AFC East Mock Draft

Looking At Potential Draft Picks During the Combine

By Kevin Reese

#9-Buffalo Bills – Team Needs: WR, OL, LB, TE, S

The Buffalo Bills will get the ball rolling in the 2014 NFL Draft for the AFC East. The Bills were up and down during the 2013 season, beating quality teams such as the Panthers and the Ravens yet lost by 21 to the Buccaneers. The inconsistent play could be attributed to the Bills’ youth. The Bills played the 2013 season with the third youngest team in the NFL, with an average age of 25.3. However, the Bills put up some very impressive stats in 2013, despite their 6-12 record. The Bills finished the season second in rushing yards per game, sacks, and interceptions, all of which should contribute to more victories going forward.

The Bills, therefore, seem to be set with running back, pass rushers, and pass defenders. The biggest way to improve this team would be to give help to their rookie quarterback, EJ Manuel. The team has large needs at the receiver and offensive tackle positions. At pick No. 9, one of the premier offensive tackles in this draft, such as Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews or Auburn’s Greg Robinson, might not be available. Therefore, the best option for the Bills would be to give Manuel some help on the outside, especially with the cloudy future of the current #1 receiver Stevie Johnson.

And with the ninth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft the Buffalo Bills Select:

Sammy Watkins, WR Clemson

Watkins certainly impressed in his final college game, catching 16 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns. With his Orange Bowl performance, Watkins cemented himself as the best wide receiver in this draft, and possibly the best skill position player. Buffalo needs a playmaker on the outside of his caliber and his combination of speed and athleticism, Watkins would be a perfect fit of both need and getting the best player available.

#18-New York Jets – Team Needs: WR, RB, OG, OLB, S

The New York Jets were the epitome of a .500 team during the 2013 season. The team alternated wins and losses for the first 10 weeks of the season, before losing three straight but then improving towards the end to finish the season 8-8. The Jets had quality wins against the Saints and Patriots under the leadership of rookie quarterback, Geno Smith. The Jets seem to be getting back to their winning ways from when they reached back-to-back AFC Championship games.

 They played great defense and ran the ball, both of which they did in 2013. The Jets finished third in opposing rushing yards per game and sixth in rushing yards per game. The defense, however, could improve on the back end. The Jets did finish 22nd in passing yards allowed last season. The Jets did spend their first round pick last year on Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner, and along with Antonio Cromartie, the two form a pretty good cornerback duo.

The Jets definitely could use some help at the safety position though. Dawan Landry was solid in his first season as Jets safety but opposite him is a mystery. Ed Reed had a down year after signing with the Jets mid season so finding a long-term replacement might be vital. Wide receiver seems to be the other glaring need for the Jets to help with the development of Smith. The Jets seem to be in the same position as the Bills, even though they had two more wins. Ultimately, need might trump best available at this spot.

And with the 18th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft the New York Jets select:

            Marqise Lee, WR USC

Lee has been ridiculously productive during his time at Southern Cal with quarterback Matt Barkley. The only problem is Matt Barkley wasn’t present at USC this past season as he entered the NFL. Lee’s first two seasons saw him put up a combined 191 receptions, 2,864 yards, and 25 touchdowns, with Barkley at the helm. If he were eligible to enter the NFL Draft after his sophomore season he would’ve, and most likely would’ve ended up a top 10 pick. However, he was forced to stay one more year without Barkley and Lee’s production took a fall. Lee finished with 57 receptions, 791 yards, and four touchdowns. As a result Lee’s draft stock has fallen a bit. Nonetheless, Lee is still a gifted playmaker and would be a huge help to Geno Smith going forward.

#19-Miami Dolphins – Team Needs: OL, DT, OLB, CB, S

The Miami Dolphins 2013 season will always be remembered not what happened on the field, but what happened off of it. The team’s performance was overshadowed by the off-field dispute between offensive lineman Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin. The two were eventually dismissed from the team and the Dolphins controlled their own fate in the AFC playoff picture going into week 16. Unfortunately, the Dolphins lost the final two weeks of the season and were on the outside looking in at the playoffs. So while the Dolphins were almost able to shake off the loss of two starting lineman, help is still direly needed.

And with the 19th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft the Miami Dolphins select:

            Cyrus Kouandijo, OT Alabama

Kouandijo came out of high school as a five-star recruit and the consensus number one offensive tackle. At Alabama, Kouandijo has been a very integral part on some very good offensive lines. Kouandijo has been listed as short as 6 foot 5 inches and as tall as 6 foot 7 inches. He has been weighed anywhere from 310 to 325 pounds. With measurable like that, Kouandijo really can stand out. Kouandijo will be able to step in right away and help ease the complete offensive line overhaul that is transpiring in Miami right now.

