2008 NFL Mock Draft: Buffalo Bills

Previous Five Picks

6) NFL-New_York_Jets-2008_NFL_Mock_Draft_New_York_Jets-060208">New York Jets: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

7) Patriots-2008_NFL_Mock_Draft_New_England_Patriots-100208">New England Patriots: Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State

8) Ravens-2008_NFL_Mock_Draft_Baltimore_Ravens-120208">Baltimore Ravens: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State 

9) Bengals-2008_NFL_Mock_Draft_Cincinnati_Bengals-150208">Cincinnati Bengals: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC 

10) Saints-2008_NFL_Mock_Draft_New_Orleans_Saints-170208">New Orleans Saints: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy 

Click here to see the entire Mock Draft. 

The Longest Mock Draft in NFL History Continues...

Welcome to part 11 of this 31-part Mock Draft column.

I want to thank the Patriots for being kind enough to get themselves docked a first round pick.  I’m not sure if I would have survived a 32-part column. 

Tuesday is the big day here at Bleacher Report.  Hopefully the new readers don’t judge me by my half insane, pro-Patriots rant last night. 

I blame a three-day weekend, the kids falling asleep early, and the extra beer I found in the back of the fridge.

Pick No. 11:  Buffalo Bills

Here’s the thing about the 2007 Bills: They weren’t that bad.

They had some serious matchup problems against the Patriots that cost them two embarrassing games, but outside of that they played pretty well. 

They were a tough loss to the Cowboys away from playing .500 ball for the season, which would have been a rousing success considering their injuries.

The Bills do, however, have some significant needs.

On the offensive side of the ball, they could use a consistent wide receiver.  Someone who runs good routes and can move the chains. 

In Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish (assuming he stays sober) they have two tremendous deep threats, but I’m not sure they have a consistent number one receiver.

Limas Sweed out of Texas could fill that void.

On the defensive side of the ball, they need help everywhere. 

They desperately need a big cornerback who can match up with receivers like Randy Moss.  Moss made their secondary look silly, as he was blanketed by multiple defenders yet still managed to torch them to the tune of 243 yards in two games.

They need a corner who can cover, press, and has the size to deal with someone like Moss. 

A corner like Aqib Talib out of Kansas.

But I’m a big believer in building a defense from the front seven out. 

If you have a front seven that can stop the run and get after the quarterback, you can mask some deficiencies in your secondary.

On the other hand, if your front seven can’t pressure the opposing quarterback, it doesn’t matter how good your secondary is. 

They can only cover for so long.  Someone will eventually get open.

Paul Posluzsny and Angelo Crowell are fantastic linebackers, but I’m not sold on anyone else on this roster.

With that in mind…

The Pick: Dan Connor, LB, Penn State

Paul Posluzsny will be extremely happy to see his former Penn State teammate join him up in Buffalo. 

Dan Connor is a good tackler who, even though he’s a little small, can lower the boom on occasion. 

He has the speed and lateral movement required to go sideline to sideline. 

He can get after the quarterback when given the opportunity.

Posluzsny, Crowell, and Connor could anchor the Buffalo front seven for years to come.

If they don’t go with Connor, someone like Keith Rivers out of USC is also a possibility. 

I fully expect the Buffalo Bills to compete for a playoff spot next season.  To do that, they need to get better defensively.  

29th against the pass and 25th against the rush just isn’t going to cut it in the powerful AFC. 

The selection of the 2007 Chuck Bednarik Award winner will go a long way towards improving those numbers in 2008.

I’m SeanMC.

SeanMC is a Columnist at Bleacher Report. His archive can be found here. You can find everything he writes, including articles for other publications, here.