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Nine years ago I was a cub reporter covering the Cincinnati Bengals for the Columbus Dispatch. Chad Johnson was entering his fourth season and starting to come into his own.

I watched Johnson come of age with the Bengals and also covered his decline with the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. Now, Johnson has a warrant out for his arrest in Florida this week after skipping probation following last year’s domestic incident and divorce with former wife Evelyn Lozada.

Here is one person hoping this isn’t the beginning of a bad downward spiral for the former Pro Bowl receiver.

Full disclosure: I always liked and got along with Johnson. He’s not a bad guy, just a little left of center and very unpredictable. But as a person who interviewed him on a regular basis throughout his entire career, I always appreciated his originality and viewed him as mostly harmless and comical.

But in the back of my mind I wondered what life would be like for Johnson after football. Johnson is the kind of guy who craves the spotlight and loves being the center of attention. In a weird way, I think that was a large part of his motivation to become such a great receiver. It was never about Super Bowls or the fake Hall of Fame jacket he once wore. Johnson worked hard because he loved to entertain and welcome people to the “Chad Johnson Show” on Sundays.

However, this latest legal issue probably ends any chance of Johnson making an NFL comeback. He's become too toxic for teams to touch and Johnson, 35, isn't getting any younger.

Johnson stayed out of trouble his entire 12-year career but now has two run-ins with the law in the past nine months. I don't think that's a coincidence. Johnson must find structure and purpose in his post-football life -- before it’s too late.

 
Miami Dolphins receiver Mike Wallace said this week that his new quarterback -- Ryan Tannehill -- can be just as good as his old quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger.

That is a lofty comparison of a second-year player to a two-time Super Bowl champion. But if anyone would know, it’s Wallace. He spent four years with Roethlisberger and worked out with Tannehill extensively this offseason.

"Ryan can really fling it," Wallace said, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "I think from a deep ball perspective Ryan may be able to throw the ball a little bit farther than Ben. Obviously, Ben is more experienced in a game-time situation, but the way it's going it won't take long for him to be one of the great quarterbacks at all."

Wallace’s comments takes me back to a recent conversation I had with an NFL scout on Tannehill’s ceiling. You can read the full scouting report here on the AFC East youth movement involving Tannehill, New York Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith and EJ Manuel of the Buffalo Bills. The one thing that stood out most is the scout’s projection that Tannehill could be a “top-15 quarterback.”

“Making the throws isn’t an issue for him. The major thing is improving the accuracy, and I think he will going forward,” the scout said. “I think he can be a top-15 quarterback, I would say. But how much time is he willing to put into learning defenses and knowing what he sees when he gets under center? It’s all about work ethic at this point in his second season. With all that said, Tannehill can definitely be successful, no question. With Miami adding all these pieces, I don’t see anything stopping him from being successful except himself.”

A top-15 quarterback is good but not great. If Tannehill can eventually climb into the top 10 -- which is where Roethlisberger is -- then Miami could be a perennial playoff contender.

Tannehill has all the tools. But as the scout mentioned, it’s going to come down to his ability to study defenses and make better decisions. Tannehill had more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (12) as a rookie last season.

The addition of Wallace will certainly help Tannehill. The Tannehill-to-Wallace combination should make Miami’s offense much more dangerous and dynamic. Tannehill proved last year that he can make all the throws needed to be a successful NFL quarterback. Wallace is arguably the best deep threat in the NFL and one of the fastest players in the league.

Wallace added that Tannehill’s arm is stronger than Roethlisberger's. That could equal plenty of big plays this season in Miami.

» NFC Eight in the Box: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

A look at a key player from each AFC East team who needs to show something in offseason sessions:

New York Jets: Perhaps no AFC East player has a brighter spotlight on him this offseason than embattled Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. Quarterback competitions are always interesting, but quarterback competitions in New York are taken to another level. Sanchez is in a five-way battle with fellow veteran David Garrard, highly touted rookie Geno Smith and backups Greg McElroy and Matt Simms. Sanchez is the incumbent looking to keep his job, which he’s had for four seasons. But Sanchez led the NFL in turnovers the past two seasons, which contributed to back-to-back non-winning seasons in New York. The Jets have treated Sanchez with kid gloves for a majority of his career and have not brought in legit competition before. But first-year general manager John Idzik did not draft Sanchez and has no ties to the 2009 first-round pick. The quarterback derby is wide open. Whoever can learn new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg’s West Coast system faster this offseason will have the inside track in training camp.

