The Buffalo Bills: 2009 Mock Draft, A Look Ahead

I had been wondering for a while what to write for my first article. I finally decided to write about my favorite part of the season (aside from the actual games of course). It's never too early to look ahead and so I will take a look at what the Buffalo Bills might do in the 2009 NFL Draft.

I am basing the Bills draft spot on an average of the power rankings I've seen thus far and placing them amongst the postseason teams. I will be looking at seniors and underclassmen that might come out a year early. This mock is of course based on hope that the Bills resign their main free agents, Lee Evans and Angelo Crowell, or this draft would change entirely. So with an intact roster of its core players, here's what I see happening:

With the 22nd pick in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select:

Alex Mack—Center, University of California senior—6'5" 315 lbs

I was surprised that the Bills didn't select a center in the draft this year. Fowler is a serviceable center and maybe the Bills scouts didn't think any of the center prospects would be an upgrade (plus the Colts drafted all the centers).

I had a bit of a hard time making this pick as there are a lot of good DEs this year and the Bills might go that rout. Alex Mack is a unanimous All-PAC 10 First Team selection last season. He is the best center prospect in years. Also considered Greg Hardy, DE Ole Miss, or Greg Middleton, DE Indiana.

Second round pick #54

Brandon Pettigrew—Tight End, Oklahoma State senior—6'5" 260 lbs

I, unlike some people, liked the pick of Derek Fine. Fine will be a great special teams addition and a good No. 2 TE in this league. He, however, is not a play maker and we need an upgrade over Robert Royal.

Drafting Pettigrew will upgrade our TE position and with Fine all ready there, we will be set for the next few years. This pick is contingent that Pettigrew can stay out of trouble. I am not quite sure what his off the field issues are, but any red flags could drop him in or out of the draft (see Adarius Bowman).

Third round pick #86

Pannel Egboh—Defensive End, Stanford senior—6'6" 280 lbs

Always looking for D-line help in this league, the Bills get some more in the third round for the second straight year. After drafting Chris Ellis, the Bills will be inclined to keep stock piling younger D-lineman as Aaron Schobel gets older. The Bills also have shown the willingness to get bigger upfront as long as they can run, i.e. Marcus Stroud.

Without a big DE on the roster, the 6'6" 280 pound Egboh can fill the left end spot. The Bills do not have a big end to anchor the left side opposite Schobel and Ellis. He also will have the versatility to move inside as well something the Bills covet.

Fourth round pick #118

Clint Sintim—Outside Linebacker, Virginia senior—6'3" 254 lbs

The Bills will continue to add depth in the draft with this pick. Sintim is another Bills pick because he will give them more versatility being able to play inside or strong side linebacker and will be a good backup to Angelo Crowell. He will also add to the idea of getting bigger without sacrificing too much speed as he is listed right now at 254 pounds. This would really solidify the linebackers unit.

Fifth round pick #150

Steve Rehring—Guard, Ohio State senior—6'7" 333 lbs

There are a couple of guards I liked at this spot who could get consideration as the Bills do have one of the biggest O-lines in the league. I chose Rehring because the Bills always seem to lean toward Ohio State players. The Bills won't have a lot of needs in this draft, so if they can accomplish those early in the draft they can have these depth picks.

The Bills are pretty shallow on the O-line and could use a solid backup at guard. I do however love the pickup of undrafted free agent Robert Felton out of Arkansas. I felt that he was a fifth round talent, so watch out for him. I also thought about Derrick Dockery's younger brother but that probably won't happen (Cedric Dockery—Texas, 6'4" 320 lbs—he could go as early as the late third)

Sixth round pick #182

Chase Holbrook—Quarterback, New Mexico State senior—6'5" 235 lbs

With the impending loss of Losman who will almost certainly leave after this season, if not before it, the Bills will need a quality backup. They will probably pick up a vet in free agency and draft another one late in this draft. Holbrook would be a fantastic pick if he lasts this long barring a Heisman-like season; he is the most underrated QB in this draft. He would be a good backup for years to come before he starts for another team (no, Edwards is not going anywhere).

Seventh round pick #214

Jason Chapman—Defensive Tackle, Wisconsin senior—6'4" 285 lbs

You can never have too much depth on either line, so the Bills will continue to add to their lines in this draft selecting two for each. Jason Chapman is a good cover two DT but had a season-ending knee injury last year. If he can come back strong and prove he's healthy this is a solid seventh round pick after the solid seventh this year.

If he is not healthy, the Bills will stay at DT and take Will Johnson out of Michigan at 6'5" and 295 lbs he could add to the D-line rotation as a solid run stuffer.

So that's what I think the '09 draft will look like if the Bills can keep their core players intact after this season. They will have relatively no needs after the first three rounds and can draft for depth and value. I am really excited for this upcoming season and think this will be a playoffs year for the Bills.

I am really excited about our rookie class as well Leodis McKelvin and James Hardy along with Chris Ellis and Steve Johnson. I really can't wait to see what Marshawn Lynch, Trent Edwards, and Paul Posluszny can do in their second seasons here in Buffalo.

So much to look forward to this year it's no wonder we sold over 50,000 season tickets this year.