Astrobot

I'm all over drafting, say, Fairley-Ayers-Powe and make us bigger and faster up the middle on "D". It'll be really interesting to see who falls to the 99th pick. Draft Breakdown has Colin Kaepernick at 98; WalterFootball has Casey Matthews ILB and Pat Devlin QB there at our 99.

On an upcoming DraftTek "What-If" draft, New*England trades up to get AJ Green. The Bills' picks of Cameron Jordan DE and Akeem Ayers (who we'd move to ILB) were unaffected, but the computer would assign us Ryan Mallett in RD3. Players still on the board, but coming up soon, included Rob Housler TE Jerrell Powe NT Christian Ponder QB Colin Kaepernick QB Austin Pettis WR The Question: Do you take Mallett? Do you you want me to "Lock Out" the choice of Mallett so the computer picks one of the others? Astro

I'd consider this my dream draft too, Thoner.

People think Carimi will be drafted in RD1, and that's very possible. Here's how we get Carimi in RD2. When the 32 DraftTek Analysts were asked to put a Priority ranking on LT, nobody gave the position a P1 or P2 rating. Seven teams gave it a P3 rating, though. ARI at #5 is not going to take Castonzo and drafts after us in RD2. I'll put Cam Newton there at #5. NO OT DRAFTED. DAL at #9 will take the first LT (We think Costanzo despite Tyron Smith's vault up the ratings). They have needs on both offensive and defensive lines, and have to get one filled in RD1.I think Amukamara is their other temptation but we'll give them Castonzo. ONE LT GONE. MIN at #12 will have a chance at Julio Jones, AJ Green (depending on which one fell past Washington), a DT, or an OT. In our recent mock Dareus falls to here. That ain't happening, and it's way early for Liuget. If Costanzo/Smith are there, they'll be tempted. We'll cede Smith here. TWO LT's GONE. NEP* drafts now at #17. See below. NO OT DRAFTED. NEP* drafts at #28, right before Chicago. See below.NO OT DRAFTED. CHI at #29 Note that RT Kevin Shaffer was released, and they're in limbo with Kruetz. This will likely be a line pick, but the big two are gone at OT, and Wisniewski is there. Also, with Tommie Harris being cut this week and the status of Anthony Adams uncertain until the CBA is done we could also see Paea going there, but we'll pencil in Wisniewski. NO OT DRAFTED. GB at #32 have top priorities RT, LT, OLB34. The BPA in our mock at this point is Justin Houston OLB, but some like Brooks Reed as well or better. Marcus Cannon is the RT available, and Solder is our LT best available, although I like Carimi at RT for our run game. Because GB needs RT and LT, they may make a play for two tackles in this draft, and therefore take the LT first. We're giving them Solder.THREE LT's GONE. NEP* at #17 #28 or #33 is the Wild Card. They want OT, RB, DE, OG with a dropping WR being possible (It's not). They will not reach for any player, and the big 2 OT's are gone. We have Sherrod and Solder as LT's over Carimi (who will be best at RT but may surprise) on our board, but I've read the Pats comments on Carimi, and he's a distinct possibility, but there are higher players on the board at #17 and #28. So we'll take JJ Watt DE at #17, Mikel LeShoure RB at #28, and they will trade the #33 pick (Pats* drafting Heyward is possible at #33 if they don't take Watt earlier). NO OT DRAFTED. And that's how Carimi falls to us at #33.

AJ Green wasn't in there just because he didn't fit my philosophy about need. I bet he's on Nix's Board in the top 7 because none of us saw the Spiller pick. Wilkerson's flying up our board and is now at #26. We have him now going to the Chargers. Our Chargers Analyst says, "The loss of Igor Olshansky a few seasons ago, coupled with the loss of Jamal Williams this past year, really hurt the Chargers DL. Teams have now focused their attention on Luis Castillo since his linemates provide little help. ..The Chargers are an ideal fit for the former Temple big man, who can demand double teams at the point of attack thanks to his strength. He is a great penetrator too, capable of collapsing the pocket. Wilkerson would provide an instant DE upgrade."

I think Danny Batten, with Andra Davis and Wanny coaching him up, is also in play for ILB. I think we'll draft an ILB too--best bets are Kelvin Sheppard in RD3, Owen Marecic in RD4A, or Chris White/KJ Wright in RD4B.

