Updated AFC East Team Needs: 11/29/10
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. This was completed by staff writer Paul Segal.
The Buffalo Bills are currently on pace to receive a top five pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. While quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is the only reason why the Bills have the two wins that they do, the Harvard product is not the long term answer for the Bills. Andrew Luck, Jake Locker, and Ryan Mallet are all possibilities for the Bills with their first choice, but a more logical choice for the Bills would be Marcel Dareus, the 3-4 defensive end out of Alabama. He would bring a huge boost to a defense that cannot get off the field this season.
In the 08-09 and 09-10 seasons, the Dolphins were one of the best teams at running the football. This year is a different story. Ricky Williams is on the wrong side of thirty, while it seems like past injuries to Ronnie’s knee and foot are catching up to him this season. A halfback like Ryan Williams or Mark Ingram would reignite the Dolphins rushing attack. If the Dolphins decide to go in another direction, they could use an interior offensive lineman or perhaps a cornerback, since the Jason Allen project didn’t work out.
The Patriots are one of the best teams in the NFL this season, but they still have some glaring holes. Defensively, they currently start Kyle Arrington at cornerback as Darius Butler is showing some flaws in his sophomore season. While it would be more logical for the Patriots to find a veteran to boost their secondary, they may try to improve the secondary in the draft. Two big time cornerbacks out of Texas, Curtis Brown and Aaron Williams, could fit in the Patriots secondary and potentially start right away.
The Jets are off to their best start since 1986, winning nine of their first eleven games. Their biggest need is definitely a safety who can cover a tight end. Throughout the season, the Jets secondary have been burned by tight ends like Aaron Hernandez and Joel Dreessen. A safety with great cover ability that may be available when the Jets are on the clock is Deunta Williams out of North Carolina.