2012 NFL Draft: For Buffalo Bills, WR Stephen Hill Fits the Bill

I woke up this morning and groggily opened up my Twitter app to check the latest NFL Scouting Combine updates. Even in February, my days start by pondering what’s going on in the world of the Buffalo Bills.

My eyes perked up pretty quickly when I saw what Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill recorded in the 40-yard dash.

His unofficial times: 4.30 and 4.31.

That’s not a typo, folks.

This is a 6’4” wideout who weighs 215 pounds and runs faster than most NFL receivers. He’s a big target. He’s explosive. He can stretch the field.

Is this not exactly what the Buffalo Bills are looking for on offense?

Bills head coach Chan Gailey made one thing clear in his combine media session: The team is aware of all the size in this year’s wide receiver class. But I don’t think any of the other big wide receivers are going to run as fast as Hill did.

Buffalo is in the middle of contract negotiations with No. 1 wideout Steve Johnson, and Johnson told FOX Sports Ohio that things are looking up.

Even if and when Johnson re-signs, though, the Bills are still hoping to land a big downfield threat to stretch the defense, go up and make plays and take some of the attention away from No. 13.

Hill seems like the perfect fit.

With such impressive tangibles and ridiculous speed, some may speculate as to whether or not Hill is merely a "workout warrior," as Rotoworld.com points out. Some might argue that he had limited production in college and that strong combine numbers don’t automatically translate to NFL success.

However, Hill’s lack of college production was due primarily to Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense. He had much fewer opportunities to shine compared to other top prospects like Justin Blackmon and Michael Floyd. But Hill took full advantage of those limited chances and averaged 29.3 yards per catch last season.

If that’s not a deep threat, I don’t know what is.

Hill and the Bills seems like a match made in heaven. But as the wideout continues to open eyes at the NFL Combine, the question becomes: At what cost?

Prior to his blazing 40 time, Hill was projected to be a second-round prospect. Now that he has everyone’s attention, he could move up draft boards and push himself into Round 1.

If that's the case, Buffalo would probably have to do some wheeling and dealing to land the mountainous Hill.

There is a strong possibility the Bills will target a pass-rusher with the 10th overall pick. They could then try to trade back into the first round and select Hill prior to other potentially interested teams, since there are several franchises that could use a big-time wide receiver.

The Bills could also consider trading back from pick No. 10. Moving back would enable them to still land a pass-rusher like Clemson’s Andre Branch who can effectively set the edge, which would then allow Buffalo to accumulate an extra early-round pick to work with.

Or, they could not pursue Hill altogether. There’s definitely a strong possibility that the Bills look elsewhere to bolster their need at wide receiver. Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd has also had an impressive combine showing so far, and there are other talented mid-round prospects set to enter the NFL.

But one thing is for sure: If the Bills are looking for a big-bodied deep threat who can make athletic plays downfield, Stephen Hill is certainly making a case to be that guy.

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