I'm doing my own value boards now, separate from DraftTek, because it helps me define what I'd like to see from the draft, and where. These aren't carved in stone. Some players aren't there because they will be picked before we get to ours. Some changes are still being made to our Big Board as we sort combine results. My Top Ten for each Round 1-4: RD1 (Philosophy: Get dominant defensive player to get out of rush-defense basement, or get franchise guy) Marcell Dareus DE34 Alabama - Three down player, can go to DE too, a hybrid dream Nick Fairley DT43 Auburn - He's better as a 4-3 but so dominating Patrick Peterson CB LSU - Best CB in several seasons, including Revis IMHO Cameron Newton QB Auburn - quick, agile, size, a winner, may be our chance, groomable Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri - more pro-set ready, best decision-maker, great TD to INT ratio Cameron Jordan DE43 California - best run defender at DE? size, speed, agility, dominated Da'Quan Bowers DE43 Clemson - could be Bruce; could be injured his whole career Robert Quinn OLB34 North Carolina - Best rush LB, risk/reward isn't Nix's style though Von Miller OLB34 Texas A&M - explosion. 2 TFL at Sr Bowl with Bills coaching. 16 sacks in 12 games Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska - with rare break to the ball, may be great safety as well Just Missed due to philosophy: Anthony Castonzo OT and Tyron Smith OT) RD2 Philosophy: Get BPA up the middle of D, get LB, get 1 OL or groomable QB (no reaches) Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin - Best for a run game team, Could be best RT in the NFL pretty quick, very cut Marcus Cannon OT TCU - Size is hard to teach, could be a 15 year RT. Phil Taylor DT34 Baylor - Likely the best nose guard in the draft and could go earlier Stephen Paea DT43 Oregon State - Strongest ever bench press, bench a max of 550, injury makes him RD2 Brooks Reed OLB34 Arizona - Reed>Kerrigan>Watt. Elmore had more sacks but Reed was double teamed Mark Herzlich OLB43 Boston College - storybook tale (bone cancer), fiery player, Disney Spirit Award Jake Locker QB Washington - athleticism, movement; needs Gailey, Mayock has him #2 & rated>Bradford Christian Ponder QB Florida State - Crisp at combine,Senior Bowl; one of best at leading the receiver Christian Ballard DE34 Iowa - Ballard can play line for 4-3 or 3-4, scheme-versatile Jason Pinkston OG Pittsburgh - Wanny boy,Tough, move Wood to OC permanently (Just Missed: Akeem Ayers ILB, Cameron Heyward DE43, Kyle Rudolph TE) RD3 Philosophy: Get Player Not Drafted Above in This Order: ILB, QB, RT, DT, OG Kelvin Sheppard ILB LSU - Made calls at Gailey's Sr. Bowl win,Mike LB (3-2-6), INT vs McElroy for win Casey Matthews ILB Oregon - He's a Matthews. Will fall due to injury but not due to heart John Moffit OG Wisconsin - run blocking is his strength, ferocious, can back up at OC Colin Kaepernick QB Nevada - mobile, threw for 20 TD & ran for 20 TD (3 QB's ever did--2 are in draft) Mason Foster ILB Washington - instincts and production, may be better than Ayers when moved inside Drake Nevis DT43 LSU - Alualu II, occupies 2 blockers on every play Marcus Gilbert RT Florida - Bills got a good look at him on line at Sr. Bowl, strong push, nonstop James Carpenter OG Alabama -mauler in run game, solid in pass, Acho's toughest match-up he said Rodney Hudson OG Florida State - leader, great leverage, needs to get bigger Owen Marecic ILB Stanford - I love throwback lunch pail types; he played both ways on >80% of downs (Just Missed due to philosophy: Austin Pettis WR) RD4 Philosophy: Pick TWO: Fill In Depth (RT, OC, DT, DE, TE, QB), get LB, or get high-vert CB Julius Thomas TE Portland St - Buchanan loves this guy, basketballer, caught TD+2pt in Shrine Game Tim Barnes OC Missouri - three year starter, hiked to Gabbert, probably #3 Center Andy Dalton QB TCU Went 42-7 as a starter, including 25-1 the past two, will be at top in Wonderlic DeMarcus Love OG Arkansas - Love fits in with the Wood - Levitre jokes. run blocker: coach up at RT Lee Ziemba RG Auburn Always in play, Wood-like motor, 52 consec. starts, mauler, great hands, locks on Kenrick Ellis DT34 Hampton - Ellis fits 3-4 scheme at NT, some baggage but talent up the waz Greg Romeus OLB34 Pittsburgh - Wanny boy,6-7, 285,should've come out in '09 after he was BigEast POY Shareece Wright CB USC - Gailey saw in Sr. Bowl, fluid hips, anticipation ability Kendric Burney CB North Carolina good instincts, ball skills 3 INT day on Thurs Chris White ILB Mississippi State - led team in TT (110), solos (56), TFL (15.5) K.J. Wright ILB Mississippi State - size, speed, wingspan, long arms, good blitzer Chimdi Chekwa CB Ohio State - scary fast, quick closer, great vertical,3 yrs.,not a press CB, thin Orlando Franklin OG Miami (FL) - strong run blocker, good tech, more likely guard, has played some OG Korey Lindsey CB S. Illinois - athletic playmaker had productive seasons, 4.5 speed, only 5'10" Greg McElroy QB Alabama - 24-3, national championship show his game management skills, but avg.arm Marvin Austin DT43 North Carolina - surrounded by great players at NC, wouldn’t be so at Buffalo Chykie Brown CB Texas- injuries kept him from reaching potential, but UT was #1 in rush defense Lawrence Guy DE34 Arizona State - physical, agile, needs seasoning

