(WGR 550) -- As an ancillary piece for my "3-4" column, I thought I'd give my guts a shot at where the Bills first three picks are going.
Assuming New England doesn't go for my much-desired trade offer -- which works out on the value chart -- of the Nos. 9 and 72 picks in exchanged for the Pats' No. 21, 42 & 47 selections, here's where I think Buffalo could plan to start another year of hopeful football.
No. 9 overall - Derrick Morgan, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech -- For those who didn't read my "3-4" column yet, I love Morgan. He's a 6'4", 275-pound human explosion. Usually, when you watch tapefilm Youtube clips, you don't notice how much attention is being paid to the end, but in a lot of the video Youtube clips I've watched, guards freaked out immediately to help the tackle, opening up room for a tackle to penetrate. That's respect. Morgan could also play NFL end no problem if they wanted to play a 4-3/3-4 hybrid. Again, these are just my opinions. I don't pretend to be OURLADS.
No. 41 overall - Selvish Capers, OT, West Virginia Capers is a very interesting guy to me, as he weighs in at just over 300 pounds but -- perhaps not coincidentally -- ran a 4.91 forty. He's also one of the only tackles who could be around post-Round One and have the ability to play left tackle. Here's the point where I'd like to tell you that if I believe it's very hard for me to believe there are a ton of right tackle prospects who couldn't learn to play left with good coaching.
So why trust a second-round pick to start on your line (besides the Andy Levitre thing)?
Granted they are both right tackles right now, but Minnesota's Phil Loadholt (Oklahoma) and the Giants' William Beatty (Connecticut) started at tackle in the NFL during their rookie campaigns, and both teams weren't an absolute mess offensively. I know the blind side is crucial -- the book was great -- but this is a league where defensive ends seem to be rotated a lot and who knows? The Bills may take a left-handed quarterback (I type this solely for Michael Vick hype, who I do not want in a Bills uniform. Sorry).
No. 72 overall - Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan
With all the success the Bills have had with drafting quarterbacks in the third round -- yes, I'm typing this for you "He always makes fun of Trent" guys -- I think they can continue that idea here. As a MAC guy, I love the idea of LeFevour and that's bad news. I expect him to climb big-time at the combine.
Just some very early thoughts on where I think guys would be slotted if the draft were today, and teams didn't overreact once guys named Kiper published their Shakespearean works of literature on young adult athletes.
Unfortunately, having read both this and the 3 - 4 article, I've come to the conclusion that their are just too many needs for the Bills right now, and not enough draft picks to deal with all the needs. You need a QB, a starting Left Tackle, at least one OLB, and a NT/DT. The Bills have acknowledged they're not going big money in Free Agency, and you can't get starters with every pick.
01/27/2010 10:02AM
Haha
"Shakespearean works of literature on young adult athletes." hahaha
01/27/2010 10:03AM
I like it
Maybin-Mitchell-Poz-Morgan
That's a formidable group of linebackers right there.
01/27/2010 10:04AM
Did the Bills unzip their fly?
It wouldn't suprise me if the Bills are planning on taking Morgan at 9. They hired the guy from G.T. to coach OLB.
01/27/2010 10:15AM
OT and QB good but need NT
I agree with this analysis that an OT and a QB are great needs and they should draft that way...however I think this whole draft will be a huge waste if they do not draft a giant NT or get one in free agency(Wilfork). It makes "0" sense to go to a 3-4 if you don't have the meat in the middle to clog things up. If they switch to a 3-4 without filling this need their defense will be the WORST in the NFL next year. Mark my words.
01/27/2010 10:19AM
My choice.
Trade down. I know-I know. I would take Iowa OT Brian Baluga. Then go get an OLB with one of my now two second round picks. Maybe A.J. Edds from Iowa (and no, I am not in love with Iowa). With the other second round pick I might be tempted to reach for LeFevour, Central Michigan QB. Third round, someone like Torrell Troup. Played the NT and is BIG.
01/27/2010 10:38AM
Morgan will be gone
B/c they want Morgan, he will climb and be out of reach, just like Patrick Willis a few years back.
