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Miami Dolphins Draft History Since 2008 - Part 2 (AFC East Comparison)

Miami Dolphins 2011 first round draft pick, center Mike Pouncey, is just one of several Dolphins draft picks since 2008 to be starting for the 2011 team.
Miami Dolphins 2011 first round draft pick, center Mike Pouncey, is just one of several Dolphins draft picks since 2008 to be starting for the 2011 team.

A few days ago, we looked at the Miami Dolphins draft picks since 2008, going name by name through all 32 picks of theTony Sparano and Jeff Ireland (and Bill Parcells) era.  As it worked out, the Dolphins still hold 65% of their draft picks, and 31% of their picks are starters for the team.

[Update - If you remember from the last post, Miami was at 62% - I went back and included Frank Kearse, as I counted all the Practice Squad personnel from the other AFC East teams - so Miami moved to 21 kept draft picks out of 32 picks.]

Which brought up the question.  How does that compare to the AFC East?  How have the drafts of the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, and New York Jets been, when compared to the Dolphins?

Well, today, we are going to look at just that.

I will list every draft pick from each of the other three teams in the AFC East.  Every player still on the team will be placed in bold font.  Every player's contributions to the team that drafted them will be listed (i.e., the Jets drafted Nate Garner in the seventh round of 2008 - he has no appearances with the Jets, so he gets no appearances on the chart, even though he as 16 appearances and 8 starts in Miami).  Then, I will add up every player a team has that they originally drafted between 2008 and now, and the number of those players who are starters.  Then, I will calculate the percentage of each of those totals against the total number of picks the team had.

During the 2008-2011 timefame, the Buffalo Bills have made 36 selections.   Every one of those picks is listed below:

2008 2010
Round Name Remarks Round Name Remarks
1 Leodis McKelvin (CB) Starter; 35 Appearances, 22 starts; 4 interceptions, 17 passes defensed 1 C.J. Spiller (RB)    2nd String RB; 14 appearances, 1 start, 74 rushes, 283 yards, 24 receptions, 157 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 KOR TD
2 James Hardy (WR) Buffalo 2008-2010, Baltimore 2011; 16 appearances, 3 starts, 10 receptions, 96 yards, 2 touchdowns with Buffalo 2 Torell Troup (DT)                                                                                                                       2nd String NT; 15 appearances, 2 starts, 2 passes defensed, 23 tackles
3 Chris Ellis (DE) Buffalo 2008-2010, Pittsburgh 2010-2011, Currently a Free Agent;  15 appearances, 1 start, 11 tackles with Buffalo 3 Alex Carrington (DE) 2nd String SLB; 9 appearances, 1 sack, 1 pass defensed, 8 tackles
4 Reggie Corner (CB) Buffalo 2008-2010, Currently Free Agent; 44 appearances, 12 starts, 1 interception, 18 passes defensed, 85 tackles 4 Marcus Easley (WR) #5 WR; Spent 2010 on IR
4 Derek Fine (TE) Buffalo 2008-2009, St. Louis 2010, Houston 2010, Currently Free Agent;  18 apearances, 11 starts, 19 receptions, 158 yards, 1 touchdown with Buffalo 5 Ed Wang (OT) Buffalo 2010, Current Free Agent; 6 appearances
5 Alvin Bowen (LB) Buffalo 2008-2009, Washington 2009, Seattle 2010, Jacksonville 2010, Denver 2011; 0 appearances with Buffalo 6 Arthur Moats (LB) 2nd String WLB; 15 appearances, 2 starts, 2.5 sacks, 1 pass defensed, 1 forced fumble, 25 tackles 
6 Xavier Omon (RB) Buffalo 2008-2009, Seattle 2009-2010, NY Jets 2010, San Francisco 2010-2011; 7 appearances, 11 carries, 27 yards with Buffalo 6 Danny Batten (DE) 2nd String ILB; Spent 2010 on IR
7 Demetrius Bell (OT) Starter LT; 24 appearances, 24 starts 7 Levi Brown (QB) Bills Practice Squad; 1 appearance, 1 interceptions, 24 passing yards
7 Steve Johnson (WR) Starter; 32 appearances, 14 starts, 94 receptions, 1185 yards (82 and 1073 last season), 12 touchdowns (10 last year) 7 Kyle Calloway (OT) Buffalo 2010, Hartford (UFL) 2011, Baltimore 2011
7 Kennard Cox (CB) Buffalo 2008, Green Bay 2008, Jacksonville 2008-2009, Seattle 2010-2011; released during Buffalo's training camp

2009 2011
Round Name Remarks Round Name Remarks
1 Aaron Maybin (DE) Buffalo 2009-2010; NY Jets 2011; 26 appearances, 1 start, 23 tackles, 1 forced fumble 1 Marcell Dareus (DT) Starting LDE
1 Eric Wood (C) Starter; Appeared in 24 games (24 starts) at RG in 2009-2010 2 Aaron Williams (DB) 2nd String LCB
2 Jairus Byrd (DB) Starter at FS; 2009 Pro Bowl, League Leader INT (9); 30 appearances, 25 starts, 1 sack, 10 INT, 1 touchdown, 130 tackles  3 Kelvin Sheppard (LB) 3rd String MLB
2 Andy Levitre (G) Starter at LG; 32 appearances (32 starts) 4 Da'Norris Searcy (DB) 3rd String SS
4 Shawn Nelson (TE) Buffalo 2009-2011, Currently Free Agent; 17 appearances, 13 starts, 20 receptions, 181 yards, 1 touchdown 4 Chris Hairston (OL) 2nd String RT
5 Nic Harris (LB) Buffalo 2009, Carolina 2010-2011, Currently Free Agent;  5 Johnny White (RB) 3rd String RB
6 Cary Harris (CB) Buffalo 2009-2010, Minnesota 2010, Cincinnati 2010, NY Giants 2011, Current Free Agent; Appeared in 6 games, 1 start, 2 INTs, 2 tackles with Buffalo 6 Chris White (LB) 3rd String WLB
7 Ellis Lankster (CB) Buffalo 2009, Hamilton (CFL) 2010, NY Jets 2011; 10 appearances, 1 pass defensed with Buffalo 7 Justin Rogers (DB) 3rd String LCB
7 Michael Jasper (DT) Practice Squad

That gives the Bills 36 selections, of which 22 are still with the team (although 9 of those are this year's draft class) - or 61% of their picks remain with the team.  They also seem to be very big on adding depth, but not starters, through the draft, with only 7 draft picks being starters (19%).  Six of those seven starters are from the 2008 or 2009 draft (Marcell Dareus from this draft being the only starter from the last two years).

The New England Patriots, who always seem to have a million draft choices every year are listed next:

2008 2010
Round Name Remarks Round Name Remarks
1 Jerod Mayo (LB) Starter at ILB; 45 appearances, 44 starts, 3.5 sacks, 9 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, 404 tackles 1 Devin McCourty (DB)         Starting LCB; Pro Bowl 2010; 16 appearances, 16 starts, 7 INTs, 2 forced fumbles, 73 tackles
2 Terrence Wheatley (DB) New England 2008-2009, Jacksonville 2010-2011; 11 appearances, 1 start, 2 passes defensed, 3 tackles with New England 2 Rob Gronkowski (TE) Starting TE; 16 appearances, 11 starts, 42 receptions, 546 yards, 10 touchdowns
3 Shawn Crable (LB) New England 2008-2010, NY Jets 2010, Sacramento (UFL) 2011; 6 appearances, 0.5 sacks, 4 tackles with New England 2 Jermaine Cunningham (LB) Starting OLB; 15 appearances, 11 starts, 1 sack, 1 pass defensed, 2 forced fumbles, 34 tackles
3 Kevin O'Connell (QB) New England 2008, Detroit 2009, NY Jets 2009-2010, Miami 2011, NY Jets, 2011; 2 appearances, 4 completions, 23 yards 2 Brandon Spikes (LB) Starting ILB; 12 appearances, 8 starts, 1 interception, 3 passes defensed, 59 tackles
4 Jonathan Wilhite (DB) New England 2008-2010, Denver 2011; 39 appearances, 13 starts, 3 interceptions, 9 passes defensed, 88 tackles  3 Taylor Price (WR) #6 WR; 1 appearance, 3 receptions, 41 yards
5 Matt Slater (WR) #5 WR; 43 appearances on special teams, 14 appearances at WR, 1 rush, 6 yards 4 Aaron Hernandez (TE) 2nd String TE; 14 appearances, 7 starts, 45 receptions, 563 yards, 6 touchdowns, 3 rushes, 47 yards
6 Bo Ruud (LB) New England 2008, Cleveland 2009, Tampa Bay 2009, Florida (UFL) 2010, Current Free Agent; Spent 2008 on IR 5 Zoltan Mesko (P) Starting P; 16 appearances, 43.2 yards per punt average
6 Ted Larsen (C) New England 2010, Tampa Bay 2010
2009 7 Thomas Welch (OT) New England 2010, Minnesota 2010, New England 2010; Waived in 2010, Signed to Practice Squad 2011
Round Name Remarks 7 Brandon Deaderick (DE) PUP; 10 appearances, 4 starts, 2 sacks, 10 tackles
2 Patrick Chung (DB) Starting FS; 30 appearances, 14 starts, 2 sacks, 4 INT, 1 touchdown, 1 forced fumble, 120 tackles 7 Kade Weston (DT) New England 2010, Current Free Agent; IR in 2010
2 Ron Brace (DT)         PUP; 22 appearances, 7 starts, 31 tackles; Placed on IR in Jan. 2011 7 Zac Robinson (QB) New England 2010, Seattle 2010, Detroit 2010, Cincinnati 2011;
2 Darius Butler (DB) New England 2009-2010, Carolina 2011; 29 appearances, 8 starts, 3 interceptions, 1 touchdown, 14 passes defensed, 58 tackles
2 Sebastian Vollmer (OT) Starting RT; 30 appearances, 24 starts 2011
3 Brandon Tate (WR) New England 2009-2010, Cincinnati 2001; 18 appearances, 11 starts, 24 receptions, 432 yards, 3 touchdowns, 6 rushes, 73 yards Round Name Remarks
3 Tyrone McKenzie (LB) New England 2009-2010, Tampa Bay 2010, Current Free Agent; 2009 spent on IR, Practice Squad for NE in 2010 1 Nate Solder (OL) 2nd String RT
4 Rich Ohrnberger (G) IR; 5 appearances 2 Ras-I Dowling (DB) 3rd String LCB
5 George Bussey (OT) New England 2009-2010, Tampa Bay (AFL) 2011; IR for 2009 and 2010 2 Shane Vereen (RB) 4th String RB
6 Jake Ingram (LS) New England 2009-2010, New Orleans 2010, Tennessee 2011, Jacksonville 2011; 24 appearances with NE 3 Stevan Ridley (RB) 3rd String RB
6 Myron Pryor (DT) 2nd String NT; 22 appearances, 2 starts, 0.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 33 tackles 3 Ryan Mallett (QB) 3rd String QB
7 Julian Edelman (WR) #3 WR; 26 appearances, 10 starts, 44 receptions, 445 yards, 1 touchdown, 4 rushes, 19 yards 5 Marcus Cannon (OL) PUP
7 Darryl Richard (DT) New England 2009-2010, Current Free Agent; Practice Squad 2009, IR 2010 5 Lee Smith (TE) New England 2011, Buffalo 2011
6 Markell Carter (LB) Practice Squad
7 Malcolm Williams (DB) New England 2011, Currently Free Agent

Over the past four years, the Patriots have had 40 draft picks.  Of those, 23 are still with the team, and 8 are first string guys.  That comes out to 57.5% still on the roster, and just 20% starters.

