2013 NFL Draft Grades: AFC East

The 2013 NFL Draft is officially over and you know what that means: it’s time to take out the red pen and make some grades. With such a wide open draft with no clear awe-inspiring prospects, it left the room for a lot of trades and movement amongst teams. Now that the dust has settled, here’s a look at how things shaked out at Radiocity Music Hall for the AFC East.

Buffalo Bills
1.) E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida St.
2.) Robert Woods, WR, USC
2.) Kiko Alonso, LB, Oregon
3.) Marquise Goodwin, WR, Texas
4.) Duke Williams, S, Nevada
5.) Jonathan Meeks, CB, Clemson
6.) Dustin Hopkins, K, Florida St.
7.) Chris Gragg, TE, Arkansas

Grade: B
The Bills bring in a solif group in head coach Doug Marrone’s first head coaching stint. It started on Day One when Buffalo traded down with the St. Louis Rams, who took the high rising prospect Tavon Austin. By trading down the Bills gained two picks that ended up addressing top needs at linebacker (Alonso) and wide receiver (Goodwin). The best pick of the group arguably is Woods. A solid prospect with a proven track record. In his three seasons at USC, Woods totaled 210 catches for 3,218 yards and staggering 41 touchdowns. The sleeper of this group is Williams, who was a three year starter for the Wolfpack and can both cover and lay the hammer in run support. He could end up challenging Da’Norris Searcy for a starting spot.

Miami Dolphins
1.) Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
2.) Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise St.
3.) Dallas Thomas, T, Tennessee
3.) Will Davis, CB, Utah St.
4.) Jelanie Jenkins, OLB, Florida
4.) Dion Sims, TE, Michigan St.
5.) Mike Gillislee, RB, Florida
5.) Caleb Sturgis, K, Florida
7.) Don Jones, S, Arkansas St.

Grade: A-
The high grade comes from the basis that the Dolphins brought in a major haul while still managing to trade up to the third overall spot to take Jordan who will play opposite of Pro Bowler Cameron Wake — providing a terrifying pass rush duo. Not to mention Taylor, Thomas, and Davis could all have significant impacts in their rookie season. Specifically Sims, who can form a two-tight end set with newly acquired Dustin Keller. The sleeper here comes from Thomas. A versatile linemen who could wind up starting at either right tackle or guard.

New England Patriots
2.) Jamie Collins, OLB, Southern Mississippi
2.) Aaron Dobson, WR, Marshall
3.) Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers
3.) Duron Harmon, S, Rutgers
4.) Josh Boyce, WR, Texas Tech
7.) Michael Buchanan, DE, Illinois
7.) Steve Beauharnais, ILB, Rutgers

Grade: C+
Once the Pats signed defensive tackle Tommy Kelly a week before the draft, it was clear that the Pats would trade out of the first round. By doing so they got three extra picks from Minnesota, who traded up for Tennessee receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. In typical New England fashion, the organization took high fliers on unfamiliar prospects such as Collins, Harmon, and Boyce. It is unclear who will make the most impact in their rookie season, it will most likely be Ryan who could work his way into nickle and dime packages. It’s clear that head coach Bill Belichick has a string connecetion at Rutgers as he took three prospects from the program. The sleeper here could Buchanan. He had 7.5 sacks as a junior and was expected to breakout but instead only registered 4.5 sacks his final year at Illinois. He’s a versatile rusher that could work his way into passing down situations.

New York Jets
1.) Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
1.) Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
2.) Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
3.) Brian Winters, OG, Kent St.
5.) Oday Aboushi, T, Virginia
6.) William Campbell, DT, Michigan
7.) Tommy Bohanon, FB, Wake Forest

Grade: A
The only thing preventing the Jets from getting that pesky plus is that they did not draft a running back. However, they did address virtually every need and their first five selections all have a virtual shot at starting next season. Grabbing Smith at the start of the second round was a no-brainer. Richardson, was a bit of a headscratcher as the Jets have invested first-round picks on the d-line, the past three seasons now. With all those high drafted players, the line should be stronger now. Winters will start the season at one of the guard positions, a small school prospect who never missed a start and has the tenacity for the position. Aboushi, is the sleep here. A solid right tackle prospect, Aboushi (out of Virginia like fellow tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson) can challenge Austin Howard for the starting position on the right side and could certainly win. A three year starter, he has the gritty mentality necessary for a lineman and perfect for a Rex Ryan coached team.