2011 NFL Draft: Rounds 1 & 2 for the Buffalo Bills with Explanations

Buffalo Bills fans, your team is in between a rock and a hard place: go with Cam Newton or without Cam Newton! (if he's still there, I think he will be)

Mel "the Hair" Kiper has the Bills picking Von Miller with the third pick. I am going to disagree with him soundly—I don't think Von Miller fits the immediate need for the Bills, my thinking is logical so roll with me. 

Von Miller has had to work his way "up" the draft. That's rarely good news if the film on an NFL hopefully doesn't tell most of the story. And rarely does an outside linebacker exceed the expectations of a top five draft pick. There will be better picks for the Bills which will support their strengths and strengthen their weaknesses. 

The offense was the bright spot for the Bills last season, with the surprise emergence of Fitzpatrick at quarterback. I can't imagine one person who wasn't surprised. It's very tempting to place an abundance of hope on a defensive player, hoping that this one young stud will lead the defense to a resurgence. This rarely happens...rarely. 

The draft is about creating depth and winning through your strengths. That's why the Buffalo Bills play to Chan Gailey's strength and they draft with the third pick: A.J. Green from Georgia. Last year was about deepening the backfield of the Bills, now it is possible to shore up this offense. A.J. Green can be a piece of the puzzle rather than placing an overwhelming amount of hope on one defensive player. 

A.J. Green will allow the offense to grow and score more. A.J. Green doesn't have to carry the offense, he can take pressure off of Fitzpatrick, Jackson, and Johnson. Remember, Bill's fans, this team have some great picks to address the defense. The history of the draft shows that excellent defensive athletes fall into the second round. Excellent players such as...

Brooks Reed: 6'3, 263. Arizona. 40 time: 4.65, Bench press: 30 times. The Patriots have had him in. He's played in the Arizona "Desert Swarm" defense, a defense known for its great creativity. Brooks Reed was able to pass rush from everywhere. He can play both defensive end and outside linebacker He should be highly considered by the Bills. 

Justin Houston: 6'3, 270. Georgia. 40 time: 4.68, Bench press: 30 times. Is rated higher than Reed but very similar in build and athletic nature. Can play end and on the outside in the 3-4 scheme. Comes from another creative defense in Georgia. 

The Bills need take a linebacker in the 2nd and even 4th. These are two of the biggest outside linebackers in the draft. The Bills need big, strong, and multipurpose linebackers. I think the Bills could realistically get their hands on both of the linebackers, creating depth and competition. Houston will be there in the second and Reed in the third, unless the Patriots take him. Grabbing one of these linebackers would be a success for the Bills. 

The strength of this draft is defense. The Bills need a group of defensive players, not just one to put their hopes in. A.J. Green creates growth in the offense while there are plenty of other linebackers to meet their needs. Lucky for the Bills they pick early in all of the rounds. There will be great defensive players for their taking. 

However, the Bills must start by playing to their strengths. 

1st pick: A.J. Green

2nd pick: Justin Houston

3rd pick: Brooks Reed