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Being an expert on First Round Exchange put me in the loop for Mel's take on the entire 2011 draft, on a team by team basis. Not sure if he released this info anywhere else, but wanted to share his thoughts with you all.
When the Broncos opted for Texas A&M LB Von Miller one pick earlier, it made the Bills’ selection of Alabama DL Marcell Dareus a nobrainer.
Not only does he significantly improve their run defense which finished last in the league last year, he also will provide them with some
much needed pass rush. The Bills further strengthened their run defense with the selection of LSU LB Kelvin Sheppard in the third round. He’s
someone who Chan Gailey got to know well at the Senior Bowl.
With management having little interest in re-signing Akin Ayodele and Paul
Posluszny set to become a free agent, Sheppard will be given a chance to make a contribution right away. Sandwiched between these two picks
was Texas’ Aaron Williams. Able to see action at cornerback or safety, when you take into consideration that Terrence McGee has trouble staying
in one piece with the lack of consistency shown by Leodis McKelvin and the expected departure of free agent Drayton Florence, he was not only
a good value pick in the second round, he was also a need one.
The focus on defense continued with the first of their two fourth round picks.
North Carolina’s Da'Norris Searcy was rated the second best safety on my board. Every indication at this point is that they are not going to re-sign
Donte Whitner. Searcy will compete with George Wilson for the starting job at strong safety. Their first selection on the offensive side of the
football was Clemson T Chris Hairston. The Bills have had a lot of instability at the position in recent years. Hairston has the talent necessary to
become a quality starter on the right side.
In the fifth round, they added North Carolina RB Johnny White. He’s a versatile performer who figures to be the #3 back behind Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller.
With their final three picks, the Bills went back to the defensive side of the football. Sixth
round pick, Mississippi State LB Chris White, is coming off a very productive senior year. He figures to be an immediate hit on special teams.
The first of a pair of seventh round picks was used on Richmond CB Justin Rogers. He gained a reputation early in his career for being a ball
hawk. An offensive lineman last season, Bethel’s Michael Jasper will be tried at nose tackle. He’s raw but has talent. *Dareus has Pro Bowl type
ability. If Williams is unable to make the grade at cornerback, he could turn out to be a very good free safety. Sheppard fills a pressing need at
inside linebacker. Searcy addressed issues they had at strong safety. Hairston couldn’t ask for a better opportunity at right tackle. Both Whites
have a chance to be quality depth guys at their respective positions. Rogers could make the grade as a fourth or fifth corner. Jasper is one of those
types that NFL position coaches really enjoy working with in the hopes of being able to turn him from a raw prospect into a serviceable rotation
guy.
More so than not coming away with a quarterback, the lone real negative concerning the Bills’ draft was they weren’t able to upgrade the
outside linebacker position.
Grade: B
When the Broncos opted for Texas A&M LB Von Miller one pick earlier, it made the Bills’ selection of Alabama DL Marcell Dareus a nobrainer.
Not only does he significantly improve their run defense which finished last in the league last year, he also will provide them with some
much needed pass rush. The Bills further strengthened their run defense with the selection of LSU LB Kelvin Sheppard in the third round. He’s
someone who Chan Gailey got to know well at the Senior Bowl.
With management having little interest in re-signing Akin Ayodele and Paul
Posluszny set to become a free agent, Sheppard will be given a chance to make a contribution right away. Sandwiched between these two picks
was Texas’ Aaron Williams. Able to see action at cornerback or safety, when you take into consideration that Terrence McGee has trouble staying
in one piece with the lack of consistency shown by Leodis McKelvin and the expected departure of free agent Drayton Florence, he was not only
a good value pick in the second round, he was also a need one.
The focus on defense continued with the first of their two fourth round picks.
North Carolina’s Da'Norris Searcy was rated the second best safety on my board. Every indication at this point is that they are not going to re-sign
Donte Whitner. Searcy will compete with George Wilson for the starting job at strong safety. Their first selection on the offensive side of the
football was Clemson T Chris Hairston. The Bills have had a lot of instability at the position in recent years. Hairston has the talent necessary to
become a quality starter on the right side.
In the fifth round, they added North Carolina RB Johnny White. He’s a versatile performer who figures to be the #3 back behind Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller.
With their final three picks, the Bills went back to the defensive side of the football. Sixth
round pick, Mississippi State LB Chris White, is coming off a very productive senior year. He figures to be an immediate hit on special teams.
The first of a pair of seventh round picks was used on Richmond CB Justin Rogers. He gained a reputation early in his career for being a ball
hawk. An offensive lineman last season, Bethel’s Michael Jasper will be tried at nose tackle. He’s raw but has talent. *Dareus has Pro Bowl type
ability. If Williams is unable to make the grade at cornerback, he could turn out to be a very good free safety. Sheppard fills a pressing need at
inside linebacker. Searcy addressed issues they had at strong safety. Hairston couldn’t ask for a better opportunity at right tackle. Both Whites
have a chance to be quality depth guys at their respective positions. Rogers could make the grade as a fourth or fifth corner. Jasper is one of those
types that NFL position coaches really enjoy working with in the hopes of being able to turn him from a raw prospect into a serviceable rotation
guy.
More so than not coming away with a quarterback, the lone real negative concerning the Bills’ draft was they weren’t able to upgrade the
outside linebacker position.
Grade: B
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