Carucci / Kirwan / Brandt Analyses

[Lurker]

Whitner:

 

Vic Carucci: This is a surprise, mainly because Whitner didn't seem to project this high. He was generally regarded as the second- or third-best safety after Michael Huff, and what this pick tells me is that the Bills had wanted Huff but were prepared to go with the second-best player at the position on their board to find a key ingredient to Dick Jauron's new "Tampa Two" scheme that emphasizes two-deep coverage by the safeties.

 

Still, this looks as if it could be a reach. I know the Bills were trying hard to trade down and collect extra choices, but couldn't get any team interested enough to make a deal. Did they panic as the clock wound down?

 

Pat Kirwan: I like him. He's a matchup player, but he's a guy they probably could have traded down for.

 

Gil Brandt: Whitner is a safety, but in all probability can also play corner. He is a solid football player who makes solid plays.

 

 

McCargo:

 

Carucci: The Bills addressed another big defensive need here, although this could be a bit high for McCargo to be selected. He has enough quickness to be a nice fit in Buffalo's defense, lining up next to Larry Triplett, but he will need to add some strength in order for him to meet the expected production of a first-rounder.

 

Pat Kirwan: On my board, he was an early second-round pick. He’s the third guy out of N.C. State in 26 picks. He was in a great group, and so it’s hard to figure out how well he’ll play without the others.

 

Gil Brandt: He's not real tall, but he's strong and athletic, and very active. This might have been a little bit of a reach, but there might not have been anyone left to fill the spot they need.

[MadBuffaloDisease]

Marv said a couple days ago that the guy they wanted would be available well after their 8th pick. Huff was projected as a top-10 pick. To me that says that Whitner was their man all along, not Huff.