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Here’s a look at the perceived draft needs of the Buffalo Bills, with heavy input from Matt Miller and David Gardner of NewEraScouting.com.
Wide receiver: The Bills have been surviving on the strong play of Lee Evans, but with little help from Josh Reed. Adding a big play, down-the-field threat with the eleventh overall pick would make the most sense for Buffalo. The team had shown a lot of interest in Oklahoma receiver Malcolm Kelly, until he ran the 40-yard dash in a time suggesting that maybe, for portions, he walked. Limas Sweed of Texas is another option at number eleven, as are James Hardy (Indiana) or Devin Thomas (Michigan State), two big-play juniors. Buffalo must address this need early on day one, either with their first-round selection, or with their second-round choice.
Tight end: The Bills are rumored to like Missouri’s Martin Rucker, a very agile receiver but a player who is not known for his blocking. Fred Davis of USC and Martellus Bennett of Texas A&M are also likely targets, with Davis being a receiver first and Bennett coming from a run-oriented offense. He is still a very able receiver with great size for the red zone.
Cornerback: A popular rumor that has made its way to us concerns Arizona cornerback Antoine Cason and the Bills’ possible interest in him. Cason might be a reach at No. 11, but this team has shown a willingness in the recent past to defy conventional wisdom. Cason fits Buffalo’s Tampa 2 scheme; he’s a big, physical corner who can cover well and will mix it up. The Bills have gone through the motions of interviewing the top corners this offseason, so it’s clear they plan on adding a young starter opposite Ashton Youboty, a player who has not been impressive early in his career. Adding a starting-caliber player in their first two picks is ideal, as is adding depth with one of their eight picks on day two.
Defensive end: Chris Kelsay is a very good starter at left end, with capable backups in Ryan Denney and hybrid tackle/end Corey Mace. At right end is Aaron Schobel, backed up by Ryan Neill and a project player in Copeland Bryan. Buffalo has targeted more active ends, players who can disrupt the passing game. Players potentially available in round four would be Chase Ortiz (TCU) or Brian Mattison (Iowa). Both are high-energy guys who have a knack for creating plays in the backfield. With two selections in round four, Buffalo can gamble on a player who may not offer much as an every-down end.
Center: The hope is that a center can be found to eventually replace Melvin Fowler. The 2008 class is full of talented centers who can start immediately. Matt Pollak is the best of the bunch, but he will not be around late in the draft. Buffalo could be looking at big centers who can dominate in the run game, like John Sullivan of Notre Dame or Adam Spieker of Missouri. Both are experienced players who are quick studies and could easily learn the NFL game.
Strong safety: John Wendling, a 2007 sixth-round pick, is a fan favorite, but not much more than a future special teams player. Donte Whitner has been very good in his two years, but there is a need for depth as well as a player who can contribute in nickel/dime situations. Late in the draft Buffalo will find talented Tampa 2 safeties like Josh Barrett (Arizona State), Jamar Adams (Michigan), and Craig Steltz (LSU). All are multiple-year starters who know the ins-and-outs of coverage and could help on special teams.
Linebacker: There is a general need for additions at inside and outside linebacker, even after the signing of Kawika Mitchell early in free agency. Buffalo should be targeting speedy player who can chase down the ball carrier in the run game, but also will make plays in pass coverage. The team has enough picks in the ‘08 draft to add at least one inside and one outside ‘backer on day two of the draft. Adding a player on the inside is more of a need, with Paul Posluszny a question mark after missing his rookie season due to injury. The franchise is hoping he can make an quick transition and lock down the middle linebacker position.
April 10th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
This is going on the notion that Trent Edwards will be solid next year? I sure hope that’s the case. Remember Shaun King? Similar situation, although King was drafted a round higher. Edwards didn’t make it to the playoffs, but he played solid, just like King in his first season after the Dilfer injury, leading them to the NFC Championship. King has below 5,000 career passing yards (in the NFL).
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April 10th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
A starting cb opposite . . . Ashton Youboty?
Youboty, last I checked, is third on the depth chart, behind Terence McGee and Jabari Greer.
Bills need pass rush. Pass rushing OLB first (if available) and WR on first day. TE and Center early in second day, and add depth (anywhere) later on day two.
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April 10th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
The Bills can get one of the top corners in round 1 and still have a shot at one of the big WRs they need (Kelly, Hardy, Sweed) in round 2. Pollack may still be there in round 3 to fill the hole in the middle of their fairly young, fairly good OL to block for their young backfield for years to come.
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April 12th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
After day one the Bills need to take the best player available. Not just need. Like Edwards was not a need last year. But in the end he was a need. The Bills could also trade j.p. if there are any takers.
