Line 'Em Up: Buffalo Bills Draft for the O-Line

Christmas in April came to an end last weekend, and we are definitely not short of a few opinions. 

I love reading everyone's point of view, but this year I find myself contemplating how some draft experts grade the Bills at a B+ all the way down to an F.  

Looking at the picks and the makeup of the team, I've decided to grade the draft at the higher end of the spectrum.

With two first-round picks, many thought the Bills would address their need at left tackle with their 11th overall by drafting Michael Oher. When the Bills took Aaron Maybin, a DE from Penn State, it was almost a slam-dunk that a tackle would be taken with the 28th pick. 

To the surprise of many, Buffalo took a center, Eric Wood from Louisville, bypassing their need on the vacant tackle spot. The Bills then followed up with a CB from Oregon, and traded back into the second round for a Guard from Oregon State.

Most experts have agreed that not addressing the left tackle was a poor choice by the Bills. Some are still disagreeing over the Maybin pick, but that's another argument to be had. 

Here is some background that some may know—and others may not—regarding the Bills offensive line:

Langston Walker, the Bills starting right tackle, played left tackle for Jason Peters in the opening game of the season and also filled in during the second game, as Peters was not in playing condition. Walker filled in the hole quite nicely, and during those two games, Bills fans everywhere contemplated, "If Jason Peters ever left..."

Eric Wood was a standout center at Louisville racking up (unofficially) around 160 knockdowns throughout his career. The Bills want to use free agent signee Geoff Hangartner at center, so the theory is that Wood will move over to fill the vacant left guard position. 

Wood is described as having a "nasty" demeanor on the field and is always looking for the next player to punish.  Wood also played guard in high school and says that the transition should be easy enough, as the footwork is similar.

As I said before, the Bills want to use Hangartner at center.  Although Hangartner only performed as a backup in Carolina, he did end up starting mid-year due to injuries and performed admirably for Carolina's powerful running game.

Should Hangartner not be the free agent Buffalo thought he will be, I suspect that Wood would be moved to the starting role.

Brad Butler has manned right guard for the past two years, and he looks to be the only part of the offensive line that will not change.  However, with different scenarios that could pan out, Butler could move around the line. 

Most seem to have forgotten that Butler's natural position is tackle.

Last is right tackle.  With this position now becoming the one with the biggest questions, the Bills have several options.  Kirk Chambers played at this position last year during the first two games, while Walker moved to the left side. 

The Bills also drafted a tackle last year in the seventh round—Demetrius Bell.  Bell was drafted as a work in progress, but has since shown extreme promise after being on the practice squad last year. 

For all of you who can't see a seventh rounder making the team, remember that Peters was an undrafted tight end. 

If neither of these two options work out, there is the possibility that Butler is moved outside to right tackle, and the Bills second round guard, Andy LeVitre, will be plugged in at right guard.

At the end of day one, many people were agitated that the Bills did not address their needs, but it looks like they did everything they needed to.  I give the Bills exemplary marks for this year's draft, but hey, what do I know? I'm no draft expert.