NFL draft grades 2017: Bills’ haul of prospects makes it the best in AFC East

The 2017 NFL draft has come and gone, and with more than four months to go before the regular season starts, there’s little to do but make snap judgments.

All 32 teams added to their rosters the last three days, picking the NCAA’s elite players and less-heralded projects over 253 selections. While it’s too early to designate the All-Pros and washouts, you can still weigh pre-draft rankings against actual results to see who deviated the most from the norm.

The draft is particularly important in the AFC East. The Patriots have used the event to trade down and add the low-cost talent that powers their dynasty. The rest of the division needs to find their own foundational pieces. The Dolphins may have gotten one five years ago when they added Ryan Tannehill in the first round of the 2012 draft. The Bills and Jets are still looking.

Did they make any progress in 2017? Here’s how pundits across the league rated the AFC East’s drafts this spring.

The Bills came out of the 2017 NFL draft with a handful of top-tier prospects and no general manager; the team fired Doug Whaley less than 24 hours after the draft wrapped. That’s a shame, because his final draft with the franchise was widely praised. Buffalo picked up one of the draft’s best cornerbacks in Tre’Davious White, got a mean, mauling offensive lineman in Dion Dawkins, picked up receiving help with Zay Jones, and added a developmental quarterback (in the fifth round!) by nabbing Nathan Peterman. All in all, a solid haul in upstate New York.

Dan Kadar, SB Nation: B-
Mel Kiper, ESPN: A-
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: B
Chris Burke, SI: A-
Nate Davis, USA Today: A-
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: A

The Dolphins loaded up on defensive talent on Days 1 and 2, picking up help at all three levels by adding Charles Harris, Raekwon McMillan, and Cordrea Tankersley by the end of the third round. Those are three solid, if not sexy, additions. Landing workout wonder Isaac Asiata in the fifth round should also help Miami’s playoff aspirations in 2017 and beyond.

Dan Kadar, SB Nation: B-
Mel Kiper, ESPN: C+
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: B+
Chris Burke, SI: B
Nate Davis, USA Today: C+
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: A-

Opinions varied on the Patriots’ scant, four-man draft class that saw them ship out all their original picks. New England opted for proven players over prospects, padding the final years (maybe?) of Tom Brady’s career with players like Brandin Cooks, Kony Ealy, Dwayne Allen, and Mike Gillislee. At the draft, they addressed two areas of need — pass rush and offensive line. The Patriots came away with four high-ceiling prospects but no guaranteed contributors for 2017, leading to the wide range of opinions.

Dan Kadar, SB Nation: B+
Mel Kiper, ESPN: A
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: B
Chris Burke, SI: C+
Nate Davis, USA Today: A-
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: B+

The Jets needed a lot of help, and though they added one of the event’s top prospects in Jamal Adams, their decision to take another safety — Marcus Maye — in the second round left pundits confused. New York failed to add a quarterback, leaving them with a current passer depth chart of Bryce Petty, Christian Hackenberg, and Josh McCown. That. Is. Grim.

Dan Kadar, SB Nation: C+
Mel Kiper, ESPN: B+
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: C+
Chris Burke, SI: C-
Nate Davis, USA Today: B+
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: B