NFL Draft 2014: Who Won The AFC East In Round One?

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Calvin Pryor (Louisville) poses for a photo after being selected as the number eighteen overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the New York Jets at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Last night the Patriots, Bills, Jets, and Dolphins all made first round selections in the 2014 NFL draft. Each fanbase will probably argue that their team had the better pick, but it is still fun trying to decide who got the bets player/deal on the first day of the draft.

Believe it or not, I don’t think the Pats had the best selection among the four AFC East teams. I think Buffalo, with their trade for Sammy Watkins earned the title of ‘best pick’ in the first round. Watkins was definitely the best playmaker in this draft, and his explosive talents will really help the Bills in their effort to catch the Patriots in 2014.

Now, am I saying that the Bills are a better overall team than New England? Absolutely not. The Patriots are easily the best team in the AFC East, but in terms of single picks, the Bills took round one.

As for the rest of the division, the Jets got a good player in Calvin Pryor, and honestly, if it weren’t for Bill Belichick taking the talent of Easley later in the draft, New York probably would have had the second best haul in the first round. Pryor is a legit player, and he will definitely help the Jets defense in the future. However I think the Jets have other needs that will hurt them down the road. As long as Rex Ryan is your coach, your defense will be fine. And as long as Tom Brady is in your division, you will need to put up a lot of points to win games. The Jets needed to go after some offensive weapons in the first round, so they can compete with Brady’s offense. Again, I’m not saying the pick of Pryor was a bad one, I just think they had more important needs.

I am in love with the Patriots selection of Easley right now. He is explosive, tough, strong, and more importantly, he loves the game of football. Adding Easley to their front seven just adds to the growing mystique of what is shaping up to be an elite defense for the Patriots in 2014.

1-Buffalo Bills, Sammy Watkins

2-New England Patriots, Dominique Easley

3-New York Jets, Calvin Pryor

4-Miami Dolphins, Ja’Wuan James