Buffalo Bills: Veteran quarterback Kevin Kolb is in a similar spot to Sanchez. Signed as a free agent, he has a chance to win the starting job but must compete with rookie first-round pick EJ Manuel and veteran Tarvaris Jackson. Kolb has had a lot of ups and downs in stops with the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals. He will get his third opportunity to lead a team, this time under first-year head coach Doug Marrone. The competition is hard to predict. Kolb might be a slight favorite to win Buffalo’s starting job in Week 1 because of his experience. But if Kolb is beaten out by a rookie (Manuel) or a journeyman (Jackson) in training camp, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Bills cut ties with Kolb. A majority of Kolb’s two-year, $13 million contract is incentive based and not guaranteed.

Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins have put veteran cornerback Dimitri Patterson on the hot seat via the draft. Miami drafted two cornerbacks -- Jamar Taylor and Will Davis -- in the second and third rounds, respectively. The rookies will make the 53-man roster, but Patterson’s spot is not guaranteed. The former Cleveland Browns cornerback joined the Dolphins as a late-season waiver claim. Patterson didn’t get to show much in his two games with Miami last season and must really impress the coaching staff this offseason. Otherwise, the Dolphins could release Patterson and save on his $4.6 million salary. Agreeing to take a pay cut also would be an option for Patterson.

New England Patriots: New Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount was added this offseason to a crowded backfield. He was acquired in a draft-day trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a seventh-round pick and track standout Jeff Demps. Blount joins tailbacks Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen and return specialist Leon Washington. Blount could add power and a short-yardage threat to New England's offense, which needs both those things. But Blount fell out of favor in Tampa and has had issues in the past. The Patriots took a chance to see whether Blount could turn around his career. But New England also is never afraid to cut players who do not fit.

Interest in free-agent linebacker Karlos Dansby is heating up.

It turns out the Buffalo Bills are not the only AFC East team pursuing the former Miami Dolphins' starter. According to Dansby, the New York Jets are also a team interested in his services.

Dansby, in an interview with Arizona sports radio station 620 this week, mentioned the Jets, Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans as three new teams in the Dansby sweepstakes. The Bills, Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals were three previously-mentioned teams who met with Dansby.

Reportedly, Dansby is looking for a multi-year commitment, and that is probably what's keeping him from signing with a new team. Salary-cap space is not plentiful this time of the year. But if Dansby continues to have this many teams interested, that increases his chances of getting a multi-year contract.

Dansby, who led the Dolphins with 134 tackles last season, would be a good fit with the Jets or Bills. Both AFC East teams look to rebuild their linebacking corps this upcoming season.

Offensive tackle Tyson Clabo explained his release from the Atlanta Falcons as "sudden" and "unexpected." But Clabo explained in a conference call why he feels he landed on his feet quite well by signing with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

“When I was released and became a free agent, one of the things we wanted to find out was who had interest,” Clabo explained. “What teams do I think have use [for a right tackle] and on the move upward in the league? Miami was right there.”

Clabo, 31, is projected to start at right tackle for Miami after signing a one-year contract. Clabo started at right tackle for a majority of his career. He also played right guard in Atlanta in 2006. Miami’s in-house candidate, Jonathan Martin, is now the likely starter at left tackle.

Like many of Miami’s free-agent acquisitions, Clabo cited the potential of Dolphins second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill as one of the key reasons why he joined the team. Clabo grew with 2008 first-round quarterback Matt Ryan in Atlanta to become a perennial playoff contender and aims for similar results in Miami.

The Dolphins, my sleeper pick in 2013, look solid on paper and will try to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season.

“We made some big moves in the offseason in free agency, and the draft look like it went really well,” Clabo said of the Dolphins. “With the young QB with a lot of upside, I feel like we can make some noise.”

DAVIE, Fla. -- When you're the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL draft, major expectations are thrust upon you to immediately make an impact.

That is one of the challenges facing Miami Dolphins rookie defensive end Dion Jordan. But another hurdle is to not rush back to prove himself following offseason shoulder surgery.

Jordan partially participated Friday in the opening of Miami's three-day rookie mini-camp. Miami's first-round pick took part in drills but not in team scrimmages. Jordan recently had shoulder surgery on Feb. 28.

"With me right now, the main thing is taking care of my body," Jordan said after practice. "I will do what I can while I'm here, as far as soaking everything up."

