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Mike Fanelli looks at who each team in the AFC East could draft in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The 2024 NFL Draft is less than 10 days away. Unfortunately, the next several days will feel like a year for NFL Draft fans.
Caleb Williams will be the top pick in the draft this year. However, what will happen after the Chicago Bears select the USC superstar? Many believe at least two more quarterbacks will be drafted in the top-five picks.
However, let’s look at what the AFC East teams could do in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
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Buffalo Bills
The Bills have two significant needs heading into the NFL Draft -- wide receiver and edge-rusher. However, the wide receiver position is more critical after the team lost Gabe Davis in free agency and traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. Josh Allen is an elite quarterback, but Buffalo can’t leave the NFL Draft with Curtis Samuel or Khalil Shakir as his No. 1 wide receiver. Therefore, expect the Bills to target a wide receiver on Day 1, potentially trading up for one.
TRADE: Bills trading WR Stefon Diggs to the Texans in exchange for a 2025 2nd-round pick. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/Gtg7jOKeNW
— NFL (@NFL) April 3, 2024
Miami Dolphins
Unfortunately, the Dolphins lost several critical free agents this offseason. Christian Wilkins signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, while Robert Hunt joined the Carolina Panthers. Thankfully, Miami can replace either player with its first-round pick. Ideally, the team would like to trade back and add some Day 2 capital. Whether it picks at 21st overall or later in the first round, it will take an offensive or defensive lineman with its top selection. Two players the Dolphins should consider are Duke’s Graham Barton and Illinois’s Jer’Zhan Newton.
New England Patriots
Everyone knows the Patriots will take a quarterback with the third overall pick. While they might prefer Jayden Daniels over Drake Maye, the North Carolina star is the betting favorite to land in New England. Maye’s numbers declined from 2022 to 2023 after losing several critical players on offense to the NFL, including Josh Downs. However, the young quarterback has drawn comparisons to Josh Allen. The Patriots have gotten obliterated by Allen in the past. They might end up getting their own version of the star quarterback.
.@Patriots have the 3rd Pick.
Drake Maye +100 (favorite) to be the 3rd Pick.
45% of money (most) is on Maye to be 3rd off the board. pic.twitter.com/v8d2RxFmUt
— John Ewing (@johnewing) April 12, 2024
New York Jets
After adding three new starters to their offensive line this offseason, the Jets aren’t forced to take one with their first-round pick. Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses are free agents after the 2024 season and have an injury history. Therefore, New York could take an offensive tackle with its first-round pick, making him the swing tackle as a rookie before taking over as a starter in 2025. Yet, don’t rule out Brock Bowers, as the Jets would love to give Aaron Rodgers another weapon in the passing game.
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