Buffalo Bills Add Four Potential Starters in Day One of NFL Draft

(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The Buffalo Bills are in a playoff or bust mode this season, and for good reason.

For once, they understand that the fans can only take so much.  The Bills brass realizes that anything short of the playoffs is unacceptable, and their are jobs on the line.

Head coach Dick Jauron will certainly be looking for a new job next year if the Bills don't reach the postseason, while Tom Modrak (assistant GM) and Russ Brandon (GM/COO) also are on the hot seat.

The Bills realized that they have big holes on both sides of the football.  A pass-rushing defensive end, linebacker, tight end, and offensive guard/tackle were all gaping holes on the roster and that needed to be filled coming into this season.

They addressed some of those needs with four picks on day one of the NFL draft, adding two solid offensive line prospects while also adding two play-makers on the defensive side of the ball as well (although one pick was surprising).

Round 1, Pick 11:  Buffalo Selects DE Aaron Maybin

Rumors came out the night before the draft began that the Bills were very interested in trading up in the draft to pick up OT Andre Smith (who ended up going to the Cincinnati Bengals at pick No. 6), however, the price was just too high, so the Bills stayed put at No. 11 and selected play-making defensive end Aaron Maybin.

Pros

Maybin will certainly help out a team that had just 24 sacks last season, which was 28th in the NFL.  He is an explosive pass rusher who totaled 12 sacks and 20 tackles for loss in his sophomore season. 

He falls into the category of a speed rusher and is highly athletic.  He has good burst off of the line and can change directions quickly and smoothly, creating headaches for slower offensive lineman.

He has the quickest first step in the draft this year. Maybin is definitely a high motor guy who pursues like no other.  Backside pressure is relentless, as he goes hard after the ball carrier.   He is a very aggressive player who plays with outstanding passion and effort. 

His long arms will help bat down passes, while also creating fumbles by stripping the ball from the quarterback (three forced fumbles for Penn State this season). Maybin also has played both sides of the D-line, while also having some experience in dropping back into coverage (something that will help a zone blitzing scheme that the Bills use time to time). 

He can not only get after the quarterback, but will also help out in the running game.  He is still very young (only 21 years old) and still has tons of potential.  He has added 20 pounds of muscle mass this offseason already (listed at 249 lbs. now).  His height is also a plus (listed at 6-4 3/4).  The sky is the limit for this kid.

Cons:

Maybin only played in two seasons in college after being red-shirted his freshman year.  He is defined by some as being a one-year wonder.  He is still a little undersized in terms of weight, which could cause him to get pushed around, and could also cause him to struggle to get off of blocks against NFL talent.  Not a great timed-runner.  Doesn't play with much discipline at times, although effort and pure athletic ability can help him recover.  Needs to gain awareness and is still a little immature.

Already There:
The Bills currently have six defensive ends with Maybin being added to the roster.  Aaron Schobel is returning after two injury plagued seasons, but the Bills are hoping he can return to his Pro Bowl form, in which he can be a game changer.  Remember, Schobel is a guy who registered 14 sacks just a mere two seasons ago.  He will be the starter on the right side of the line.

Ryan Denney and Chris Kelsay will have to battle with Maybin at the left DE position.  Denney and Kelsay are both guys who are great at stopping the run, however they struggle to generate pressure off of the edge and can disappear at times. 

Kelsay is reportedly being shopped around by the Bills, which is understandable, especially with the pick-up of Maybin.  Seeing as Kelsay and Denney both have similar skill sets, and both are highly overpaid (although Denney is the cheaper of the two), the Bills really need only one of them. 

Maybin along with Denney/Kelsay will most likely be the rotation on the left side of the defensive line.  Kelsay should be traded for whatever the Bills can get, while Denney and Maybin have a rotation on the left side, giving the Bills a good run-stopper along with a solid speed-rusher.

Copeland Bryan and Chirs Ellis are also still on the roster.  Ellis was the Bills third-round selection in last year's draft, and has the same skill set as Maybin as a speed pass-rusher.  Ellis played in a few games at the end of the year for the Bills and didn't look like he belonged.  He is still a work in progress and too big of a question mark for the Bills.

Bryan on the other hand is a guy with little upside.  He shouldn't be anything more than a fringe player looking to sub in a few times a game when others get tired.  Other than that, he should stick to special teams.

Outlook:

Maybin has the potentia,l but for the near feature, he looks to be a situational pass-rusher and not an every-down player.  The thing is, that is just what the Bills need.  With Schobel on the right side and Maybin and Denney rotating on the left side, it gives the Bills a solid pass rush, along with guys who can help out in the running game. 

Bills fans have to be patient with Maybin, as he will not be a force on day one of the season, but will improve as the season goes on.  For this year, he is a pass-rusher that the Bills greatly need, but has all the tools to be an every-down player in the feature for the Bills.

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