NFL Power Rankings: Grading every AFC East draft class

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Darron Lee (Ohio State) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the New York Jets as the number twenty overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

In these NFL Power Rankings, grades are given out to the teams of the AFC East that did their very best to bolster their rosters in hopes of producing immediate results via the 2016 NFL Draft.

Who had the best draft in the AFC East? Did the Buffalo Bills and their defensive approach get them the best grade? Are the Miami Dolphins serious about protecting their franchise quarterback?

Can the New England Patriots retool their roster in preparation for another AFC East title run? Or perhaps did the New York Jets reign supreme on draft day once again?

Here is a complete breakdown of the AFC East and their respective grades after this year’s draft.

Next: New England Patriots

Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick watches the players workout during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots, Overall Draft Grade: C-

Let’s start off at the top of the AFC East in the Patriots, though after this year’s draft they are at the bottom. The Patriots were without a first round draft choice due to the DeflateGate saga.

Despite that the Patriots held the most draft picks in the AFC East, they failed to get value at key spots in the draft. Particularly in the third round when they made the most curious move of the draft in taking a quarterback.

It wasn’t so much that they took a quarterback, even though they invested a high draft choice in Jimmy Garoppolo. It was more so who they chose, it wasn’t like it was Aaron Rodgers falling to the bottom of the first round. It was Jacoby Brissett who isn’t Rodgers, nor was he considered a value pick.

That theme continued throughout the draft, with the Patriots reaching in key rounds in lieu of taking the best player available. The Patriots may be the team to beat in the AFC East, but that wasn’t the case on draft day.

Next: Miami Dolphins

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Laremy Tunsil (Mississippi) is selected by the Miami Dolphins as the number thirteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Dolphins, Overall Draft Grade: B+

The Miami Dolphins made their draft intentions clear from the outset. Do whatever it takes to improve the lifestyle of their quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Whether that meant taking a franchise left tackle in the first in Laremy Tunsil, or helping replace the loss of Lamar Miller with the addition of Kenyan Drake, the Dolphins are serious for 2016.

Then with an additional selection in the third round, they added a versatile receiver to the mix in Leonte Carroo. They also added two more receiving targets in the later rounds of the draft.

When you can get a player who several weeks ago was the consensus best player overall at No. 13, you’re getting a positive draft review. Tannehill’s life instantly got better after this year’s draft by the Dolphins.

Next: New York Jets

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Darron Lee (Ohio State) after being selected by the New York Jets as the number twenty overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets, Overall Draft Grade: C+

As discussed in the New York Jets: Preliminary 2016 NFL Draft grades, this year’s draft class for Gang Green hinges on their second round pick, quarterback Christian Hackenberg. The most important position in football is the man behind center.

So even if the Jets strike gold in all of the other rounds and Hackenberg ends up being a bust, this draft will be a failure. The Jets have drafted the most quarterbacks over the last 10 years, hoping to hit a homerun with multiple selections.

They got incredible value with that decision in the second round, the negative is Hackenberg has frustrating inconsistencies in his game. The Jets feel confident that they can turn this piece of clay into their franchise signal caller.

The Jets continued to get great value throughout the draft. Jordan Jenkins (second round draft grade), Charone Peake (third round draft grade) and Darron Lee was a fringe top-15 guy.

Next: Buffalo Bills

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Shaq Lawson (Clemson) after being selected by the Buffalo Bills as the number nineteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bills, Overall Draft Grade: A-

The team that had the best draft in the AFC East was none other than the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Rex Ryan had his stake again in the draft process taking three defensive players with his first three picks.

All of those players from Shaq Lawson, Reggie Ragland and Adolphus Washington had first round grades in one degree or another. Somehow, each of them slipped right into the Bills laps and they took advantage.

Surprisingly enough, the offense wasn’t the problem for the Bills in 2015, it was their patented defense that let them down. Ryan is making sure that doesn’t happen again by retooling the roster with more guys that fit his style.

More jets: Jets only held rookie minicamp for one reason

The Bills have added a ton of talent to an already vaunted front seven. Look for the Bills to be in it till the end in terms of competing for an AFC East division title.

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