Round 1 (#8): Selection: S Donte Whitner

[Bob in STL]

... that is mostly because I am conditioned by all of the mock drafts and projections. I expected either Huff, or Ngata, or a trade down and then either Ngata, Bunkley or Justice.

 

DTs and OTs tend to be highly coveted positions and we need both. We also need a safety. They must really like Whitner. It all comes down to who the Bills think thay can get in rounds 2 and 3. There must be a DT and an OT targeted later in the draft that they like as much as Ngata/Bunkley or Justice? Could be that this is not true at safety.

 

All I know is that I really wanted to see the trenches adressed with the top picks. I think that give us the best odds to add talent to those positions.

 

I am a bit surprised by the pick of Whitner but lets give the kid a chance.

[Olaf Fub]

I would have rather had a "hand on the ground". Whitner must be a better safety prospect than the two DTs.

 

Teams aren't getting that much for trading down. A deal must not have been there. It'd better to draft a good player early than to miss one by waiting too long. (Polian did this a few years ago with Freeney, everyone said he was a reach at the spot the Colts picked him.)

 

I was glad to see Marv show some guts, go against the draft books and draft who he thought would help the team the most.

[iceferg]

What the F#uck, I just spent a year in Iraq waiting to get back to the Bills and they draft a schmuck. Fu#k, why didn't we see if Henry Jones was available. This is totally a waste. Too disappointed to continue bitc#ing. I'm going to drink beer (lots)

 

Ferg

[CajunBillsBacker]

Ok, now that i'm done LMAO over this pick. It's nothing against Whittner, I believe he has the potential to be a great safety. He isn't as polished as Ed Reed, but he has Reed's on field attitude. I actually had him targeted as a potential pick in the 2nd round, I just believe we might have reached a little for him.

If the reports are correct, and that the Ravens and Rams were both interested in taking him in round one, then the pick might turn out to be a wise one.

Who knows, we still have 9 more picks to go and alot of talent left to steal.

[Sig1Hunter]

Don't know who else heard this, but on Sirius, they just popped a sound bite of Whitner saying something to the effect of "they told me that if D'Brickashaw Ferguson wasn't there for them, then they were going to pick me so I pretty much knew that I was gonna go at number 8 for an hour or so. Bills were targeting Whitner all along?

 

I like what I read about him, and am looking forward to him in a Bills uni, but am slightly concerned about the spot he was taken. Not to mention, the Bills management apparently thought that he was a better pick than Huff, whom we also had a very real shot at.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

Ok, now that i'm done LMAO over this pick. It's nothing against Whittner, I believe he has the potential to be a great safety. He isn't as polished as Ed Reed, but he has Reed's on field attitude. I actually had him targeted as a potential pick in the 2nd round, I just believe we might have reached a little for him.

If the reports are correct, and that the Ravens and Rams were both interested in taking him in round one, then the pick might turn out to be a wise one.

Who knows, we still have 9 more picks to go and alot of talent left to steal.

675084[/snapback]

 

problem: Reed isn't undersized, Whitner is.

[Brandon]

problem: Reed isn't undersized, Whitner is.

675086[/snapback]

 

Reed is an inch taller than Whitner and the same weight.

[CajunBillsBacker]

problem: Reed isn't undersized, Whitner is.

675086[/snapback]

 

Reed is 5'11, 200lbs

 

Whitner is 5'11, 205lbs

 

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

Reed is an inch taller than Whitner and the same weight.

675092[/snapback]

 

I'd like to see a pictorial comparison.

 

And Reed's a Pro-Bowler. This kid's proven nothing and was NOT a need.

[Brandon]

I'd like to see a pictorial comparison.

 

And Reed's a Pro-Bowler. This kid's proven nothing and was NOT a need.

675099[/snapback]

 

I'm not defending the pick, just making the point that Whitner is basically the same size as Reed. I'm not as completely hostile to this pick as I was an hour ago, but I still don't like it much.

[John Adams]

problem: Reed isn't undersized, Whitner is.

