Assessing The NFL Draft: AFC East
We underwent a few technical changes this afternoon and were unable to post as early as we have been this week. So, sorry about that. On the plus side, our posts will be somewhat coherently formatted. Yay for semi-cogent internet screeds!
Today we look at the AFC East, the conference that Keyshawn Johnson couldn’t stop mentioning was “quarterback loaded except for the Jets” on draft day as justification for trading up for Mark Sanchez. Obviously no one told him that two of those “other teams” were the Dolphins and Bills. Either way, for having the best team of the past decade in their arsenal, this is a surprisingly mediocre division. The Bills take comfort knowing that they’ll never do worse than 8-8, but never do better than 8-8. The Jets fluctuate like no other team in the NFL, and every time they do make the playoffs it feels like an unpleasant surprise while every time they miss it feels like what’s supposed to happen. And the Dolphins will continue to be in rebounding mode as a franchise, and despite making the playoffs in 2008, still lack the offensive and defensive fire power to be considered among the elite teams in the league.
Basically, it’s a pivotal draft for a division in which I hate all four teams. I don’t like watching them. I don’t like owning their fantasy players. I don’t like people even reminding me of their mere existence. So, this should be fun.
Who they drafted: The Bills were quite busy on draft day, but by all indications they are content with their skill players (as they probably should be), and went with offensive line when they weren’t drafting defense, as evidenced by first and second round picks that were committed to the line. Since they traded away their best lineman to the Eagles, this made sense. The only other offensive player they drafted was a fourth round tight end who, if lucky enough to make the team and get on the field will undoubtedly be blocking more than receiving.
Prognostication: The story here is obviously Terrell Owens and just how much he plans on derailing this team. So far, Owens has complained about playing with McNabb in his prime, Jeff Garcia in his prime and Tony Romo just entering his prime, what exactly is he going to have to say about Trent Edwards? We will say this, as a result of TO coming in and the two new lineman, we should see increased productivity from all of the returning skill players, even if Owens’ presence doesn’t get them in the playoffs. I’d bump Lynch and Fred Jackson up a few notches on your draft board.
Miami Dolphins
Severly underrated.
Who they drafted: Miami was relatively busy on draft day, just like any team that Bill Parcells has a hand in assimilating. For the sake of brevity: Pat White in the second round Patrick Turner in the third, Brian Hartline in the fourth, some tight end in the fifth and a tackle in the sixth.
Prognostication: While I think the Pat White pick works for them, doesn’t the statute of limitations on the wildcat have to be about up. I see Jerrod Mayo absolutely obliterating Patrick Cobbs at some point and putting an end to this whole scheme. But for the time being the pick understandable, if not predictable. They have needed an upgrade at receiver since Chris Chambers left, and before Chambers it had been about fifteen years since they had a notable receiver, so Pat Turner is the right pick. And I have no idea what they were thinking with Hartline. Still, while they loaded up on offensive players, I doubt any of them have any significant impact on this fantasy season. Outside of Ronnie Brown and maybe Ricky Williams, most of the current players’ fantasy value was diminished, and the new crop of players will be obsolete.
Yeah, I still hate this team.
Who they drafted: If the Dolphins were busy, then the Patriots were working in an Indonesian sweat shop. Twelve draft picks in all, five on offense and seven on defense, and with maybe the exception of UNC wide out Brandon Tate, none of any real consequence. As a result, we’re not going to take the time run through all of them.
Prognostication: Look, if you think Tom Brady will return fully healthy, then set your draft board as such. If not, then it’s anyone’s fucking guess what’s running through your head. I, for whatever crazy reason, expect Brady and the Pats to look almost as effective in 2009 as they did in 2007. If all goes according to plan, with all of the picks they used on defense and all the weapons they kept on offense this team should light up the fantasy football season (though I think the aging offensive line is a concern). But it goes without saying, that if Brady’s taken out at the knees again and with no Cassel to back him up, all of those players are fucked statistically.
Who they drafted: Mark Sanchez, Shonn Green and a sixth round offensive guard out of Nebraska. Three picks, that’s it.
Prognostication: Well, just how much faith do you have in a rookie quarterback with a top (we’ll say…) eight offensive line, an above average running corps and a respectable recieving corps that runs five deep if you include Dustin Keller? Because while we think if there was an ideal yet realistic place for Sanchez to land, it was in New Jersey with the Jets. But at the same time, we think he’s going to be dreadful in his rookie season. People seem to forget that Thomas Jones and Leon Washington’s number skyrocketed from 2007 to 2008, it wasn’t just a coincidence that Brett Favre played in that second season. We’ll see if Sanchez can keep defenses honest enough to open up the running game, but that’s assuming he starts. If Kellen Clemens is their starter, you’re going to really wish you had went with the fourth receiver on the Cardinals instead of Chansi Stuckey.
Back tomorrow with the exact opposite of the AFC East in logistics and commercial appeal: the NFC West.
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