Dolphins second-year head coach Joe Philbin said there is no timetable for Jordan's return. The surgery was not a big enough concern to deter Miami from trading up to the No. 3 pick to take Jordan, and it's just a matter of when he will get back to 100 percent.

"He’s going to get himself well as quickly and completely as he possibly can, whenever that is," Philbin said. "And when the medical people deem that he's healthy, he will be joining us on a full-time basis."

Here are some other notes from Miami’s first rookie practice:

• The rookie who showed the most flashes Friday was running back Mike Gillislee. The former University of Florida product and fifth-round pick made several nice runs in team drills. It's difficult to evaluate running backs when there's no contact. But Gillislee comes to Miami after a strong senior season and has a chance to compete in a group that includes projected starter Lamar Miller and backup Daniel Thomas.
• I usually do not watch kickers in practice. But I kept a close eye on new Miami kicker and fifth-round pick Caleb Sturgis, who is another Florida product. Sturgis has a strong leg, and I watched him make three consecutive field goals from 43, 49 and 50 yards right in front of me. If that's any indication, Sturgis and veteran incumbent kicker Dan Carpenter should have a strong competition in training camp. "It's a great opportunity, but I know Dan is one of the best kickers in the NFL," Sturgis said. "Nothing is given in this league. I just want to help the team any way I can."
• For those interested, the rookie numbers for top draft picks are as follows: Jordan (No. 95), cornerback Jamar Taylor (No. 22), offensive lineman Dallas Thomas (No. 70), Gillislee (No. 35), Sturgis (No. 9) and linebacker Jelani Jenkins (No. 43).

» NFC Eight in the Box: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

With the draft in the rearview mirror, what is the most pressing issue on each AFC West team’s agenda?

Denver Broncos: The Broncos had a good free-agency period and they had a good draft. They made a good team better. There is no doubt this team thinks it is ready to make a serious run in 2013. So now it’s time to find some chemistry. Quarterback Peyton Manning, entering his second season with the team, recently talked about the importance of getting on the same page with his receivers. Manning said it often takes four years to totally be in sync with the players on the other end of his passes. Manning not only has to continue to strengthen his connection with incumbent receivers Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker but also with a new weapon, Wes Welker, one of the free-agent prizes in the NFL this offseason. The group worked together on its own last month and is in the midst of the Broncos’ offseason program. Manning had great success with Thomas and Decker last season, and I’m sure he will work well with Welker, too. The passing game will be the key to whether Denver can be a Super Bowl team, so building a special chemistry is the team’s most pressing issue as Denver inches toward the 2013 season.

Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs have to get the Branden Albert situation settled. They talked to the Miami Dolphins about a deal for several weeks prior to the draft. It was never completed. Neither has closed the door on a trade, but the odds are good that Albert will stay in Kansas City -- although it's not totally out of the question that some other team gets into the picture. I think the Chiefs need to get Albert prepared to play in Kansas City. He wants a long-term deal, and if he doesn’t get one, he might pout. He has stayed away from voluntary workouts but said he will be with the team when mandatory sessions start. The team would still like to give Albert an extension after taking Central Michigan left tackle Eric Fisher with the No. 1 overall pick. Albert must realize that if he has a good season in Kansas City, it will increase his value in free agency next year if a long-term deal is not signed. This situation could be awkward, but both the Chiefs and Albert need each other for at least a year -- and they must all do it with a smile.

Oakland Raiders: It’s time for the Raiders to figure out their defense, where they might have as many as nine new starters -- a mind-blowing reality. It seems only defensive lineman Lamarr Houston and safety Tyvon Branch are safe. Second-year linebacker Miles Burris will have a role, but he will have to fight for a starting slot. Oakland must use upcoming organized team activities to build chemistry and explore which players are suited to which roles. Oakland could stay in a 4-3 base but also should utilize multiple looks and will likely see some 3-4 hybrid looks. Head coach Dennis Allen and his staff have to see these players on the field to figure out the right sets for the right players. Oakland is essentially starting with a blank canvas on defense -- exciting, unusual and scary all at once.

San Diego Chargers: The Chargers have a potentially strong group of young receivers. The once-weak area can become a strength not only for the immediate future, but for the long term. It’s time the Chargers figure out an attack utilizing Vincent Brown, Danario Alexander and rookie Keenan Allen, who could quickly become the centerpiece. Allen, a California product, was expected to be a top-30 pick, but a manageable knee issue dropped him all the way to the third round, where San Diego took him 76th overall. Former Indianapolis Colts general manager and current ESPN analyst Bill Polian said Allen could have a Reggie Wayne-like impact. Brown had a strong rookie season in 2011 and a great training camp before a broken ankle in the preseason ended his 2012 campaign. He is now completely healthy. Alexander starred after the Chargers signed him off the street during last season. These three players can be major toys for quarterback Philip Rivers. Figuring out how to get the most out of this trio must be a primary goal for new coach Mike McCoy, who proved in Carolina and Denver that he can have successful passing games.

The Miami Dolphins' search for a starting offensive tackle continues. Free-agent left tackle and former University of Miami star Bryant McKinnie agreed to a two-year contract with the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, the team announced.

McKinnie reportedly received significant interest from the Dolphins, Ravens and San Diego Chargers in free agency. But McKinnie opted to return to Baltimore, where he spent the past two seasons and won a Super Bowl.

The Dolphins have not filled their left tackle position since four-time Pro Bowler Jake Long signed with the St. Louis Rams in free agency. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is entering his second season, and pass blocking will be key to his development.

With McKinnie gone, Miami’s free-agent options continue to dwindle. The Dolphins also recently met with veteran free-agent tackles Eric Winston, Winston Justice and Tyson Clabo this offseason.

The 2013 offseason is just about over with the NFL draft complete and free agency reaching a slow crawl.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at whose stock is rising and falling in the AFC East.

Falling

1. Tim Tebow, free-agent quarterback: Things are not looking good for Tebow’s NFL future. The popular backup quarterback was released by the New York Jets this week, and it’s questionable when he will get his next chance. Tebow didn’t get any trade interest with the Jets, and now we’re about to see if a team wants to sign him. Tebow simply isn’t a franchise quarterback and the distraction he brings is bigger than his talent. The CFL and Indoor Football League are both clamoring for Tebow, but he will most likely wait for his next shot in the NFL. But now there is talk that Tebow wouldn’t cut it in the CFL, either. Ouch!

2. Miami Dolphins’ left tackle: The Dolphins on paper had another solid draft, which we will get to later. But they failed to fill their biggest need at left tackle. The Dolphins explored both free agency and the draft and came up empty handed. Second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill has a lot of new toys at wide receiver and tight end, but he lost his blind-side protector when four-time Pro Bowler Jake Long signed with the St. Louis Rams. Talks with the Kansas City Chiefs for Branden Albert fell through, and now Miami is exploring options such as Bryant McKinnie, Eric Winston and Winston Justice. If the Dolphins can’t land a veteran, they will probably have to turn to 2012 second-round pick Jonathan Martin to play left tackle, which is a risky move.

3. Mark Sanchez, Jets quarterback: Despite a career-worst year in 2012, there was some optimism for New York’s incumbent starting quarterback. Sanchez has a new offensive coordinator under Marty Mornhinweg, 35-year old David Garrard was his biggest challenge and everyone knew Tebow was on his way out. But a lot of that optimism for Sanchez changed when the Jets drafted highly-touted quarterback Geno Smith in the second round. Smith is clearly the quarterback of the future, and he maybe the present if Sanchez struggles. Many believe Smith is the top quarterback in this draft. Fans will be clamoring for the rookie if the Jets lose a game or two early.

Rising

1. Dolphins’ pass rush: The Dolphins were looking for a defensive end to pair opposite Pro Bowler Cameron Wake, and they certainly found one in the draft. Miami traded up to No. 3 to take former Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan. He was the highest-rated defensive player in the draft and a tremendous athlete. Jordan first must learn to fit in Miami’s 4-3 defense. But once that happens, Jordan and Wake could provide headaches for opposing AFC East quarterbacks.

2. Buffalo Bills’ passing game: Despite the conventional train of thought that Buffalo could've drafted EJ Manuel in the second round, NFL people I’ve talked to this week understand why the Bills fell in love with the former Florida State quarterback. Manuel has a lot of things you look for in a quarterback and could pan out just fine if he’s coached well and puts it all together at the next level. Buffalo also improved its receiver position with the additions of rookies Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin and Da’rick Rogers. All three rookies are talented and have a chance to make an impact with a group that already includes 1,000-yard receiver Steve Johnson.