And, now, the New York Jets:

2008
2010
Round Name Remarks Round Name Remarks
1 Vernon Gholston (DE) NY Jets 2008-2010, Chicago 2011, Current Free Agent; 45 appearances, 5 starts 34 tackles as Jet 1 Kyle Wilson (DB) 2nd String CB; 16 appearances, 6 starts, 5 passes defensed, 16 tackles, 15 punt returns, 111 yards, 2 kick returns, 22 yards
1 Dustin Keller (TE) Starter; 48 appearances, 32 starts, 148 receptions, 1744 yards, 10 touchdowns, 1 rush, 7 yards 2 Vladimir Ducassee (OT) 2nd String RT; 2 appearances
4 Dwight Lowery (DB) NY Jets 2008-2010, Jacksonville 2011; 43 appearances, 18 starts, 2 sacks, 7 interceptions, 2 touchdowns, 5 forced fumbles, 105 tackles 4 Joe McKnight (RB) 3rd String; 9 appearances, 1 start, 39 rushes, 189 yards, 3 receptions, 20 yards, 2 punt returns 43 yards, 3 kick returns, 60 yards                                                                                
5 Erik Ainge (QB) NY Jets 2008-2010; No appearances 5 John Conner (FB) Starter; 16 appearances, 8 rushes, 44 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 receptions, 9 yards,3 kick returns, 35 yards
6 Marcus Henry (WR) NY Jets 2008-2009, Carolina 2010, Edmonton (CFL) 2011; No appearances with Jets
7 Nate Garner (OT) NY Jets 2008, Miami 2009-2011; No appearances with Jets 2011
Round Name Remarks
2009 1 Muhammad Wilkerson (DT) Starting at DE
1 Mark Sanchez (QB) Starter; 31 appearances, 31 starts, 474 completions, 5735 yards, 29 touchdowns, 33 interceptions, 54.4 completion percentage, 70.2 passer rating, 1 GQ Cover 3 Kenrick Ellis (DL) 2nd String NT
3 Shonn Greene (RB) Starter; 29 appearances, 2 starts, 292 carries, 1306 yards, 4 touchdowns, 16 receptions, 120 yards 4 Bilal Powell (RB) 4th string
6 Matt Slauson (G) Starting LG; 19 appearances, 16 starts 5 Jeremy Kerley (WR) #4 WR
7 Greg McElroy (QB) Placed on IR
7 Scotty McKnight (WR) Waived

The Jets have made just 19 picks since 2008, with 12 of those picks still with the team (6 of those picks were from this year, and 5 of the players still on the team come from this draft class).  New York has kept 63% of their picks (53% if you discount the disproportionate 2011 draft), and have gained 5 starters out of this group (27.5%).

Overall, the AFC East breaks down like this for the percentage of draft picks kept:

Rank Team Percentage
1 Miami Dolphins 65%
2 New York Jets 63%
3 Buffalo Bills 61%
4 New England Patriots 57.5%

And, when ranked by percentage of draft picks starting for their team:

Rank Team Percentage
1 Miami Dolphins 31%
2 New York Jets 27.5%
3 New England Patriots 20%
4 Buffalo Bills 19%

As much as we despise what the "Trifecta" and the Ireland/Sparano dup have done with the draft picks of the Dolphins, when you step back and look at it compared to the other teams in the AFC East, Miami actually drafts really well.  Surprisingly, the Patriots do not keep their draft picks at a rate much lower than even the Bills.  When it comes to starters, no one is even close to the Dolphins.

It really appears the Miami front office actually knows what they are doing when they draft, and they do a great job of keeping talent.  Do some get away, sure, and A.J. Edds, whose release started this whole post, may be one of those.  But, overall, the Dolphins top the AFC East both in draft picks retained, and draft picks starting with their team in 2011.