The AFC East has the whole compliment of franchise characters from which they can draw: a powerhouse in New England; an underperforming, ill-adjusted Miami; the cool competency of New York; and the unsteady risk-taking of Buffalo.

Remember that New England may be a dynasty, but they aren't dominant. A good draft year, a free agent or two and a division rival could thump 'em.

Each team has component parts to look for this year, but only Miami has gaping holes to fill. A tweak here, a fill there and viola, the season is here and it's time to play football.

So we won't detain you.

Here is the AFC East, pre-draft:

Buffalo Bills: Needs OT, OG, DT, TE

Ok, so maybe Drew Bledsoe wasn't the answer. But that really depends upon the question you're asking. If the question is: who's the scapegoat for the team's failures this year, then Drew clearly is the answer.

On the face of it, Buffalo has a good football team. Don't be seduced by them though. If the foundation of any good football team rest on the offensive and defensive lines, there could be a few cracks in the basement here. And the release of Bledsoe is probably an admission that the team is further away from competing than it may seem.

On the defensive side, NT Sam Adams proved that he had another year left. Now the questions is does he have another year left, again? DT Pat Williams says that he wants to be back, but at what price?

On the offensive line OLT Jonas Jennings is likely to get a big-money offer from the Texans, or divisional rival Miami. Both guard positions were problematic with Chris Villarrial demonstrating limited pass blocking ability, and Ross Tucker demonstrating limited talent. Compounding matters is the scarcity of draft picks this year for the team, a by-product of the J.P. Losman deal.

On the plus side, the team should pick up a draft pick by dealing Travis Henry, but as like as not, won't get back the 2nd round pick they used to tag him.

Look for the team to go OL early, so to speak, with their first pick coming at number 55. A DL would be possible only if a quality pick slides on a drug rumor, felony charge or other light character issue.

Possible Picks at 55: Logan Mankins OG, Fresno State; Marcus Johnson OG-OT, Ole Miss; Ronald Fields DT, Mississippi State; Chris Spencer C, Ole Miss

Bam's Criticality Meter 4

Miami Dolphins: Needs QB-RB-OL-DL-OLB-ILB

Now that Nick Saban has assured himself that he can continue tanning while coaching in the NFL, he can turn to less serious matters like not having a running game, a passing game and a pro personnel department. Fortunately, for the Dolphins, they are assured of addressing one of those issues with the 2nd over all pick in the first round.

Whether they go RB or QB in the first round is the question on the minds of 'Fin fans this off season. It also obscures other acute needs.

The measure of the Dolphins' desperation in reaching after answers on the OL is that 2004 6th round pick, C Rex Hadnot found himself a starter on the depth chart at OG by the end of the season. This despite the fact that with a name like "Hadnot" Miami coaches must have known that they'd open themselves up to ridicule by starting him. That's just proves that when you get taken by Ricky Williams for $8 million and a pair of first round draft choices, dignity becomes a relative word. Unfortunately for Dolphins fans talent has been a relative word as well.

Under the previous administration of Coach Dave Wannstedt, Miami drafted poorly and it shows up in the depth chart. An aging defense, and inconsistency and immaturity at WR are some of the less pressing needs that might have to wait until a second season for Nick Saban to address.

The rumors having Travis Henry traded to the Dolphins are probably designed to try and scare Cleveland into making a deal with the 'Fins for the right to draft QB Alex Smith. Cleveland won't by it.

Look for the team to go RB with their first pick and OL early in the second round.

Possible Picks at 2: Cedric Benson HB, Texas; Alex Smith QB, Utah

Bam's Criticality Meter- 10

New York Jets - Needs CB, DL, OT

So the Jets have thrown the NFL's Golden Fleece, the franchise-tag, around DE John Abraham? Well, the draft focus becomes a bit fuzzier in NYC. Who'll get fleeced? Will it be the Jets, Abraham, or a team to be named later?

Right now the only thing certain about the Jets' draft this year is that no one is certain who the Jets are going to draft. Much will depend on whether the Jets are willing to trade Abraham.

DB is an obvious need with a good group looking for one playmaker at CB. The Jets still need help, just like every other team, along the offensive line. With ORT Kareem McKenzie set to test free agency and recent draft picks OLT Adrian Jones and ORT Cavka Marko remaining more project than potential, an OT is not altogether unbelievable early.

DT Jason Ferguson is also a free agent.

Supposing they do trade Abraham, they might be able to slide Dewayne Robertson outside and grab a DT in the first round with the pick received in trade. One bit of warning though: teams are loath to trade 1st round picks for veteran talent. The salary cap ramifications of trading high-salary veteran talent, for relatively low-salary rookie potential forces teams to have gapping holes on their depth chart at the end of the deal. And the Patriots are proving that a lot of good, well-coached players are better than a few superstars. Look for the team to try and lock up McKenzie and Ferguson before deciding on whether to trade Abraham.

In either case the Jets should look CB somewhere in the first round, with DT/DE being needs and opportunity driven. OL is a less pressing need that will likely wait until later in the first day of the draft.

Possible Picks at 26: Justin Tuck DE, Notre Dame; Marlin Jackson CB, Michigan; Shaun Cody DT, USC; Justin Miller CB, Clemson

Bam's Criticality Meter- 5

New England Patriots - Needs LB, DB/CB, OL

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With the 32nd pick in the 2005 draft the New England Patriots take Notre Dame's HC Charlie Weis. And oh, if it were only so easy for the Patriots.

While glowing in the created light of another Super Bowl win, New England faces a number of challenges.

Although player personnel executive Scott Pioli chose to remain, one has to wonder whether the highly-courted player personnel genius (ha, ha) has kept tight control over his department through the courting process. The departure of DC Romeo Crennel to Cleveland and OC Charlie Weis to Notre Dame makes his task no easier.

As a late development, LB Teddy Bruschi's mild stroke will likely force his absence for at least the next season, if he is not forced to retire. A position that was already on the minds on the Patriots because of the age of all of their LB's becomes more pressing.

Along the offensive line they could use an upgrade at RT, staring OLG Joe Andruzzi is a fee agent, and the team needs quality depth.

New England juggled their defensive backfield well last year despite injuries. But the mouthiness, the expense and the age of Ty Law means he'll be somewhere else next year either in trade or as a sacrifice to the Cap god.

Look for New England to try and solve their LB problem in free agency while taking a CB with an early pick.

Possible Picks at 2: Kevin Burnett OLB, Tennessee; Channing Crowder ILB, Florida; Darryl Blackstock OLB, Virginia; Brandon Browner CB, Oregon State; Marlin Jackson CB, Michigan; Fabian Washington CB, Nebraska

Bam's Criticality Meter: 5