3. Aaron Dobson, New England Patriots receiver: Dobson came from a small school but landed in the perfect place. Dobson, unlike most receivers drafted, gets to play with Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. Dobson has very good speed and athleticism, which is why New England made him a second-round pick. Dobson also has a chance to make an immediate impact with the Patriots doing a complete makeover at the receiver position. Dobson will compete with Donald Jones and Michael Jenkins for a starting job with the Patriots. That’s a long way from Marshall.

NFL.com reports that the Kansas City Chiefs have interest in signing left tackle Branden Albert to a new deal now that trade talks with the Miami Dolphins have died.

I am sure Albert would be interested in a long-term contract, but the Chiefs need to figure out if they are comfortable with No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher playing right tackle for the long term. He is expected to play there during Albert’s free-agent year, then return to left tackle, where he played in college. Albert has made it clear he does not want to play right tackle.

If the Chiefs eventually want Fisher to play left tackle, it could make it difficult to re-sign Albert. What does it all mean? Everything is still on the table. This news doesn’t change much.

In other AFC West notes:

The Raiders are no longer interested in free-agent quarterback Vince Young, NFL.com notes. That became obvious when Oakland drafted Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson in the fourth round. Young recently worked out the Raiders.

The Broncos are not renewing the contract of director of pro personnel Keith Kidd. He was a holdover of the Josh McDaniels era and didn’t have a ton of power.

San Diego general manager Tom Telesco held a conference call with several season-ticket holders Wednesday.

Despite a stellar free agency and a solid draft, the Miami Dolphins still cannot get any respect in ESPN.com’s Power Rankings. Miami is remains in the bottom half of the NFL at No. 18, according our panel. NFC West blogger Mike Sando ranked Miami the lowest at No. 21.

"I wouldn't differentiate much between teams in that middle-of-the-pack category. If you lined up 32 people from tallest to shortest, you'd have a bunch of people in the middle about the same height,” Sando explained. “That's what the rankings are like. The difference between being ranked 15th and 21st is not much in most cases. I moved up Arizona after the Cardinals acquired Carson Palmer. It's not that Palmer is great. He's probably just average. But average is so much better than what the Cardinals were getting from the position last season (when they defeated the Dolphins). I moved up Kansas City and Tampa Bay a little bit while Miami stayed the same on my ballot."

The AFC East division struggled overall. Here were the Power Rankings for the division after the NFL draft:

• 1. New England Patriots, No. 6
• 2. Dolphins, No. 18
• 3. Buffalo Bills, No. 30
• 4. New York Jets, No. 32

The Jets are the worst team in the NFL, according to the Power Rankings. New York is starting a long, hard rebuild and just traded its best player, star cornerback Darrelle Revis. The Jets also have a three-way quarterback controversy with Mark Sanchez, David Garrard and rookie Geno Smith. The Bills, who also have a quarterback competition, were not much better at No. 30.

The Patriots, as expected, finished significantly higher than the rest of the division at No. 6. It’s debatable whether this year’s New England team is better than the 2012 group that lost in the AFC title game. However, the Patriots remain one of the top teams in the conference, despite some roster turnover.

Will the Dolphins, Jets or Bills challenge the Patriots in the AFC East this upcoming season? According to our Power Rankings panel, a significant gap still remains after the draft and free agency.

The first domino dropped one year ago.

Following the hiring of head coach Joe Philbin, the Miami Dolphins wanted a fresh start at quarterback and drafted Ryan Tannehill with No. 8 overall pick. Tannehill quickly developed, had a respectable rookie season and went 7-9 as a starter.

A year later, both the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets followed suit by drafting highly touted quarterbacks. The Bills took former Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel with the No. 16 overall pick in the first round, and the Jets drafted Geno Smith of West Virginia with the seventh selection of the second round, No. 39 overall. The Dolphins, Bills and Jets are all chasing the New England Patriots and future Hall of Famer Tom Brady in the AFC East.

Will the quarterback youth movement work in the division? The AFC East blog talked to an NFL scout this week to get his perspective on each quarterback's strengths, weaknesses and long-term chances for success.

