It’s no secret the Buffalo Bills are searching for a wide receiver to complement Lee Evans and bolster a lackluster passing attack.
After a failed courtship with free agent Bryant Johnson, who eventually ended up in San Francisco, attention now turns to the upcoming 2008 draft class to fill the vacancy.
If the Bills are going to make the jump out of the offensive cellar, it would be wise to examine similarities among the top rated passing attacks in the NFL last year.
Last year, New England, Green Bay, New Orleans, Dallas and Arizona ranked first to fifth, respectively, in passing yards per game. Look at passing touchdowns per game, and you have four of the same five teams, just switch out Pittsburgh for New Orleans, which was still highly ranked at number nine overall.
One of the common factors all these teams shared was at least one of their two starting wide receivers was over six feet tall. New England, New Orleans, Dallas and Arizona all had starting receivers at six foot three or above. Then again, San Francisco and Tennessee had a multiple receivers on their rosters over six feet tall and were statistically among the worst passing teams in the NFL last year.
Now of course, there are multiple factors involved in putting together a potent passing attack: solid pass protection from the offensive line, an effective running game, smart play calling from the coaching staff paired with a capable and competent quarterback who can make the necessary throws.
From the decrease in quarterback sacks, down from 47 in 2006 to 26 in 2007, to the solid running back tandem of Marshawn Lynch and projected number two Fred Jackson, the Bills appear to heading in the right direction offensively, even if they lack a playmaking tight end. New offensive coordinator Turk Schonert has indicated during this offseason that he wants a more aggressive aerial attack, and more responsibility to fall on presumed starter Trent Edwards, who was denied the ability to audible by former offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild.
That leaves the receiving corps.
Lee Evans and Josh Reed are 5'10", and Roscoe Parrish is an inch shorter. Justin Jenkins and Felton Huggins, both first year undrafted free agents, are on the roster, but have yet to catch a pass in the NFL. With many of the offensive pieces in place, this leaves a tall, big-bodied wide receiver in the mold of Marques Colston or Larry Fitzgerald as the missing component.
Currently Buffalo is slotted to pick at No. 11 and No. 41 on day one. While there are needs at various positions, in order for the offense to improve, they must come out of this draft with a starting wide receiver to pair opposite Lee Evans. Based on the height requirements outlined above, that rules out Cal’s DeSean Jackson, LSU’s Early Doucet and Michigan’s Mario Manningham from consideration.
Here are my top five prospects at wide receiver for the Bills in 2008, with measurables from NFL.com and ESPN.com...
1. Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma
6’ 3 3/4”
224 lbs
40-time: 4.55
2. Limas Sweed, Texas
6’ 3 7/8”
215 lbs
40-time: 4.52
3. James Hardy, Indiana
6’ 5 3/8”
215 lbs
40-time: 4.51
4. Adarius Bowman, Oklahoma State
6’ 2 7/8”
223 lbs
40-time: 4.67
5. Jordy Nelson, Kansas State
6’ 2 5/8”
217 lbs
40-time: 4.51
Any of these receivers would make an excellent complement to Evans, give Trent Edwards an important weapon in the passing game, and allow Buffalo to take the next step to improve the passing game.
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3 months ago
Well I agree but swap out Bowman and insert Paul Hubbard from Wisconsin @ 6'2 and 221 lbs he ran a 4.47 40 @ the combine and a 4.38 @ his pro day he also notched a 39.5 vertical, he could be had in the 3rd. I really like Hardy though. He was a redzone beast last year. He would be an ideal fit for our offense. 6'5 with a 37" vertical leap and a 4.47 40 @ the combine he is a beast. I have heard he has off the field issues, but I don't know exactly what they are or how bad. At least its not as bad as Bowman who just got caught again for the second time in his collegient career with marijuana. All this after a horrible combine, he might not even get drafted, unless the Bengles take him!!!
from 3 months ago
Good call on Hubbard, although pairing him with Evans and having two starting wide-outs from Wisconsin seems odd to me for some reason. Bowman definitely has some knocks against him, but what highlights I saw of him left me impressed. Maybe he'll end up replacing Chris Henry!
3 months ago
Buffalo still has an NFL team? jk - I actually used to like the Bills back in the day, with Thurman Thomas. In fact I pulled for them in the 2 Superbowls against Dallas.
Anyway, I think the Bills need a lot of things. On the bright side though, they are not as bad as the 'Phins.
Good in depth article. Looks like you really know your Bills.
3 months ago
I'm loving Malcolm Kelly, name even has a nice ring to it, don't you think? Will be disappointed it they don't take him, but there are still so many great defensive players left at number 11 (LB Rivers, and CBs McKelvin and Jenkins might stilll be hanging around), it might be a tough call for managment... Really wish we had of gotten Bryant Johnson, but if he wants to get destroyed in San Fran, so be it. But considering our youth already at CB and LB, Kelly looks slotted. I seem to be one of the only ones to think so, but I think Courtney Anderson will provide some help in the redzone, as long as he's worked into the offence correctly. A player's numbers with ATL and Oak don't represent anything in terms of potential, but what I've seen from him I like his stuff. Any love for Courts?
from 3 months ago
If anything, if they don't go wide-receiver in the first round, I'd like to see them go defensive line. I sort of take the Indianapolis approach under Polian and Dundy - it's better to fill your line with as many guys who can pressure the quarterback, and then have decent corners, rather than trying to go after the most talented (expensive) corners out there.
From listening to various NFL radio talking heads, most seem to think the run on tight ends will start around where the Bills pick in the 2nd round. If they go Kelly in the first, and then nab Dustin Keller or Fred Davis in the 2nd, I'd be happy with those two Day 1 picks. They can bolster the defense in rounds 3-7 and build on the depth.
3 months ago
The best WR that the bills should go with was not even on your list, (and hes being mentioned a lot on the message boards and by bills beat writer Chris Brown, is Devin Thomas of Michigan State. I'm at work and therefore stopped from getting his stats, but he is over 6', 9i believe 6'1 or 2, like 216, and runs a 4.4 40, he had more yards than any WR last year. Find him on Youtube, or theres a clip at Buffalobills.com where they look at the top 5 prospects.
3 months ago
I was just gonna say, I expected to see Devin Thomas on your list. As long as we add a big WR to take some pressure off Lee Evans I'll be happy.
3 months ago
DEVIN THOMAS
3 months ago
i love the steelers
screw the bills
3 months ago
your an idiot the bills are the best team ever
3 months ago
Geez ...were nowhere near football season.. take a break
3 months ago
I don't think it's at all unlikely that the Bills will do something unexpected in this upcoming draft. Look at the past few drafts. Last year all the prognosticators said the Bills would take Patrick Willis LB, and the year before it was DT Haloti Ngata. The Bills usually stick with their highest rated player. This year the draft is pretty deep in WR's. They just may wait to pick the big guy they need.
from 3 months ago
I think the Bills would have taken Willis last year had he been there, but since he went off the board to San Fran @ #11 and they were a pick behind, the rest is history. I remember how many draft day pundits mocked the Bills for picking Witner in '05, Modrak and Co. usually do a good job.
3 months ago
Wow how did you not put Devin Thomas on the list? If the Bills take a receiver it will be Kelly or Thomas. That is with the 11th pick.
from 3 months ago
My concern with Thomas is that he's a one-year wonder. He'd probably be number six or seven on my list, but I would have really liked to see what another year in college would have produced. Kelly, Sweed Nelson, Bowman and Hardy have at least two or three solid year to draw conclusions from. The Bills need a guy to start this season and make an impact, and I don't think Thomas has that polish and experience they need. Everything I read about him says "raw" and "needs time to develop." Just seems like the wrong fit at this time.
from 3 months ago
I guess I can't disagree that Thomas is raw. I would prefer it actually. If he can produce those kinds of numbers what can he do polished? I recently read that the Bills were in contact with only Kelly and Thomas as far as receivers went. Did you read this?
http://ballhype.com/article/bills_to_visit_with_receiver_devin_thomas/
3 months ago
yeah, where was Thomas? Also, Hubbard is not an option. His measurables are good, but if you watch film, he likes to catch the ball close to his body and doesn't shield it well, which negates his size. He's ok on jump balls, but will never excel on underneath routes.
3 months ago
Devin Thomas is the best WR in the draft. Size, speed, skills, he's got it all. He should be the first WR taken.
3 months ago
I could also see us taking Rodgers-Cromartie if he falls to us. The Bills new management has been very unpredictable as far as drafts are concerned.
2 months ago
Yeah, and Andre Reed went to Kutztown State. So, D. Thomas maybe a 1 yr. wonder, but look at his conference and competion and the numbers he put up ! What a pathic reason Not to list him. It's obvious you never played any organized football. You must get killed in your fantasy league(s).
Amir FaSaad
from 2 months ago
I'm supposed to be impressed that Thomas played against Michigan team that lost to Appalachian St.? Or that MSU played an awful Notre Dame team? Robert Meachem had a one great year in college and a great combine, how'd that work out for New Orleans last year?
Oh, and I won my fantasy league last year.
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