AFC East 2008 Draft Needs, Team by Team

New England Patriots
Top needs: LB, CB, S
For a team that went undefeated during the regular season and went to the Super Bowl the Patriots have a lot of needs, especially on defense. Aside from needing a new sideline videographer, the team lost Asante Samuel and Eugene Wilson from its defensive backfield. And its linebackers, especially Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi, are still capable but approaching their last legs. The Patriots will likely grab the best defensive back or linebacker on their board at pick number seven.

Buffalo Bills
Top needs: WR, OL, defense
The only consensus on Buffalo’s needs based on a cursory glance at several draft magazines and web sites is that there is no consensus. This is a team that, while not completely devoid of talent, still needs to fill plenty of holes. Lee Evans is the only starting-level wide receiver so that would be a start. The offensive line is better than it has been, but still needs an upgrade. Cornerbacks Terrence McGee and Ashton Youboty don’t exactly strike fear in opposing quarterbacks. And last season the team ranked 29th in pass rush. So take your pick – any talent this team can grab early on will have a chance to make an immediate impact.

New York Jets
Top needs: OLB, DT, OL
Despite having solid personnel to run the 4-3 defense, coach Eric Mangini converted the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets to the 3-4, immediately rendering LB Jonathan Vilma and DT Dwayne Robertson irrelevant. Vilma was dealt to New Orleans and Robertson will likely be gone by draft day. The Jets traded for Kris Jenkins, but they need to back him up with someone sturdy, as he’s been fragile of late. They also added Calvin Pace to play OLB, but he’s been inconsistent at best. So defense is a need. The Jets immediate needs at OL were filled by the signings of G Alan Faneca and T Damien Woody, but Faneca is aging and Woody has never been all that great either. Interestingly one spot the Jets don’t desperately need to fill is running back since Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are a decent tandem. Yet New York is considered by some to be a likely landing spot for Darren McFadden. Go figure.

Miami Dolphins
Top needs: OL, QB, LB
This team is terrible for a reason – most of its players suck. It would be easier to make a list of positions they don’t need – it would be nearly blank. A good start would be solidifying the offensive line which could start with Jake Long at the beginning of the draft. He would be the best left tackle since Richmond Webb left. He’d at least allow John Beck to know he wouldn’t be getting smeared from the blindside every time he dropped back to fumble or throw an interception. Beck looked like a wasted pick last year. He could develop, but it’d be smart for the Dolphins to add some insurance somewhere in the draft. Linebacker was a flip of the coin for the third need. Zach Thomas was cut leaving a gaping hole. But the team needs defensive linemen and defensive backs as well. Bill Parcells has his work cut out for him with this reclamation project. It’s been awhile since there has been a team this bad in the NFL. It’s almost funny. If I were Parcells I’d be looking to trade down as much as possible, adding pick after pick after pick for the next couple of drafts. Otherwise these guys are likely to remain a lost cause.