01/27/2010 10:41AM
lefevour
have you really watched him play?this is a case where the fact that hes a bit athletic and put up good numbers against bad teams makes him overhyped,he struggled the past two years when playing better teams(big10 match ups) and he struggles on sideline routes,his passes hang forever,not to mention when pressured gets the deer in the headlights look ala jp..thanks but no thanks
01/27/2010 11:25AM
lefevour
I'm with the guy that posted at 10:41am. Didn't impress me as an 'NFL QB' when he was playing against UB...
Stats can be vastly inflated. Case in point: Zach Maynard against Pittsburgh.
01/27/2010 11:35AM
Try again...
Morgan is a good pick, however I hate the other two picks. Charles Brown is a more natural LT and will likely be available in round 2 and LeFevour is a 4th/5th round developmental guy.
01/27/2010 11:40AM
Lefevour - No Way!
I have watched numerous Central Michigan games and this guy is not NFL material at all. Like the previous blog, his passes seem to stay in the air for eternity. He does not have a strong arm at all and I have no interest in him as a qb for us, ugh! I would be sick if they got him, but we are used to that anyway so
01/27/2010 11:58AM
Ah Nick
Unfortunately the key to a good 3-4 is a huge DT, who is that? Nobody on this team and Cody has been so-so at the Senior bowl & is probly not a every down DT. If Bradford or clausen are gone you have to draft LT period
01/27/2010 12:06PM
Needs
I agree that the Bills have more needs than Picks, I just want a QB that can play in the cold, and is big, Roethliesberger would have been a great pick but who knew at the time. Morgan will be gone by 5th pick and Buffalo won't trade picks aggressively to get him. I still think they are going to try and get Clausen with their first pick if he is still available.
01/27/2010 12:16PM
Nick try this
How about drafting a kid that dominated Morgan at Orange Bowl, that would be Bryan Bulaga LT. That's the guy i want
01/27/2010 12:23PM
Wilfork and Little
They are both UFA's this yr, Wilfork and Little combined weight and experience probably 8,000lbs and 30 yrs. Would that be a bad idea? Also there are a few Veteran QB's for sale, Grossman,Broyle,Carr I know they aren't the best but better than we have and we could draft a QB let him grow and when the tank is empty on the Veteran plug in the new meat. I think we could fill the defensive troubles from FA draft Offense. Also Shawn Merriman is available. But again I know who our owner is so if it ain't free we ain't buyin.
01/27/2010 12:25PM
Remember Levy Said No on Willis
I agree that Morgan will climb just the way P-willie did a few years back. That would put him out of reach for the Bills. The only question would be whether the Bills would attempt to justify not going after Morgan like they did years ago with P-willie. Remember that clown Levy saying that they "didn't even have any interest in Willis if he was available."
01/27/2010 12:39PM
The other Michigan QB
If we're going to lesser conference Michigan schools for a QB, why not Tim Hiller at Western Michigan? I have nothing against LeFevour, but mechanically, Hiller is better than even the "big three" this year.
01/27/2010 12:49PM
My 3 Nick
1) Bryan Bulaga- huge, great technician, you simply have to have a good LT or who cares who is QB.
2)Sean Weatherspoon OLB
3) Jevan Snead
all 3 address critical needs of the team
01/27/2010 1:15PM
Everything starts up front.
Get me Brian Baluga, Left Tackle from Iowa. Great technique, and smart.
01/27/2010 2:09PM
Snead is OK..
Snead could be a late first day steal but he might end up as a project. Can we afford to wait on a guy?
01/27/2010 2:13PM
just saying
why is nobody addressing who plays nose for your 3-4? By Neccesity you almost have to move back into the first to draft Dan Williams who along with Cody are the only one's who take up two blockers, Williams is more consistent. the bills will simplyhave to use free agency for LB help. still in the first It's QB, LT as first priority
01/27/2010 2:39PM
Dan LeFevour
next star qb!!!!!!The real deal!!
01/27/2010 4:02PM
LeFevour is a good pick
for me to poop on. Maybe if the CFL folds, Buffalo could grab him as a free agent. Jimmy Clausen first round...without that gimmick, NOBODY will be watching Buffalo Bills football this year...
01/27/2010 4:16PM
Snead? First day Steal?
Snead is JUNK! He might not be drafted. 1st day steal? Any team that takes Snead on day 1 or 2 (as it is a 3 day draft this year) is going to get flamed by their fan-base. We must go OT with the 9 pick. If the 3 Big LT's are gone. LB/NT. Jevan Snead my friend is on nobody's radar except yours.
