1 Week Till Draft Day

by Coast

When pondering the legitmacy of this blog, my colleague and I realized that we have not had any pre draft information posted. That is embarrassing and we would like to deeply apologize to our loyal readers.

Well, the draft, the most important day since the end of the season edging out the first day of free agency, is upon us. There is a lot of speculation as to what the Bills will do.

Rumor Mill

The first and most popular rumor has been the Michael Turner deal. As Marv Levy put it, the trade would be just too complicated. It isn't dead but a draft day deal for Turner seems unlikely. If Buffalo wanted to sign the disgruntled restricted free agent, they would need to fork over a 1st and 3rd if they were to sign him outright. That will not happen. Come draft day, it may be possible that Buffalo can get him for less. San Diego is well aware that after the upcoming season they will not be able to get anything for him, he will become an unrestricted free agent. Therefore, with little to no need for him, they may accept a 2nd rounder. If the Bills can get him for a 2nd rounder, or maybe a 2nd and another later round pick, then it may be possible. Don't look for it to happen though.

According to an inside source, the Bills are also interested in Kansas City Chief's running back Larry Johnson. Again, this is speculative. After the Chiefs deal Trent Green they will be in need of a quarterback since Damon Huard is getting up in age. They may be looking to trade Larry Johnson to get an additional first round pick to move up into the top 5 to get Quinn or Russel. This is probably the lesser likely scenario when talking about a possible trade.

The Draft

It can be argued that the Bills have the most need positions in the entire league. You can make a case for the Bills to draft a linebacker, running back, corner back, wide receiver or tight end on day 1 or even in round 1 except for tight end. The most likely scenario in the first round is linebacker. Since running backs are easier to come around and a good running back can be snagged in the 2nd round, look for the Bills to have their sights set on Mississippi linebacker Patrick Willis. Patrick Willis has a rare blend of size and speed (around a 4.5 40) and will be an instant starter and instant impact player if he comes to Buffalo.

Another possibility is that the Bills will take a running back in round 1. There are too possibilities, Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch. Peterson could conceivably drop all the way to 12 if the Bills can get a few breaks. It will depend on the Cleveland Browns at 3. If Cleveland passes on Peterson to go with a quarterback or left tackle Joe Thomas, no team will look at Peterson until the Vikings at 7. Minnesota has a solid running game with Chester Taylor. At 8 is the Falcons, again with a solid runner in Warrick Dunn. One of those 2 teams will surely go with a receiver in Ted Ginn. The next possibility is the Texans at 10. Houston just signed Ahman Green so they may go receiver to get some weapons for Matt Schaub. If these 4 teams pass on Peterson, he will be sitting in our laps at 12. Will we take him? It will be tough not to. He is a rare talent and is a slam dunk (as much as there is one) to succeed.

Another possibility is Marshawn Lynch. Lynch probably will be available in the mid-late teens so if the Bills went this route, they could trade down to gain an extra pick. Levy could pass on Lynch because of alleged off field character issues as well.

It is going to be an interesting 1st round and there is a good chance the Bills will be doing some moving via trade.

With the 12th pick in the 2nd round, look for the Bills to go running back for sure if they can get Willis in the 1st. Antonio Pittman seems like a perfect fit from Ohio State. He has decent size at 207 pounds, but he plays bigger and runs a 4.4 40. 2nd round running backs have excelled in the past for the Bills in Thurman Thomas and Travis Henry so Pittman could be added to that list. This is probably the most likely scenario for the Bills.

If Buffalo gets a running back in the 1st round, look for them to move around to assure themselves of getting Paul Posluszny. Paul will probably be a late first round pick so the Bills will have to trade back in to the first round to get him. They did it last year to get McCargo so it is something Buffalo won't hesitate to do. Posluszny is from Penn State and is reminiscent of former Bill Shane Conlan who also went to Penn State. Posluszny is a character guy that Levy will love. Buffalo could also move to get Lawrence Timmons. Timmons has raw ability. He runs a 4.62 40 and has good size at 6'3 232 pounds. Also, Posluszny and Timmons both play outside linebacker as their natural position. This is an advantage when compared to Willis since Buffalo has an inside linebacker in Angelo Crowell. I would prefer Buffalo takes a running back in the first round and trade up and get one of these 2 with their 2nd pick but that is why I will be sitting on my couch watching the draft. Another name bounced around is Jon Beason OLB out of Miami who may be around in the 2nd round.

With their other 2 picks on day 1, look for Buffalo to go with a wide receiver and possibly another linebacker or a tight end. Possible 3rd round selections include Jason Hill (wr-Washington State), Steve Smith (wr- USC), Craig Davis (wr-LSU), Zach Miller (te- ASU), and Ben Patrick (te- Delaware). There are more possibilities so look for more analysis with the latest rumors later in the week.