675086[/snapback]

 

Problem is: you don't know what you're talking about. There are 4 corners in the NFL that are 6'2..none over 6'2.

 

Whitner is 5'10" and 204 lbs.

 

Here's an exceprt from a front page story on ESPN right now.

 

"In a 10-year study he did of cornerbacks, he noticed that the taller cornerbacks usually don't make it," Titans general manager Floyd Reese said. "How many 6-2 cornerbacks are there in the league?"

 

Currently, the NFL has only four starting cornerbacks who are 6-2: Gary Baxter of the Browns, Julian Battle of the Chiefs, Andre Woolfolk of the Titans and Mike Rumph of the 49ers, who played a little safety in the past two seasons. There are no 6-3 corners starting in the league.

 

"The optimum height is about 5-11," Reese said. "Many of the taller cornerbacks tend to get hurt."

 

My Webpage

[Coach Tuesday]

Not to mention, the Bills management apparently thought that he was a better pick than Huff, whom we also had a very real shot at.

675085[/snapback]

 

He is a better tackler than Huff, and a better leader. He's also from O-State, and those players tend to transition better to the NFL than Texas players (we learned this the hard way).

[John Adams]

Reed is 5'11, 200lbs

 

Whitner is 5'11, 205lbs

 

675096[/snapback]

 

Yeah. (-5) lbs is smaller. That's VABills-type math.

[Peter]

ESPN had Whitner rated as the 20th most-talented prospect. The only players ahead of him who could have helped the Bills were Bunkley (character and knee injuries), Ngata (2 down player with questions), and Justice (falling fast in this draft). Looks like Marv picked the sure thing: serious ball hawk who fills a need-position and plays special teams.

 

Check one Bills' need off the list.

675008[/snapback]

 

So, what you are saying is that the Bills picked the 20th best player 12 spots too high.

 

I really hope this kid is as great as the Bills and others seem to think. I just think it was a reach.

[Larry Playfair]

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/draft/423565

 

Donte Whitner

Height: 5-11

Weight: 205

40 Time: 4.53*

Position: DS

College: Ohio State

Grade: G 6.1

 

 

 

 

 

GM JR Scouting LLC Grading Scale/Key

The following analysis was provided by GM Jr Scouting LLC.

 

SUMMARY

Whitner is a junior who came out early for the NFL draft and is one of the better safeties available. Is a very good athlete with the natural explosiveness and playing speed to fly to the ball to make plays from sideline to sideline. Plays with the attacking, aggressive style that is hard to find, and it enables him to consistently play bigger than his size. Flies up in run support. On passes in front of him, will bend knees, get low and drive up into the ball carrier to make the hard hit. Is a versatile safety that has experience lining up in a variety of different alignments, which will offer his team the opportunity to move him around and use a variety of different defenses without having to substitute personnel. Overall, Whitner is probably going to slip lower in the draft than his production warrants, but it is due to his lack of size. He is going to be a good all-around starting safety in the NFL who consistently makes plays all over the field, against the run and the pass. Additionally, he will be a very good special teams player in the NFL.

 

CRITICAL FACTORS

Athletic Ability Coverage Tackling Competes Play Speed Instincts

6.5 6.5 5.5 6.5 6.5 6.5

 

 

STRONG POINTS

Whitner is a very good athlete with the foot quickness, speed and explosiveness to make hard hits and plays all over the field. Is consistently aggressive when coming up the field in run support and makes hard, physical tackles. Moves through traffic easily and has the foot quickness and agility to avoid blocks well on the move. Reads and reacts to passes well -- closes fast to make hard hits on passes in front of him and can get out to the sideline to break up passes right as the ball arrives. Can cover tight ends all over the field well in tight man-to-man coverage -- can stay on the receiver's hip deep down the seam.

 

 

 

WEAKNESSES

Obviously, Whitner's lack of size is the biggest weakness for him -- can be dragged for extra yards by big ball carriers, misses some tackles and will struggle to maintain durability in the NFL. Lack of size will also hinder his ability to play strong at the point of attack -- NFL lead blockers will be able to knock him backward and eliminate him from the play too easily. Despite being able to stay right on tight ends' hips in man-to-man coverage, lack of height hinders his ability to make plays on high passes to tall tight ends. While he does a decent job covering the slot receiver, he lacks the ability to be very good in tight man-to-man coverage against quick and explosive NFL slot receivers.

 

 

 

POSITIONAL FACTORS

Grade Category Comments/Description

6.5 Read & React Athleticism and instincts help him to consistently read and react very quickly to the play.

6.0 M/M Coverage Can cover tight ends and running backs very well in tight man-to-man coverage, but struggles to break up high passes to tall receivers.

6.5 Zone Coverage Reads and reacts very quickly to the pass and can get there in time to make the play and break up the pass.

6.5 Break and Close His instincts, athleticism and explosiveness help him to consistently break and close very fast.

6.5 Hips/Turn Ability Has very good hips and can turn and run without losing a step -- very smooth and fluid in turns.

5.5 Tackling Can be a very good, physical player, but does not use good technique sometimes and misses some tackles.

6.0 Hitting Ability Can be a very hard-hitting tackler when he stays over his feet and under control, but is not always good in that.

5.0 Hands - Interception Has had few chances and did not always look good, but has the hands to catch ball decently.

6.0 Hands - Fight Blocker He does a good job fighting through blocks and avoids blocks very well on the move.

6.5 Deep Speed Has the playing speed to run with tight ends deep down the seam without allowing separation.

N/A Return Ability Did not return punts or kickoffs.

6.0 Errors Does not make any glaring errors, but does miss some tackles when he loses his focus.

 

 

 

ATHLETIC ABILITY Section Grade: 6.5

Whitner is a very good athlete, which is why he has been such a productive safety despite being on the smallish side. Has very quick feet, which combines with his intincts and quick reads to let him consistently break and close on plays very fast. Accelerates to full speed very quickly and has the speed to make plays from sideline to sideline -- once he gets close to the play, he has an explosive closing burst to finish it. Has the athleticism to cover running backs and tight ends very well in tight man-to-man coverage, and can do a solid job on the slot receiver. Lack of height hinders his ability against tall receivers. Athleticism allows him to break down and tackle well out in space when he stays over his feet and under control.

 

Q.A.B. Quick Feet C.O.D. Flexibility Coordination

6.5 6.5 6.5 6.0 6.5

 

 

 

COMPETITIVENESS Section Grade: 6.5

Whitner is a very tough safety who plays with an aggressive, attacking style on every snap and never backs away from the chance to make huge hits. While he is generally a productive safety, he has consistently shown the ability to make big plays in the most important situations, and much of it is due to his attacking the play and staying under control at the same time. Athleticism, toughness and aggressiveness enable him to make plays all over the field in every situation. Consistently comes up very quickly in run support, avoids blockers with ease and makes hard hits on a regular basis. But he will at times get out of control and miss tackles because of aggressiveness. Can get outside to break up passes on deep routess, and can break and close quickly on passes in front of him. Makes hard hits right after the catch to knock the ball away. Is a highly competitive safety that goes all out on every snap and never quits, hustling and chasing to make plays all over the field.

 

Toughness Clutch Play Production Consistency Team Player Pride/Quit

6.5 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.5 6.5

 

 

 

MENTAL ALERTNESS Section Grade: 6.0

Whitner is a smart safety, and it shows in his ability to line up in a variety of different alignments without breaking down and making mental errors. Has very good instincts, and that combines with his foot quickness and burst to let him consistently react very fast to the play. Ability to stay focused is what helps him play aggressively and make plays all over the field, but at times he loses concentration and it leads to him getting overaggressive and missing some tackles out in space.

