nfl draft preview: afc east
The AFC East remains a Bills-dominated division, with Buffalo standing far ahead of the competition. The Dolphins have plenty of offensive firepower but have yet to prove they can consistently beat winning teams. Meanwhile, the Patriots are in full rebuild mode as they search for a new identity under Drake Maye, and the Jets seem stuck in a cycle of desperation, grasping at short-term solutions with no clear direction. As we dive into the NFL draft preview for the AFC East, each team’s strategy will be crucial for shaping the upcoming season.
As the NFL Draft approaches, each team has vastly different priorities, making this one of the more unpredictable divisions in terms of draft strategy.
New England Patriots: Rebuilding Around Maye
- Top Needs: WR, OT, EDGE, DL, TE
- Biggest Question: Do they focus on putting pieces around Drake Maye, or do they rebuild the defense?
- Draft Approach:
- The Patriots need help everywhere, and their focus should be on surrounding Drake Maye with enough talent to ensure his development doesn’t stall.
- Wide receiver is an obvious issue—Ja’Lynn Polk struggled in his rookie year, and the current WR room of Bourne, Boutte, and Douglas doesn’t exactly strike fear into opposing defenses.
- Offensive line protection is also crucial—finding a franchise left tackle should be a priority if they want Maye to succeed.
- The defense also needs reinforcements. Matthew Judon is aging, and there’s a real lack of a dominant pass rusher. With Davon Godchaux requesting a trade, the defensive line could be in trouble as well.
- Ultimately, New England could go in a variety of directions with their picks, but the smart move is to build around Maye first before looking to bolster the defense.
- Top Targets: Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado), Abdul Carter (EDGE, Penn State), Mason Graham (DL, Michigan)
New York Jets: Finding a Quarterback
- Top Needs: QB, OT, DL, EDGE, S
- Biggest Question: Who is the long-term answer at quarterback?
- Draft Approach:
- The Jets’ entire strategy hinges on the quarterback position. The Aaron Rodgers experiment backfired spectacularly, and now they’re left scrambling.
- They could take a swing on Shedeur Sanders if he drops, but there’s a good chance he’s gone before they pick. If that happens, they’ll likely go best player available and look for a quarterback later.
- Outside of QB, the offensive line is a glaring issue. They need tackle depth badly, and even if they find a franchise QB, he’s going to need protection.
- Defensively, they need edge rushers and interior linemen to keep the pass rush effective. If they can’t get their QB of the future in this draft, improving the trenches is the next best move.
- With only three top-100 picks, they don’t have much to work with, which means they must hit on every pick.
- Top Targets: Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado), Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State), Jack Sawyer (EDGE, Ohio State)
Miami Dolphins: Filling Key Holes
- Top Needs: S, DL, OG, TE, EDGE
- Biggest Question: Are they a true contender or just a flashy team that can’t win tough games?
- Draft Approach:
- The Dolphins’ identity is hard to pin down. They’ve been dynamic offensively but struggle when playing from behind. Injuries have also played a massive role in their inconsistency.
- The biggest holes are along the offensive line and in the secondary. Both starting guard spots and both starting safety spots are up for grabs.
- Jevon Holland’s departure would leave a significant hole at safety, and their defensive line needs more depth—especially with Calais Campbell potentially retiring.
- Offensively, they still have one of the fastest units in football, but Tyreek Hill’s patience seems to be wearing thin. If he forces his way out, do they look to replace him early in the draft?
- With only three top-100 picks, Miami has to be strategic. They may reach for need rather than go best player available, simply because they need immediate impact players.
- Top Targets: Malaki Starks (S, Georgia), Mykel Williams (EDGE, Georgia), Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame)
Buffalo Bills: Can They Get Over the Hump?
- Top Needs: CB, DE, DT, S, WR
- Biggest Question: Can they finally build a defense capable of stopping Patrick Mahomes?
- Draft Approach:
- The Bills have been one of the most consistent teams in the NFL, but their Achilles’ heel has been their defense in clutch moments.
- Their secondary has declined since the prime days of Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, and Tre’Davious White’s injury left a massive hole at cornerback.
- They could prioritize a top-tier safety to stabilize the back end or invest in a cornerback to strengthen their coverage.
- The defensive line also needs reinforcements—if they can generate consistent pressure, it would help mask the issues in the secondary.
- Offensively, they need more weapons for Josh Allen. The WR room beyond Stefon Diggs is thin, and Gabe Davis isn’t a reliable WR2.
- Buffalo has three top-75 picks, which gives them a chance to address multiple areas of concern. If they nail this draft, they could finally take the next step toward a Super Bowl.
- Top Targets: Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas), Nic Scourton (EDGE, Texas A&M), Omar Norman-Lott (DT, Tennessee)
Final Thoughts
The AFC East remains Buffalo’s division to lose, but each team has its own unique challenges heading into the draft.
- The Patriots are looking to build a foundation around Drake Maye.
- The Jets are desperate for a quarterback but might have to settle for best player available if Shedeur Sanders is off the board.
- The Dolphins need to fill key roster holes while deciding if their current core can truly contend.
- The Bills are already Super Bowl contenders but need to shore up their defense to finally get past the Chiefs.
Each team has major decisions to make that will determine whether they close the gap with Buffalo—or if the Bills continue to rule the division unchallenged.
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