Not really sure if anyone in this division has much, if any, chance to overtake the BILLS anytime soon. A couple years ago it looked like the Dolphins might be an ascending team, but a series of injuries and some Salary Cap issues seem to have set them back significantly. And of course the JETS & PATRIOTS are not much more than contender “wanna-be’s” who have major retooling to do within their rosters.
So let’s go team by team with a little talk about Draft Picks, VFA issues, Salary Cap status and finally a 3 Round Mock for each team.
The BILLS currently have 10 Picks for the 2025 Draft with 3 in the Top 100. Barring some veteran cuts and renegotiated contracts they are about $10-Million in the red/over the cap. That means they are unlikely to be adding expensive VFA players, thus making the Draft that much more important. Over the hill VON MILLER even if let go, would cost them over $15-Million in dead money saving them only about $8-million against the Cap. Let’s just say GM Brandon Bene has to hit on all of their Draft Picks and then some, to adjust their roster. Their Top 100 Picks might look like the following based on their current roster and its needs.
Pick 30 KENNETH GRANT DT/NT Michigan 6’3/340 They can only hope that the mammoth GRANT should last this long.
Pick 56 DONOVAN JACKSON OG/T Ohio St. 6’4/320 Had a great 2024 season, including a slide from OG to OT because of late season injuries to the Buckeyes OL. Excelled outside in 12-team Play-Offs.
Pick 62 QUINCY RILEY CB Louisville 5’11/195 A good bet to fill a top 6 spot in their secondary. Eventual starter at any Corner position, even as Rookie if injuries hit their secondary.
DOLPHINS I think it is a safe to say that Mike McDaniel is getting close to feeling the heat within his job as Head Coach. His team missed the Play-Offs and had no victories over teams with winning records. Ouch. Some roster spots on the team are getting old and they have been not been able to add a lot of Rookie talent to their roster because of trades and an Owner who has cost them multiple Picks by cheating in the Free Agent process on several occasions. Let’s just say they need a lot of new, talented faces in VFA and the Draft. As of March 6th when I am writing this the team sits 4.6-million over the Cap. After a couple of those lean years with few Draft Picks they head into VFA with 10 Picks to work with.
So lets get to adding players with their 3 Picks in the Top 100/ 3 Rounds
Pick 13 Josh Simmons OT Ohio State Coming off a knee injury from last Fall he is said to be ahead of schedule with his rehab. He will be groomed to replace TERRON ARMSTEAD who is getting older and is oft injured.
Pick 48 DARIEN PORTER CB Iowa St Moved from WR to CB in his senior season for the Cyclones and he played well, showing off his athleticism. Showed out well at the Senior Bowl and blazed a 4.30/40 at the Combine. Second fastest of all the DB prospects. Could make a solid partner opposite JALEN RAMSEY.
Pick 98 BILLY BOWMAN S Oklahoma A bit undersized at 5’10/190, and not a speedster but he has great instincts locating the ball and is not afraid to put hits on receivers who wander into his path. Their secondary may lose a few guys in VFA and Salary Cap cuts so they are retooling the secondary again!
The PATRIOTS are still trying to recover from the loss of TOM BRADY which seems like forever ago. But here is the good news. Because of their 4-13 record last season they start picking in the Draft at Pick 4. They have hired MIKE VRABEL, former Patriots player and most importantly considered by many to be the best available Head Coach after being let go in Tennessee before the 2024 season. They hit the jackpot last year in the Draft by selecting QB DRAKE MAYE with Pick No. 3. The rest of their Rookie class contributed very little last season. Maybe most importantly at last look the team had a bit over $127- million in Cap space. If they can pry some of that out of Owner Robert Kraft’s tight fingers they can solve some big holes like OL and WR with some VFA. Now let’s get down to the all important Draft selections.
Pick 4 JALON WALKER OB/ER Georgia Georgia players seldom disappoint unless they get in too much trouble off the field. WALKER has the athleticism to move around like the Queen on a chess board, and is a major disruptor. Just what they need on the D side.
Pick 38 MAXWELL HAIRSTON CB Kentucky The fastest athlete at the Combine, running a 4.28/40. He has nice size 6’0/190 with long arms. Some worry about his tackling, but he did fight thru shoulder issues most of last season. Bad shoulders are usually a hindrance to tackling.
Pick 69 JORDAN SAVAIINAEA OL Arizona Massive player who can maul people. Ran a 4.95/40 at 325 lbs. 33 7/8′ is just a tad below the minimum NFL trait for OT arm length, but his wingspan measured 82 1/4″ . They should try him initially at OT but can move him inside if needed. He needs to be a starter somewhere right away. They will also target a couple VFA OT with all that Cap money.
Pick 77 JORDAN BURCH DE Oregon BURCH is an old fashioned DE with some pass rush ability. He will also be able to battle with the big OT now that he is just under 300 lbs. himself. He is not as violent as I like to see for a big guy up front, but maybe they can motivate a bit more aggression from him with pro coaching.
And then we have the JETS who have pulled the plug on the brief AARON RODGERS era with their franchise. Injuries and age have left RODGERS looking like a shadow of his former self much of the time. So until they draft, or sign a VFA QB TYROD TAYLOR will likely be their starting QB. Not inspiring, but there are worse vet fill-ins than TAYLOR, IMO. They may shoot for a VFA QB and draft one as well. They have 8 Picks and have need for about 16, which won’t happen. The team is wasting no time at all dispatching the players they brought in to placate Rodgers… DAVONTE ADAMS & ALAN LAZARD. So look for them to draft a WR early. They also need some secondary help with at least 3 of last year’s DB not likely to be returning. They have already bid adieu to enough vet baggage to bump their Cap space to over $51-million. So let’s look at my guess as to who they might grab off with their 3 Top 100 Picks.
Pick 7 TYLER WARREN TE Penn State A double edge sword if they handle this guy correctly. He is an elite traits guy, who also can and will block like another OT. He bolsters their WR potential without even being one.
Pick 42 TREY AMOS CB Ole Miss Could be an immediate replacement, if not an overall upgrade over D.J. REED who is an VFA. He’s bigger (6’0/195), faster and could be ready right away.
Pick 92 JAYDEN HIGGINS WR Iowa State The long, lean wideout (6’4/215) could compliment their WR1 GARRETT WILSON right away . He has a large catch radius and good hands. This would essentially mean that with 3 Top 100 Picks they might have gotten 3 Rookie starters.
That’s it for the NFC East. Not looking to make excuses for any missed Picks, but I do want to remind you that I am claiming need spots, or strong points which could change dramatically starting next week when teams start to sign or lose VFA, or trades are made. Please remember that a lot of personnel changes will occur around the league before the Draft actually takes place.
Looking to cover the NFC South next week.
Cheers Pigskin Paul
