2024 AFC East NFL Draft preview

After the 2023 NFL season, the AFC East saw one of the winningest head coaches in NFL history retire, one of the league’s best wide receivers for a while head south and plenty of other moves that will shape how its teams approach the 2024 NFL Draft.

Buffalo Bills (11-6, First in division in 2023)

Along with Gabriel Davis departing for the Jaguars, Stefon Diggs taking his talents to the Texans further emphasizes Buffalo’s need for a wide receiver even after the signings of Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins.

Late first-round potential fits include LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. and Texas’s Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, though a trade-up isn’t out of the question.

The Bills could add a player like Miami’s Kamren Kinchens or Clemson’s Javon Bullard in the second round to add to the youth movement at safety or reinforce defensive line depth with someone such as Ohio State’s Michael Hall Jr. or Clemson’s Ruke Orhorhoro.

Miami Dolphins (11-6, Second in division)

Miami is now depleted on the defensive line, as Christian Wilkins went to Las Vegas, and Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb suffered major injuries toward the end of the 2023 season.

The Dolphins have done extensive work on UCLA’s Laiatu Latu, according to Dolphins reporter Simon Clancy, and if Miami selects him, he could hold down the fort until Phillips and Chubb return, after which he will serve as edge depth with Emmanuel Ogbah, a free agent.

Miami will also be looking for depth on the offensive line to protect Tua Tagovailoa, so a tackle like Houston’s Patrick Paul may be an option in the second round.

New England Patriots (4-13, Fourth in division)

The Patriots will likely have to settle for whichever quarterback falls to them between LSU’s Jayden Daniels and North Carolina’s Drake Maye with the third overall pick after Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe were ineffective in 2023.

Whoever is under center for Jerod Mayo’s team will need a new left tackle with Trent Brown leaving for the Bengals and a new target to throw to, as the Patriots haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019.

Players who fit these bills include Arizona’s Jordan Morgan or Washington’s Roger Rosengarten at tackle and Florida’s Ricky Pearsall or North Carolina’s Devontez Walker at wide receiver.

New England can address these issues in the second and third rounds.

New York Jets (7-10, Third in division)

The moves the Jets made in free agency, especially on the offensive line with Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, most notably, have put them in a situation where the world is their oyster.

With the 10th overall pick, New York could stand to find another option for Aaron Rodgers to throw to.

Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze and Georgia tight end Brock Bowers are ideal selections for New York in this situation.

After that, the Jets could look for offensive line depth if Moses or the oft-injured Smith end up on the shelf, and Notre Dame’s Blake Fisher might be a fit in the third round.

Owen Klein is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ojk5092@psu.edu.