2021 NFL Draft: Team-by-team storylines to watch this fall
By David Glancy
AFC East
16. Pick Analysis. East. Buffalo Bills. 1. Scouting Report. AFC. player
Favorites in the AFC East, but can they be the team to dethrone New England?
When was the last time the Bills were the preseason favorites to win the AFC East? Outside the Buccaneers, the Bills may be the biggest beneficiary from Brady’s move to Tampa and anything less than a second straight playoff appearance will be seen as a disappointment. If the Bills are to win their first division title since 1995 and take the next step as a franchise, they’ll need to see the same from Josh Allen.
After a ten-win season and loss to the Texans in the Wild Card round, the Bills moved a 2020 first and sixth round selection, as well as a 2021 fourth-round selection for Minnesota Vikings want-away receiver, Stefon Diggs. Diggs gives the Bills a true primary receiver and should open up the offense for Allen who relied on a John Brown-Cole Beasley tandem last season.
Prediction: Even with all the turnover in New England, it’s difficult to pick against the Patriots. Don’t expect the Bills to push for the one seed, but another ten-win year could be enough to clinch the division and a late 2021 NFL Draft pick.
59. Scouting Report. East. Miami Dolphins. 2. Pick Analysis. AFC. player
When does “Tua Time” begin and what can Brian Flores do in year 2?
The Dolphins completed their “tank for Tua”. Well kind of… Miami beat expectations under first-year head coach Brian Flores and finished the 2019 season at 5-11. After getting their franchise quarterback with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 draft and can ease in the recovering rookie behind Ryan Fitzpatrick. After a 3-2 December, including a regular season win at New England, the Dolphins should feel optimistic heading into the 2020 season.
After an impressive free agency haul, it’s not impossible the Dolphins could win the AFC East. Between a shortened offseason and recovering from hip surgery, don’t expect Tua Tagovailoa to walk in and lead Miami to their first postseason appearance since 2016. A seven or eight-win season should be seen as a step in the right direction.
Prediction: The Dolphins finish somewhere around the seven-win mark and enter the 2021 NFL Draft with another possible top ten pick and a second first-round pick from the Texans. Miami will be in a strong position to get a top-end receiver from another deep draft class.
Pick Analysis. AFC. New England Patriots. 47. Scouting Report. East. 3. player
With Belichick and Brady broken up, can Cam take the Pats back to the playoffs?
No team was hit harder this offseason than the Patriots. After a first-round loss to the Titans, the Patriots first said goodbye to Tom Brady after being several months of being linked with a move outside of New England. While Brady picked up all the headlines, the Patriots also lost linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collin. The Patriots were again hit hard after Dont’a Hightower and Marqise Lee opted out of the season.
It’s difficult to totally write the Patriots out of the playoffs, especially as a wild card team given Bill Belichick will still be roaming the sidelines. The Patriots haven’t missed the playoffs since 2008 and if either Cam Newton can stay healthy (and fit into the offense) or if Jarrett Stidham can develop into a serviceable quarterback, the Patriots should remain in contention for a Wild Card spot.
Prediction: Every other team in the AFC East has been waiting for this moment. The Patriots took significant hits this offseason and lack the offensive playmakers to look like a real contender. That said, don’t write off a Belichick led team. The Patriots should finish above their talent and push towards an 8-8 record. The 2021 NFL Draft may be a chance to see New England move up for a quarterback instead of trading down or out of the first round.
30. 4. AFC. East. New York Jets. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
The Jets had a strong finish to 2019. Are they the AFC East dark horse?
While the Bills may enter as the preseason favorites for the AFC East, the New York Jets may be one of the most under the radar teams in the NFL. Second-year quarterback Sam Darnold was the difference-maker for the Jets last season. The Jets were 7-6 with a healthy Darnold and slumped to an 0-3 record without Darnold. The Jets looked to add weapons around Darnold drafting offensive tackle Mekhi Becton and receiver Denzel Mims in the first and second rounds of the 2020 draft.
The major offseason storyline occurred when the Jets finally determined the future of safety Jamal Adams, shipping the young star to the Seahawks in exchange for a first and third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and another first-rounder in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Jets also received safety, Bradley McDougald. McDougald started 14 games for the Seahawks in 2019 and should serve as a placeholder for Adams.
Prediction: The 2020 season may be the major turning point for both the Jets and Sam Darnold’s future. Darnold saw improvement in 2019 and the Jets finished 2019 as one of the hottest teams, going 6-2 after Darnold’s return. New York looks to be Buffalo’s biggest contender in the East and should be taken as a legitimate playoff contender. With two mid-to-late first-round picks in the following drafts, the Jets should be able to rebuild a defense without Adams.