2009 NFL Draft needs for the AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS
DEFENSIVE END : The Bills D only recorded 24 sacks and 10 interceptions last year. Signing CB Drayton Florence was step one in solving that problem. The second part of the solution could come in the form of a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end who could rush the passer on passing downs (i.e. PSU DE Aaron Maybin).
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER: There’s good reason that the Bill’s have taken peaks at free agent linebackers Mike Peterson, Cato June, Jamie Winborn and Freddie Keiaho. Even with the “Wizard of Poz” ILB Paul Posluszny manning the phone booth, this unit is in desperate need of a shot in the arm.
GUARD: QB Trent Edwards is going to need a clean pocket from which to operate if the Bills want their offense to be fully charged week-in and week-out. The offseason has created a vacuum at the guard position with the release of Derrick Dockery and the Bills will have at least two new starters along the line. While the coaching staff has downplayed this issue, the Bills should take a long hard look at any high value interior lineman that falls to them on day one of the draft.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
WIDE RECEIVER: The breakout year WR Ted Ginn Jr. was slated for never happened, in fact, things got worse for him. WR Devon Bess is solid, but he’s not a number one. Add to that WR Greg Camarillo coming off of ACL surgery and this is not a WR corps you want to keep as is.
CORNERBACK: In a division which now features T.O. & Moss, along with a healthy Brady, it would be a cataclysmic mistake to not further fortify the corners. Underrated CB Andre Goodman was allowed to walk and he was replaced by former ARI CB Eric Green, who lost his job to CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the desert. Who are the other corners? Will Allen will suffice, and Jason Allen was on reserve for the AFC Wild Card game against the Ravens.
TIGHT END: The bodies are there, but if the ‘Fins don’t find a receiver to tickle their fancy, they would need a seam-stretching TE to bolster the pass game.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
QUATERBACK:Just kidding, I won’t believe QB Tom Brady is finished until I see the flat-line with my own eyes. However, considering the loss of QB Tim Cassel and the bevy of intelligent acquisitions in free agency, quarterback may be something the Pats take a look at in the first day of the draft.
LINEBACKER: Whether they go inside linebacker to accompany star ILB Jerod Mayo or to the outside to provide support opposite of OLB Adalius Thomas; youth and speed would go a long way in shoring up this unit.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE: Winner by default. The line doesn’t have many holes in it, but it could bear to add some athleticism to both tackle spots.
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NEW YORK JETS
WIDE RECEIVER: WR Laveranues Coles was released and Jericho Cotchery is going to need some support on the other side. WR Chansi Stuckey is the closes they have right now to a number two, but he’d be much better suited in the slot. Wide receivers have slid recently in the draft and getting another target for the three-headed-QB-monster is a must.
QUARTERBACK: The Jets are “happy” with their three young QB’s Kellen Clemens, Erik Ainge and Brett Ratliff. We’ll see how happy they are with them if USC QB Mark Sanchez falls to them in the first round. Keep in mind; only five passes were thrown by all three quarterbacks combined last year; all of which were from Clemens.
DEFENSIVE END: DE’s Shaun Ellis bounced back with 8 sacks, but Kenyon Coleman was nearly invisible at times and didn’t record a single sack. There’s no depth behind them and with as stacked as back 8 is now, the last piece is to add some much needed youth and depth to add to the rotation.
By:
Michael Kist
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer