2008 NFL Draft: By-Position Breakdown of the Buffalo Bills

Here we go, an indepth look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Buffalo Bills going into the 2008 NFL Draft, ranked on a high, medium and low scale for each position.

Quarterbacks

Draft Needs: Low

Trent Edwards, in his second year out of Standford, is slotted for the number one spot, backed up by the talented but uneven J.P. Losman. 

Although Losman’s agent has asked for a trade, the front office has publicly stated they’re not looking to part with him.  Unless they are knocked over with the proverbial deal they can’t refuse, Losman will be on the roster in ’08. 

Even if they were to move Losman in a pre- or draft day deal, it’s more likely they’d sign a veteran to back-up Edwards rather than spending a draft pick.

Running Backs

Draft Needs: Low

Last year’s first rounder Marshawn Lynch firmly established himself as the number-one back, while former NFL Europe back Fred Jackson seems to have the number two spot secured.  In limited duty, Jackson played well enough to send veteran Anthony Thomas packing.

Fellow 2007 draftee Dwayne Wright rounds out the trio, leaving the need for a back in the ’08 draft low on the priority list.

Full Backs

Draft Needs: Low

Unlike past incarnations of Buffalo offenses, the current system rarely utilizes the fullback position.  There’s no need for a Jamie Mueller or Sam Gash-type on the roster, and with Jonathan Evans and Darian Barnes on the roster, this isn’t much of a need position. 

However, with the number of free agency departures that impacted the special teams, Buffalo could pick up someone like Owen Schmitt (West Virginia) or Jacob Hester (LSU) in the later rounds.

Wide Receivers

Draft Needs: High

Everyone knows the Bills will be looking to score a starting wide receiver, and probably on day one of the draft. 

Lee Evans is the incumbent number one, but questions surround his status considering this is the final year of his contract, and the Bills aren’t known for shelling out the big dollars to keep their own players.  After a rough start to his career, Josh Reed has settled in nicely at slot receiver, while the team has yet to figure out how to fully utilize Roscoe Parrish beyond the return game.

The two names most commonly linked to the Bills have been Devin Thomas (Michigan St.) and Malcolm Kelly (Oklahoma).  They’ve openly expressed the desire to bring a big body to take some heat off of Evans, and both Thomas and Kelly fill that need. 

With the Evans situation in mind, it would not be a surprise for Buffalo to draw from the receiver well twice during the draft, with the likes of Paul Hubbard (Wisconsin) or Adarius Bowman (Oklahoma St.) available on day two.

Tight Ends

Draft Needs: Medium

Robert Royal has been adequate during his time in Buffalo as a capable blocker and receiver, but there’s no mistaking him for Kellen Winslow Jr. or Tony Gonzalez.  Michael Gaines showed flashes last year, but he bolted in free agency to Detroit

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