We think Dareus is a DT43 who is the 6th best player on our Big Board. He did play as a tackle and end at Alabama, but as an end, he drops to the 15 spot on our Big Board. I now am thinking Dareus will go before Fairley, and possibly to Denver, so this is all moot. I see Watt as Kerrigan with less upside. Mayock, though, likes him. “He’s a beast. He’s a first-round pick.” he at one time had Watt as the premier 3-4 defensive end in the 2011 class (Cal’s Cameron Jordan and Ohio State’s Cameron Heyward were second and third, respectively). Watt is a RDE in a 4-3 #99 against Ohio St. in the video link here; looks like Kelsay to me!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNTwvuZ3jMs&feature=related

I think he'll work with Danny Batten, Poz, and Kelvin Sheppard, our Round 3 pick. Sheppard was picked for the South team by the Bills coaching staff (source). Our staff then had him calling the signals for the defense at the Senior Bowl. Sheppard was captain of the defense at LSU: "Posted by Chris Brown on January 12, 2011 – 5:14 pm The Senior Bowl has announced that two more players have been added to the South roster from LSU. ILB Kelvin Sheppard, the unquestioned emotional leader of the LSU defense has accepted his invitation as well as teammate DL Drake Nevis. Sheppard (6’2″, 240) finished the 2010 season third in the SEC in tackles with 108, which led the Tigers. Voted a 1st Team All-SEC player by both coaches and the Associated Press, Sheppard is projected as a 3rd or 4th round pick by most scouting services. Nevis (6’1″ 285) is built a lot like fellow LSU alum and Bills Pro Bowler Kyle Williams. A disruptive interior force, Nevis was a 2nd Team All-American and led the team in tackles for loss (13) and tied for the team lead in sacks (6). He finished fourth on the team in tackles and is projected by some scouting services as a second-round pick. The Bills will be coaching both players as Buffalo’s staff will be in charge of preparing the South Team." I would also not be surprised if Nevis was selected in RD4, allowing Williams to kick out to DE.

