(Walters Football Site)
Buffalo Bills A-
Good Moves: Taking RB Willis McGahee might seem foolish because they already have Travis Henry and Olandis Gary, but running backs are prone to injury, so if Henry goes down, Buffalo will still have a strong running game. DE Chris Kelsay was a good pick in the second round. OLB Angelo Crowell was also a good pick in round 3. The Bills might have found their third wide receiver with fourth round pick WR Sam Aiken. Seventh rounder MLB Mario Haggan will probably make the team.
Bad Moves: They wasted one of their fourth round picks on CB Terrence McGee. The Bills did not address their need at safety.
New Starters: None
(BTG Sports service)
BUFFALO BILLS C–
The Bills made the most controversial pick of the draft, selecting RB Willis McGahee at No. 23 overall. Not only was McGahee a risky pick because he had major knee surgery just four months ago, but also the team was well stocked at running back with Pro Bowler Travis Henry, former 1,000-yard rusher Olandis Gary, and Sammy Morris. The Bills did get good value and fill a need with the second-round selection of DE Chris Kelsay, who was considered a first-round prospect by many. They also added some needed youth to their receiving corps by selecting sleeper WR Sam Aiken (4-127), but their needs at tight end and safety were overlooked.
KAC Sports.com
Buffalo Bills C-
The drafting of Willis McGahee was strange on a couple of fronts. The obvious point being that the Bills already have RB depth with Travis Henry and Olandis Gary. If McGahee continues to rehabilitate, that would relegate Henry to lame duck status no matter how well he does this season. The team can release Henry after the ’03 season, with only a cap hit of $445,000. But even then, no one will have an idea of how McGahee stacks up compared to Henry until sometime during the ’04 season. It was a gamble Buffalo did not have to really make. Not to mention the team currently plays on rock-hard artificial turf. Hopefully for McGahee’s sake, the team will invest in the newer ‘Field-Turf within the next year. I think the team made good moves with DE Chris Kelsey (48th pick) along with LB Angelo Crowell (94th pick). Fourth-round WR Sam Aiken should give the team a solid third receiver to help take pressure off Eric Moulds.
CBS Sports Line
Buffalo Bills C
Best pick: They love effort players, and Nebraska defensive end Chris Kelsay is just that. He is a good value coming in the second round.
Worst pick: Taking injured Miami running back Willis McGahee in the first round was a luxury this team couldn't afford. They should have gone defense.
Reach: McGahee. He will ultimately decide the success of this draft.
Comment: General manager Tom Donahoe is one of the best in the business, but taking McGahee will be a decision that might haunt him. They regrouped nicely to take Kelsay in the second round to help the pass rush.
Jeff