The Buffalo Bills are still the class of the AFC East, but did other teams in the division close the gap following the 2025 NFL Draft?
There are still many moves to be made before the 2025 NFL season gets underway, but for the Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets, filling their biggest positional needs was a must in this draft and they all did a good job. With two new head coaches in the division and an influx of talent via the draft, the AFC East will be more competitive in 2025.
AFC East draft class rankings based on need and value
Here is a ranking of the draft classes highlighting draft selections that stand out for each team.
No. 1 - New England Patriots: More explosive on offense
Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf needed to have a strong draft and it looks like they came through as far as addressing needs and value picks at the middle and end of the draft.
- Top pick: In selecting Will Campbell with the No. 4 overall pick, the Patriots took care of a big need at left tackle. Yes, there are those lingering concerns about his arm length that will follow him around, but from a football player standpoint, Campbell is a player who will go to battle and do whatever it takes to protect Drake Maye.
- Surprise pick: The selection of TreVeyon Henderson with the No. 38 overall pick wasn’t considered a need, but his skillset will make the Patriots’ offense more explosive while at the same time giving Rhamondre Stevenson some help at the position. If he stays healthy, Henderson should be an immediate impact player in Josh McDaniels’ offense.
- Favorite Pick: The Kyle Williams pick in the third round is a good one, but the selection of Bradyn Swinson with the No. 146 overall pick may end up being the steal of the draft. The LSU product was projected to go earlier in the draft, so the Patriots are getting a player with Day 2 talent with a chip on his shoulder. At 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, Swinson will fit in nicely playing behind Harold Landry III and Keion White.
- A potential steal of the draft: In adding to their interior offensive line depth, the Patriots took Jared Wilson out of Georgia with the No. 95 overall pick in the draft. Though drafted as a center, Wilson’s size (6-foot-3, 310 pounds) and athleticism could earn him snaps at guard while he serves as the backup to Garrett Bradbury.
No 2 - Miami Dolphins: Stronger in the trenches
The Dolphins entered the draft with a ton of picks and they used them wisely to fortify the trenches and add depth in key areas. The question is did they do enough to challenge the Bills for the AFC East crown?
- Top pick: Kenneth Grant is exactly what the Dolphins needed in the interior of their defensive line. A player who is disruptive against the run and can create pressure up the middle. He was overshadowed a bit at Michigan due to the outstanding play of Mason Graham, but Grant held his own at Michigan and his power and relentlessness in the middle of the line will translate to the NFL level. He may not start right away, but Grant will make his presence known on that Dolphins’ defense.
- Surprise pick: Although a solid pick, the selection of Johan Savaiinaea at No. 37 was a big of a surprise given the team’s potential need at cornerback. With Jalen Ramsey trade rumblings, the Dolphins had a couple of shots at drafting Michigan’s Will Johnson. Instead, they beefed up their offensive line with Savaiinaea who should step in immediately as a starter at guard or at the very least challenge veteran guard Liam Eichenberg for the starting role.
- Favorite pick: The Dolphins love to run the ball and Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gorden II will fit in with their current running back group. In selecting Gordon II with the No. 179 pick in the draft, the Dolphins replace Raheem Mostert with a downhill runner who is more physical and explosive. A running back room of De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright and Gordon II will be a dynamic and intriguing group down in South Beach.
- A potential steal of the draft: The Dolphins have Tua Tagovailoa, but with his concussion history, the Dolphins needed to find a suitable backup in this draft. They did that with Quinn Ewers who isn’t your typical seventh round pick. Although the Dolphins have Zach Wilson who has starting quarterback experience, Ewers has the potential to win the backup QB role and step in as a starter if Tua goes down.
No. 3 - Buffalo Bills: Getting more defensive
The Bills are one of those fringe Super Bowl teams looking to fill in holes by finding value through the draft. Like the Philadelphia Eagles proved last year, finding the right players at key positions can be what gets a team over the hump. Did they find the right players in the 2026 NFL Draft?
- Top Pick: The Bills took care of their biggest need with the selections of speedy cornerback Maxwell Hairston with the No. 30 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. A player who saw his draft stock rise during the NFL Combine with a 4.28 40-yard dash time, Hairston also has the skillset to be an elite corner in the NFL although undersized. If he bulks up a bit and gets more physical, the Bills have a player who should step in and fill that CB2 role opposite Christian Benford.
- Surprise Pick: With Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid hold it down at tight end, the position wasn’t a big need for the Bills. So, the selection of Jackson Hawes as the first of offensive player taken by the Bills in the draft was a bit suprising. Nothing against the player, but the Bills could’ve used that pick on a wide receiver in the fifth round and drafted Hawes a bit later Day 3.
- Favorite Pick: Landon Jackson in the third round was a great pick by the Bills. With the need of more edge rushers, the length, size and athleticism of Jackson will earn him snaps behind Joey Bosa. The great thing about the selection of Jackson is he can take some time to learn behind Bosa and eventually make an impact at some point in his rookie season. In all, his ability to get after the passer makes him a rookie to watch in the AFC East.
- A potential steal of the draft: Deone Walker is a player who was projected to go as high as the first round at the start of the season. At 6-foot-7, 331 pounds, Walker is a player who could make an impact at some point in the season, especially as a run stuffer. Another potential steal is cornerback Dorian Strong taken with the No. 77 overall pick in the draft.
No. 4 - New York Jets: Needs vs wants
The Jets under new GM Darren Mougey and first-year head coach Aaron Glenn didn’t have a bad draft, it was just the least favorite in the AFC East. In all, they took care of key needs and found value in the mid-to-late part of the draft.
- Top Pick: The Jets decided to take care of their need for a tackle by selecting Armand Membou with the No. 7 overall pick in the draft. The team could’ve gone with Tyler Warren here, but finding protection of Justin Fields was a need. Membou should secure the right tackle position with 2024 first round pick Olu Fashanu holding down the left side. A smart move by the Jets.
- Surprise Pick: The Jets added depth to their secondary with the selection of Azareye’h Thomas with the No. 73 overall pick. With Sauce Garnder leading the way, the Jets didn’t need a corner on Day 2, but Thomas still on the board at that point was too good for the Jets to pass up.
- Favorite Pick: The depth of this year’s tight end class allowed the Jets to pass on Warren in the first round and take LSU’s Mason Taylor with the No. 42 overall pick in the draft. A team in need of a tight end finally found their guy in Taylor who emerged at the No. 3 tight end in the draft. With is pass-catching ability, he should shine with the Jets.
- A potential steal of the draft: Alabama’s Melachi Moore with the No. 130 overall pick is one of the best sleeper picks named by NFL Mocks contributor Joseph Basile. The Jets traded up for Moore who should help immediately at safety for the Jets. He also has sills at cornerback that will get him snaps during his first season in the NFL.