#29-New England Patriots – Team Needs: WR, RB, TE, DE, S

This past season was more of the same for the Patriots. They reached the playoffs, as we’ve been accustomed to during the Tom Brady era, but as of late, they have commonly exited without a Lombardi Trophy. The Pats’ 2013 season was marred by injuries, especially on the defensive side of the ball with notable players such as Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo, and Brandon Spikes all being out for the year. So getting healthy and making a good draft pick here, maybe more focused on getting the best player available over picking for need, could put the Pats over the hump in the AFC. Tom Brady, coming off one of his worst statistical seasons, could use some more weapons around him, whether it is a wide receiver, running back, or tight end.

And with the 29th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft the New England Patriots select:

            Eric Ebron, TE University of North Carolina

The absence of tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez was very noticeable last season. The Patriots thrived with their ability to put two tight ends on the field who can create match-up problems all over the field. Ebron seems to be a perfect fit to be able to fill the void left by Aaron Hernandez. The junior tight end out of UNC is listed at 6’4” and 245 pounds, yet he can line up all over the field, something that the Patriots know how to utilize. Adding another weapon at this pick will immensely help the Patriots and Tom Brady going forward, hopefully catapulting them back to where they once were.

Are These 'Phins Phor Real?

What does the Season have in store for the Dolphins?

By Kevin Reese

US Presswire

The Miami Dolphins opened up their 2013 season with three wins, two of which came on the road.  They began the season by beating the Cleveland Browns in a game where Miami’s leading rusher had 14 yards.

 In Week 2, the Phins took down a considerably better opponent when they went to Indianapolis and defeated Andrew Luck and the Colts. Many started to deem the Dolphins a legitimate contender after they took down the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3.

The Dolphins entered the week undefeated facing the unbeaten New Orleans Saints in the vaunted Superdome. In just one game, our perception of this version of the Miami Dolphins might have been altered. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill didn’t look like the same player who led the Dolphins on a game-winning drive the previous week. 

Tannehill turned the ball over four times in this contest (one fumble and three interceptions). The defense got torched by Drew Brees to the tune of 413 yards and four touchdowns. The Dolphins ultimately fell to the Saints 38-17, putting them at 3-1 for the season.

So was this one bad game or was the first three weeks misleading as to who the real Dolphins are? Only time will tell. The Dolphins remaining schedule is quite favorable. The Dolphins only play one team who currently has a winning record the rest of the way. 

That team is their division rival New England Patriots, whom the Dolphins get to face twice. Also, it’s worth noting that half of the Dolphins remaining games are against division opponents.

In this very young NFL season, Miami is still very much in the race for the AFC East. It just depends on what Dolphins team we see. Do we get the team that won games against teams that were in last year’s playoffs, or the team who can’t seem to stop anything? The Dolphins are only one game back and have a multitude of winnable games left. 

So whatever team shows up, Miami will most likely exceed expectations this season, considering many picked them to not even smell a division title. This Dolphins team will most likely experience more ups-and-downs like this previous game, but one thing is for certain: they’re not going undefeated. 

AFC East: Miami’s Season On The Line

Sitting just one game out of a Wildcard spot, the Miami Dolphins are in it, but will have to earn it

By Michael Quagliana

(AP Photo/Rhona Wise)

The Miami Dolphins are very much in the Wild Card hunt in the AFC. The team is sitting at 5-6, just a step behind the Bengals and Steelers who are even at 6-5. Aside from an inexplicable 37-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 10, the Dolphins have put together a fairly respectable season. Their collective productivity combined with the overall mediocrity from the AFC this season, has them drooling at the bit for a spot in the postseason.

However, making the playoffs will be no easy task for Miami, as they face a tough schedule to close out the season. The Dolphins play the New England Patriots twice, go to San Francisco to take on the 49ers, host a surprisingly on-the-rise Jacksonville Jaguars team who has found its late season stride, and take on a Buffalo Bills squad who already topped Miami once this season in a 19-14 win on Nov. 11.

For a spot in the playoffs the Dolphins will certainly have to beat the Patriots (8-3) at least once in their final two matchups, a daunting task. Their best chance is this coming weekend as they have home field to their advantage. Though a tough challenge, nothing is impossible. These are the top five things the Dolphins need to do Sunday to have a shot a beating the Patriots.

1.    Control the tempo. The best defense against Tom Brady and the New England offense is to keep them off the field. The Dolphins can ill afford any three and outs. They need to grind out their drives do what they can to control time of possession.

2.    Put pressure on Tom Brady. The Giants have laid the blueprint down for the rest of the NFL in their two Super Bowl appearances against the Pats: Hit Brady and get him out of his comfort zone. Miami’s Cameron Wake is fifth in the NFL with 9.5 sacks. Wake needs to wreak havoc in the trenches and disrupt the passing game.

