AFC East Draft Needs: Patriots, Jets in search of offensive tackle
theScore goes division by division to identify the biggest positional needs for all 32 NFL teams entering the draft.
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
New England Patriots
Biggest need: Offensive tackle
Other needs: Defensive tackle, guard, running back
New England is the rare team that can draft aspirationally, as opposed to fixing an imminent hole. However, due to a series of injuries, the Patriots' offensive line often struggled in 2015 and it's an area worth addressing. It's worth noting that the Patriots are without their first-round pick as a sanction from the "Deflategate" scandal.
The Patriots released 2014 first-round pick Dominique Easley, and are relying on 2015 first-rounder Malcom Brown along with veteran Alan Branch to hold down the interior. Selecting another defensive tackle to pair with Brown would fortify the position for at least the next three years.
Potential draft targets: Without a first-round pick, New England will be at the mercy of 31 others to improve its roster. It's eminently possible that the Patriots will take the best player available, but Auburn offensive tackle Shon Coleman or Texas A&M offensive tackle Germain Ifedi could be within striking range. LSU guard Vadal Alexander may also warrant consideration.
Alabama's Jarran Reed or Louisiana Tech's Vernon Butler would also be stable pieces at defensive tackle, and the Patriots ought to be considering them with their second-round choice. New England usually defies convention, so don't be surprised if they go off the board this year.
New York Jets
Biggest need: Offensive tackle
Other needs: Inside linebacker, guard, tight end
New York allowed a mere 22 sacks last year, which could be an outlier based on its personnel. Stalwart left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson retired in the offseason, and the team replaced him by trading for four-time Pro Bowler Ryan Clady. Clady missed the vast majority of the 2013 season and the entire 2015 campaign due to injury, and there is valid concern that at 30 he'll never return to top form. Right tackle Breno Giacomini is also on the wrong side of 30, and the Jets need to develop a contingency plan along the offensive line.
The Jets' stout run defense was propelled by one of the NFL's premier three-man fronts, but their inside linebacker is aging and increasingly prone to bouts of inefficiency. David Harris and Taiwan Jones are best used in rotation at this juncture of their careers, and finding an every-down linebacker to replace the duo would maximize their utility.
Potential draft targets: Michigan State's Jack Conklin and Ohio State's Taylor Decker ought to be the Jets' top priorities entering the draft, although the former could be off the board when the team picks at No. 20
Alabama's Reggie Ragland is the premier inside linebacker in this year's draft and the Jets could elect to use their pick on him, if the aforementioned tackles aren't available. Conversely, the Jets could take a calculated risk on Notre Dame's Jaylon Smith or Arizona's Scooby Wright, both of whom suffered injuries in their final collegiate seasons.
Buffalo Bills
Biggest need: Inside linebacker
Other needs: Defensive end, quarterback, defensive tackle
Buffalo led the league with 54 sacks two seasons ago, but it may as well be ancient history after recording a paltry 21 in 2015. The Bills struggled to fully adapt to Rex Ryan's base defense, and the head coach is revamping the unit in his visage. It would be unfathomable not too long ago, but the Bills need to restore their front seven, the fulcrum of the team's scheme. Preston Brown is a good run-stopper but the Bills need to upgrade from Manny Lawson and Tony Steward at strongside and weakside linebacker, to inspire fear once again.
Defensive end Mario Williams was used incorrectly and was jettisoned in the offseason. Jerry Hughes' penchant for awful penalties outweighed his production in 2015, and Jarius Wynn is a fringe starter at best. This year's defensive-end class is relatively deep and the Bills ought to find a Week One starter.
Potential draft targets: Reggie Ragland could be atop the Bills' draft board, possessing the necessary aggression and instincts against the run that Ryan covets. The Bills could also get some value in the second round and take a high-risk, high-reward player in Jaylon Smith.
Alternatively, the Bills could use their first-round pick on a defensive end. Clemson's Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd, and Oklahoma State's Emmanuel Ogbah will garner interest with the No. 19 selection.
Miami Dolphins
Biggest need: Guard
Other needs: Cornerback, running back
The Dolphins failed to protect Ryan Tannehill last season, allowing 48 sacks. Dallas Thomas and Jamil Douglas are arguably the NFL's worst guard tandem, and the Dolphins desperately need an upgrade if they are to keep Tannehill upright and healthy. Miami signed Jermon Bushrod to compete at right tackle and Mike Pouncey is one of the NFL's premier centers, but the Dolphins' guards are replacement-level talents at best.
Miami released cornerback Brent Grimes after he proved to be an absolute liability in coverage, and acquired Byron Maxwell in a trade with Philadelphia. Maxwell is now the team's premier cornerback, and the Dolphins need upgrades over Jamar Taylor and Bobby McCain at right cornerback and nickel back, respectively. Reshad Jones is one of the league's best safeties but him and Maxwell will need reinforcements to improve the NFL's 21st-ranked pass defense.
Potential draft targets: Ohio State's Eli Apple or Clemson's Mackensie Alexander would likely be on the board by the time the Dolphins pick at No. 13, and the team should target one of the talented corners. In the unlikely event that running back Ezekiel Elliott is available, the Dolphins will rush to pick one of the draft's most tantalizing prospects.
Without a marquee guard in this year's class, the Dolphins can afford to address their biggest need in the second round. LSU's Vadal Alexander and Stanford's Joshua Garnett are options that the Dolphins may pursue with the 42nd pick.
