The AFC East is a division full of teams in different stages wanting more. New England is rebuilding, New York is trying to breach the playoffs, Buffalo is retooling to stay in the playoffs, and Miami is looking to prove itself as a contender.
The 2025 NFL Draft will provide these teams with further chances to advance themselves among the NFL‘s best. These are the players being drafted the most on each team in the AFC East according to data from PFN’s NFL Mock Draft Simulator.
Which Players Are Being Selected Most in Round 1 of the PFN MDS?
Buffalo Bills: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
If Falcons fans want Mykel Williams, they’ll have to fight Bills Mafia for him. And that’s a fight any fan base would lose. Williams was also the Bills’ top-selected prospect, and it’s no surprise, given both his physical skill set and the looming need on the edge.
Bills fans are well aware of Sean McDermott’s affinity for longer, more powerful edge defenders, and that fits Williams to a tee. He resembles Groot with his long, compact-built 6’5″, 265-pound frame, but he also has shocking explosiveness, hip fluidity, and urgency.
Patrick Payton was also a popular pick for Bills fans. Though he doesn’t have as much raw power as Williams, he’s long, explosive, and bendy, and the best is yet to come for him.
2) Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State
3) Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona
4) Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
5) Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Miami Dolphins: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
Losing Christian Wilkins will hurt, and Dolphins fans seem to know this. Zach Sieler’s continued presence will help, but according to the MDS data, Dolphins fans aren’t waiting around to fill that void. Tyleik Williams is their most-selected player so far.
At 6’3″, 327 pounds, Williams is an extremely rare prospect. He has the mass and density of a nose tackle, but on film, you’ll see him take reps anywhere from 0- and 1-tech to 5-tech. He’s an energized accelerator with brute take-on strength and awesome power.
Once the Dolphins solidify their interior defensive line, Dolphins fans have made it clear that the trenches on the other side of the ball will then become the priority.
2) Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
3) Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
4) Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
5) Joshua Gray, G, Oregon State
New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
This was a bit surprising to see, as the Patriots selected Caedan Wallace in Round 3 just a few months ago. Perhaps Patriots fans aren’t sold on his starting development, or perhaps they expect Mike Onwenu to eventually shift back to guard. Either way, an OT is their man.
Will Campbell has unique utility as a security blanket for Drake Maye, given his high-floor profile as a prospect. He’s not flashy, but he’s nimble, he’s balanced, he’s strong, and he’s powerful, and he has a level of nuance and synergy in pass protection already.
The Patriots fan base was one of just four to select five different positions with their five most-picked players. Making an appearance here is lockdown CB Will Johnson — whom the Patriots may have a chance to select if they pick high enough.
2) Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
3) Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
4) Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
5) Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
New York Jets: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
It appears as though the two New York teams will have to fight over Deion Sanders’ son. Both the Jets and Giants fan bases claimed the Colorado QB as their most favored player. Shedeur Sanders in the New York market could be precarious, but the potential is absolutely there.
As Aaron Rodgers’ successor, Sanders would bring similarly dynamic arm talent and swagger, and his accuracy and precision, in particular, are strong traits of his. He’s not an elite creator, but he’s a competent field general with a lot of the bedrock qualities.
Even after selecting Olu Fashanu, Jets fans still crave extra help at tackle — and Quinn Ewers popped up as a consolation prize if the Giants steal Sanders away.
2) Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU
3) Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
4) Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
5) Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon