Buffalo Bills Draft Grades and 53 Man Roster Projection
The Buffalo Bills are the team in the league with the longest playoff drought. This, however, is not one of life’s greatest mysteries. The Bills have been one of the poorest drafting, if not the poorest, drafting teams in the league over the past decade. They have essentially no impact first round picks–Lee Evans and Marshawn Lynch were nice players, but they would not be considered high impact first round picks (at least while they were on the Buffalo Bills). When you pair that with busts like Mike Williams, J.P. Losman, John McCargo, Aaron Maybin and just average players like Leodis McKelvin, and Donte Whitner you get a lot of losing season.
The Bills seem to be turning a corner though and could reach the playoffs soon if they continue to add real talent through the draft–the picks of C.J. Spiller (who really flashed last year) and Marcell Dareus who should end up being the type of impact player they desperately need, have the Bills on the right track.
Undrafted Free Agents:
Richmond QB Aaron Corp; Missouri St. RB Chris Douglas; Mercyhurst S Ian Wild; Florida State P Shawn Powell; Penn State S Nick Sukay; Stanford S Delano Howell, Cris Hill Virginia Tech, Paul Madsen OL Colorado State, David Snow Texas, Garrick Williams Texas Tech
Disregarding position value, Shawn Powell was one of the 10 best undrafted free agents. Powell has an enormous leg–he averaged 47 yards per punt in his final season and booted a 50 yard punt in 9 of 13 games. Powell also had a lot of kicks downed inside the 20. Brian Moorman is a better than average punter (and he used to be really good) so Powell might not beat him out–but Powell has big upside and will probably end up with a team somewhere. I also like Delano Howell and with how the Bills roster is set up I think he has a legitimate shot at making the team. Finally Garrick Williams was a priority free agent for me–hurt much of 2011. He has good speed and could develop into a nice Nickel linebacker.
BuffaloBills.com has provided snipped with quotes about each player here
Draft Grades:
1st round-Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
I was one of the very few players who had Stephon Gilmore has a top 20 pick prior to the pre-draft process playing out. Even with that being said, a top 10 pick is still a touch high for me on Gilmore. It’s not a reach, perse, I just would have strongly considered other options. Gilmore has the length, speed, and plays tough that he has a great shot at being a good number one cornerback. I don’t know if you can project anyone has a Revis type shut-down cornerback, but I think he can be Jonathan Joseph (who also played at South Carolina) good and better than McKelvin-and the Bills would love that. This pick also fills a need. Gilmore will start early. B/B-
2nd round-Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia
I thought Glenn had a real shot to be drafted by the Bills in the first round (I thought they might try to move down in order to do so) so I really love this pick. I had Glenn very high on my own personal big board, I understand that he waist bends a bit and doesn’t look like he has a nasty physical demeanor, but he will bring great position versatility to the Bills and if he can’t play LT for them he could be an Pro-bowl guard or RT. I especially like the pick for the Bills offense–Glenn has quick feet and is huge and should be able to pass protect well in the Bills quick passing attack. I expect Glenn to be out Hairson at LT. A/A+
3rd round. T.J. Graham WR North Carolina State
This pick is a reach. I do not believe that T.J. Graham would have been drafted in the third round. Graham offers a different dynamic for the Bills, but it’s a risky pick. They could have gotten the same dynamic later in the draft (and probably with Graham a round or two later) or with a player like Tommy Streeter later in the draft. C-
4th round Nigel Bradham OLB Florida State University
The Buffalo Bills desperately needed some new outside line backers with their transition to a 43 defense. Bradham has terrific athleticism and was highly productive at Florida State. Bradham doesn’t play with the greatest instincts, but he can rush the passer a bit and can chase and tackle as well as any linebacker in the draft. The Bills will likely hope that he can play strongside linebacker and potentially start because they have a glaring hole at SAM linebacker. B
4th round Ron Brooks CB Louisiana State University
Brooks was overshadowed by a slew of terrific cornerbacks at at LSU. Brooks did not start because he had to compete for playing time with Morris Claiborne, Patrick Peterson, and Tyran Matheiu. Brooks shined when he did play though. He’s undersized, but has terrific speed and does a good job of blitzing. Brooks will compete with McKelvin and Justin Rogers for the #3 cornerback, and will see plenty of time on Special teams and in nickel and dime packages. B+
Continued on page two