2011 Buffalo Bills NFL Draft Needs
The Buffalo Bills are on the clock with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Let’s take a look at their most glaring needs and how they might address those needs on draft day.
1. Offensive Tackle: The Bills could use a tackle, but it isn’t likely they’ll use the No. 3 overall pick to get one. In fact, Buffalo hasn’t taken an offensive tackle earlier than round five since 2002. Maybe that’s been part of the problem. Fortunately, the Bills are off the hook this time because there isn’t a tackle prospect in this class worthy of going this high. They could go with USC’s Tyron Smith, but he would be a bit of a stretch. It would make a lot more sense for Buffalo to grab a guy in the second round like Villanova’s Benjamin Ijalana, who could potentially start right away.
2. Quarterback: Buffalo Bills fans would love to see the second coming of Jim Kelly. I’m not sure that player exists in this draft but Buffalo may pick and pray. Current Bills signal caller Ryan Fitzpatrick is not a long term solution, which leads me to believe Buffalo will look to take either Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton at No. 3 overall. If I was general manager Buddy Nix, I would take Gabbert if he fell into my lap. He has good size at 6-foot-4 and 234 pounds and above average mobility. He also has good arm strength and a high football IQ. Most importantly, he has proven to be a very accurate passer (more accuarate than Newton) in his pre-draft workouts. Gabbert did play in a spread system in college but has all the tools to get the job done under center.
3. Defensive Tackle: The Bills were the worst team in the NFL against the run in 2010, allowing opponents to rush for 169.6 yards per game. The Bills could decide to go after a tackle like Alabama’s Marcell Dareus with the third pick if he doesn’t go earlier. Selecting him may also depend on how high the Bills are on the aforementioned quarterback prospects. If they don’t feel Gabbert or Newton are franchise quarterback material, Dareus would be an excellent, and probably safer pick. Dareus is a chameleon in that he has the ability to play in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. That makes him an ideal option, considering Gailey could opt to change defenses given available personnel and matchups. I like him as a 3-4 defensive end.
4. Defensive End/Outside Linebacker: Only three teams had fewer sacks than Buffalo last season, pointing out its need for a pass rusher. Clemson’s Da’Quan Bowers or Texas A&M’s Von Miller both appear to be good fits. Miller may be a little more attractive because of some small questions concerning Bowers’ knee. Teams don’t like to take risks when picking this early but it can certainly pay off. There were plenty of questions surrounding Adrian Peterson’s injury history in college but he has been a durable pro at a position where he takes a pounding. If the Bills decide improving their pass rush is priority number one, I don’t think they can go wrong with either of these beasts.
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