The Spaz
02-23-2004, 08:52 AM
TEAM NEEDS
1. Wide receiver. The lack of a solid No. 2 receiver to draw some attention away from Eric Moulds was a big reason for the offensive drop-off in 2003. Josh Reed is quick, but he isn't fast enough to draw double-teams away from Moulds. Though Bobby Shaw provides excellent depth and is coming off a strong year, he lacks strength and must line up in the slot to be effective. Drafting a receiver with speed is important. The team could take Washington's Reggie Williams, a premier first-rounder, if he fell to it at No. 13, but drafting LSU's Devery Henderson in the second round or Washington State's Devard Darling in the third could also do the trick.
2. Tight end. Mark Campbell and Dave Moore sustain their blocks and don't drop many passes. However, they lack the speed and agility of elite pass-catching tight ends. Running back Travis Henry is dangerous, and Buffalo needs a tight end who can make defenses pay for overplaying the run and biting on play-action. The Bills could draft Florida's Ben Troupe with their first pick, but if they take a defensive end or receiver first, Georgia's Ben Watson or Minnesota's Ben Utecht also could contribute right away.
3. Left defensive end. Opponents can roll their protection to Aaron Schobel's side because the Bills have failed to add a productive edge rusher to take advantage of the attention Schobel draws. Keith McKenzie, an unrestricted free agent, has durability concerns and would struggle if he were forced into the starting lineup. USC's Kenechi Udeze likely will be gone by the time the Bills pick, but Ohio State's Will Smith should be available, and he looks ready to start. If the Bills don't get Smith in the first round, they'll have to settle for Alabama's Antwan Odom or Hampton's Isaac Hilton, who have the quickness to be high-quality pass rushers.
4. Guard. Ruben Brown isn't the dominant player he was, but don't expect Buffalo to cut him because he counts against the cap whether he's on the roster or not. Mike Pucillo and Ross Tucker split time opposite Brown last year. Pucillo struggled, and Tucker was inconsistent. Buffalo needs to start grooming a replacement for Brown and add a guard who can push Pucillo and Tucker. North Carolina's Jeb Terry or Ohio State's Shane Olivea would be excellent fits.
5. Quarterback. Drew Bledsoe is coming off his worst season since his rookie year (1993), and he takes a lot of hits. Alex Van Pelt has some starting experience, and Travis Brown is expected to compete with him for the backup role. Van Pelt had problems protecting the ball last year, and Brown lacks the arm strength to start. New coach Mike Mularkey will want to draft a quarterback who fits his scheme and can eventually start. Mularkey would have time to groom a midround developmental quarterback such as Bowling Green's Josh Harris or Washington's Cody Pickett.
6. Defensive tackle. Sam Adams is a dominant interior run stuffer, and Pat Williams can make plays in the backfield. They complement each other, but there is little depth. Notre Dame's Darrell Campbell, Iowa State's Jordan Carstens and TCU's Chad Pugh need polish but can become every-down players. They should be available in the mid-to-late rounds.
7. Cornerback. Antoine Winfield and Nate Clements are powerful, but Winfield might be too expensive to keep. Dainon Sidney has durability concerns, and Terrence McGee isn't ready to play a significant role. Arkansas' Lawrence Richardson, Georgia's Bruce Thornton and Mississippi's Von Hutchins are developmental prospects who have the cover skills to push for playing time in the dime package as rookies.
THE OUTLOOK
G.M. Tom Donahoe is one of the NFL's best talent evaluators and does a good job of matching value with need. The Bills need some upgrades but have no glaring holes. Assuming that Brown, Bledsoe and Winfield return, drafting a guard, quarterback and cornerback would be for depth and developmental purposes. So the club can keep its options open.
With the 13th pick overall, the Bills could get Smith, who is the second of two elite defensive end prospects. If Smith is gone, the Bills could take a good receiver or trade down, getting an extra pick and still getting a good pass-catching tight end. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Bills got Smith in the first round, a receiver such as Henderson in the second and a pass-catching tight end, say Utecht, in the third.
