2008 Buffalo Bills NFL Draft Needs

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Trent Edwards performed well enough in his rookie season under center for the Bills to scratch QB off their needs list. A 7-9 season in a rebuilding year has Buffalo faithful think the postseason again, perhaps as early as this season. Find out who the Bills will be looking to take first in their 2008 Buffalo Bills Draft needs preview.

#1 Defensive Tackle

There is a deep defensive tackle class this season so now looks like the best time for Buffalo to address its needs at the spot. The Bills' defensive scheme, in general, calls for quickness over size, but getting a big tackle to take on more than one offensive lineman will free up speedy blitzing linebackers. The Bills would love to get their hands on LSU's Glenn Dorsey or USC's Sedrick Ellis, but both will likely be gone when the Bills pick 11th. So they will take a close look at Auburn's Pat Sims, Texas' Frank Okam, and Texas A&M's Red Bryant. All three are 6'5'', 315+ guys with great athleticism.

#2 Wide Receiver

It's clear that the Bills need a number two receiver to keep defenses from constantly doubling Lee Evans. Landing another big, physical target would help Trent Edwards emerge into an even better QB. LSU's Early Doucet or Texas' Limas Sweed could be available if the Bills decide to address this need in the first round. But the Bills could also have their eyes on Oklahoma State's Adarius Bowman, who is projected to slip because of a knee injury. This kid, at 6'4'', 220 pounds could end up being a steal in the second or third rounds.

#3 Tight End

Getting a high quality tight end is another way to speed up Edwards' maturation process under center as he was very limited with his targets a season ago. The Bills have gotten virtually nothing out of this spot for six years now. We've seen the success of teams which use their tight ends well as receivers, such as Indy, Dallas, and the NY Giants. USC's Fred Davis, Missouri's Martin Rucker, Notre Dame's John Carlson, and Purdue's Dustin Keller all have great hands and have proven that they can run after the catch.

#4 Cornerback

The Bills would like to get a safety valve corner incase they lose starter Jabari Greer or backup Kiwaukee Thomas, who are in the last year of their contract. I doubt they will address this spot in the first round, but one never knows. Getting a corner with some size to match up with the talented big receivers across the league would be ideal. South Florida's Mike Jenkins, Troy's Leodis McKelvin, USC's Terrell Thomas, LSU's Chevis Jackson, Kansas' Aqib Talib, and VA Tech's Victor Harris are among the many possibilities.

#5 Outside Linebacker

I look for the Bills to wait until the second or third rounds to address their need here which likely takes USC's Keith Rivers off the board. The Bills could still get a shot at Maryland's Erin Herderson, Florida State's Geno Hayes, or Miami's Tavares Gooden.

Make sure you check out all of Jimmy Boyd's 2008 NFL Draft previews to see what direction your favorite NFL team might be headed in. Also check out our 2008 NFL Mock Draft to see how Jimmy sees the first round shaping up.

March 28th, 2008