By John Murphy, Yahoo! Sports
April 2, 2007 Yahoo! Sports has broken down the needs for each team heading into the NFL draft on April 28-29 in New York City.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Team needs: ILB, RB, CB, OL, QB
Overall pick/round: 12 (1), 43 (2), 74 (3), 92 (3), 111 (4), 184 (6), 222 (7), 239 (7)
ILB: The free-agent defection of middle linebacker London Fletcher cost them more than just a starting linebacker. He was the heart and soul of their front seven. The Bills have been evaluating a number of options in terms of replacing him, which include putting outside linebacker Angelo Crowell into that spot. However, after dealing Takeo Spikes to the Eagles, they would be upsetting the chemistry of the entire linebacker corps by making that move, so expect them to go after Mississippi linebacker Patrick Willis with the same vigor they did Donte' Whitner a year ago.
RB: Trading Willis McGahee leaves them with veteran Anthony Thomas as the feature back and former NFL Europe graduate Fred Jackson looking to challenge for playing time. It seems unlikely that general manager Marv Levy will make a deal for a veteran running back before the draft, unless something breaks with San Diego Chargers' restricted free agent Michael Turner. Expect them to target someone such as Kenny Irons or Antonio Pittman in the second round.
CB: Nate Clements' free-agency departure was a huge blow to a defensive unit that played fairly well at times. However, the Bills' staff thinks that second-year defender Ashton Youboty could be a solid playmaker on the outside, while veteran Kiwaukee Thomas has provided steady leadership. Their use of a Cover 2 scheme means that they should still be able to find a solid complementary defender between rounds 2-4.
WR: Don't be surprised if they target a receiver with some size and the potential to get deep as late as the fourth round. They have a smaller receiver corps and guys like Sam Aiken or Josh Reed have failed to produce as expected.
QB: The trade of Kelly Holcomb to the Philadelphia Eagles opens a spot for a young QB behind starter J.P. Losman and newly installed backup Craig Nall. They could likely wait until the back end of the draft and bring someone aboard such as Jordan Palmer, Lester Ricard or Tyler Palko. Additional interest in Palko could be sparked by the fact he's an alumnus of Pittsburgh like assistant coach and former backup Alex Van Pelt.
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Yahoo Sports: AFC East team needs
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