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April 13th, 2008 at 5:21 am
CB - The Bills are playing games. I know that come draft day, they will draft a corner in the 1st round. Mike Jenkins is the obvious choice, and I think it will be who they select. However, where Jenkins is a better physical corner and ball hawk, the guy with the best athletic ability is Dominique Roders-Cromartie-Oliva-Newton-John…..henceforth known as Cromartie (my apologies to Chris Berman, but I couldn’t resist). Cromartie has the speed and vertical leap to stay with a guy like Randy Moss; dare I say he has the potential to shadow him pretty well. He’s that impressive. Obviously the Bills wont get a chance to grab him, and it’s looking like Jenkins will be their guy. However, if the opportunity presents itself, I think Cromartie would be the better choice. Look for the Bills to maybe grab a corner later in the draft as well (maybe with one of their 3 seventh round picks).
WR - The Bills don’t necessarily need a “down the field threat”, as stated in this article. What the Bills need at the wide receiver position is a guy with size. Lee Evans does not possess good ability competing for the ball vertically, and is only 5′11”. Roscoe Parrish is even smaller. They need help. The Bills have need for a good possession guy with some good size, particularly for red zone situations. Malcolm Kelly is obviously not a player the Bills would be interested in. In addition to his struggles in workouts/drills, he doesn’t match the “high character” qualities the Bills usually go for. He has a bad attitude, and nobody needs that headache from a guy who is also not living up to his billing. They won’t draft him. I think there are some good steals much later in the draft anyway, for wide receivers of the kind I described. Given the group of quality receivers this year in later rounds, the Bills would be better served working a trade for a proven NFL player rather than draft one so high (this could involve J.P. Losman). If they draft a guy, he’ll still be a rookie regardless of draft ranking, and you get what comes with that territory. I would not be disappointed if they took Limas Sweed (in fact, I would be happy), but personally, I like Adrian Arrington from Michigan as a personal favorite (a guy for the 5th to 6th rounds) and late round pick. I’ve watched him play a lot, and he’s a steal, though I know the Bills won’t take him because of his off the field issues (including an arrest for domestic violence). He’s made highlight reel catches and his speed is not a question in my mind. I’ve seen his speed ON THE FIELD (in pads, and not lined up in some silly stance that’s never seen in a game situation for a WR). Wishful thinking on my part I guess. I believe Arrington will have more success in the NFL than Mario Manningham, if he can stay out of trouble. I think if the Bills get a little brave and draft him, I think it would be a good thing. I think Buffalo could be a mitigating influence on any character issues. I can understand them not doing it though. His arrest and team suspensions are serious issues for any team to consider.
Another guy I like even more is Jordy Nelson. Excellent, soft hands, and has deceptive speed. Again, the Bills don’t need a guy who can run a blazing 40 speed. And what’s most important is speed in game situations with pads on. The Bills need a reliable possession receiver with size who can catch balls in the middle of the field and in the red zone. I think this guy fits the bill perfectly (pun=yes). The Bills already have two really fast deep threats in Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish (who in my mind is the perfect slot guy to go with Evans and a possession receiver). Good hands is the most important thing.
At TE, I really like John Carlson from Notre Dame. At close to 6-5, he has very good speed and finds open seams. However, his biggest asset is his pass catching. He grabs anything you throw him, and some that you don’t. He can make spectacular grabs and I believe he’s better than Dustin Keller, who a lot of people have rated higher than him. I also like Martellus Bennett from A&M. He has great hands and is a better blocker than a lot of people give him credit for. The only thing I don’t like is he goes down a little too easily for a guy his size, and his speed and run after the catch aren’t all that great. I’m not sure where these two could fit into the Bills draft scheme (if at all), but it is an area of need. Martin Rucker could also factor in, but I don’t think the Bills will go for Fred Davis.
At DE, I like the speed of Jason Jones. Though he’s a bit undersized, and has sub-par sack totals, I think he has the raw skills that could make him a Javon Kearse type. He has blazing speed around the edge, natural talent for the end position (nice swim move, etc..), and despite his low sack totals, he does a lot of damage behind the line of scrimmage. Again, he’s a 2nd to 3rd round pick, so obviously he may not fit into plans if the Bills decide to go for a different position, because he’ll be gone. Even though it might fit the Bills profile, I don’t think they’re going to draft a guy like Chase Ortiz when he’s so undersized. I know he’s an extremely hard worker and classic overachiever (like a Zach Thomas type player), but I think it would be a mistake. His physical limitations would manifest more at the DE position than at a position like LB. He has short arms and very little natural pass rushing talent. The Bills want a pass rusher. Period. He wouldn’t be worth his draft position.
Other than this, the Bills could also use a center, and will probably take the best one available later on in the draft, but don’t expect it to happen too soon. Other than that, the Bills don’t have too many more needs, so the rest of the draft will be value picks. Positions that could benefit from added depth are LBs, CBs, and perhaps an FB.
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April 14th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
James Hardy in round 2???
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