 

Learn/Retain Instincts/Reactions Concentration

6.0 6.5 6.0

 

 

 

STRENGTH/EXPLOSION Section Grade: 5.0

Whitner is definitely short and undersized for a safety, but he consistently plays much bigger than his measurements. While he has been a durable safety at Ohio State, the fact that he is so undersized and plays so aggressively causes concern about his ability to maintain his durability in the NFL. Is naturally a very explosive athlete and his ability to read the play and break quickly enables him to close explosively and finish plays consistently. Has shown the ability to play strong at the point of attack and make hard, physical tackles, but his lack of bulk and size will hinder his ability to play strong in the NFL.

 

Body Type Durability Explosion Play Strength

3.0 5.0 6.5 5.5

[John Adams]

So, what you are saying is that the Bills picked the 20th best player 12 spots too high.

 

I really hope this kid is as great as the Bills and others seem to think.  I just think it was a reach.

675117[/snapback]

 

No. What I'm saying is that the Bills picked the best player for them, when he was available. One and maybe two other teams were after him in the next 5 picks, so the Bills picked him up and took no chances.

 

Maybe you didn't get this: rating someone 20th doesn't mean that's where he's picked.

[Rico]

Florio's take:

8. Buffalo Bills: Donte Whitner, S, Ohio State

 

Bills address one of many areas of need.  (Too bad they can't draft an owner or G.M.)

[SethinShelby]

People are complaining about how we reached, but I think the draft is so deep that there is no real difference when it comes to grading out the players between picks 10-26. I mean who would have imagined that the Texans actually had Mario Willams graded higher than Bush.

 

There was really no sense in drafting one of the falling QBs. If any of the other top players at a different position fell we would have taken them. DTs are really hard to judge and they take atleast a few years to develop. Bunkley had character issues and Ngata does not fit the shemes, and the more I hear about Ngata the more I hear about taking plays off.

 

I'm a huge Buckeye fan and though Whitner was a fast, smart, hard hitting safety. The only concern I have is that last year he was probably playing on a better defense in college than the Bills had. It is hard to say if his talent was overshadowed by the rest of the first round talent on that defense including Hawk, Carpenter, Youboty. I mean the OSU defense was great at all levels. I'm worried he was assisted greatly by the talent around him. I'm concerned that with Buffalo we are not gonna have that player for player talent defense to help Whitner be that much better.

[Orton's Arm]

Leading up to the draft, I noticed four groups of posters:

 

- Those who advocated the Bills take the best available lineman at #8

- Those who advocated the Bills take the best available non-QB at #8 (Hawk, Davis, etc.)

- Those who were willing to take a QB at #8

- Those who wanted to trade down, then maybe do one of the above things

 

By taking Whitner, Levy has managed to annoy all four of the above groups. None of the posts I've seen on these boards advocated taking him at #8. None of the mock drafts I've seen had him going to the Bills or in the top ten. Yet there are those who insist on defending this pick, as I knew there would be. Marv could do almost anything whatsoever, and I know that some people would search for any available reason or excuse to defend him. The reasons I've seen bandied about are these:

 

1. A trade-down wasn't available. I find this very difficult to believe. Even if Denver had a trade partner lined up, I'm sure they would at least have been willing to give to the Bills whatever it is they ended up giving to their current trade partner.

 

2. The Bills needed to upgrade Coy Wire. While true, he could easily have been upgraded in the second, third, or even fourth round.

 

3. Whitner might have been taken by Detroit at #9. So what? This is a deep draft. Had the Bills traded down to, say, #15, and Whitner was no longer there, they could have traded down again for even more picks. Can you honestly say Whitner is going to be the sort of elite player that you don't trade away?

 

I invite any of those defending this Whitner pick to show me their pre-draft posts suggesting we take him.

[John Adams]

I invite any of those defending this Whitner pick to show me their pre-draft posts suggesting we take him.

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That's nice logic. I thought the Bills would take a terribly risky pick and take Ngata. I like this safer pick, now that we have him. If the Bills had selected Ngata, I'd have a huge aching pit of worry in my stomach. With Whitner, I have none. It's a good pick.

 

Oh, and the guy at NFL.com (Maylock?) had the Bills taking Whitner at #8, in an article just yesterday. You probably know more than him though.

 

Tell us: who would you have picked? Please go on the record.