Geno Smith, Jets

NFL scout: "I met him at the combine and he had a real good demeanor. I don't know him under pressure, but he seems like the kind of guy teammates can buy into. He can get streaky. I've watched him in games where you feel no ball is going to hit the ground. Other games I've watched and he missed easy throws by two yards, and you’re like, ‘You’ve got to make that throw.’ The good NFL quarterbacks can get to their second and third options, and Geno has some learning to do with that. But that can come with experience. I think he has upside. But sometimes he came off as a system quarterback where he has predetermined throws. You can do that only to a certain extent in the NFL. If he comes out early and has success, teams will start taking away his strengths and make him play to a weakness. That's where he has to develop. But the ability is there. The accuracy issue he sometimes has is a concern, because some of those incompletions in college are picks in the NFL. He’s not going to play any D-II schools in the NFL. You’re playing the best of the best every week. Even teams that are 2-14 have [athletes] out there. In this league, he’s going to have to be conscientious every play. He needs to be mentally alert."

Analysis: Several interesting things stand out about this scouting report on Smith. First, the scout liked Smith’s demeanor, which was a subject for debate for weeks leading up to the draft. Second, it’s obvious that Smith must shed his reputation as a system quarterback. Smith played in a unique system at West Virginia that included a lot of quick passes and easy reads, which is not the norm in the NFL. Smith also had quality weapons. His two starting receivers – Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey – were drafted in the first and third rounds, respectively, by the St. Louis Rams. You wonder if those players boosted Smith's stock or vice versa. In the eyes of this NFL scout, Smith has potential but needs to refine his game in several key areas.

EJ Manuel, Bills

NFL scout: "When you stand next to him, he's a big man. He’s a physically imposing figure for the quarterback position. He can make plays with his legs, but Manuel really is a passer first. While he made throws at all three levels, he would also miss throws he shouldn’t miss. That’s a concern with him. But the guy completed 68 percent of his passes – that’s pretty good. He’s just going to have some yips where you say ‘What was that?’ I compare him to Jason Campbell, but Manuel can do more as a runner. I think the kid can be an efficient passer and manage the game. He can do the read-option. He’s tough and played with pain. He’s not just a good character guy; he’s a sterling character guy. So I can’t say I’m surprised that Buffalo really likes him -- Manuel has some tools to work with. In the Florida game, he turned it over. That game he didn’t play well, but I don’t have concerns about him in big games. A lot of times he’s going to put your team in position to win. He can compete from Day 1, and I think he’s a possibility to be a Day 1 starter. I wouldn’t be surprised at all. But they got good competition in that way. So if he’s not ready, that’s fine. They’re in a good position where they can develop him. If you look at Buffalo, they’re making their team in the mold of the [Pittsburgh] Steelers. They have running backs, a 3-4 defense and now they have their big quarterback. I like what they’re building."

Analysis: The Manuel pick at No. 16 received a lot of criticism in the media. But the pick was not as much of a surprise for this NFL scout, who was complimentary of Manuel. In fact, the scout said he personally graded Manuel as the highest-rated quarterback this year, followed by Smith and Mike Glennon of NC State. It turned out that was the order of quarterbacks taken off the board. Glennon went in the third round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Campbell comparison is interesting. Campbell has lasted eight years (and counting) in the NFL after being drafted No. 25 overall in 2005, but he never developed into a franchise quarterback. Manuel has more athleticism and a higher ceiling. Character also is important in a quarterback, and Manuel checked out extremely well from this scout's perspective.

Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins

NFL scout: "The thing you like about him is he’s big, can make all the throws you want and he has mobility. The biggest thing for him is getting acclimated to the NFL game. As a rookie quarterback, I would say he was above average. Making the throws isn’t an issue for him. The major thing is improving the accuracy, and I think he will going forward. I think he can be a top-15 quarterback, I would say. But how much time is he willing to put into learning defenses and knowing what he sees when he gets under center? It’s all about work ethic at this point in his second season. With all that said, Tannehill can definitely be successful, no question. With Miami adding all these pieces, I don’t see anything stopping him from being successful except himself. The thing is he’s got to be accurate, and he has to make good decisions. That’s the two things I look for as a scout. When you look at his stats, it didn’t really reflect what I saw from him on Sundays. The guy can play, and his ability to be efficient within the scheme is there. I don’t see any impediments to his success. Mike Sherman had success with Brett Favre in Green Bay and Joe Philbin with Aaron Rodgers. These things are very important. Those two know how to make things comfortable for a quarterback. Everybody there is behind the quarterback to be successful, and I think he can."

