The AFC East is really unbalanced with the Patriots dominating and the other teams looking to improve and the NFL draft is one of the best ways to stock on young talent.
Buffalo Bills 2008 Draft Picks
The Bills need a lot of help on both offense and defense. They need a go to receiver, a playmaker on the defensive line, a good cover corner, and the list goes on and on. They didn’t pick Leodis McKelvin, a cornerback from Troy, with their first pick. He showed good speed with a 4.38 at the combines but is known for being weak against the run. Give the guy a few years and he should be able to develop into a good cover corner. The only other pick I like is Chris Ellis, a defensive end from Virginia Tech, who is relentless at pass rushing and could be similar to Robert Mathis. The Bills 2nd pick James Hardy, a wide receiver from Indiana, is athletic with great size and could be what the Bills need. In comparison, the Bills are still the weakest team in this division.
New York Jets 2008 Draft Picks
The New York Jets made some good upgrades with free agency but their 2008 draft was not very good. Vernon Gholston, a defensive end from Ohio State, is probably the biggest impact draft the team will have. The guy is 6′3, 266 pounds, and he runs a freaking 4.67. That is scary and he should definitely improve the defense. Dustin Keller is a good tight end with size and speed but to be drafted so early was a waste of the pick where the team could have picked him up in maybe the 3rd or fourth round. Erik Ainge is a waste of a pick for a quarterback and will not improve the team’s quarterback question present or future. The only other I could consider good would be Nate Garner, a OT from Arkansas, who is a great run blocker and right now that is all the Jets really have.
Miami Dolphins 2008 Draft Picks
The Dolphins had a very good first day in the 2008 draft. The Dolphins used the number 1 pick overall to fill one of their greatest needs by drafting OT Jake Long from Michigan. Not too many offensive lineman are picked number 1 overall but when they are you know they are good and Jake Long should have a ‘long’ career. The team’s second pick, defensive end Phillip Merling from Clemson, is a good pick up. He showed some talent in college games jamming up the line and pass rushing as well. Finally the Dolphins picked up Chad Henne who dropped to the late 2nd round. I think Henne has the talent and if he can focus on the game, will be really good in a year or two. The Dolphins currently have Josh Beck as the future and Henne could supplant him.
New England Patriots 2008 Draft Picks
The Patriots needed to get a corner, a receiver, and tighten up the older linebackers with some young talent.They filled up one spot with the number 10 pick overall in very talented OLB Jerod Mayo from Tennessee. I love to watch this guy hit. Watching a few SEC games shows you this guy has NFL talent with good speed, vision, and tackling. He will give the Patriot’s older defense some life. The team also invested two draft picks for cornerbacks to hopefully soften the blow from losing Asante Samuel. Both Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite have similar height, speed, and durability issues but Wheatley could involve if he can stay healthy. I think they should have vested the last two picks in Ali Highsmith or Erin Henderson instead of Bo Ruud.