I'm working right now on my commentary for the Bills' picks on the Draft Tek weekly mock draft. It'll be posted some time after midnight. You may be surprised at what the Simulator came up with in RD1: Cameron Jordan, the DE out of Cal. I'm here to discuss the possibility of this pick, not really to defend it or attack it. Mocks are just a kind of game we play to bridge us through the next 8 weeks. I can explain this pick somewhat----Only 3 players in the upper half of RD1 are "scheme versatile"--Quinn, Von Miller, and Cameron Jordan. All 3 have a P2Diff score of ZERO on our Big Board, unlike Dareus, Fairley and Bowers, who take a substantial dropoff down the Big Board if drafted as a 3-4 player. Quinn's been out a year, there are questions about Von Miller (not ideal size, lose contain too often with an overused outside "swim" move), and only Cam Jordan has zero dropoff between DE34 and DE43, and the Bills plan to run a hybrid scheme. Today's mini Astro-Munch of draft pundits suggests that we'll receive some static about this selection: Rob Rang--------DT Dareus Chad Reuter-----CB Peterson Pete Prisco-----QB Gabbert CDS-------------WR Green Draft Ace-------CB Peterson Popejoy DBI-----QB Newton Draft Breakdown-DT Fairley Draft Bulletin--LB Miller Draft Countdown-DT Dareus Draft Daddy-----DT Fairley Draft Insiders--WR Green Draft Season----QB Newton Draft Zoo-------LB Quinn Kiper-----------QB Newton McShay----------LB Miller F'ball's Future-WR Green Draft 101 Staff-DE Bowers Chris Maier-----DT Dareus Draft Blitz-----QB Newton Draft Dog-------LB Quinn Draft Geek------WR Green News and Rumors-WR Green Walter Football-QB Newton (See why the Bills are the wildcard this year?) But... All of the defensive players listed we've ranked lower than Jordan FOR A 3-4 scheme. Cameron Jordan has the size, quickness, and motor. He is virtually unblockable with more varied pass rush moves than Miller, and he's more practiced in both schemes the Bills run. If Nix doesn't like 1-year wonders, what will he think of Quinn, who's been out a year? Let's discuss the possibility of yet another horse in this race. Astro

RD6. We have him going #186 to the Ravens.

You are awesome! This is a time saver! Here is the Top 15 of DraftTek's Big Board for practice: Rnk Player College Ht Wt P1 P2 P2Dif Chng 1 Patrick Peterson LSU 6'1" 211 FS CB -10 +1 2 Nick Fairley Auburn 6'4" 298 DT43 DE34 -13 -1 3 A.J. Green Georgia 6'4" 205 WRF +1 4 Da'Quan Bowers Clemson 6'4" 278 DE43 DE34 -34 -1 5 Cameron Jordan California 6'4" 287 DE34 DE43 0 +2 6 Marcell Dareus Alabama 6'3" 306 DT43 DE34 -9 +2 7 Von Miller Texas A&M 6'3" 237 OLB43 OLB34 0 +2 8 Julio Jones Alabama 6'4" 212 WRF +2 9 Robert Quinn North Carolina 6'5" 268 OLB34 DE43 0 -4 10 Prince Amukamara Nebraska 6'1" 205 CB -4 11 Blaine Gabbert Missouri 6'5" 240 QB +1 12 Anthony Castonzo Boston College 6'7" 305 LOT +1 13 Aldon Smith Missouri 6'5" 260 OLB34 DE43 -5 +1 14 J.J. Watt Wisconsin 6'6" 285 DE34 DE43 -4 +2 15 Cameron Newton Auburn 6'6" 250 QB +3

I think you have it right, and it's an excellent observation. Look at the Big Board at DraftTek. Here's the first player: Rnk-----Player------------------College-Ht------Wt------P1------P2------P2Dif---Chng 1-------Patrick Peterson--------LSU-----6'1"----211-----FS------CB-------10-----+1 Peterson is first on the board if played as a FS, his P1 (Priority 1) position. As such, he's #1 on our Board. He'll make a fine CB, too, but there are 10 players better than Peterson used as a CB. P2Diff is just the difference in slot between the two positions he can play. Three players where we'll draft in RD#1 have a P2Diff of ZERO: Cam Jordan (DE34 / DE43), Von Miller (OLB43 / OLB34), and Robert Quinn (OLB34 / DE43). We call them scheme-versatile, and of more use in a hybrid. We're therefore more likely to take them for that reason. The two greatest P2Diff players where we draft is Da'Quan Bowers (drops 34 slots if used as a 3-4 DE instead of a 4-3 DE) and Nick Fairley (drops 13 slots if used as a DE34 instead of DT43). I'm beginning to think that's why we won't take Bowers; not ready to say that about Fairley...

A very good RT is going to be there at #34, and not at #68. I'd consider DE, RT, ILB to be a good start to a draft. To put it in human terms, how about Fairley, Solder, Kelvin Sheppard? Me likey.

That'd take care of the D, right there. Austin and Burney would make Poz, Batten/Davis and Quinn look mighty good. Maybe in RD4 you go TE and RT. How about TE Weslye Saunders falling to here because of the broken bone in his foot aggravated at combine? Like his size and he made some sick catches. Then maybe RT David Mims. Massive, strong, long arms/legs, small school but dominated there. Might be a little early but I see him as a tackle prospect, not a guy who'd have to slide inside.