3.    Ryan Tannehill needs to be a leader. The Dolphins aren’t going to blow out the Patriots. If Miami is still in the game in the fourth quarter, Tannehill can’t simply take on his role as a game manager. The rookie quarterback had a solid game last week in a win against the Seattle Seahawks, completing 18 of 26 passes for 253 yards and a touchdown; respectable, but not enough against a team like New England.

4.    Utilize their weapons. Reggie Bush can bust out a 60 yard run on any given play. Don’t use him as a ground-and-pound running back. Davone Bess, the number-two wide receiver, caught seven passes for 129 yards last week. He too has rare athleticism and a keen ability to make defenders miss. Get both of them involved in the offense at key points in the game. Don’t get too gimmicky, but run a screen passes and try to catch the Pats’ defense sleeping,

5.    Take pride. The Dolphins need this game. They need energy in the locker room and from their home crowd that has been missing all season. They need to have confidence and can’t be intimidated.

A Catch-22

After a promising start, Reggie Bush has fallen back to Earth

(AP Photo)

By Michael Quagliana

It’s hard to believe that Reggie Bush has been in the NFL for seven years now. It seems like it was just yesterday that Bush was suiting up for the USC Trojans, hoisting the Heisman trophy, leading his team to the national championship game, and generating more buzz than any college running back in the last decade.

Well, Bush is now six years removed from his days in SoCal, and more importantly, six years removed from consistent production at the running back position.

Bush was selected second overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. In his five-year stint with New Orleans, Bush averaged fewer than four yards a rush, never surpassed more than 600 rushing yards in one season, and perhaps most shockingly, only posted two runs of over 30 yards. The former star slowly went from bust to afterthought.

In 2011, the Dolphins acquired Bush from the Saints. In his first season with the team, Bush rushed for over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. He did the most of his damage in December, ending the season with four straight games of over 100 rushing yards.

In early 2012, Bush picked up right where he left off. In Week 2 he had his best game as a pro, rushing for 172 yards and two scores at home against Oakland. Through the first three weeks of the season Bush was averaging over six yards a rush.

Just when it appeared safe to say Bush had finally found his knack in the NFL, he took another step back. In the last seven weeks Bush has averaged just 3.2 yards a rush, and hasn’t recorded more than 70 yards on the ground in any game. Games like his 12 rushes, 17 yards output in Week 6 against St. Louis won’t cut it as a starter.

Even as a Saint, Bush has provided glimpses of his old self. Once or twice a season he would make the highlight reel with a play on special teams or a screen pass, using his elusiveness to sneak past impending tacklers and exerting his lightning fast speed to break out into the open field. He can still cut back, stop on a dime, and accelerate faster than most backs in the league. The jukes and the flashy moves certainly are fun to watch, but don’t always pay dividends.

The good news for Bush is that his talent isn’t going anywhere. The bad news is that after seven years in the NFL there is still a cloud of doubt on whether he can get it done. He is in the final year of his contract with the Dolphins. In all likelihood the Dolphins will attempt to resign Bush, but that doesn’t mean his starting spot is secure. Second year back Daniel Thomas out of Kansas State has already been pirating touches from Bush this season. If Bush keeps up his dwindling production, Miami will grow impatient.

It’s been seven years. Seven long years. The time is running out for Bush to make his mark.

2012 Draft Preview: Miami Dolphins

Ryan Tannehill/AP Images

The Miami Dolphins head into the 2012 NFL Draft with a lot of questions.

By Joe Diglio

The 2011 season ended on somewhat of a high note, as the team won six of its last nine after starting 0-7. However the off-season has been a disappointment. The team lost out on every big name quarterback. They won’t get a chance at Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III because their strong finish lowered their draft position, and they couldn’t land Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn or Alex Smith in free agency, settling instead for David Garrard. The team then made a head-scratching trade, giving away Brandon Marshall, its best skilled position player, for a pair of third-round picks.

Miami is in a good position at the number eight pick in this year’s draft, but the talent of this year’s draft class has put the team in an awkward situation. By position, the Dolphins would be best suited to go after a quarterback, since neither Garrard nor Matt Moore are long-term solutions. The top quarterback after Luck and Griffin is Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M, though he ranks just 17th on Scouts Inc.’s overall draft board. Picking Tannehill with the eighth pick might be a stretch in terms of talent, but few teams are as desperate to find a quarterback as the Dolphins.

Although there is one team that could get in the way: the Cleveland Browns, who may be done experimenting with Colt McCoy. The team could potentially take Tannehill with the number four pick. That would be an even greater reach, but stranger things have happened in the draft, and this is the Cleveland Browns we’re talking about. Should the Dolphins lose out on the Aggie quarterback, their best bet would be to go after a defensive lineman to fill out their new 4-3 scheme, most likely defensive end Quinton Coples out of North Carolina. Other holes Miami should look to fill are a wide receiver replacement for Marshall and a safety replacement for Yeremiah Bell, who was recently released. In the end, though, expect the Dolphins to grab Tannehill with the eighth overall pick and go from there.