2009 draft recap

Was I supposed to wear a suit?

Well the draft is over and the Bills made 8 picks, losing a pick by trading up to get another 2nd rounder. The picks make you go okay, some O lineman, a pass rusher they needed some corners. And several guys who will be at other positions. Plus other guys that dropped like rocks. Which always tell you something. But the Bills Tight End also dropped, so that concerns me. But I like they address the interior of the line. Which is a big problem. The inside is more important then the tackles in my opinion, especially in the AFC East where big DT live.

Lets look at the picks.

1) Aaron Maybin De PSU

The speed rusher, compliment to Schobel the Bills needed. He's light and quick and I'm sure will be compared to Freeney. The Bills had all DE's at their table and selected Maybin. So we know he's the one they wanted. He started one year and dominated, so he's put on weight and hopefully get a few sacks to help out the Bills poor pass rush. Hopefully hasn't come close to reaching his peak.

1b) Eric Wood C/G Louisville

Well he was a center and no doubt will be moved to Guard, probably LG, which is wide open, after the chasm left by Dockery, or would that be Black Hole. Void, lets go with that one. Well he is definitely starting this year, and I'm sure will be a fan favorite. Called "the most ready player in the draft" They needed interior lineman with versatility. He's their guy.

2a) Jairus Byrd CB/S

The pick that made me go, uh? But after thinking about and getting it explained. It makes perfect sense. They need a ball hawk saftey. Ko Simpson is gone. They want to move Whitner to his natural position and Bryan Scott is nice, but if they can replace him that would be nice. If he can get a couple picks, he'll look like a good pick.

2b) Andy Levitre OL Oregon State.

They went to Oregon for both second round picks. He is a guard/tackle combo, and the Bills love guys who can play multiple positions on the line. With the shakeup that is coming having guys who can play positions will help. The starting 5 will be a battle this summer no doubt. Was a left tackle last year. I'm waiting to judge this pick, but they traded a couple picks for him.

I nickname him Levitra Because we need Trent to stay up, and keep up.

4) Shawn Nelson TE S. Miss

The pick that made a ton of sense, appartantly he dropped, so the Bills may have lucked out with him. At pass catching TE, which the Bills need. They don't need a blocker. Hopefully will come in and help the pass attack. With Owens, Nelson and Hardy they are getting taller and bigger at the reciever positions. The more weapons for Trent the better. He has to be super pumped about the first several picks. He knows its this year or not for him. He saw what happened to JP. Hopefully we can get get a guy who can grap 40 balls a year and 5 tds. I'm not looking for Gates, just someone who can help.

5. Nic Harris S/LB Oklahoma

The parade of defensive backs continue. But with Nic Harris who will compete against Keith Ellison in the undersized LB competition. He is drafted for his athleticsm and Special teams ability. He is a project, but thats fine with a 5th round pick. Played a lot at Oklahoma, so you now he's a talented guy

6. Cary Harris CB USC

A physical press corner, but ran slow. Which is death to any corner coming out in the draft. But if he can compete and be at least a nickel or dime corner. You don't have to be fast to be a adequate corner in the NFL. I don't know what to expect. But he'll have a chance.

7. Ellis Lankster DB West Virginia

Another good ball skill Db, which signals to me they are not happy with the current roster of the secondary. With the loss of Jabari Greer and Youbouty being unreliable, they have to find someone to fill those spots. Looks to be a saftey backup and probably on special teams. I give him a 30% chance of making the roster, 75% chance he winds up on the practice squad.



Well I was surprised by the number of secondary players selected. But most will be moved around. Today's NFL is all about guys who can play multiple positions. Due to injuries and and player movement. They addressed the offensive line first, and their need for a speed rusher. Then took a tight end they need. They aren't drafting sexy, they are drafting smart. Terrell Owens was the sexy move. Now they are putting in the necessary parts.

This Bills team, is in a mini rebuilding, because they don't have the players they needed to win, especially in the AFC East. But its gonna take a couple years. Last year I felt they underachieved, compared to being an overachieving 7-9 2 years ago. If things stay alright I think 10-6 isn't out of the question. Pre season predictions are way off, until I see what the OL will look like come september. They have a lot of guys who can play multiple positions and the competiton will be fierce. That I like.

This team will go as far as the offensive line. And the fact they know they have a problem, is a good thing. They aren't hiding that fact.

