2024 NFL Draft- AFC East Grades

All 257 picks have been made in the NFL Draft. Who won? Who lost? Draft Nation is here to let you know who stretched too far for a player and who found a diamond in the rough.

Today we review the AFC East:

Buffalo Bills

Round 2 (33) WR- Keon Coleman, Florida State

After losing Gabriel Davis in free agency and then trading Stefon Diggs to Houston, the Bills needed a wideout. Coleman is not the fleetest of foot but has enough skills to be a valuable piece for quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills. Draft Nation considers Coleman more of a #2 type receiver than a #1, but Bills fan want to see what he can do in camp first. 

Round 2 (60) S- Cole Bishop, Utah

The Bills not only lost their starting receivers, they also lost their starting safeties. Cole Bishop was one of the top safeties in the draft and should help ease the loss of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. He has a high floor and should be a steady presence in the Bills secondary.

Round 3 (95) DT- DeWayne Carter, Duke

DeWayne Carter is a physical defensive tackle who will give interior offensive lineman all they can handle. Will be a nice rotational piece with Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones. 

Round 4 (128) RB- Ray Davis, Kentucky

Davis has a skillset that will fit perfectly with what Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills offense like to do. This pick might be a steal when all is said and done. Davis can be a workhorse back or be used to catch passes out of the backfield. He's a quality pick in 4th round.

Round 5 (141) C- Sedrick Van Pran-Grainger, Georgia

Van Pran-Grainger came into 2023 as the #1 ranked center but did not have the season many expected. He was leapfrogged by several other centers but still has the ceiling to become a longtime starter in the NFL and well worth the risk in the 5th round.

Round 5 (160) LB- Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington

The Bills did well by selecting Van Pran-Grainger and then added linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio later in the round. Ulofoshio is a solid linebacker prospect who can become a tackling machine and has the athleticism to make plays all over the field. 

Round 5 (168) Edge- Javon Solomon, Troy

Solomon is thought to be the best of the Bills 5th rounders. He has plenty of upside and will add quality depth to the Bills edge position with the potential to be a starter down the road. His 32 sacks since 2021 rank first among all draft-eligible edge rushers. Look out… 

Round 6 (204) T- Tylan Grable, UCF

Grable is an athletic, developmental player for the Bills and most likely a depth piece at best.

Round 6 (219) DB- Daequan Hardy, Penn State

Hardy has some upside and his versatility as a kick returner could be beneficial, especially with the new kickoff rules if he makes the squad. He's fast but small for NFL standards and might make the team as a kickoff or punt return specialist. 

Round 7 (221) T- Travis Clayton, England

Clayton is a long shot from overseas. Buffalo will need patience as they bring Clayton along but he does have excellent size at 6’7” and 301 lbs.

Final Grade (C-)

Buffalo didn't do enough to help fill the void at the wide receiver position. Draft Nation can’t believe they didn’t try adding at least 1 more receiver during the draft and will have to seek help in the second wave of free agency or make a trade to bolster the position. 

Miami Dolphins

Round 1 (21) Edge- Chop Robinson, Penn State

The Dolphins definitely needed an edge rusher, but they have stretched for Robinson with more talent laden players still on board at the edge position. Robinson tested well, but he did not show much on tape.

Round 2 (55) Tackle- Patrick Paul, Houston

The Dolphin’s see Patrick Paul as the heir apparent to veteran Terron Armstead. Paul has the tools to be able to start in a year for Miami. At #55, this is a solid pick.

Round 4 (120) RB- Jaylen Wright, Tennessee

The Dolphins love speed and big play ability, and running back Jaylen Wright has both. Jaylen Wright averaged 7.4 yards per carry in 2023 for Tennessee. He will be another big play weapon for Miami’s offense.

Round 5 (158) LB- Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State

The Dolphins add more speed to the roster, this time on defense. Kamara is a bit undersized but he can fly around the field and make plays. He is a prospect with upside but will need time to develop. Perhaps the Fins found a diamond in the rough here.

Round 6 (184) WR- Malik Washington, Virginia

Washington led the FBS in pass receptions over the past 2 seasons. This is a complete steal in round 6, as many had him going late on day two. He should add depth to receiving corp before settling into the #3 role long term.

Round 6 (198) S- Patrick McMorris, California

McMorris has decent size and versatility but is just an average player on tape. He will need to become a special teams demon to make the team.