On Day 2, they could focus on drafting a potential replacement for Brown such as Olivea, a developmental quarterback such as Harris, a defensive tackle such as Carstens and a cornerback with potential such as Richardson
1. Wide receiver. The lack of a solid No. 2 receiver to draw some attention away from Eric Moulds was a big reason for the offensive drop-off in 2003. Josh Reed is quick, but he isn't fast enough to draw double-teams away from Moulds. Though Bobby Shaw provides excellent depth and is coming off a strong year, he lacks strength and must line up in the slot to be effective. Drafting a receiver with speed is important. The team could take Washington's Reggie Williams, a premier first-rounder, if he fell to it at No. 13, but drafting LSU's Devery Henderson in the second round or Washington State's Devard Darling in the third could also do the trick.
2. Tight end. Mark Campbell and Dave Moore sustain their blocks and don't drop many passes. However, they lack the speed and agility of elite pass-catching tight ends. Running back Travis Henry is dangerous, and Buffalo needs a tight end who can make defenses pay for overplaying the run and biting on play-action. The Bills could draft Florida's Ben Troupe with their first pick, but if they take a defensive end or receiver first, Georgia's Ben Watson or Minnesota's Ben Utecht also could contribute right away.
3. Left defensive end. Opponents can roll their protection to Aaron Schobel's side because the Bills have failed to add a productive edge rusher to take advantage of the attention Schobel draws. Keith McKenzie, an unrestricted free agent, has durability concerns and would struggle if he were forced into the starting lineup. USC's Kenechi Udeze likely will be gone by the time the Bills pick, but Ohio State's Will Smith should be available, and he looks ready to start. If the Bills don't get Smith in the first round, they'll have to settle for Alabama's Antwan Odom or Hampton's Isaac Hilton, who have the quickness to be high-quality pass rushers.
4. Guard. Ruben Brown isn't the dominant player he was, but don't expect Buffalo to cut him because he counts against the cap whether he's on the roster or not. Mike Pucillo and Ross Tucker split time opposite Brown last year. Pucillo struggled, and Tucker was inconsistent. Buffalo needs to start grooming a replacement for Brown and add a guard who can push Pucillo and Tucker. North Carolina's Jeb Terry or Ohio State's Shane Olivea would be excellent fits.
5. Quarterback. Drew Bledsoe is coming off his worst season since his rookie year (1993), and he takes a lot of hits. Alex Van Pelt has some starting experience, and Travis Brown is expected to compete with him for the backup role. Van Pelt had problems protecting the ball last year, and Brown lacks the arm strength to start. New coach Mike Mularkey will want to draft a quarterback who fits his scheme and can eventually start. Mularkey would have time to groom a midround developmental quarterback such as Bowling Green's Josh Harris or Washington's Cody Pickett.
6. Defensive tackle. Sam Adams is a dominant interior run stuffer, and Pat Williams can make plays in the backfield. They complement each other, but there is little depth. Notre Dame's Darrell Campbell, Iowa State's Jordan Carstens and TCU's Chad Pugh need polish but can become every-down players. They should be available in the mid-to-late rounds.
7. Cornerback. Antoine Winfield and Nate Clements are powerful, but Winfield might be too expensive to keep. Dainon Sidney has durability concerns, and Terrence McGee isn't ready to play a significant role. Arkansas' Lawrence Richardson, Georgia's Bruce Thornton and Mississippi's Von Hutchins are developmental prospects who have the cover skills to push for playing time in the dime package as rookies.
THE OUTLOOK
G.M. Tom Donahoe is one of the NFL's best talent evaluators and does a good job of matching value with need. The Bills need some upgrades but have no glaring holes. Assuming that Brown, Bledsoe and Winfield return, drafting a guard, quarterback and cornerback would be for depth and developmental purposes. So the club can keep its options open.
With the 13th pick overall, the Bills could get Smith, who is the second of two elite defensive end prospects. If Smith is gone, the Bills could take a good receiver or trade down, getting an extra pick and still getting a good pass-catching tight end. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Bills got Smith in the first round, a receiver such as Henderson in the second and a pass-catching tight end, say Utecht, in the third.
On Day 2, they could focus on drafting a potential replacement for Brown such as Olivea, a developmental quarterback such as Harris, a defensive tackle such as Carstens and a cornerback with potential such as Richardson