Analysis: Of the three young quarterbacks, the scout said Tannehill has the most potential to be a franchise building block. But Tannehill has a one-year head start in the NFL and played well most weeks last season. That has a lot to do with it. I saw a lot of the same things with Tannehill last season. He has good arm strength, and he also possesses mobility as a former college receiver. The Dolphins added some read-option plays for Tannehill late in the season. The scout brought up a very good point about Tannehill being coached by Sherman and Philbin. Both have been around future Hall of Famers and know what a franchise quarterback looks like. Tannehill is in a fortunate spot to learn from both coaches. Miami also proved it is behind Tannehill 100 percent by boosting his supporting cast. The Dolphins were aggressive in free agency and signed receivers Mike Wallace and Brandon Gibson and tight end Dustin Keller.

From this scout’s perspective, all three quarterbacks have potential for promising futures. That is good news if you're a fan of the AFC East. Brady is signed with the Patriots through the 2017 season. Therefore, the young upstarts in the division will compete against Brady for the foreseeable future.

Brady can't dominate the division forever. Several years down the line, one of these three players could take over as the top quarterback in the AFC East.

The 2013 NFL draft is over, but there are still improvements that need to be made.

Now it’s time to take another hard look at the rosters and see what holes remain.

Here is an updated list of biggest team needs in the AFC East:

Miami Dolphins

Biggest remaining need: Left tackle

Thoughts: Miami had a lot of resources entering the offseason and did a tremendous job plugging holes in the draft and free agency. However, the Dolphins’ biggest need is still offensive tackle. Miami felt defensive end Dion Jordan was too good to pass up in the first round, and we agree. But by the time the Dolphins came up again with the No. 54 pick in the second round, the run on left tackles already took place. Miami took former Tennessee guard/tackle Dallas Thomas in the third round. He’s versatile, but it’s a reach to think Thomas can step in right away and play left tackle at the next level. The Dolphins still have options in free agency. The Dolphins could look to sign available veterans like Eric Winston or Tyson Clabo. However, both tackles are better suited for the right side. Maybe the Dolphins are confident 2012 second-round pick Jonathan Martin can make the switch and protect quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s blindside next season. But Martin had mixed results playing left tackle in 2012 after the season-ending injury to former Dolphin Jake Long. Trade talks with the Kansas City Chiefs for left tackle Branden Albert appear over.

New York Jets

Biggest remaining need: Tight end

Thoughts: The Jets made five draft picks on offense, but they still lack a pass-catching tight end. New York lost starting tight end Dustin Keller to the Dolphins in free agency. Currently Jeff Cumberland, who had 29 receptions in 2012, is No. 1 on the depth chart. That's not good enough. A quality tight end is important in offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's new West Coast scheme. A group that includes Cumberland, Hayden Smith, Konrad Reuland and Dedrick Epps won't strike fear in any defense. It also doesn't provide New York's quarterback, whether it’s Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith or David Garrard, a much-needed safety valve in the middle of the field.

New England Patriots

Biggest remaining need: Center/guard depth

Thoughts: The defending AFC East champs didn’t enter the draft with a lot of needs. They filled openings at wide receiver and in the secondary this weekend. New England’s roster is pretty much stacked, which is why we’re nitpicking by saying they could use more depth at guard and center. New England’s starters are fine. Center Ryan Wendell and guards Logan Mankins and Dan Connolly work well together, but injuries routinely take place in the trenches. Who would fill in to protect quarterback Tom Brady if one or two starters go down? The Patriots didn’t draft a developmental, interior offensive lineman this weekend, and might have to add depth in free agency before training camp.

Buffalo Bills

Biggest remaining need: Guard

Thoughts: Buffalo also did a good job drafting for need. The Bills found a quarterback (EJ Manuel), two wide receivers (Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin) and depth at safety (Duke Williams). But Buffalo still didn't find a replacement for former starting guard Andy Levitre, who bolted to the Tennessee Titans in free agency. Levitre was Buffalo’s most versatile lineman and will be missed offensively if the Bills can’t find a viable replacement. The Bills also lost top backup guard Chad Rinehart. Offensive linemen Colin Brown, Chris Scott and Keith Williams are all inexperienced options. Perhaps the Bills will add a veteran to this group during the tail-end of free agency.

The 2013 NFL draft is complete. There were numerous trades, some surprising picks and two new quarterbacks added to the AFC East division.

Which teams thrived and which teams struggled?

Here are ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.'s post-draft grades for the AFC East:

Buffalo Bills

Kiper Jr.’s grade: C-

Kiper Jr.’s comment: “The Bills hit needs, I just think they made a major reach with the biggest need of all [at quarterback]. But a year behind Kevin Kolb could be a huge help to [EJ] Manuel.”