Round 7 (241) WR- Tahj Washington, USC

Washington is a bit undersized and only ran a 4.52 at his pro day. He will be a longshot to make the Dolphins roster.

Final Grade (B-)

The Miami Dolphins added playmakers in Jaylen Wright and Malik Washington in the later rounds which bolstered their grade. Patrick Paul is a quality 2nd round pick but the Dolphins reached for Chop Robinson in round 1 and likely overpaid.

New England Patriots

Round 1 (3) QB- Drake Maye, North Carolina

New England needed a new quarterback and face of the franchise and they got one in Drake Maye. Maye is the safest bet to succeed at the NFL level of the quarterback class. Though he may not have Caleb Williams or Jayden Daniels upside, he is going to be an effective quarterback from day 1. 

Round 2 (37) WR- Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington

On paper, New England had one of the worst receiving groups in football. Ja’Lynn Polk should be able to step right into the starting lineup on day 1. He is a polished route runner and willing run blocker who should make a nice combination with Drake Maye.

Round 3 (68) T- Caedan Wallace, Penn State

Caedan Wallace was considered by most to be a 5th-6th round pick but picked up some momentum with an excellent pro day. He is 6’5” and 314 lbs and can become the heir apparent to Connor McDermott at left tackle in a year.

Round 4 (103) G-Layden Robinson, Texas A&M

Layden Robinson has tremendous burst coming off the snap and the power to move opponents. The Patriots used a first round pick in 2021 to get Cole Strange and a 4th round pick last year to get Sidy Sow. Robinson will add depth, but should start down the road.

Round 4 (110) WR- Javon Baker, UCF

The Patriots take their 2nd wide receiver and land a solid playmaker who should get some targets in 2024. Baker averaged 21.9 yards per reception last season to lead the class. 

Round 6 (180) CB- Marcellas Dial, South Carolina

The Patriots get a playmaking cornerback in round six, a great pick for this late in the draft. Dial is a physical corner who ran a 4.46 in the 40.

Round 6 (193) QB- Joe Milton III, Tennessee

Joe Milton III has the best arm in the class but accuracy and timing will need to be taught. The Pats buy a nice lottery ticket on a guy who will battle Bailey Zappe for the 3rd quarterback spot. 

Round 7 (231) TE- Jaheim Bell, Florida State

This was the steal of the 7th round. Bell is a versatile tight end who can be used in several different sets, lining up all over the formation. He is a playmaker who should push for a roster spot.

Final Grade- (B+)

The Patriots drafted well. They get their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye and did an excellent job of getting him some offensive weapons. Dial and Bell were two of the best picks late in the draft.

New York Jets

Round 1 (11) T-Olu Fashanu, Penn State

The Jets brought in veterans Morgan Moses and Tyron Smith this off-season but with how bad the line has been the past two seasons, they selected the best tackle on the board when he fell to them. Fashanu is the most complete tackle in this class and will have some time to get his feet under him in New York.

Round 3 (65) WR- Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky

Malachi Corley is a former running back who excels at turning short passes into long gains. He can be an effective #3 receiver behind Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams.

Round 4 (134) RB- Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

Braelon Allen is built like a tank and will be a productive rotation piece that includes Breece Hall and Israel Abanikanda.

Round 5 (171) QB- Jordan Travis, Florida State

The Jets just traded Zach Wilson to Denver and need a 3rd quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor. Travis may need some time to fully come back from last season’s gruesome injury, but he has some upside. He's a worthy risk in the 5th round.

Round 5 (173) RB- Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State

He has a nice blend of speed and size and plays the game with a chip on his shoulder. Don’t let the small school status fool you. Not necessarily a pick for need here after the Braelon Allen pick.

Round 5 (176) DB- Qwan’tez Stiggers, CFL

Stiggers is a CFL standout who made his way to the NFL. He is a fluid athlete who possesses NFL-caliber instincts and ball skills. This could be one of the top stories in 2024 if he makes the Jets.

Round 7 (257) S- Jaylen Key, Alabama

Key is a serviceable cornerback who was overshadowed by two superstar teammates in Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry. He is “Mr. Irrelevant” for the 2024 draft.

Final Grade- (B)

The Jets did a good job overall. They got a future starting left tackle in Fashanu and added Malachi Corley and Braelon Allen to an offense who is expected to produce this season.