Archives for May 2, 2015

'Needing the tightest coverage possible to implement his aggressive, blitz-oriented defense, Ryan clearly got his way when the Bills used the 50th overall pick in Friday night’s second round to select Florida State cornerback Ronald Darby.'

'Ryan didn’t see this draft as a way to add quarterbacks, but to shut them down. He has two main objectives as a defensive mastermind: Sending pass rushers after opposing quarterbacks and having lock-down cornerbacks to hold the fort in the secondary.'

'Darby figures to be a reserve as a rookie. The team has quality veteran depth at cornerback with Stephon Gilmore, Leodis McKelvin, Corey Graham, Nickell Robey, Ron Brooks and Ross Cockrell. The selection of Darby, however, could mean the team moves Graham to safety. Long term, Darby figures to replace McKelvin in the starting lineup, unless the coaching staff determines he is best used in the slot.'

'Miller fits the ground-and-pound mentality that coach Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Greg Roman want to install. He’s got a powerful upper body and strong hands. He will compete for the team’s starting left guard job immediately.'

'"We had some talks, got close, but nothing came to fruition," said Whaley. "We were excited to move down, but we're more excited to have Darby. Three things: We said at the beginning of the draft we were going to take the best player; we can take a corner every year; and with the additions the other teams have made in this division, we have to keep up in the arms race. But most importantly, we think this guy is a heck of a football player."'

'Oregon offensive tackle Jake Fisher, a player with a borderline first-round grade, was available also, as were all the second-tier of quarterbacks (Brett Hundley, Bryce Petty, Garrett Grayson). I would've welcomed a reach on one of them, before a run began.'

'“We said at the beginning that we were going to take the best player available and he was the highest-rated player on the board,” Whaley said. “And with the additions other teams have made in this draft in our division, we need to keep up with the arms race. Most importantly, we think this guy is a heckuva football player.”'

'Darby becomes the ninth cornerback on Buffalo’s roster.'

'Miller addresses a huge need for the Bills on the interior of the offensive line. He's a powerful run blocker with the strength to contribute from day one in Buffalo. General manager Doug Whaley called Miller a "mauler" in the running game and expects him to come in and compete for a starting job.'

'Kelly took a few minutes to thank everyone in his NFL family for their support during his recover. His wife and daughter Erin stood off to the side as he fought through his emotions. The Bills may not have had a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, but Kelly made sure the draft will be a memorable one for Buffalo.'

'Darby has a bit of a questionable past off the field. He was part of the rape investigation involving teammate and No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston. He refused to testify in Winston's student conduct hearing but signed an affidavit saying he Winston and a woman having consensual sex. Darby and another teammate were accused of "conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment." All of the players involved avoided criminal charges.'

'Darby's speed may be his most valuable asset. He was a member of the gold medal-winning USA medley relay at the 2011 World Youth Championships in France as well as a standout sprinter at Potomac (Oxon Hill, Md.) High School.'

'Bills fans can let this slide for now. After all, Cassel did enter the league with the Patriots and played his first four seasons in New England. Plus, who better to party with at the Kentucky Derby than a bunch of Super Bowl champions?'

'Now NFL teams are wondering what to do about this talented player with a potentially serious legal incident following him into the NFL. The Buffalo Bills are a team in desperate need of some help on the offensive line. At the end of the first round, general manager Doug Whaley addressed the media but was non-committal about where the team stands on Collins.'

'In no particular order, here are some potential Bills' targets that are a bit more realistic for the third day of the draft.'