Which 2024 NFL Draft picks in the AFC East will step up and make a difference in Year 2?
Led by New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who was the No.4 overall pick in the draft, several rookies stepped up and contributed to the teams in the division. While some rookies played big roles like Maye, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman and Miami Dolphins edge Chop Robinson, there were others who barely saw the field despite higher expectations entering in their first season.
Can the rookies who made an impact in Year 1 take the next step in transcending their teams in key areas and will other first year players who made minimal contributions take big steps in their development and rise as a difference maker?
One Year 2 difference maker for each AFC East team:
Buffalo Bills – Ray Davis, RB
The James Cook contract situation will put more pressure on 2024 NFL Draft fourth round pick Ray Davis to take a leap in 2025. Will he be a difference maker?
In serving as the perfect backup during Cook’s breakout season, Davis showed his own value in the Bill’s offense rushing for 442 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground along with 17 receptions for 189 yards and 3 touchdowns as a pass catcher. In all, the 6 total touchdowns was a glimpse of the touchdown maker Davis was during his college days. Even if Cook is on the field to start the 2025 NFL season, Davis should see increased reps in the Bills’ backfield and a reliable target for Josh Allen to dump the football off to.
If the Cook contract standoff enters the regular season, the effectiveness and impact of Davis will play a big role in how the Bills start the season as the offense is that much more unstoppable when it is multi-dimensional. Expect Davis to keep the run game rolling if Cook is not on the field. If Cook is there, expect more of a 1-2 punch in Buffalo with both running backs rolling through opposing defenses.
Miami Dolphins – Chop Robinson, Edge
Chop Robinson recorded 6.0 sacks in his rookie season. The Penn State product really stepped up after veteran edge rusher Jaelan Phillips went down in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL season with a torn ACL. Already without Bradley Chubb, the Dolphins leaned on Robinson to produce and get to the quarterback, and he did just that.
Now, with both veterans expected to return, Miami will have a fearsome trio of edge rushers who can make opposing quarterbacks lives miserable. More importantly, they have a young, rising star in Robinson who will allow for both Phillips and Chubb to get their legs back under them and return to the dominant forces they were prior to injury. In all, Robinson must be a difference maker, particularly at the start of the season for the Dolphins’ defense. If he can double that sack production, watch out AFC East.
New England Patriots – Drake Maye, QB
The New England Patriots have a few second-year players they will need to make a huge jump to help catapult the team’s success in 2025, but it obviously starts with Drake Maye. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft didn’t get on the field during his rookie season until Week 6 of the NFL season, but when he got on the field, it was clear the Patriots had something special.
Entering Year 2 of his NFL career, Maye will look to take on more of a leadership role and benefit from new coaching and more playmakers around him, which include Stefon Diggs. Can the star playmaker help Maye excel as an NFL quarterback? Chemistry will matter and Diggs is already praising Maye as a “dog.”
“As far as personality-wise, he’s a dog. You could tell he’s a dog from the get-go,” Diggs said of Maye during voluntary OTAs. “I can see he’s committed to the process. He wants to play well. I know he’s been here all spring, so just to see him out there – and he’s been real helpful, too.”
If Maye excels under the coaching of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and with a star to throw to like Diggs, not only should the AFC East be on notice, but the rest of the AFC!
New York Jets – Malachi Corely, WR
In drafting Mason Taylor in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, it is clear the Jets are focused on surrounding Justin Fields with reliable playmakers who he can get the ball out quickly to and let them do their thing creating yards after the catch. That is where second-year receiver Malachi Corley could have a breakout type season with the Jets.
Although he only had 3 catches for 16 yards in this rookie season, the University of Weston Kentucky product is a strong receiver with the capability of breaking tackles after the catch. Despite being just 5-foot-11, his physicality is what stands out in his ability to create yards after the catch by muscling his way through defenders. He didn’t get much of an opportunity in Year 1, but with a year under his belt, he will have an opportunity to shine as the team’s fourth wide receiver behind Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard. If things click and he finds his niche, he could help the Jets’ offence not have to primarily rely on their run game led by Breece Hall.