I think this is a candidate for Post of the Year. So True! I'd be happy with a 2nd Round O-Line pick because of the quality into that round, and because of the depth at 3-4 defensive end into the 5th Round. Teams will be reaching for 3-4 OLB's by Round 2, however. This all means that 3-4 teams will be picking their 3-4 LB's before their 3-4 DE's IMHO. Nix has said he's happy with our DT position and our Guards, but hasn't said Word One about our DE's. I think OLB34 and RT will be early picks, and Nix won't reach especially if FA occurs after the Draft.

It could be minor, but he showed up less in shape than Julio Jones, and in his media interview he mentioned his need to give more effort at practices. He's also been criticized in the past for not giving 100% as a a downfield blocker, and you see that on tape. The significance of that to us is that fewer teams would trade up to #3. He's still Mayock's #1 WR, but I don't think he's Top 5.

For those of you who don't know me, I'm the Bills' Analyst for www.DraftTek.com, and I hang out only at TSW, where I feel there are more fans cognizant about football and the Bills' needs. I'm the one who posts the comments on our weekly Consensus Mocks, like our most recent Fairley-Ayers draft. Here is what I'm thinking: --->We are not taking a DT early because Nix and Chan are happy with whom they have in Williams/Troup source --->There are very few QB’s or TE’s who will be drafted in the 4th; You have to take QB in the 3rd. That's where Ponder-Mallett-DJ Williams will go. Stocker's Combine bench press moved him into RD#2. --->Nix wants 2 ILBS coming from somewhere (Draft or FA or Batten)--I’d grab one ILB sooner rather than later, take the 2nd ILB later, and groom Batten, who will be very, very good I'm thinking we take DE, ILB, TE, CB, RT, QB, LT, and OC this year. 1-DE: Nick Fairley --In our Simulation Carolina-Denver went Bowers-Peterson. We'll listen to trade-down offers for a 2nd and 4th Rounder. AJ Green is less likely in the mix after his combine today. Newton and Gabbert could be a factor that generates interest. No way we trade a chance at Fairley, though 2-ILB Akeem Ayers --Paea was already gone and it’s way too early for "Baylor Taylor", and we aren't likely taking a nose tackle twice in 2 years 3-TE Stocker QB Ponder, QB Mallett, or TE Stocker are all there—Stocker just outbenched all TE’s at the combine and may not last this far when we update our Big Board. If so, take Ponder here and Julius Thomas in the 5th, who I think is an underrated TE 4-CB Chimdi Chekwa, ILB Owen Marecic, CB Korey Lindsey, or TE Charlie Gantt –best value is Chekwa, then Marecic, who's a throwback lunch pail guy who played both ways 4-RT Orlando Franklin, S Dom DeCicco, RT James Brewer –best value is Franklin 5-QB Ricky Stanzi, FS Ahmad Black TE Julius Thomas, – All are value picks at this point; see RD#3 6-LT Curt Porter, TE Rob Housler, LT Derel Hall –Porter is one of the better run blocking LT’s in the draft 7-OC Ryan Bartholomew, TE Jordan Cameron, TE Andre Smith, CB Mario Butler, OC Linnenkohl, DE David Carter – Hard choice here as I think Cameron's going to make a squad but we need O-line Depth at Center. Bartholomew from Syracuse gets the nod

Fully agree. The phone WILL ring especially if 2 QB's are still available at #3, or if Peterson, Dareus, or Fairley is still there. In my mind, we should trade once, at minimum, then take Cam Jordan, Quinn, or Miller. I don't have a fascination with Kyle Rudolph; I have TE priority set at P3 for the computer to select the BPA based on those priorities. For your comfort, 1billsfan, I have dropped TE to P4 for next week.

