Draft grades and reaction: AFC East

The AFC is looking like an ultra-competitive division in 2023 with perennial challengers the Buffalo Bills fighting with the improving Miami Dolphins and the Aaron Rodgers-led New York Jets, with the Patriots lagging behind at the moment. Let’s take a look at how these teams got on in the 2023 draft.

The Bills needed to bolster their offensive weapons going into next season with Stefon Diggs asked to do a lot as the number one option. The Bills decided to go with tight end Dalton Kincaid from Utah. Kincaid is a super athletic receiving option who should be able to dominate underneath early.

The Bills were able to grab O'Cyrus Torrence late in the second round when many expected him to go much earlier. A good guard prospect who should be able to help immediately. In the third round, they took Dorian Williams who has an opportunity to start early given Tremaine Edmunds’ departure.

The Bills took some swings at premium positions on day three which remains the best way to approach a draft. Adding potential depth at corner and O line is always a good idea and Justin Shorter has huge size and decent speed so could develop into something.

The Bills are reloading somewhat after losing some key players in free agency, but they look to have come out of the draft well-stocked with offensive weapons. The key was to do as much as possible to help Josh Allen and with a new TE and guard they look to have done just that.

The Dolphins lost out on a first-round pick after they were investigated for actions that “violated league policies pertaining to the integrity of the game.” Namely tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton. Not an ideal start to draft weekend.

The Dolphins somehow managed to make their offense even faster in the draft after they added the 4.32 40-running speedster Devon Achane out of Texas A&M. This paired with CB Cam Smith from South Carolina are very solid pickups despite not having a first-round pick.

Another team willing to take a swing on a ‘traitsy’ late-round receiver, the Dolphins added Eijah Higgins in the sixth round, whilst Higgins played as a wideout in college, he was announced as a tight end for the Dolphins, potentially adding a dynamic weapon. Some OL depth in Ryan Hayes rounded out their class.

If we don’t focus too much on their forfeited first-rounder, the Dolphins managed to add some talented players with very limited selections. They will continue to operate as a track team on offense and will be looking at some 4x100m relay records with the Achane addition.

Christian Gonzalez fell into Bill Belichick’s lap at number 17 with the cornerback slipping slightly further than expected. Tall and with great athletic numbers, the Oregon prospect should be locking down opposing receivers for the Pats for a long time to come. Great reading of the draft board.

Keion White was another player who perhaps slipped slightly lower than anticipated on draft night, with the Georgia Tech edge rusher projected by some to sneak into round one. Offering good pass-rushing versatility this is a very Patriots pick. Safety/linebacker Marte Mapu in round three looks like a bit of a reach, however.

With nine picks on day three of the draft, the Pats took some swings but they also decided to draft a kicker and a punter which is always a risk. Some solid prospects across the offensive line could well shore things up for Mac Jones at QB though.

Coming out of the draft with an elite corner prospect always looked like the Pats’ priority and they were able to do just that with Gonzalez. They added more pass-rushing depth in White but the fourth-round selection of a placekicker feels a little high.

Ultimately you have to remember the Jets swapped first-rounders this year as part of the Aaron Rodgers trade which left watching on as the top tackle prospects left the board early. The selection of Will McDonald IV at 15 feels like a big reach though given some of the options available.

Down a second-rounder in the Rodgers trade, the Jets only managed to take Joe Tippmann on day two, but the center prospect out of Wisconsin looks like a day-one starter and could well solidify an up-and-down offensive line.

Adding some more depth on the offensive line through Carter Warren and some backup running back juice with Israel Abanikanda made a ton of sense for the Jets here, especially as Breece Hall may not be back for the start of the season. Tight end Zack Kuntz looks like a prospect they will need to develop, but the potential is very much there.

The Jets ended up with Aaron Rodgers which was by far and away their priority heading into the draft and it is tough to look past them as a serious contender this season. They had a great opportunity at 15 to add even more talent but the pick left a little to be desired, although McDonald could well be a very good pass rusher going forward.