Friday, November 22, 2024

Fantasy Football

2020 NFL Draft Grades – AFC East

Howdy, y’all, Chris Pinto here Lead Fantasy Football Analyst and Writer for Belly Up Sports with my series on division draft grades. The historic 2020 NFL Draft had its share of head-turning trades and selections along with the commissioner’s own sense of humor, which in my mind made him a little more likable. The draft went on without a hitch to our knowledge. The organizations had wants and needs and we watched as it all unfolded. The selections are in the books and we can move forward. Listed below I have broken down the selections per team and given my overall draft grade for each team’s draft selections. Second is the AFC East, home of the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and Buffalo Bills.

New England Patriots (AFC East)

Rd. 2 (#37) – Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
Rd. 2 (#60) – Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan
Rd. 3 (#87) – Anfernee Jennings, EDGE, Alabama
Rd. 3 (#91) – Devin Asiasi, TE, UCLA
Rd. 3 (#101) – Dalton Keene, TE, Virginia Tech
Rd. 5 (#159) – Justin Rohrwasser, K, Marshall
Rd. 6 (#182) – Michael Onwenu, OL, Michigan
Rd. 6 (#195) – Justin Herron, OT, Wake Forest
Rd. 6 (#204) – Cassh Muluia, LB, Wyoming
Rd. 7 (#230) – Dustin Woodward, OL, Memphis

The Patriots did as we thought and had a solid draft. They succeeded in adding depth across the board and are in a better position moving forward this season. It’s business as usual for the Pats as they padded the offensive line and made some key acquisitions for the defense. My overall draft grade and take is good for the Pats but leaves little for the fan to get overly excited about. From a fantasy take, no one on their draft board is on my radar. The Pats are too secretive and we won’t know much until camp starts.

New England Patriots Draft Grade – A (93)

Miami Dolphins (AFC East)

Rd. 1 (#5) – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Rd. 1 (#18) – Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Rd. 1 (#30) – Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
Rd. 2 (#39) – Robert Hunt, OL, Louisiana
Rd. 2 (#56) – Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama
Rd. 3 (#70) – Brandon Jones, S, Texas
Rd. 4 (#111) – Solomon Kindley, OL, Georgia
Rd. 5 (#154) – Jason Strowbridge, DL, UNC
Rd. 5 (#164) – Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
Rd. 6 (#185) – Blake Ferguson, LS, LSU
Rd. 7 (#246) – Malcolm Perry, WR, Navy

The Dolphins came into the draft with the biggest list of wants and needs. They showed the world what the future of the franchise holds. Drafting QB Tua Tagovailoa along with three offensive lineman helps them put a face on the storied organization. The overall draft grades for the Dolphins were great, they had 11 selections and they made them count. From a fantasy aspect, Tua is the only skilled position player they drafted before their last pick. Tua is clearly a top rookie draft candidate and has little value in redraft leagues at the moment.

Miami Dolphins Draft Grade – A (94)

New York Jets (AFC East)

Rd. 1 (#11) – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Rd. 2 (#59) – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Rd. 3 (#68) – Ashtyn Davis, S, California
Rd. 3 (#79) – Jabari Zuniga, EDGE, Florida
Rd. 4 (#120) – La’Mical Perine, RB, Florida
Rd. 4 (#125) – James Morgan, QB, FIU
Rd. 4 (#129) – Cameron Clark, OT, Charlotte
Rd. 5 (#158) – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
Rd. 6 (#191) – Braden Mann, P, Texas A&M

The Jets and Adam Gase had a lot of questions to answer this season. They added depth along the offensive line and snagged from great value players in WR Denzel Mims and RB La’Mical Perine. They had an okay draft and hopefully we see some sparks during camp. My overall draft grades and take is they scored big with Braden Mann, punter from Texas A&M University. If you haven’t seen this kid, watch some of his film. He is lights out. From a fantasy take, Mims should be taken off the boards in all rookie drafts.

New York Jets Draft Grade – B- (82)

Buffalo Bills (AFC East)

Buffalo Bills Draft Grades

Rd. 2 (#54) – AJ Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
Rd. 3 (#86) – Zack Moss, RB, Utah
Rd. 4 (#128) – Gabriel Davis, WR, UCF
Rd. 5 (#167) – Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
Rd. 6 (#188) – Tyler Bass, K, Georgia Southern
Rd. 6 (#207) – Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Oregon State
Rd. 7 (#239) – Dane Jackson, CB, Pittsburgh

The Bills traded away some of their top picks in this draft for WR Stefon Diggs. This move helps them boast one of the best trios of WRs in the league. They added depth and an instant play-maker in a big way with edge rusher A.J. Epenesa from Iowa. The organization then planned for the future, adding RB Zach Moss, QB Jake Fromm, and a pair of young athletic pass catchers. My overall draft grade and take of the Bills is solid, nothing spectacular, but a good all-around draft. From a fantasy point of view, Moss and Fromm are great pickups for dynasty leagues, and Moss may have some redraft value as he should be on everyone’s radar.

Buffalo Bills Draft Grade – A – (91)

Conclusion:

I hope you enjoyed my draft grades for each of the organizations in the AFC East. Make sure to be on the lookout for my analysis of other divisions, like the AFC South, and watch TwitterLive tonight at 8:30 P.M. EST for Belly Up Fantasy Live! Share your thoughts with me in the comment section below or by tweeting me @AggieKappaSig. See Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Belly Up Sports for other great articles. If you liked my analysis of these teams go check out my pre-draft rankings for QBRBWRK, and D/ST. Thanks and Gig ‘Em!