Buffalo Bills: It's Time to Finally Get a Draft Right

The Buffalo Bills are looking a lot better under the guidance of Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey. Unfortunately, they must suffer the consequences of past coaching and management decisions. So, while Buffalo is slowly recovering and improving, they must nail the 2012 NFL Draft.

The needs are obvious in Buffalo. A pass rusher, tight end, linebacker, receiver and cornerback are glaring weaknesses for the Bills. They can also use help wherever they can get it. For the first half of the draft, they should draft to their needs. For the rest of the draft, they should draft to the highest potential of the players. A bad draft can set a franchise back for years and Buffalo needs to stop the bleeding.

The past decade has been a nightmare for the scouts and front office of Buffalo, we know that. But eventually things must go Buffalo's way. Gailey and Nix know what direction they are going and they know what types of players can succeed in their system. While free agency may be more important for the Bills in 2012, the draft class of 2012 could guide the franchise for years to come.

Ralph Wilson Jr. has held the Bills back for years. He hasn't done any of it on purpose, though, and at his age, he deserves to see at least one more quality season out of Buffalo. Marv Leavy and Dick Jauron steered the franchise in the wrong direction. The impulse signing of Mike Mularkey as head coach didn't help either. With a capable general manager and a solid coach, drafts should be more rewarding in Buffalo.

The Bills have had their fair share of busts in the draft. Picking less players that are projects will benefit them. They need safe picks that they know can contribute in the NFL. The 2012 draft should focus on areas that are weakened or not solved in free agency. A mix of youth and experience can set up Buffalo for success for some time.

The message is simple. The Bills know what they are missing and with the tenth overall pick in the draft, they can address their weaknesses. They can't draft much worse than they have for the past few years and things are bound to finally go Buffalo's way. If they have a poor draft, will Bills' fans see another lost decade?

The Bills only lack a few pieces to the puzzle. This draft must be carefully mapped out. The Bills need to satisfy a fan base that has longed for the playoffs. Time is running out for Buffalo and its fans. They must nail the draft or the franchise and its great fans will continue to suffer.