More Draft Preview

NFL Christmas weekend is almost here and I am quite excited. My strategy of limiting myself to Mel Kiper Jr. and looking at Mock Drafts have worked. I am not sick of it, or already bored of it. I'm looking forward to Saturday. I wish it was at noon still. Another reason to move to the west coast, things are at the times they should be. But anyway, after looking things over, examing what the Bills needs are, (Many, hahahaha) here are a few players for the top few picks the Bills could be looking at.

@11

This is always a good spot. A spot where teams may want to move to, where guys can fall to and usually you have a pick of the guys you want. Hopefully that guy pans out.

Everette Brown DE FSU

Good size, good speed and good production over a couple years. The speed rusher the Bills need on other side. Whether he is there at 11 is another question. He seems like the right player the Bills need. More suitable for the 4-3, since he lacks cover skills for a Linebacker. A tweener pash rusher is always a issue, but they tend to work.

Aaron Maybin DE PSU

Another light, tall speed rusher. Some call him a one year wonder, but if you get the opportunity and excel, then its just how you play. 11 maybe a little low for Maybin, and the lack of production before the year may steer the Bills away from him.

Brian Orakpo DE Texas

Picking him would violate one my personal draft rules, Never Draft someone from University of Texas. Just don't trust them. But is the stereotypical DE. Good Size, Good speed and gets to the quarterback. Though gets to the QB through Hustle and not technique and speed. Seems like the guy a regular NFL Tackle would handle.

BJ Raji DT Boston College

With the recent rumors, he may drop to 11. But probably not. Big DT's are in vogue and will be snapped up. But if he is, the Bills may look for Stroud's replacement, or at least a partner. Not super quick, but will take up space and pressure the QB when given the opportunity. A potential great player inside. But I wouldn't hope for him to drop.

Robert Ayers LB Tennessee

The guy that is most recently stated by the Mock's to go to Buffalo at 11. Appartantly they like the hustle and drive. But another 1 year guy, and that was during his Senior year, prior to that, you didn't get much. A versatile guy, so thats a good thing. But if you are looking for a DE here, look elsewhere. Maybe a big linebacker instead, which the Bills could also need. As long as he doesn't have to cover.

Michael Oher OT Ole Miss

A man that a lot of people know already from the book The Blind Side, which is a great read. The Bills with the recent Peters trade are in the market for a LT, so Oher would make sense. But there are a lot of negatives for him. And 11, might be high and the Bills don't want another LT bust on their hands.

GCFB's Pick Everette Brown. The player I feel the Bills need. But what do I know?

@28

Now 28 is a tough spot, its where you get falling players, reaches and guys that are borderline 1st round players and maybe you can get them farther into the 2nd. But it could work out for the Bills at 28, since they have many needs.

Brandon Pettigrew TE Ok State

A guy the Bills could take at 11, but could with possible off the field incidents, could slide all the way done. A "complete" Tight End, didn't have a touchdown last year. Which concerns me, since TE's should always have touchdowns. I'm not a big TE is important guy. I think a couple reliable pass catchers who can block is all you need. The Gates and Gonzalez's are rare. But if he is here at 28 I think the Bills will take him.

Alex Mack C Cal

The Center of the draft. A solid can't miss player. Smart, physical and strong. If Pettigrew is gone, center maybe a reach at 28 and by reaching I mean there is a theory Centers shouldn't be taken high. Center maybe the most important position on the line. With Mack you could move Hangartner to Guard with Butler as the otherGuard and have Walker and Chambers as your Tackles.

Clay Matthews LB USC

From a NFL family. He went from walk on to possible 1st round pick. But was surrounded by talent at USC, so he might look better then he actually is. Looks to be a gym rat who will work hard and not take a play off. Also could be long gone by 28, so it may not be an issue.

James Lauriniatus LB Ohio St.

The stereotypical hustle guy, but maybe too small a tad slow for the NFL. May give you lots of effort, but sometimes you need more then that. Probably a 1st round guy due to reputation and not in what he'll actually give you. But wouldn't be a bust. Just not 1st round material.


Eben Britton OT Arizona

Another borderline guy at 28, with his lack of strength and more a pass blocker then run blocker. But if the Bills turn into a pass happy offense, which is dumb for Buffalo, he's the man. Especially if they don't go with a Tackle at 11. I would say its a long shot, but its an option.

GCFB's Pick-- Pettigrew. If he's there he's the pick, if not I would pick up Alex Mack.

Well I'll have round 2 and 3 later. And that will be the last of my predictions, after that its just a guess, and pointless. I'll let the experts take over.