The Monday after the draft is upon us. It was a crazy draft, breaking the record for draft day trades that was set in 2004, and leaving all of us plenty entertained throughout the two days.

So how do the Buffalo Bills look after our first draft with a 3 GM system? The consensus around the league is that we had an all right draft. All around superstar Mel Kiper gave us a C+, which seems to be what everyone else is saying. Once again, they’re saying we reached with our second through 4^th round picks. Here are Buffalo’s 2008 NFL draft picks.

Round 1. Leodis Mckelvin – CB, Troy – Apparently this was the man we’ve wanted since the combine, we just didn’t think he’d be there. The Bills were confident the Pats would take him ahead of us. I knew he was a great corner, but I didn’t think he was on the Bills list, because there had been little to no talk about him coming from 1 Bills drive. I like this pick a lot. He runs a 4.38 forty, and owns the D –1A record for kicks returned in a career. Some say he has poor hands. I say, if a corner had good hands, he’d be a receiver.

Round 2. James Hardy – WR, Indiana – With Malcom Kelly and Limas Sweed still on the board with the 41^st pick, the Bills went with Hardy, a 6’6, 220lbs WR out of Indiana. To be completely honest, I thought Kelly, whom many had the Bills taking in the 1^st rd as recently as 3 weeks ago, would be coming to Buffalo. But it looks like Hardy could be that big bodied, physical receiver we need to take pressure off of Lee Evans. Still some questions about a few character issues, but I’m sure our boys know what they’re doing.

Round 3. Chris Ellis – DE, Virginia Tech – They say he’s only a pass rusher, and will never be an every down player. I say that’s ok, because we are looking great with our depth at DE. And they said that about another DE the Bills drafted from VA tech, and he turned out to be ok.

Round 4. Reggie Corner – CB, Akron – The aptly named corner was the second corner taken in 4 rounds by the Bills. It’s obvious they want to avoid the problems they had in the secondary last year. He’s quick but small. That’s what they say. He’s viewed as more of a nickel back

Round 4. Derek Fine – TE, Kansas – He’s is looked at as a pass catching TE who can also line up at fullback. That’s just what the Bills need. Robert Royal in to block, Fine out to run routes. Experts said that he was a reach in rd. 4, but what do they know.

Round 5. Alvin Bowen- OLB, Iowa State – He’s too slow for safety, and too small to play linebacker. That’s what the experts are saying. But I’ve watched this guy play, and he is balls to the walls on every down. We lost our 4 leading special teams tacklers last season. I think this is where Alvin comes in.

Round 6. Xavier Omon- RB, NW Missouri St. – A big back who can dish out some punishment. A good move by the Bills, as having two bruising backs will lend to more breaks for Marshawn, in passing and play action situations. It’s also been said that this guy could line up at fullback.

Round 7. Demetrius Bell – OT, Northwestern St. – A late round offensive tackle who they say may be able to blossom into a starting roll one day. The Bills have great luck with late rd. lineman. (Jason Peters, Howard Ballard) Fun fact, Bell is the son of former NBA superstar Karl Mallone.

Round 7. Steve Johnson – WR, Kentucky- They say his hands aren’t all that great, but he’s tough, and big, and a willing blocker. He was also the Go to guy for Qb Andre Woodosn. I think he’s another special teams option.

Round 7.Kennard Cox – CB, Pitt – Our third corner of the day. But this guy may not be a corner. He’s big and a bit slower, so word is that they may move him to safety. He’s also a great character guy. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Five Defensive players and five offensive players split right down the middle. I like what our three man GM team got done yesterday. They filled our needs, got the players they wanted, and didn’t let anyone keep them from making the choices that needed to be made. Kudos to our boys from me.

- Pat Duffy