Thoughts: As I mentioned Thursday night, expect a lot of criticism for the Manuel pick at No. 16 overall. No one expected him to go that high, and that drove Kiper Jr.’s grade down. But if Manuel was taken in the second or third rounds, I think more people would have understood. Buffalo had the lowest draft grade of all NFL teams, according to Kiper. But I think the team added some talent in key areas. I liked the second-round picks in particular of USC receiver Robert Woods and Oregon linebacker Kiko Alonso. Both are polished and could be Week 1 starters, especially if Alonso overcomes his off-the-field issues from college.

Miami Dolphins

Kiper Jr.’s grade: B-

Kiper Jr.’s comment: “They could get three good players from those first three picks, but they did give up value for Jordan, so the onus is on them to make that pick become a success.”

Thoughts: The biggest thing I learned from the Dolphins this weekend is the team wanted playmakers. I thought Miami fleeced Oakland by just giving up a second-round pick to move up to No. 3. First-round defensive end Dion Jordan has the potential to eventually become a Pro Bowl player. He is a difference-maker who can be a disruptive force and cause turnovers. Second-round cornerback Jamar Taylor of Boise State is polished and could be a starter or nickel cornerback in Week 1. I also liked the late run of Florida players in linebacker Jelani Jenkins, running back Mike Gillislee and kicker Caleb Sturgis. All three have the potential to make the 53-man roster.

New England Patriots

Kiper Jr.’s grade: C+

Kiper Jr.’s comment: “I don't see a starter out of this draft in the short-term, but they added players with some really good traits. It's just a matter of development now.”

Thoughts: I didn’t expect a high grade from Kiper Jr. on this team. The Patriots, as usual, went for depth over sizzle. Head coach Bill Belichick trusted his intel and went with players he’s most comfortable with, as oppose to bigger names. That included taking three defensive players from Rutgers, which was unexpected. The Duron Harmon pick in the third round was a head-scratcher. Kiper Jr. says New England could have signed the Rutgers safety as a rookie free agent. Receivers Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce have potential. However, I always use caution with the Patriots with wide receivers, because Belichick has whiffed at the position so many times in the past.

New York Jets

Kiper Jr.’s grade: B

Kiper Jr.’s comment: “I wanted the Jets to get a safety, but I still think they deserve a pretty good grade for hitting a few big needs. Now, they need to be patient with [Geno] Smith.”

Thoughts: The Jets earned the division's highest draft grade from Kiper Jr. They were in a great spot to land two of the draft’s top 13 players, and made solid picks in cornerback Dee Milliner and defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson. Although the Jets didn’t need that much help on defense, both should be immediate contributors. Regardless of how you feel about quarterback Geno Smith at the next level, few can doubt the Jets got tremendous value with him in the second round. Smith was widely regarded as the best quarterback in this draft. New York also boosted its interior offensive line with guard Brian Winters, who could beat out former draft bust Vladimir Ducasse for a starting job. Kiper Jr. didn’t like the lack of a safety for the Jets. But I didn’t like that New York didn’t go after more skill players on offense at tight end and receiver.

Quarterback isn't the only position where there will be various competitions involving rookies in training camp. Two teams in the AFC East also drafted place kickers on Day 3 of the NFL draft.

The Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills picked kickers in the fifth and sixth rounds, respectively. The Dolphins selected Florida kicker Caleb Sturgis and Buffalo picked Florida State kicker Dustin Hopkins.

Sturgis will compete with Dolphins veteran kicker Dan Carpenter, who struggled at times last season. Carpenter missed five field-goal attempts in 2012 and botched 21 attempts the past three seasons. Carpenter has kicked in Miami for six consecutive seasons, but may have to earn his spot against Sturgis this summer. It's also possible that Carpenter could be a salary-cap casualty for the Dolphins, who spent a lot of money in free agency this offseason.

Meanwhile, veteran kicker Rian Lindell has been a staple in Buffalo for nine seasons. His accuracy remains solid. But at 36, Lindell's leg strength is diminishing. Hopkins comes to Buffalo as the NCAA's all-time leading scorer. Most importantly, Hopkins has a strong leg, which is needed in Buffalo's inclement weather for field goals and kickoffs. Similar to Carpenter, Lindell also could become a salary-cap casualty. But at the very least, Lindell must compete for his job.

Keep an eye on both of these new kicking developments in the AFC East this offseason.