Focus On: AFC East

Every Wednesday for the next eight weeks, GmenHq will be featuring one of the divisions in each conference and what each team might be looking at for draft/free agency help. This week we will look at the AFC East

New England Patriots: My pre-draft ranking of the Patriots franchise and their direction is NEUTRAL.  The Patriots will have the 27th (from New Orleans) and 31st pick in the NFL draft. It is very difficult to know what Kraft and good ole’ Bill are thinking when it comes to the Draft and free agency. Wisdom and previous history tells us that they will be looking to draft for defense (think secondary) and a WR. The Patriots are flat out old when it comes to their wide-outs and need to get younger. With two late first round draft picks this seems the logical picks for them. However, with over 600 free agents, expect the Patriots to be adding from free agency as well. Rumor out of Boston is that they are even willing to look at Randy Moss and/or Jennings  from the Packers if he does not resign there.

Miami Dolphins: My pre-draft ranking of the Miami Dolphins franchise their direction is UP. After a very tough start to their 2011 season the

Dolphins played hard and rallied back to have a respectable final record (6-10). The Dolphins will draft 8th and with that high of pick expect them to make some noise. They could use some help on both the OL and DL along with free safety support. All expectations are that the Dolphins will make a run at Peyton Manning when he becomes a free agent; however, I can just as likely see the Dolphins trading up in attempts to get RJ III. Either way, if you place a talented QB in Miami with Marshall on the outside and Bush/Thomas in the backfield you have a very talented offensive team. Keep your eye on the Dolphins this off-season, they are going to be busy!

Buffalo Bills: My pre-draft ranking of the Buffalo Bills franchise their direction is DOWN. Are you sold on Fitzpatrick as their QB? I’m not. Are you sold on their Wide Outs? I’m not. Are you sold on their Coach? I’m not. I firmly believe that Buffalo comes into this NFL off-season with as many questions as any team in the NFL. With the 10th pick in the draft, I believe Buffalo is going to look to add defensive support (LB/CB). They will also look to fill this need through free agency. Look for Buffalo to try and make a splash with a big name signing even if that player is over-the-hill and washed up. Think Bart Scott type of player. The best thing Buffalo has going from them is they have the ability to have a dominating ground game. They have to decide as a team if they are going to run the ball and play defense or try and pass the ball and outscore everyone. Right now they do not do either well enough to win in the NFL.

New York Jets: My pre-draft ranking of the New York Jets franchise their direction is NEUTRAL.  Problem One: Until the Jets can decide who their starting QB is, they cannot be successful. Problem Two: Holmes is still on this team, enough said. Problem Three: There defense is that good. Problem Four: Who do they have to catch the ball? Who has answers? It is the combine week in Indy and Rex has been silent. Not a peep. If your a Jets fan that should worry you. He doesn’t have the answers either. However, that being said they have some things going for them. They have a decent ground game, a good TE, two CB’s who can shutdown WRs, and a new Offensive Coordinator. The Jets have the 16th pick in the draft and I full expect them to draft a safety. There safety play was horrible and this is where they need as much help as they can get. Final note, if they acquire Peyton Manning this team’s franchise direction is on a one way trip to HELL.

My AFC East Final Standing 2013 predictions: Dolphins, Patriots, Jets, and Bills.