NFL Team Needs: AFC East
By Editorial Staff
One of the most important factors when preparing for the NFL Draft is knowing each and every NFL team. NFL Mocks keeps a very close eye on each team and will bring you an updated needs assessment at the end of each month. These needs will help as we prepare to make predictions for the 2011 NFL Draft. Continue to check out our team needs page to find the most recent assessments. Also after looking at the team needs move on over to the Big Board and see what prospects might fit your teams need.
The Buffalo Bills own the worst record in the NFL at 0-6 and rank near the bottom in offensive yards at 30th and points scored at 26th. The defense is also close to the bottom in yards against at 29 and points scored at 32 so it is obvious they need help in many key positions. The good news is the Bills will be high on the draft board this year due to their poor record. The bad news is Bill’s fans have to wait at least another year before being competitive. The position that has brought the most controversy has been the most important position on the team, quarterback. The starter out of camp was Trent Edwards but he was replaced after two games due to ineffectiveness and was released shortly after. His replacement, Ryan Fitzpatrick, has done well in four starts however it is clear he is not the long term answer for the position. Washington QB Jake Locker would be the logical pick for the Bills in the 2011 draft, but nothing has been logical in Buffalo.
The Dolphins have been inconsistent but still have a 3-2 record heading into week 7. The offense is ranked near the bottom in point scored at 26th and in total offensive yards at 23rd. Ranking at the bottom half of offensive categories is acceptable if your defense plays consistently, but they have failed to do so. The defense has been up and down which is a reflection of the Dolphins as a whole. They held the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings to 10 points apiece then gave up 31 and 41 to the New York Jets and New England Patriots. The defense also received bad news when it was announce DE Jared Odrick is going to miss the remainder of the season with a fractured leg. Solidifying the defensive line through the draft is a necessity if the Dolphins want to continue their progression into a playoff team.
The Achilles Heel of the Patriots has been the young secondary who ranks near the bottom (29) in yards against. The group consists of rookie first round pick CB Devin McCourty, second year S Pat Chung, second year CB Darius Butler and fourth year SS Brandon Meriweather. The secondary is inexperienced and have been exposed all season long despite strong efforts from Chung and McCourty. And they will certainly have their backs to the wall this coming Sunday as they will play the San Diego Chargers who are the NFL’s most effective passing offense so far. With the secondary being a obvious sore spot it would be beneficial for the Patriots to address this need, especially the cornerback position.
New York is 5-1 and has been the NFL’s best team this season heading into week 7. They have dominated their opponents with a solid running game and limited turnovers. The only weakness so far has been an injured defensive secondary that ranks 22nd in yards given up. Darrelle Rivas has been injured a majority of the season after starting camp late due to a contract holdout. The Jets have been thin in the secondary so addressing that need will make them a Super Bowl contender for seasons to come.
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