I know all of you have been awaiting this prized list. Simply put, it is the top 11 players in the draft for our beloved Buffalo Bills. Using my own secret balance of figuring out need and a player's talent and ability, I have carefully developed this list. Unless the Bills trade down, they should draft one of these 11 players, regardless of how the top 10 teams draft.
I am also assuming Jason Peters is still a member of this team. Get it done guys. 5 or 6 years at 10.5 million per.
So, without further ado, here is the list of all lists for the Bills to follow on draft day. Russ, if you are reading this, you are welcome.
1. Aaron Curry, LB Wake Forest - This is a no brainer. He is the best player in the draft. OLB is an area of need for the Bills. He is highly unlikely to be there at #11. In fact it is nearly impossible for him to be there. But, if he is, it will be a simple choice for the Bills to make. The need to run to the draft table like George Costanza escaping a fire at a Senior Citizen's home.
2. Jason Smith, OT Baylor - If Peters is here, this is not a huge need, but this guy is too good to pass up. Playing him at RT makes this line potentially dominant at the edges. Regardless, an O-lineman with his ability is a guy you find room for. Of course, he won't be there as the Lions or Rams will take him.
3. Michael Crabtree, WR Texas tech - He was #2 on my first (unposted) list, but the arrival of TO knocks him down one spot. Still, his pure talent in not in question. A line-up of Evans, TO, Crabtree, Reed, Parrish and Johnson is great and in a year Hardy will be more ready.
4. Eugene Monroe, OT Virginia. - Similar to Jason Smith, his talent is hard to pass up if he is available at #11. I doubt like hell he will be though.
5. Brian Orakpo, DE Texas - The first guy on my list that might be there at #11. He has talent. Does he have the dedication? Can he play DE in a 4-3 NFL scheme? If those answers are yes, he is a great pick for the Bills.
6. BJ Raji, DT Boston College - He and Orakpo are a coin flip for me. Great talent. He would make the Bills DT rotation very good with Raji, Stroud, Williams and Johnson. And if McCargo shows up to play, that allows Johnson to play more DE. The biggest concerns are the drug issues. What is the truth? Can he keep his use under control? What does Goodell think of his usage?
7. Andre Smith, OT Alabama - What a great talent. Perhaps more talent than the other two OTs already mentioned. He is also a possible headcase. Still, he can't be discounted. He can play other positions on the line. And so athletic. I would not be unhappy with Andre Smith as a Buffalo Bill.
8. Matt Stafford, QB Georgia. - Yeah, I know. The Bills have Trent. And I like him. But Stafford has more ability. Quite honestly, if Stafford falls, the Bills can probably get great value by moving down. That would be my goal (i.e take the Jets 1st and 2nd to move down to 17). But if there is not a team looking to move up and the other 7 guys are gone? Take him. Too much ability to pass up. They can figure out what to do with Trent later on.
9. Michael Jenkins, CB/S Ohio State - Yes, a DB. And I know. The Bills have plenty. But he is a much better player than the guys remaining on the board. And could start next year if Terrence McGee leaves. He is only this low on my board because it is not a pressing need. The guy can flat out play.
10. Michael Oher, OT Mississippi - Another talented O-lineman. Big bodies are a good idea.
11. Everette Brown, DE FSU - the #11 guy was tough for me, but Brown is better than the LB trio from USC or Maybin. He gets the nod. I might move him up a spot or two in this draft as time goes on. His athleticism make some think he can adjust, but it might take a year or two be realize his potential. And FSU guys rule.
So there you have it. The definite Bills big board. Three weeks from today, barring a trade down, one of these 11 guys should be the property of the Buffalo Bills.
I am also assuming Jason Peters is still a member of this team. Get it done guys. 5 or 6 years at 10.5 million per.
So, without further ado, here is the list of all lists for the Bills to follow on draft day. Russ, if you are reading this, you are welcome.
1. Aaron Curry, LB Wake Forest - This is a no brainer. He is the best player in the draft. OLB is an area of need for the Bills. He is highly unlikely to be there at #11. In fact it is nearly impossible for him to be there. But, if he is, it will be a simple choice for the Bills to make. The need to run to the draft table like George Costanza escaping a fire at a Senior Citizen's home.
2. Jason Smith, OT Baylor - If Peters is here, this is not a huge need, but this guy is too good to pass up. Playing him at RT makes this line potentially dominant at the edges. Regardless, an O-lineman with his ability is a guy you find room for. Of course, he won't be there as the Lions or Rams will take him.
3. Michael Crabtree, WR Texas tech - He was #2 on my first (unposted) list, but the arrival of TO knocks him down one spot. Still, his pure talent in not in question. A line-up of Evans, TO, Crabtree, Reed, Parrish and Johnson is great and in a year Hardy will be more ready.
4. Eugene Monroe, OT Virginia. - Similar to Jason Smith, his talent is hard to pass up if he is available at #11. I doubt like hell he will be though.
5. Brian Orakpo, DE Texas - The first guy on my list that might be there at #11. He has talent. Does he have the dedication? Can he play DE in a 4-3 NFL scheme? If those answers are yes, he is a great pick for the Bills.
6. BJ Raji, DT Boston College - He and Orakpo are a coin flip for me. Great talent. He would make the Bills DT rotation very good with Raji, Stroud, Williams and Johnson. And if McCargo shows up to play, that allows Johnson to play more DE. The biggest concerns are the drug issues. What is the truth? Can he keep his use under control? What does Goodell think of his usage?
7. Andre Smith, OT Alabama - What a great talent. Perhaps more talent than the other two OTs already mentioned. He is also a possible headcase. Still, he can't be discounted. He can play other positions on the line. And so athletic. I would not be unhappy with Andre Smith as a Buffalo Bill.
8. Matt Stafford, QB Georgia. - Yeah, I know. The Bills have Trent. And I like him. But Stafford has more ability. Quite honestly, if Stafford falls, the Bills can probably get great value by moving down. That would be my goal (i.e take the Jets 1st and 2nd to move down to 17). But if there is not a team looking to move up and the other 7 guys are gone? Take him. Too much ability to pass up. They can figure out what to do with Trent later on.
9. Michael Jenkins, CB/S Ohio State - Yes, a DB. And I know. The Bills have plenty. But he is a much better player than the guys remaining on the board. And could start next year if Terrence McGee leaves. He is only this low on my board because it is not a pressing need. The guy can flat out play.
10. Michael Oher, OT Mississippi - Another talented O-lineman. Big bodies are a good idea.
11. Everette Brown, DE FSU - the #11 guy was tough for me, but Brown is better than the LB trio from USC or Maybin. He gets the nod. I might move him up a spot or two in this draft as time goes on. His athleticism make some think he can adjust, but it might take a year or two be realize his potential. And FSU guys rule.
So there you have it. The definite Bills big board. Three weeks from today, barring a trade down, one of these 11 guys should be the property of the Buffalo Bills.
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