Best, worst draft picks in the AFC East

Now that the NFL Draft is completed, it's time for us to weigh in on bests and worsts. (By the way, the 2024 draft is April 25–27 in Detroit.)

BEST | Patriots, CB Christian Gonzalez (first round): After trading the 14th overall pick to the Steelers, which ultimately prevented the division rival Jets from drafting an offensive tackle, Gonzalez fell into the Patriots' lap at 17. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. projected the 6-foot-1, 197-pound Gonzalez to come off the board in the top 10, making his selection a tremendous value for the Patriots.

NFC: East | West | North | South | AFC: East | West | North | South

Gonzalez emerged as a star at Oregon following two lackluster seasons at Colorado, where he failed to record an interception. In 2022, Gonzalez recorded four interceptions and seven passes defended en route to earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors.

With several talented receivers in the AFC East and the Patriots lacking the offensive firepower to engage in a shootout, they made the right decision by adding the defensive back.

BEST | Bills, TE Dalton Kincaid (first round): Buffalo didn't need a tight end, considering it signed Dawson Knox to a four-year, $53.6 million extension this past September. However, a run on receivers late in the first round resulted in GM Brandon Beane trading up two slots to secure the top pass-catcher available. If Beane hadn't moved up, Dallas would've likely drafted Kincaid with its 26th overall pick. 

Kincaid, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah's No. 9 overall prospect, had the highest Pro Football Focus receiving grade of any tight end in the nation last season (91.8). He'll primarily operate out of the slot and provide a dimension that Buffalo hasn't had since Cole Beasley's first stint with the team. 

BEST | Dolphins, RB Devon Achane (third round): While Achane won't be a three-down back in the NFL, he fits the mold of the type of runner HC Mike McDaniel's zone-blocking scheme demands. Achane possesses game-changing speed, as evidenced by an impressive 4.32 40-yard dash time, the fastest among running backs at the NFL Scouting Combine. 

Although Achane faces a timeshare with Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr., he could revitalize a special teams unit that recorded the sixth-fewest kick return yards last season. Nevertheless, once Achane gets reps at tailback, opposing defenses will have trouble slowing down Miami's track team-like offense, which also features explosive wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

WORST | Jets, edge-rusher Will McDonald IV (first round): Once New England allowed Pittsburgh to snag Georgia OT Broderick Jones, the Jets selected McDonald in an apparent act of panic. Many analysts believed McDonald, the Big 12's co-record holder for career sacks, would be a late first-round pick, and the Jets didn't exactly rush to hand in his draft card. 

Despite his fondness for McDonald, GM Joe Douglas knew he was reaching, as he later admitted to having "some conversations" about trading back when he was on the clock. McDonald, 23, can be a solid contributor as a rookie, but the 15th overall pick is a steep price for a rotational piece. 

WORST | Dolphins, CB Cam Smith (second round): Miami entered the draft with four selections, the fewest total of any team, and had to land a starter since the roster has a short window of opportunity to compete. It had glaring holes at multiple positions, including the offensive line and at tight end, and instead selected Smith, who will back up Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard.

As much as Smith's talent warrants him being considered a steal at 51, given quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's concussion history, adding an offensive lineman to provide protection would've made more sense. Minnesota's John Michael Schmitz and Florida's O'Cyrus Torrence were available, and heard their names called within the next eight picks.