I love your word choice in your writing. I could envision a double trade-down where we trade with Arizona, who wants to leapfrog Cincy for a choice of QB....Then we turn around and give the 5th pick to Dallas so they can leapfrog San Fran. With that scenario, we pick up 2 seconds and 2 more fourths, and it looks like this on the DraftTek simulator: 1 1 Carolina Nick Fairley DT43 Auburn P1 +0 Value 1 2 Denver Patrick Peterson FS LSU P3 +0 Value 1 3 Arizona Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska P2 -3 Reach 1 4 Cincinnati A.J. Green WRF Georgia P1Grab +0 Value 1 5 Dallas Da'Quan Bowers DE34 Clemson P4 +2 Value 1 6 Cleveland Julio Jones WRF Alabama P1 -4 Reach 1 7 San Francisco Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri P2 -5 Reach 1 8 Tennessee Marcell Dareus DT43 Alabama P2 +0 Value 1 9 Buffalo Robert Quinn OLB34 North Carolina (or Von Miller or Cam Jordan) 2 34 Buffalo Kyle Rudolph TE Notre Dame (Paea? Clayborn?) 2 38 Buffalo Mark Herzlich SILB Boston College (Locker? Carpenter RT? Ahmad Black?) 2 40 Buffalo Chr's'n Ballard DE34 Iowa (DJ Williams TE?) 3 68 Buffalo Phil Taylor DT34 Baylor (Dalton, Sheppard) 4 99 Buffalo Korey Lindsey CB S Ill (Nate Irving, Marvin Austin) 4 102 Buffalo Casey Matthews WILB Oregon (Tim Barnes, Watkins OG, Stanzi) 4 109 Buffalo Orl. Franklin OT Miami (FL) (Jernigan, Kendrick Ellis) 4 121 Buffalo Pat Devlin QB Delaware (Quinton Carter, DeMarcus Love) 5 130 Buffalo Jordan Todman RBF Connecticut (Marcus Gilbert OT, Chris Rucker CB) 6 164 Buffalo Rashad Carmichael CB Virginia Tech P4R +4 Value 7 195 Buffalo Kyle Adams TE Purdue P4R -7 Reach

Also: Rams cut FS O.J. Atogwe ---3rd best Free Agent Safety, after Weddle and Landry Texans cut FS Eugene Wilson Texans cut WR Andre' Davis

It's not like we can't get what we want if we do take Newton, or Gabbert. 1-Newton QB 2-Clayborn DE 3-Beal OLB 4-Gantt TE 4-Ellis NT 5-Bynes ILB 6-Thornton DE 7-Mims OT

