Buffalo Chooses Defensive Line Depth Over S-T-U-D Patrick Peterson

If you haven’t yet, run over to www.nflmocks.com and check out all the coverage (seriously like 15 articles written today). But here are my thoughts on the Bills drafting Marcell Dareus.

Well based on what happened last year – where the Bills struggled with their front seven and had to alternate frequently between the 3-4 and 4-3 before finally settling on mostly the 4-3 – Dareus makes a lot of sense because he’s versatile and can play anywhere along the defensive line except for maybe the 3-4 Nose tackle position.

It’s substance over flash, but was it the best pick? Don’t take this as me knocking the pick, I’m not. But was it the best pick for the Bills?

I’m not sure. Last year the Bills spent second day picks on both Alex Carrington and Terrelle Troupe. They also signed Dwan Edwards from the Ravens and had an excellent season from Kyle Williams.

You have to believe that Carrington and Troupe are bound to imporve this year and continue improving next year. The Bills could have five players they hope could start along the defensive line in Buffalo. Dareus also is a solid, low risk pick. He is not Suh, or even Haloti Ngata. He’s versatile, strong at the point of attack and a safe pick.

And perhaps with the Bills recent track record in the first round Dareus makes sense, but boy did they leave some enticing players on the board at 3rd overall.

My ideal pick for the Bills was Patrick Peterson because of my belief that the Bills would be in line to get a very good pass rusher at the top of the second round, which is a lock now as Akeem Ayers, Jabaal Sheard, and Brooks Reed are all available. One of them must fall to the Bills. A combination of Peterson and Akeem Ayers would be an excellent addition to the Bills back seven.

The other enticing option? The Bills could have chosen the dynamic and excellent wide receiver A.J. Green to instantly improve their offense, but that is a luxury that the Bills could not afford since WR are more likely to bust.

Peter King of SI believed that the Bills should have drafted Anthony Castanzo, the tackle out of Boston College because he might be the safest pick in the draft for the Bills. But I think that’d be a mistake. (When in doubt, go against what Peter King says – BA)

With the 3rd pick in the draft, the Bills might not have gone for broke, but a team that has missed so often can’t swing for the fences here. They needed to move the runner over to give themselves a fighting chance and that’s the play the Bills made last night. Though I was hoping for Peterson or Green’s dynamic ability, the Bills have a chance to do something special here at the top of the second round.

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