01/27/2010 5:40PM
Holy Crap!
Come-on why are some people suggesting we should trade-down?? Haven't we learned anything yet? If you want elite talent your best odds are the earliest of picks (of course no guarantees anywhere in the draft! and yes there are 3rd rounder superstars!)But we need the next Peyton Manning, Bruce Smith, or whomever the next set of superstars are going to be! Trading down brings us right back to mediocrity! Your Ryan Denny's, Ellison's, T.Edwards's, Lossman's, etc....Go for the best like the best teams do!! N.E. often dips into the 1st round twice, so does Indy & Pittsburgh. Look to climb the ladder! Quality not Quantity. I'd trade all 9 picks for the Peyton Manning!!! 4 of 9 picks we have are 6th or 7th rounders who typically net us a big fat nothing!! Come'on get the best QB (Not a MAC QB who'll be a career backup)! Sure he's good against lesser competition! But come'on...and we've used high picks recently for Chris Ellis DE, and Aaron Maybe Maybin DE (Yeah)..Draft QB, then OT (Hopefully also in 1st round)..and then a DT/NT ! then a LB/DE !!
01/27/2010 6:40PM
Tim Tebow
Tim Tebow is the answer for the Bills 1st Pick. His leadership skill, Football IQ and success from High School all the way throug College. This kid is a winner and the QB this team has been looking for since the Great Jim Kelly. This guy is the real deal!
01/28/2010 11:56AM
Buffalo has the Fever for Lefevour
Reminds me a lot of Roethlisberger(who by the way came from a small school). Who knew he would turn out to be this good? The Steelers, that's who. LeFevour is a steal in the second or third round, and that's if his stock doesn't rise after the combine. Pick him, get'em working with Coach Gailey and let's get the ball rollin!!!
01/28/2010 12:01PM
Fever for LeFevour
LeFevour will be the next Roethlisberger!!! Better Pick'em or we'll lose another one!
01/28/2010 12:02PM
Steal at QB!!
LeFevour is the man for us!!
01/28/2010 12:21PM
Maynard
Glad to see that Zach Maynard has departed from UB Football. He wasn't very good and if he doesn't want to be there then good riddens! He never looked and or played like a division 1 college qb anyway. Peace!!!!!!!!
01/28/2010 1:15PM
Grossman, Broyle, Carr?
Why would we want worse than what we have? You could have the #1 defense and draft
first next year!
01/28/2010 1:51PM
QB
Where is michael vick in regards to the bills
01/28/2010 5:32PM
Tebow Late
His stock is dropping, he's tough and is not a convict. Kelly likes him. Could be a mid round steal. (Someone needs some legs and toughness til we get a reliable LT anyway. I agree with 6:40 pm from 1/27
01/28/2010 5:57PM
moron
gee your prediction for the first two picks are the exact same positions as last years first 2 picks...yes maybin is a LB...whats the point in speculation...these idiots are so out of touch, we might see the first ever punter drafted in the first round
01/28/2010 7:32PM
Re:Tim Tebow
dont like the Bills, do ya?
01/29/2010 2:16AM
too many unknowns still!!!
are we going with a 3-4 or 4-3 defense? is schobel retiring? eric wood's leg? what about signing incognito?so let's build an indestructable o-line first. i agree with bulaga as our 1st pick. how about his other bookend rt calloway from iowa? mount cody is getting some dislike this week so he'll drop in ranking. just to many damn question marks this off season!
01/29/2010 2:45AM
WR?
dont we need a receiver? T.O. never was one.
01/29/2010 6:25AM
just say pike!
tony pike out of cinncy has been the most consistent qb out of everyone,not to mention he has the skill set,has the arm,very very accurate,wins,and can make all the throws,has size,he has gotten lost in the shuffle with all the hype on tebow,mccoy and bradford,he can start day 1
01/30/2010 11:48AM
Tony Pike!!!
I'm a student at UC and have covered Pike these last two years. He should be given a lot of consideration. He really needs to learn how to throw on the run better, but he's tall, accurate, and has a good arm. He played with a broken wrist last year, he's a trooper! Tony Pike in the second round, cause you watch, his stock is rising. He's having good Senior Bowl practices
01/31/2010 6:40PM
wake up Vick is coming to town!!!!
Buffalo will not be drafting QB early we need a ready to play LT Or a smash you in the mouth LB.
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