Buffalo Bills 2012 Draft: The Method To My Madness
So much for my rest from the NFL draft.
Yes, the possibilities have driven me a little batty, but I figured, why restrain my passion and what I’ve been fortunate enough to call my job?
Pointless.
OK, let’s get right to it.
Below is my official “What The Bills Should Do” list for the No. 10 overall pick followed by the “What The Bills Will Do” rundown with analysis.
I’ll make this as clear as possible.
What The Bills Should Do
1. Draft Michael Floyd – Over the last few weeks on Twitter, I’ve made it quite clear that I think Floyd should be the pick. That stems from my firm belief that wide receiver is the team’s biggest need and he would represent logical value at No. 10 overall. Sure, his alcohol-related arrests are concerning, but by most accounts, those problems are behind him.
Now, I get that a quality wideout can most likely be selected in the second round, so that complicates things a little. But if we’re focusing on the first pick, he’s the guy I covet the most.
if not
2. Draft Luke Kuechly – The team’s linebacking corps is certainly better today than it’s been in years past with Nick Barnett and a promising Kelvin Sheppard. But Kirk Morrison isn’t a long term answer at the “SAM” spot and Buffalo desperately needs depth.
Opposing teams ran for 139 yards per game against the Bills in 2011 and the team allowed a stunningly awful 169.6 yards per contest in 2010.
You’d say the Bills defensive line has been pretty good over the last two years, right? Why the run defense woes?
The weakness at linebacker.
I’d welcome him with open arms as a guy that can play any linebacker position from Day 1 and stay on the field for three downs. Chances are, he’ll be the best player available, as well.
That’s important.
if not
3. Trade Back – Obviously the Bills can’t fall back on this possibility, but it’s one they should certainly consider.
if not
4. Draft Cordy Glenn – Yes, Stephon Gilmore is another rapidly rising prospect, but ask any respected draftnik; this class is far deeper at cornerback, especially in Rounds 2-4, than it is at offensive tackle. The apparently huge offensive tackle need, to me, has been a media creation. The Bills offensive line was fine last season—they allowed the least amount of sacks in the league (23) and paved the way for a fantastic 4.9 yards per rush. Much of that was a testament to Chan Gailey’s uptempo, quick-passing spread offense.
I do like Glenn’s size (6’5”, 345) and apparent athleticism. But, fourth biggest need = fourth favorite scenario.
Wrap-up – Please. No Mark Barron. The reports are running rampant, but I’m not buying them. I highly doubt anyone with definitive and truthful information on the Bills’ first-round pick intentions would be leaking anything this close to the draft.
If anything, it seems like an ingenius ploy by Nix to scare teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles so they’d be more open to a trade with the Bills.
The team has two rock-solid safeties in George Wilson and Jairus Byrd (yes, he’ll be re-signed) and a guy they seemingly adore in 2011 fourth-round pick Da’Norris Searcy. Don’t forget Bryan Scott, either. Barron’s a solid prospect, but some crazy things would have to go down for him to the best player available when Buffalo goes on the clock.
He’d be a luxury pick for a team that definitely isn’t in the position make such a selection. They’re a few filled holes away from becoming a playoff contender.
To finish on Gilmore, he’s a great prospect and I really like his overall game. However, can’t the team wait on a quality cornerback in the second round? The defensive line should make just about any cornerback look good in the foreseeable future.
What The Bills Will Do
1. Draft Stephon Gilmore – Buddy Nix isn’t dumb enough to only draft guys from the SEC, but history doesn’t lie. He loves the South for the top-notch prospects it produces, and he should. On the surface, Gilmore would be an instant upgrade over Leodis McKelvin and the often hobbled Terrence McGee. He’d make sense schematically due to the team’s heavy reliance on nickel and dime packages.
I wouldn’t absolutely hate this pick, but unless the slight chance Gilmore turns into the next Darrelle Revis, I don’t see him as an enormous impact player right away. Not anymore so than a Round 2 defensive back.
With a loaded defensive line and suddenly a youthful and opportunistic secondary, throwing the football against the Bills wouldn’t be easy. That’s a cool thought.
I’d just be worried that opponents would simply employ run-heavy game plans against Buffalo and still be able to move the ball.
if not
2. Draft Luke Kuechly – Kuechly is one of the cleanest prospects in the draft and defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt would love an athletic and heady player like the BC product in his 4-3 alignment. It’s really that simple. Don’t worry, Bills fans, he’s a much better prospect than Paul Posluszny.
if not
3. Draft Michael Floyd – The fact that the Bills have had only limited (if any) communication with Floyd since the combine doesn’t totally rule out the Notre Dame wideout, but it’s certainly worth noting. The team could be a little worried about his off-field issues. Definite red flags. The deep receiver class could also keep the Bills away from running Floyd’s name to the podium.
if not
4. Draft Cordy Glenn – Theoretically, Glenn could be plugged in as the opening day left tackle or at the very least, provide Chris Hairston some serious competition. Nix knows how vital blindside protectors can be, and Buffalo could fortify a position that’s been so-so for the last few seasons. Oh, and he’s from the SEC.
Wrap-up – No Riley Reiff. No way. First, the geographical allure isn’t there, he wasn’t dominant in college, is too short-armed and isn’t great in any one area. The team will be listening to trade partners for the duration of their time on the clock, you can count on that.
Also, what cannot be forgotten here, is that the first pick won’t make or break the draft. If the Bills don’t draft your guy at your position on Thursday evening, don’t be that bummed. They could certainly address that position later on with a fine player.
The intention of this article was to solely focus on selection No. 1, and have a little fun with the potential scenarios.
In the end, we really don’t know what will happen, because it’s impossible to tell what will occur in front of the Bills.
There—glad to get that all off my chest.
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Leave a comment or drop me a line @ChrisTrapasso or @BuffLowDown.