The New York Jets walked away with four guys who had first-round grades. Jermaine Johnson’s total was 9.5 and at +150 before the draft. The Jets got him at pick 26. The New England Patriots, on the other hand? Yikes.Â
The NFL Draft provides hope for fans and gives us a good outlook on what teams value and where they think they are in the league hierarchy. Here are my draft grades and odds for each team to win the division. All odds are courtesy of FanDuel.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills were aggressive in getting the cornerback they desperately needed in the first round. They gave up a fourth-round pick to move up two spots to select Kaiir Elam out of Florida. He should start immediately across from Tre’davious White and has all the tools to blossom into a good cornerback.Â
Taking James Cook in the second round was a luxury pick, but this roster is almost complete and running back was one of the only needs left on the roster. Khalil Shakir in the fifth round is great value. He is ready to play day one and should replace Cole Beasley. The Buffalo Bills are the favorites to win the AFC East at -180 via FanDuel.
Grade: B+
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins only had four picks, which was the least out of any team. In the fourth round, they took Channing Tindall, an athletic but raw linebacker. I will give them a B considering they spent most of their draft capital on Tyreek Hill. The Miami Dolphins are +400 to win the AFC East via FanDuel.Â
Grade: B
New England Patriots
Crushing Bill Belichick is something I didn’t want to do today, but it has to be done. The majority of their picks were reaches. Cole Strange was set to go in the third round and they took him with the 24th overall pick. Tyquan Thornton was projected as a fifth-round pick, and the Patriots selected him with the 50th overall pick.
Marcus Jones, their third-round selection, was their only pick that seemed like fair value. Belichick might be losing his touch. The New England Patriots are +400 to win the AFC East via FanDuel.Â
Grade: DÂ
New York Jets
Yes, the New York Jets had the best draft in the league. Walking away with Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Jermaine Johnson, and Breece Hall in the first two rounds is outstanding. Those are four building blocks for the future of this franchise.Â
The Jets rocked this draft out of the park. They got the most top-tier talent out of any team. Let’s see if they can build on this. The New York Jets are +2000 to win the AFC East via FanDuel.Â
Grade: A
AFC East NFL Draft Grades article 2021 – May 6, 2021
After two decades of looking up at the Patriots in the standings, the Bills and Dolphins hope to continue looking down on them in 2021.
The AFC East did a great job this weekend, and all received grades B- or better. The NFL Draft provides hope for fans and gives us a good outlook on what teams value, and where they think they are in the league hierarchy.
Here are my draft grades and odds for each team to win the division. All odds are courtesy of BetRivers:Â
[ AFC East | AFC North | AFC West | AFC South ]
AFC East 2021 Draft Grades
Buffalo Bills
After watching Patrick Mahomes pick apart his defense in the AFC Championship, General Manager Brandon Beane decided to address the pass rush in the first two rounds. Gregory Rousseau and Carlos Basham Jr. will step right into their defensive line rotation.
The Bills roster is ready to win now, and they did a good job of not reaching for any players. Buffalo is the favorite to win the division at -150 according to BetRivers
Grade: B
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins were hoping Kyle Pitts or Ja’Marr Chase would fall to them. Ultimately the Falcons passed on a quarterback, which forced the Dolphins to select Jaylen Waddle. Even though I like Waddle as a player, taking him at six isn’t the best value.
Having said that, the Dolphins ended up with Jaylen Waddle, Jaelan Phillips, and Jevon Holland all in the first two rounds. That’s a great haul. Tua Tagavailoa has no excuses anymore. He must take a step forward this year. The Dolphins are +333 to win the division according to BetRivers.
Grade: A-
New England Patriots
I had Mac Jones going to the Patriots in both of my mock drafts, however, I thought Bill Belichick would have had to trade up to get him. Staying at 15 and still getting him is a huge success. Bill traded up in the second round to acquire Christian Barmore, and took Ronnie Perkins in the third round.
I love what Belichick did this weekend. Whether you like what he did in free agency or not, this team is ready to compete. The Patriots are +333 to win the division according to BetRivers
Grade: B+
New York Jets
There is new hope for Jets fans, as they selected quarterback Zach Wilson with the second overall pick. The Jets traded Sam Darnold after drafting him 3rd overall just three years ago. That shouldn’t exactly give Wilson the biggest boost of confidence.
What should make Wilson confident is what general manager Joe Douglas has surrounded him with. He traded up in the first round to select guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and took Elijah Moore 34th overall. The Jets are +2000 to win the division according to Sugarhouse NJ
Grade: B-
