The AFC East’s 2024 NFL draft is highlighted by New England because the Patriots had the splashiest selection at the sexiest position — North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, the No. 3 pick.
Maye is the freshest face in a quarterback-heavy division that includes New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
But which AFC East team had the best draft in a division that seems more up for grabs than ever at this point of the year?
And where do the Dolphins, who haven’t won a division title since 2000, rank among the other three teams in draft grades?
Miami added a much-needed pass rusher in the first round.
New England got its quarterback.
Buffalo made two first-round trades.
New York likely went against Rodgers’ wishes.
None of the teams had a blockbuster draft, but a few teams seemed to improve.
Here’s how it breaks down, starting with the Dolphins:
Miami Dolphins: C
Why?
And at that price? For that role?
More on that later.
The Dolphins’ draft was decent at the top even though it might not provide the immediate help they seem to need. In the later rounds they doubled-down on their small, speedy guy philosophy among a running back and two wide receivers.
Sandwiched between all of that was the trade.
This should be interesting.
Edge rusher Chop Robinson, the first-round pick out of Penn State, and offensive tackle Patrick Paul, the second-round pick out of Houston, are solid picks.
But conventional wisdom says the Dolphins need immediate impact from their top two draftees and it’s debatable whether that will happen.
Robinson is more prepared to contribute, and his contribution is needed immediately considering edge rushers Bradley Chubb (knee) and Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) aren’t likely to both be ready for the opener.
Paul will likely be the backup swing offensive tackle behind left tackle Terron Armstead, the veteran who is probably playing his final season after considering retirement this offseason, and right tackle Austin Jackson.
However, Paul will have to beat out veteran backup Kendall Lamm and that’s not a given.
The Dolphins traded into the fourth round and drafted speedy Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright, but they gave up a 2025 third-round pick. That’s a hefty price (a third- and fourth-round pick) for a player who, if all goes according to plan, is No. 3 in the running back rotation this season behind Pro Bowl selection Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane, last year’s third-round pick.
To put it another way, the Dolphins gave up more for Wright, who is a so-so prospect, than they did for Achane, who was a good prospect.
The Dolphins selected edge rusher Mohamed Kamara of Colorado State in the fifth round, and he has a decent chance of making the 53-man regular-season roster.
Miami wrapped selections of small, speedy wide receivers Malik Washington (Virginia/sixth round) and Tahj Washington (USC/seventh round) around safety Patrick McMorris (California/sixth round).
Considering the bulk of the picks were between the fourth and seventh rounds, players not normally expected to contribute as rookies, Miami mostly has a two-man draft class with Robinson and Paul.
David Furones, Chris Perkins break down Miami Dolphins’ selection of Chop Robinson | VIDEO
New York Jets: B
The Jets made an interesting choice. They selected Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu at No. 11, bypassing standout Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. You could argue they selected what’s best for the franchise in the long term over what’s best for Rodgers in the 2024 season.
Give the Jets respect for that decision (although there’s a good chance it backfires).
Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley, the third-round pick, has a chance to contribute as a rookie.
Cornerback Qwan’Tez Stiggers, the fifth-round pick who visited the Dolphins before the draft, is an interesting story after not playing college football but being named the CFL Most Outstanding Rookie after a season with the Toronto Argonauts.
The Jets selected a pair of running backs in the fourth and fifth rounds as well as “Mr. Irrelevant,” the final pick of the draft — Alabama safety Jaylen Key, the 257th selection.
New England Patriots: B
New England was clearly offensive-minded in this draft.
Start with the obvious.
They selected Maye with the No. 3 pick.
But they backed that up with four more offensive selections — Washington wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk in the second round, Penn State offensive tackle Caedan Wallace in the third round, Texas A&M guard Layden Robinson and UCF wide receiver Javon Baker in the fourth round — meaning the Patriots’ first five picks were on offense.
And after selecting a cornerback in the fifth round the Patriots went back to offense in the sixth with Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton.
Then they finished with Florida State tight end Jaheim Bell in the seventh round.
The Patriots obviously had a strategy and philosophy.
By the way, Baker had 21 receptions for 20 or more yards last season, which ranked No. 4 in FBS.
Chris Perkins: How do they fit? A look at Dolphins’ 2024 draft class
Buffalo Bills: C+
The Bills traded down in the first round with Kansas City and basically picked up a third-round pick, and then they traded out of the first round in an exchange with Carolina and basically picked up a fifth-round pick in exchange for a fourth-round pick. That’s decent work.
Then, with their first pick of the draft, which was the first selection of the second round, the Bills selected Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman, which is decent talent at a position of need.
Elsewhere, Utah safety Cole Bishop helps fill the huge losses, or potential losses, of Jordan Poyer (Dolphins) and Micah Hyde (free agent who might return or might retire).
Buffalo had a 10-player draft class overall led by two second-round picks, two third-round picks and a fourth-round pick, so the hope is to get a good overall return as opposed to a big splash at the top.
