Pick by Pick Marcell Dareus What he brings: At 319 pounds, Dareus can play anywhere along the defensive line, and his greatest strength is defending the run. He can sink his hips and get under double-teams, but he is not a one-dimensional space-eater. He can get off blocks and has the body control to make the tackle once he's free. Though not an elite pass rusher, he has the power and motor to force quarterbacks to get the ball out before they want to. He can be a high-pressure guy for the Bills. In addition, his football character is beyond reproach. He has excellent awareness, is a hard worker and has the mental toughness you're looking for. How he fits: This was the worst run defense in the NFL last year and was incredibly soft inside versus power run games. The Bills' 3-4 defense still doesn't have the perfect personnel and NT Kyle Williams is their only legitimate inside player, and the coaches would like to play multiple fronts. Dareus can play DE in the 3-4 and DT in the 4-3 and not only will he help him versus the run but he can be a disruptive inside penetrator as a pass rusher. This is a solid pick without much risk for failure, something the Bills have had to deal with in recent years.
Aaron Williams, CB Texas What he brings: Williams is a 'tweener corner/safety with good short-area man-to-man skills and enough speed. He's tough against the run as well, but he might be better at safety and is not a playmaker when the ball is in the air. He's a good value at this point, though, because of his versatility and skill set. How he fits: The perception is that this was a very gifted secondary last season, but the reality is that it allowed 28 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions, and as many as five DBs could leave in free agency. Williams has the versatility to play outside at corner or inside at safety, and he certainly could fill one of these slots if someone leaves. He also should be excellent on special teams.
Kelvin Sheppard, LB LSU What he brings: Sheppard is very instinctive and has a knack for finding the ball. He uses his above average diagnostic skills to get a jump on plays and is a reliable tackler with range just a notch below elite. He needs to play with better leverage taking on blocks but has the potential to become a solid starter in Buffalo's 3-4 scheme. How he fits: This was the worst run defense in the NFL a year ago, and the Bills are really trying to upgrade their size and power inside with DT Marcell Dareus in the first round and Sheppard in the third. The Bills have decent ILBs in their 3-4 defense, but Paul Posluszny is a free agent, though he says he wants to come back. However, this pick is great insurance if he doesn't.
Da' Norris Searcy, S UNC What he brings: He has good size but is not as physical in run support as expected. He has adequate to good cover skills and also plays the ball well, and he also played the nickelback role at times in college. How he fits: Donte Whitner is a terrific starter for the Bills, but he wants big money and could easily leave in free agency. If that happens, they need a solid guy in the deep middle of the field and Searcy has enough production at CB to let you think he would be a good cover guy inside but he could also contribute at CB in nickel situations. This is an insurance pick.
Chris Hairston, OT Clemson What he brings: Hairston is a massive tackle with good strength who can move people off the ball in the running game. He has great length and is light on his feet but he does not bend well and can have trouble with quick double moves. How he fits: This is a position of need for the Bills and they have ignored it too often in the last few drafts. Demetrius Bell was adequate in 2010 at LT but ideally he would move to RT if they could find a guy to replace him at LT. The big question here is whether Hairston is that guy. He has a chance to be a starter on either side, but he played LT in college and that is probably where he will get his first look.
Johnny White, RB UNC White doesn't have the breakaway speed of a C.J. Spiller, but he's a tough, between-the-tackles runner who can also contribute on third down as a pass blocker and a pass catcher. Chris White, LB Mississippi State He is at his best attacking the line of scrimmage, but is not a great read-and-react player and will likely play WILB in the Bills' 3-4 scheme. He's not a great cover guy but adequate in zone. Justin Rogers, CB Richmond Rogers has marginal size and is limited with his overall tools, however , he possesses enough instincts and ball skills to potentially develop into an adequate sub-package reserve and special teams contributor. Michael Jasper, DT Bethel He is a massive offensive linemen who can engulf defenders in the run game. However, he's going to have trouble against quicker linemen and making the adjustment coming from a small school.
Thanks for the info clutch. I'm happy with the first 3 picks.....but that's it. Wish we would have taken Bowers....
according to some website, these are the closest thing we’ll have until images of the new uniforms leak out.
need to move away from what we adopted a few years ago and complete the move to throwback like the sabres
Mario Harvey (LB, Marshall) great signing other UDFAs Zach Pinalto (TE, North Carolina) Sidney Glover (S, West Virginia) Dominic Cook (S, Buffalo) Brian Duncan (LB, Texas Tech) Reid Forrest (P, Washington State) Mario Harvey (LB, Marshall) Luther Davis (DE, Alabama) Emmanuel Moody (RB, Florida) rumored to be getting Dane Sanzenbacher
At the stroke of 10 am Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was the first player in the door at One Bills Drive. He’ll be talking to the media shortly. We’ll have you covered. Fitz on being back Ryan Fitzpatrick is glad to be back at One Bills Drive as he was the first player through the door right at 10 am. “A lot of excitement,” said Fitzpatrick in describing the mood of the players. ”Usually you dread coming back and getting back into it. But I think everybody is so excited this year just in terms of being locked out of the building and not being able to talk to our coaches. It’s good the work that we’ve gotten done (on our own) especially me with the receivers and running backs. It doesn’t replace what we would’ve done in a normal offseason, but I think you’ll see a lot of the players back here today.”
The Kamar Aiken pick up is nice. People will question his hands, but one thing is for sure - yall will have a freak athlete in camp. My brother played basketball with him in highschool, the kid has springs in his feet. 2011 NFL Prospect Highlights: Kamar Aiken Kamar Aiken works on 'playmaking' potential
Saw them hanging up the Welcome signs for training camp here in Pittsford.. Probably will go either to opening day or one of the night practices in the following weeks
Think the Bills have an honest shot at the playoffs is Fitz plays decently. Looking forward to the season.