NFL Draft Grades - AFC East: Dolphins end up with top-heavy haul
With the 2018 NFL Draft officially complete, theScore's NFL editors hand out their initial grades for how teams fared during all seven rounds.
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
Buffalo Bills
| RD. | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | QB Josh Allen |
| 1 | LB Tremaine Edmunds |
| 3 | DT Harrison Phillips |
| 4 | CB Taron Johnson |
| 5 | CB Siran Neal |
| 5 | G Wyatt Teller |
| 6 | WR Ray-Ray McCloud |
| 7 | WR Austin Proehl |
In what was the most widely panned pick of the first round, the Bills mortgaged a hefty sum to trade up to the No. 7 spot for Allen, dealing the No. 12, No. 53, and No. 56 selections to the Buccaneers (the latter of which was later sent to the Patriots) to take the quarterback. Edmunds could be a Pro Bowl-caliber player, while Phillips represents excellent value for the third round. The rest of the Bills' selections barely make an impact however, and the Allen selection could set the franchise back years, after making the playoffs for the first time this century.
Grade: D
Miami Dolphins
| RD. | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | S Minkah Fitzpatrick |
| 2 | TE Mike Gesicki |
| 3 | LB Jerome Baker |
| 4 | TE Durham Smythe |
| 4 | RB Kalen Ballage |
| 6 | CB Cornell Armstrong |
| 7 | LB Quentin Poling |
| 7 | K Jason Sanders |
Fitzpatrick has the potential to become the best player from this year's draft. The Dolphins then addressed their biggest need by getting the best tight end in the class in Gesicki, before doubling down with another big target in Smythe. Baker could contribute immediately to the defense, and the team found a new kicker in Sanders. There isn't a ton of flash after the first two picks, but Chris Grier and his staff can rest easy with a job well done.
Grade: A-
New England Patriots
| RD. | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | T Isaiah Wynn |
| 1 | RB Sony Michel |
| 2 | CB Duke Dawson |
| 5 | LB Ja'Whaun Bentley |
| 6 | LB Christian Sam |
| 6 | WR Braxton Berrios |
| 7 | QB Danny Etling |
| 7 | CB Keion Crossen |
| 7 | TE Ryan Izzo |
New England addressed its greatest need by getting Wynn in the first round, then replenished their running back stock with Michel, who should contribute immediately. Dawson could start on defense as well, but Bentley and Sam will need to be coached up by Bill Belichick. Berrios is almost comically well-suited to play for the Patriots as a slot receiver in the mold of Julian Edelman. A decent haul for the reigning AFC giant.
Grade: B-
New York Jets
| RD. | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | QB Sam Darnold |
| 3 | DT Nathan Shepherd |
| 4 | TE Chris Herndon |
| 6 | CB Parry Nickerson |
| 6 | DT Folorunso Fatukasi |
| 6 | RB Trenton Cannon |
Darnold is expected to become the elusive franchise quarterback the Jets have struggled to find for nearly their entire existence, while Shepherd represents good value in the third round. New York was bound to find a franchise-caliber signal-caller after trading up to the No. 3 pick, and addressed some key positions of need in the latter rounds. This might be Mike Maccagnan's best draft to date.
Grade: B+