Buffalo Bills

Team Needs: OT, TE, DE, OC, CB

‘09 Selections:

1st – DE Aaron Maybin (#11), OC Eric Wood (#28)
2nd – CB Jairus Byrd (#42), OG Andy Levitre (#51)
3rd – TE Shawn Nelson (#121)
4th – LB Nic Harris (#147)
5th – CB Cary Harris (#183)
6th – CB Ellis Lankster (#220)

Analysis: The Bills did a nice job in the early stages of the draft to address several of their big needs, but in the end they failed to pick up a replacement for left tackle Jason Peters, who they traded recently to Philadelphia. The selection they received in return for Peters turned out to be Wood, who is a solid player but not someone I would have picked in that spot.

Their best second day pick was Nelson, who should be the opening day starter at TE when it’s all said and done. Overall, it’s a nice job by Buffalo’s brain trust, but it could have been better if they had taken a tackle somewhere on day one.

Final Grade: B-

Miami Dolphins

Team Needs: CB, WR, DE, OLB, S

‘09 Selections:

1st – CB Vontae Davis (#25)
2nd – QB Pat White (#44), S Sean Smith (#61)
3rd – WR Pat Turner (#87)
4th – WR Brian Hartline (#108)
5th – TE Johnathan Nalbone (#161), S Chris Clemons (#165)
6th – OT Andrew Gardner (#181)
7th – OLB J.D. Folsom (#214)

Analysis: The Dolphins had a multitude of picks and they used them effectively throughout each round to address all of their needs. The best pick of day one for my money was White, who will play all over the place and can be a weapon from day one in the Wildcat offense. I also like the value of Davis, who could have easily gone much higher than he did in round one.

Day two brought them a solid duo of WRs in Hartline and Turner, along with a nice small school tight end in Nalbone. All three should be key parts of the Dolphins offense next season. Overall, this was a nice draft by Miami and should pay off dividends over the next few seasons.

Final Grade: A-

New England Patriots

Team Needs: CB, S, LB, DT, WR

‘09 Selections:

2nd – S Patrick Chung (#34), DT Ron Brace (#40), CB Darius Butler (#41), OT Sebastian Vollmer (#58)
3rd – WR Brandon Tate (#83), OLB Tyrone McKenzie (#97)
4th – OG Richard Orhnberger (#123)
5th – OT George Bussey (#170)
6th – LS Jacob Ingram (#198), DT Myron Pryor (#207)
7th – WR Julian Edelman (#232), DT Darryl Richard (#234)

Analysis: Every year it seems as though Bill Belichick is playing the game his way while everyone else is just trying to keep up, and this year was no different. The Patriots traded back repeatedly, avoiding a selection in the first round entirely, and stocked up with plenty of depth as a result. The best day one pick was Brace, who is a space eating monster in the middle and should replace Vince Wilfork next year.

The second day was more of the same from New England and they did a nice job of finding value with their picks. My favorite selection was the pick to get Tate, who has his share of off the field issues, but is extremely talented and deserving of where he was taken.

Final Grade: B+

New York Jets

Team Needs: QB, RB, CB, WR

‘09 Selections:

1st – QB Mark Sanchez (#5)
3rd – RB Shonn Greene (#65)
6th – OG Matthew Slauson (#193)

Analysis: The Jets traded up with the Browns to grab Sanchez in round one, but they gave up quite a bit to get it done, losing three players and a key 2nd round pick. If Sanchez turns out to be the next Matt Ryan, it will be well worth it, but if he’s mediocre at best, this class will be a bust no matter what.

Day two brought one of my favorite players in Greene to NYC, and he should be the heir apparent to Thomas Jones sooner or later. He’s a tough runner between the hashes and should give them a good workhorse to pair with Leon Washington for the next five years at the very least. On paper, the Jets came out of this draft much improved at the most important skill positions on offense, but it’s going to take a bit of time to truly evaluate this class.

Final Grade: B+

Other posts you may enjoy:

1. NFLNR has the NFL Draft covered
2. Week 11 Wrap – AFC East