2023 NFL Draft Grades: AFC East
The 2023 NFL Draft is over and done with. It’s now time to grade each team’s performance. I know what you’re thinking.
“Why should I trust this author? Nobody knows who won the draft until years later!”
You can think that but keep in mind, I own Joe Douglas. I’ve been right about that guy at every turn and have proof. I know the draft better than the guys running teams do. That’s just the truth.
Okay, let’s get started because I’m so tired and unlike the other dopey draft analysts, I provide you non-stop content. Here are your 2023 NFL Draft grades for the AFC East!
Buffalo Bills: D
Round 1: No. 25 overall (from Jaguars via Giants) — Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Round 2: No. 59 — O’Cyrus Torrance, OL, Florida
Round 3: No. 91 — Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
Round 5: No. 150 (from Commanders) — Justin Shorter, WR, Florida
Round 7: No. 230 — Nick Broeker, OG, Ole Miss
Round 7: No. 252 — Alex Austin, CB, Oregon State
I really like Brandon Beane. I hated this draft. Well, most of it anyway. 99% of the time you should never pick a tight end in the first round. Dalton Kincaid sure as hell isn’t the exception. It’s even worse that you traded up for him. I wouldn’t have taken Kincaid until the fourth round and when you give up an extra pick to get him in the first, it’s about as bad as it gets. Are the Bills aware that this guy was playing at an FCS school two years ago? You don’t think there is immense risk there?
Also, the Bills have Dawson Knox. Was a second tight end the top priority here? Are we sure we needed to trade up for another tight end? I hate it and you should too.
If it weren’t for O’Cyrus Torrence, this draft would be an F. Torrence is my number one rated guard in the class and will be a huge upgrade for the offensive line. That’s the only saving grace here.
You’re lucky if you get capable starter out of Dorian Williams. Regardless, he won’t be as good as what you hat with Tremaine Edmunds. Justin Shorter has some talent but did nothing in college. The 7th round picks are whatever.
Bottom line here is this draft doesn’t do anything to really turn the corner for the Bills. If Buffalo finally gets over the hump and wins a title, it won’t be because of this draft class.
Miami Dolphins: B-
Round 2: No. 51: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Round 3: No. 84 — Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
Round 6: No. 197 — Elijah Higgins, TE, Stanford
Round 7: No. 238 — Ryan Hayes, OT, Michigan
I’m not sure we can blame Chris Grier for his owner’s behavior in getting their first round pick stripped. If we take that into consideration, it’s hard to not like what the Dolphins did here. I don’t think there is a single draft simulation that I did where Cam Smith didn’t go in the first round. He wouldn’t have been the corner I took but he’s a good player and it’s great value at 51.
Devon Achane is also a rocket ship. That dude is fast and he’s going to help them win. It’s just another speed demon on the field to go with Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. Can you scheme a couple of looks where Achane is left uncovered and he takes it to the house? I think Mike McDaniel can.
Even the late round picks were really good. Elijah Higgins is being converted to tight end (something Trey called). After losing Mike Gesicki, that’s an area they really need help in. Miami also doesn’t really have a big body slot guy like this on the roster. It’s a great gamble. Ryan Hayes might legitimately start for them. The under / over for snaps that he gets should be higher than whatever it is for a normal 7th round pick.
Good draft Miami. Wasn’t total fireworks and not trading down to collect extras in a draft where you didn’t have any was stupid. Still, I don’t think fans will be too sad about this class.
New England Patriots: B+
Round 1: No. 17 (from Steelers): Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Round 2: No. 46: Keion White, DE, Georgia Tech
Round 3: No. 76 (from Panthers) — Marte Mapu, LB/S, Sacramento State
Round 4: No. 107 (from Rams) — Jake Andrews, C, Troy
Round 4: No. 112 (from Jets) Chad Ryland, PK, Maryland —
Round 4: No. 117 — Sidy Sow, OG, Eastern Michigan
Round 5: No. 144 (from Falcons through Raiders) — Atonio Mafi, OG, UCLA
Round 6: No. 187 (from Panthers) — Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
Round 6: No. 192: Bryce Baringer, P, Michigan State
Round 6: No. 210 — Demario Douglas, WR, Liberty
Round 6: No. 214 (from Raiders) — Ameer Speed, CB, Michigan State
Round 7: No. 245 — Isaiah Bolden, DB, Jackson State University
Trading down and still ending up with Christian Gonzalez is a pretty damn good outcome. I love Gonzalez and he’s going to be a star with New England. With the way that Bill Belichick develops corners, it’s hard not to love his odds at being a successful pick.
There are some gambles here but all on the defensive side of the ball. The side Belichick actually knows. Keion White is a total flier but how can you not like his odds here? As a 3-4 defensive end, Belichick will figure it out. Guy is just huge. Marte Mapu was also a big time standout at the Senior Bowl. I really think there is something here.
There are 12 players in this class. Two of those interior offensive linemen will work. Kayshon Boutte in the 6th round make realistically be their best wide receiver day one. The dude is a stud. Even got a punter and kicker in this class. The Maryland kicker was pretty good last year for whatever that’s worth.
Maybe Belichick hasn’t totally lost it. He’s had several bad drafts and this probably won’t be one of them.
New York Jets: F
Round 1: No. 15 (from Packers): Will McDonald, EDGE, Iowa State
Round 2: No. 43: Joe Tippman, C, Wisconsin
Round 4: No. 120 (from Steelers through Patriots): Carter Warren, OT, Pittsburgh
Round 5: No. 143 — Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh
Round 6: No. 184 (from Raiders through Patriots) — Zaire Barnes, OLB, Western Michigan
Round 6: No. 204 (from Cowboys through Raiders) — Jarrick Bernard-Converse, CB, LSU
Round 7: No. 220 (from Raiders) — Zach Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion
Joe Douglas is a complete and utter moron and he’s destroying this franchise. The Zach Wilson mistake has gone from a five year mistake to a ten year mistake. The Aaron Rodgers trade is awful. Green Bay had no leverage and New York gave up significant draft capital by simply appearing desperate. A call to Lamar Jackson or any sign of another QB option in New York would have decreased the price of that trade dramatically.
The Rodgers trade already screwed them. Did anybody else see their War Room when the Steelers traded up in front of them to take Broderick Jones? Total panic. Everyone was scrambling in the room and we saw it live on TV. Instead of ending up with Jones, the Jets reached for Will McDonald. He’s a 24-year-old one dimensional pass rusher and you’re lucky if you get the next Bruce Irvin out of this. Just an awful turn of events.
The Jets also gave away a second round pick and ended up with Joe Tippman. I can promise you this is not the next Travis Frederick. I thought there were significantly better options at the center position. They also took Carter Warren who is 24 and has shaky feet.
Just awful. I threw up constantly laughing at virtually every pick. Israel Abanikanda and Zach Kuntz might turn into something but if that’s the most notable thing about your draft, you failed.
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