In part 2 of 8 in this series, the NFL Minute is breaking down the AFC East. To read the first post, please follow the following link: AFC West

Buffalo Bills — Buffalo began the draft being pushed by desperation to draft running back Marshawn Lynch 12th overall. Lynch is simply not the 12th best player in the draft, but it makes sense that the Bills would take a chance on him. They have absolutely no other options at this point; maybe they can groom Lynch.

In the second round, the team looked to address its need for a linebacker with the selection of highly touted Penn State backer Paul Posluszny. He should fit in with the defense and his ability to make plays justify the selection. The only other really notable selection was Stanford’s Trent Edwards in the third round, begging the question, Are the Bills running out of patience with JP Losman? Edwards is arguably one of the top 3-4 quarterbacks in the draft. But Bills fans shouldn’t get too worked up; it will take Edwards at least 2-3 years to acclimate himself to the pro game.

Who’d they take?

1. Marshawn Lynch; California, Running Back

2. Paul Posluszny; Linebacker, Penn State

3. Trent Edwards; Stanford, Quarterback

4. Dwayne Wright; Fresno State, Running Back

6. John Wendling; Wyoming, Safety

7. Derek Schouman; Boise State, Tight End

7. C.J. Ah You; Oklahoma, Defensive End

How’d they do? The first two picks made a lot of sense, and giving Losman some camp competition will certainly not do any harm. Wright in the 4th will add some depth and power to the running game and Wendling in the 6th was a steal. Grade: B+

New York Jets — The New York Jets had only 4 draft picks, 2 on day one and 2 on day two. That said, the team used them wisely, drafting Pitt corner Darrelle Revis in the first round and Michigan David Harris in the second round. Both players will made an immediate impact, especially Revis instantly becomes the team’s best corner.

Day two picks included Chansey Stuckey of Clemson in the 7th round (see: steal) and tackle Jacob Bender in the 6th. Stuckey is fast, something the Jets don’t have a lot of at wide receiver.

Who’d they take?

1. Darrelle Revis; Pittsburgh, Cornerback

2. David Harris; Michigan, Linebacker

6. Jacob Bender; Nichols State, Tackle

7. Chansey Stuckey; Clemson, Wide Receiver

How’d they do? Despite a limited quantity of picks, Buffalo made the most of what they had and added players who can make an immediate impact. Grade: B+

Miami Dolphins — Miami entered the draft on Saturday with most everyone thinking they would target quarterback Brady Quinn. But when the Notre Dame quarterback fell into their laps at 9th overall, the Dolphins said “no thank you” and shocked the world with the selection of wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. Not to imply that Jr. is a bad receiver; quite the contrary, he has potential and he will make an immediate impact as a return specialist. But he was not the 9th best player in the draft. Trading up and drafting Ginn was an option, but maybe suitors were rare.

After that pick, however, the Dolphins wisely addressed their need for a quarterback with the selection of BYU’s John Beck in the second round. With otherwise no other real options at quarterback — Culpepper will likely be release and Kansas City isn’t budging on its demands for Trent Green — it made sense to grab Beck. Center Samson Satele in the second round was a solid pick, as well.

Who’d they take?

1. Ted Ginn Jr.; Ohio State, Wide Receiver

2. John Beck; BYU, Quarterback

2. Samson Satele; Hawaii, Center

3. Lorenzo Booker; Florida State, Running Back

4. Paul Soliai; Utah, Defensive Tackle

6. Reagan Mauia; Hawai, Running Back

6. Drew Mormino; Central Michigan, Center

7. Kelvin Smith; Syracuse, Linebacker

7. Brandon Fields; Michigan State, Punter

7. Abraham Wright; Colorado, Defensive End

How’d they do? Taking Ginn 9th overall was a reach — he’s a little over 5′11 and weighs 178 pounds. He will immediately make an impact as a returner, but he is simply not a top 10 player. Being sure to draft Beck in the second round and adding a starter in Satele were both smart moves, however. Lorenzo Booker adds depth to running back and is an ideal third down back. Grade: B-

New England Patriots — Though they might not have drafted too many big names, the Patriots did make some noise when they traded a fourth round draft choice to Oakland for wide receiver Randy Moss. Easily the best draft day deal, the Patriots walked away with a player who can still be one of the most dominant receivers in the game. Tom Brady has never had the chance to throw to a player of Moss’s caliber before and this deal made the Patriots one of the most feared offenses in the draft. Not to mention that the price they paid was dirt cheap; there was only one receiver in the draft who has the the same kind of potential as Moss — Calvin Johnson — and he was taken second overall.

Aside from that deal, the Patriots used the first round to draft a safety they sorely need. Though Rodney Harrison is a remarkable player, his career is coming to a close and Artrell Hawkins is best suited to be a backup. Drafting Miami’s Brandon Merriweather in the first was a smart move that will keep the Patriots defense improving. Aside from that, the team was short on draft choices; in fact, the they wouldn’t draft another player until day two in the 5th round.

Who’d they take?

1. Brandon Merriweather; Miami, Safety

5. Clint Oldenburg; Colorado State, Tackle

6. Justin Rogers; SMU, Defensive Tackle

6. Mike Richardson; Notre Dame, Cornerback

6. Justise Hairston; Central Connecticut, Running Back

6. Corey Hilliard; Oklahoma State, Tackle

7. Oscar Lua; USC, Linebacker

7. Mike Elgin; Iowa, Guard

How’d they do? The trade to acquire wide receiver Randy Moss was a shrewd move and Merriweather should start this year, but with only one day 1 selection, this draft is riddled with question marks. Grade: C-

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