Copy my post and paste it into your post. Move one player up or down 3 spots. Leave the original numbers. (Some players are not listed, such as most running backs and WR's) TSW Big Board ROUND ONE 1. --Marcel Dareus DT Alabama Bills should take Dareus over Bowers as a better all round fit and because he’ll be on the field for 3 downs, 2. --Nick Fairley DT Auburn A tad overrated, better in a 4-3, not a nose tackle per se, but surely a consensus top 5 for Bills, imagine Fairley, Troup, Williams in a rotation at DT 6. --Da’Quan Bowers DE Clemson One year of great production slips him to here on the Nix-O-Meter. One season wonders drop, especially after Maybin. Sources confirmed that DaQuan Bowers/DE/Clemson underwent minor knee surgery in January to repair an injured meniscus: www.draftinsider.net 3. --Patrick Peterson CB LSU The Best CB in several seasons…most include Revis in that assessment, Listed as Safety at some sites but makes the better CB, great size for our division’s WR’s, KR as well –better than Dez Bryant’s numbers, able to track and break with the routes of the best WRs in the NFL (esp the AFC East). He also possesses outstanding ball-skills. He combines soft hands with a high-level football IQ to make a devastating break on the ball. Run support tackling is a flaw 4. --Robert Quinn OLB North Carolina Huge risk-reward pick that could change Bills’ fortunes, a humble, chiseled powerhouse, the sky is the limit—not sure if this chance is what Nix-Gailey would take 5. --Cameron Jordan DE California Jordan is versatile enough to play anywhere on the line and is a good player-- size, quickness, motor are all there, virtually unblockable with varied pass rush moves 7. --Von Miller LB Texas A & M Doesn’t have Ideal size, but rare explosion. 4 tackles, 2 for loss at the Senior Bowl under Bills coaching. 27.5 sacks in two seasons. A film rat, ““I’ve watched Clay Matthews. I like the way Ray Lewis plays. I like the way John Abraham plays,” said Miller. “I had a coach that coached Derrick Thomas, when he was in college and he said I played similar to him.” “Von Miller could fit in any defense,” Gailey said, calling him “explosive”. 7A. --Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri I am inserting him in beginning at 7 because San Francisco drafts 7th, and DraftTek has him going there fairly often in their weekly drafts. I think he’s RD1; However, I hope he’s not a Bills selection in RD1, He's more pro-set ready than Newton, a tough competitor with a strong arm. His long ball has been questioned, but mobility, field presence, and heart are there. 8. --Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska Amukamara might be a better Safety than a CB, but we could use either so it’s a moot point. Lack of speed (likely slower than 4.4, more like 4.5) -- proposing the idea that he might be an ideal candidate to make the move to free safety at the next level. well-rounded, solid prospect but lacks the elite athletic abilities of typical shutdown corners. He may eventually need to move to safet 9. --Martez Wilson ILB Illinois Physical, athletic, would make ideal complement to Poz, more scheme flexible than anyone we have at LB---ILB, Sam, Blitzer 10. --Cam Newton QB Auburn Raw, physical, great presence, a weapon with through the roof talent, especially with Spiller-Jackson-Parrish-Evans-Johnson. Media raved about his arm strength, smoothness, accuracy, and timing, as well as eloquence and humor. Things you need in Buffalo. 11. --A.J. Green WR Georgia Will be a true #1 receiver, will beat Crabtree’s numbers in Year One (55 catches 741 yards and six TD’s.), Ranked #1 on some Big Boards but drops to here on a Bills Board as less relative impact to the team we have 12. --Aldon Smith OLB Missouri Pierre-Paul-like but actually had more production. 13. --Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin #1 OT looked the best to me –better than Sherrod--at the Senior Bowl; likely the missing link for the O-Line? Could be best RT in the NFL or one of best LT’s in time. 14. --Julio Jones WR Alabama Greg Gabriel National Football Post prefers him over Green, and reliable route runner with great size, but he lacks the extra gear necessary to be a serious threat down the field. Additionally, his hands are somewhat inconsistent, especially compared to Green. He’s been banged up lots; could he ever get through 19 games? 15. --Jimmy Smith CB Colorado This is Smith’s pre-combine spot; should drift into top 10 afterwards 16. --Brandon Harris CB Miami U Comparisons to Darrelle Revis have been made, but I’m skeptical. Still Top 15 player 17. --Derrick Sherrod OT Mississippi State Was above average at the Senior Bowl; I liked Carimi better because his weakness can be remediated at the gym 18. --Mark Ingram RB Alabama Want a Heisman-winner at a loaded skill position? 19. --Ryan Kerrigan DE Purdue Comparisons to Chris Long of the Rams, could dominate in 2-3 years 20. --Jonathan Baldwin WR Pittsburgh Wannstedt-scouted and signed; compared to Dwayne Bowe’s skills, would be red zone threat 21. --Anthony Castonzo OT Boston College Above average RT prospect, but hasn’t done well against speedy guys like Moch and Friday 22. --Justin Houston OLB Georgia Better acceleration and sideline to sideline speed than Poz, just as productive in college, right-sized 23. --J.J. Watt DE Wisconsin I see Watt as Kerrigan with less upside. Added Mayock, “He’s a beast. He’s a first-round pick.” Mayock says he just finished watching tape on Watt, and ranked the onetime Central Michigan tight end as the premier 3-4 defensive end in the 2011 class. Cal’s Cameron Jordan and Ohio State’s Cameron Heyward are second and third, respectively. 24. --Kyle Rudolph TE Notre Dame Jason Witten type, injury concerns drop him to here, tight end who only caught 3 TDs last year.

We know the coaches have been looking at film to make positional needs assessments. If they looked at the same games we've been looking at, no wonder he's been cut. Spencer Johnson outplayed Stroud most of the season, and it bodes better for a RD#1 DE.

