and returning to school hurt his stock. His Florida teammate in Perine will serve as a backup for Bell, but I can’t see him ever shouldering a starting running back work load in the NFL.
Draft Grade: D