Copy my post and paste it into your post. Move one player up or down 3 spots. Leave the original numbers. (Some players are not listed, such as most running backs and WR's) TSW Big Board ROUND ONE 1. --Marcel Dareus DT Alabama Bills should take Dareus over Bowers as a better all round fit and because he’ll be on the field for 3 downs, 2. --Nick Fairley DT Auburn A tad overrated, better in a 4-3, not a nose tackle per se, but surely a consensus top 5 for Bills, imagine Fairley, Troup, Williams in a rotation at DT 3. --Patrick Peterson CB LSU The Best CB in several seasons…most include Revis in that assessment, Listed as Safety at some sites but makes the better CB, great size for our division’s WR’s, KR as well –better than Dez Bryant’s numbers, able to track and break with the routes of the best WRs in the NFL (esp the AFC East). He also possesses outstanding ball-skills. He combines soft hands with a high-level football IQ to make a devastating break on the ball. Run support tackling is a flaw 4. --Robert Quinn OLB North Carolina Huge risk-reward pick that could change Bills’ fortunes, a humble, chiseled powerhouse, the sky is the limit—not sure if this chance is what Nix-Gailey would take 5. --Cameron Jordan DE California Jordan is versatile enough to play anywhere on the line and is a good player-- size, quickness, motor are all there, virtually unblockable with varied pass rush moves 6. --Da’Quan Bowers DE Clemson One year of great production slips him to here on the Nix-O-Meter. One season wonders drop, especially after Maybin. Sources confirmed that DaQuan Bowers/DE/Clemson underwent minor knee surgery in January to repair an injured meniscus: www.draftinsider.net 7. --Von Miller LB Texas A & M Doesn’t have Ideal size, but rare explosion. 4 tackles, 2 for loss at the Senior Bowl under Bills coaching. 27.5 sacks in two seasons. A film rat, ““I’ve watched Clay Matthews. I like the way Ray Lewis plays. I like the way John Abraham plays,” said Miller. “I had a coach that coached Derrick Thomas, when he was in college and he said I played similar to him.” “Von Miller could fit in any defense,” Gailey said, calling him “explosive”. 8. --Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska Amukamara might be a better Safety than a CB, but we could use either so it’s a moot point. Lack of speed (likely slower than 4.4, more like 4.5) -- proposing the idea that he might be an ideal candidate to make the move to free safety at the next level. well-rounded, solid prospect but lacks the elite athletic abilities of typical shutdown corners. He may eventually need to move to safet 9. --Martez Wilson ILB Illinois Physical, athletic, would make ideal complement to Poz, more scheme flexible than anyone we have at LB---ILB, Sam, Blitzer 10. --Cam Newton QB Auburn Raw, physical, great presence, a weapon with through the roof talent, especially with Spiller-Jackson-Parrish-Evans-Johnson. Media raved about his arm strength, smoothness, accuracy, and timing, as well as eloquence and humor. Things you need in Buffalo. 11. --A.J. Green WR Georgia Will be a true #1 receiver, will beat Crabtree’s numbers in Year One (55 catches 741 yards and six TD’s.), Ranked #1 on some Big Boards but drops to here on a Bills Board as less relative impact to the team we have 12. --Aldon Smith OLB Missouri Pierre-Paul-like but actually had more production. 13. --Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin #1 OT looked the best to me –better than Sherrod--at the Senior Bowl; likely the missing link for the O-Line? Could be best RT in the NFL or one of best LT’s in time. 14. --Julio Jones WR Alabama Greg Gabriel National Football Post prefers him over Green, and reliable route runner with great size, but he lacks the extra gear necessary to be a serious threat down the field. Additionally, his hands are somewhat inconsistent, especially compared to Green. He’s been banged up lots; could he ever get through 19 games? 15. --Jimmy Smith CB Colorado This is Smith’s pre-combine spot; should drift into top 10 afterwards 16. --Brandon Harris CB Miami U Comparisons to Darrelle Revis have been made, but I’m skeptical. Still Top 15 player 17. --Derrick Sherrod OT Mississippi State Was above average at the Senior Bowl; I liked Carimi better because his weakness can be remediated at the gym 18. --Mark Ingram RB Alabama Want a Heisman-winner at a loaded skill position? 19. --Ryan Kerrigan DE Purdue Comparisons to Chris Long of the Rams, could dominate in 2-3 years 20. --Jonathan Baldwin WR Pittsburgh Wannstedt-scouted and signed; compared to Dwayne Bowe’s skills, would be red zone threat 21. --Anthony Castonzo OT Boston College Above average RT prospect, but hasn’t done well against speedy guys like Moch and Friday 22. --Justin Houston OLB Georgia Better acceleration and sideline to sideline speed than Poz, just as productive in college, right-sized 23. --J.J. Watt DE Wisconsin I see Watt as Kerrigan with less upside. Added Mayock, “He’s a beast. He’s a first-round pick.” Mayock says he just finished watching tape on Watt, and ranked the onetime Central Michigan tight end as the premier 3-4 defensive end in the 2011 class. Cal’s Cameron Jordan and Ohio State’s Cameron Heyward are second and third, respectively. 24. --Kyle Rudolph TE Notre Dame Jason Witten type, injury concerns drop him to here, tight end who only caught 3 TDs last year.