2012 NFL Draft: 15 Players That Should Be on Buffalo Bills' Radar

The Buffalo Bills will enter the 2012 NFL draft with nine total picks. And with the success that they’ve had the past two years at the hands of GM Buddy Nix, Bills fans everywhere are expecting big things.

At the start of the offseason, Buffalo’s biggest need was addressing the pass rush. It exceeded expectations in free agency by somehow landing this year’s free-agent prize Mario Williams and also luring in former New England Patriot Mark Anderson.

Within a week, the Bills may have solved a problem that has haunted them for more than five years.

Acquiring Williams and Anderson gives the Bills a lot of creativity for plugging other holes through the draft. Their current to-do list includes adding a true complement to No. 1 wideout Steve Johnson, establishing depth at the linebacker position, solidifying the secondary and fortifying the offensive line.

Buffalo is in great position to address all of these needs with its nine picks. However, finding the right players at the right position takes copious amounts of hard work, preparation and strategy.

Here are 15 players the Bills should consider when it’s their time on the clock.

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The more I watch this guy's highlights, the more I think he will emerge as the favorite for the Bills with the 10th overall pick.

Despite the recent re-signings of wide receivers Derek Hagan and Ruvell Martin, the Bills will be looking to find a complement to No. 1 wideout Steve Johnson.

Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd is one of the elite wide receiver prospects in the draft. After an impressive combine, he has steadily blossomed as a favorite among Bills fans.

On paper, Floyd possess all the traits the Bills’ front office is seeking. He’s 6’3” and 220 pounds and he ran a 4.47 40-time at the combine. His strong hands were on display as he caught everything thrown to him.

Despite his better-than-expected 40 time, Floyd isn’t necessarily a deep burner on the field, but he is a big, physical target who can stretch the field and come down with jump balls. The Bills are looking for a guy who can essentially be open even when he’s not really open, meaning quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick can confidently chuck it up there in single coverage.

Floyd, who is as polished of a game-changer as any receiver prospect this year, might be just what the Bills are looking for.

Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The anchor of Iowa’s offensive line, Riley Reiff is one of this year’s premier blindside protectors. Franchise left tackles are extremely difficult to find in the NFL, and Reiff has shown enough to be considered a potential mainstay at the position.

Reiff isn’t exceptionally strong, but he did put up 26 reps on the bench at his pro day, an improvement from 23 at the combine. At 6’6” and 313 pounds, he has the frame and technique to consistently produce at the next level.

One of the knocks on Reiff is that his arms are just a touch over 33”. NFL coaches and scouts would like for those arms to be a little bit longer for an elite tackle prospect, but hey, that’s the breaks. The former Hawkeye is athletic and possesses good footwork.

With free agent Demetrius Bell likely to move on from the Bills, Buffalo will be looking to fill his spot with a top prospect.

Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Stanford’s Jonathan Martin is another top offensive tackle this year expected to be drafted in the first round.

As a three-year starter for the Stanford Cardinal, Martin is credited with protecting this year’s top quarterback prospect Andrew Luck’s blindside throughout college. He’s an excellent run-blocking tackle who could set up the perimeter for Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller if selected by the Bills. In Stanford’s pro-style offense, Martin proved to be an excellent technician who is also intelligent.

However, according to Rob Rang of CBSSports.com, Martin had a “disappointing” pro day after putting up only 20 reps on the bench. In addition, Martin reportedly looked “just average” in running and jumping drills. These criticisms have some wondering if Martin has the physicality and pure upper-body strength needed to succeed in the NFL.

Though Martin may not have shined at his pro day, it’s hard to discount all that he accomplished in college. One team that understands this is the Bills, who are reportedly scheduled to meet with Martin, according to BuffaloRumblings.com. Ultimately, Martin is a superb run-blocker who can contribute right away in the NFL, and he has the potential to improve as a pass-blocker with time and coaching.

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Another option the Bills might consider in Round 1 is addressing the cornerback position. Alabama’s Dre Kirkpatrick is a big corner at 6’2” and 186 pounds. He’s long and lengthy, which will benefit in covering bigger wideouts. In addition to his height, Kirkpatrick boasts great zone-coverage skills and can help defend against jump balls in the end zone.

Though he has superior height for a corner, Kirkpatrick may need to bulk up to become more physical at the next level. Fortunately, he has the frame to tack on a few extra pounds.

Another criticism, though, about Kirkpatrick is that he failed to impress at the combine. The National Football Post indicates he “did not interview well,” especially in responding to questions regarding his being arrested for marijuana possession.   

Still, Kirkpatrick’s skill set makes him a top prospect at the cornerback position. He is a fit for the Bills because veteran corner Terrence McGee will be 32 years old in October, and former first-round draft choice Leodis McKelvin’s rookie contract is set to expire after the 2012 season.

In an increasingly pass-heavy league full of big wide receivers, Buffalo understands that a team can never have too many quality defensive backs.

Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State

If the Bills opt to pass on addressing offensive tackle in the first round, they could look at Florida State’s Zebrie Sanders in the second round.

NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt said Sanders had a solid pro day and has a bright future at the next level. At 6’6” and 320 pounds with 35” arms, Sanders has prototypical attributes for an NFL left tackle. He’s quick on his feet and has excelled in pass protection throughout his time at Florida State.

Sanders did struggle, though, at the Senior Bowl. Walter Football pointed out that the former Seminole was consistently beaten by top pass-rushing prospects Quinton Coples, Melvin Ingram and Courtney Upshaw. That’s not going to help Sanders’ case for taking on the NFL’s best in the business.

While he offers good agility, athleticism and intelligence, Sanders could stand to bulk up a bit more and improve on his strength. He has experience on the left side and is a decent option in Round 2.

Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

After shoring up their pass rush through free agency, the Bills will be looking to add linebackers through the draft for their 4-3 defense. This year’s top 4-3 OLB prospect is Zach Brown.

Brown has rare athletic ability. He’s 6’1”, 244 pounds with 33.25” arm length. At the combine he ran a 4.5 40-time and recorded a 33.5” vertical jump. For a compact linebacker, Brown is an undeniable physical specimen.

These freak numbers can sometimes be blinding, though, especially as draft-day speculation starts heating up. Rob Rang of CBS Sports has warned that Brown may only be a workout warrior, stating that “Brown doesn’t locate the football as quickly as most teams would like and is a passive ‘chase’ linebacker who consistently runs around blocks rather than fighting through them.”

Many folks might disagree with Rang’s comments. NFL.com’s analysis of Brown, for instance, shows high praise for his pure athleticism, instincts and ability to contribute in pass defense. And there’s certainly no denying his 2011 stats: 105 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four pass breakups, three interceptions and three forced fumbles.  

The Bills will be looking to add outside linebackers, but Brown may be gone before they pick in Round 2. It’s not a terribly strong class at the position, so another team in need of Brown’s services could snatch him up in the first 40 picks.

Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska

I wish Lavonte David were just a little bit bigger.

In my initial seven-round mock draft for the Bills, I explained why Buffalo could select David in the second round. At 6’1” and 233 pounds, he is slightly undersized for an NFL outside backer. Other than that, though, the former Cornhusker is the epitome of what Bills defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt is looking for at the position.

Former Bills safety and current columnist for the National Football Post Matt Bowen named David specifically in an interview with Bills lead journalist Chris Brown. Bowen discusses how today’s 4-3 outside linebackers are built more like pure athletes and can fly around to the football.

David fits that mold.

He is fast, explosive, instinctive and aggressive. Even better, he will almost certainly be available for the Bills in the second round.

David isn’t as naturally athletic as Zach Brown, but he offers a tremendous work ethic and is a high-character player. The Bills have worked hard to bring in individuals who can fit into what they’re trying to achieve as a team, and David would fit right in.

Bobby Massie, OT, Ole Miss

Another offensive tackle prospect the Bills could consider is Ole Miss LT Bobby Massie. Massie has been gaining steam after performing very well at the combine and his pro day. Tony Pauline of SI.com called Massie “the star of the show” at Mississippi’s pro day. He reportedly “looked outstanding” in position drills and may have pushed himself into the top half of the second round, according to Pauline.

It’s unclear if teams will prefer Massie as a right tackle or a left tackle, but he certainly has the size and abilities to be an option for the Bills’ offensive line.

As mentioned previously in this article, free agent Demetrius Bell is unlikely to return to the team in 2012, which leaves second-year pro Chris Hairston set to start on the left side. At right tackle, the Bills have Erik Pears, but a young prospect behind him would provide quality depth.

Rotoworld.com suggests Massie has a lot of upside and considers the young prospect to be “brimming with untapped potential.” He could be an option for the Bills in the second or third round.

Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma

Jamell Fleming is a great all-around corner who has shut down some of the nation’s best college wide receivers. With so much talk about top corners like LSU’s Morris Claiborne, Alabama’s Dre Kirkpatrick, South Carolina’s Stephon Gilmore and Central Florida’s Josh Robinson, Fleming is a slightly overlooked prospect.

At 5’11” and 206 pounds, Fleming is a strong and powerful defensive back. He put up 23 reps of the bench at the combine and posted a 125” broad jump to go along with a 4.53 40 time. With his combination of speed and strength, Fleming is a compact cornerback with impressive man-coverage skills.

Playing in the Big 12, Fleming has proven he can perform with the best of them. His production and experience would be valuable for Buffalo, who will continue to try to boost its secondary come April.

Right now, I can see Fleming being selected somewhere in the third round. This year’s cornerback class is extremely deep, so Buffalo should be able to find good value in the middle rounds.

Nigel Bradham, OLB, Florida State

Bills fans are officially on alert for this hard-hitting linebacker out of Florida State.

Nigel Bradham is 6’2” and 241 pounds with explosiveness and natural strength. He posted a 37” vertical jump at the combine to go along with 4.64 40 time and 24 reps on the bench.

With the Seminoles, Bradham demonstrated great fluidity as an outside linebacker. He led the team in tackles the last three seasons—totaling 306 over his four-year career—and has natural agility and movement for a player of his size. Over his collegiate career, Bradham has consistently delivered big blows and showed a knack for making plays in the open field, which I highlight in a previous article.

Considering his athleticism and room for growth, Bradham would fit in very well in the Bills’ 4-3 base defense. He’s still adjusting to reading and recognizing plays, but those things can be coached. What can’t be coached is his physicality and his combination of size and speed.

In a thin outside linebacker class, Bradham could go anywhere from the third to the fifth round and would contribute immediately to the Bills on special teams.

Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State

If Buffalo chooses to wait on grabbing a big deep threat in the draft, they could target this small-school talent out of Appalachian State.

Brian Quick is an intriguing prospect with terrific size and speed. He’s big and filled out at 6’4”, 220 pounds, and he’s coming off an impressive pro day where he ran the 40-yard dash at 4.51.

A raw talent, Quick has room to improve on his route-running skills. According to Rotoworld.com, Quick is a “former basketball recruit [who] has an engulfing wingspan (81”) and uses it effectively in traffic while high-pointing balls.” With other, more polished wideouts set to go ahead of him in the draft, Quick could probably be had in the third round when the Bills are on the clock with the 72nd pick.

Teams may be wary of Quick due to his inexperience and the fact that he’s coming out of a small school. On the other hand, he offers ideal size that NFL clubs are always looking to add at the wide receiver position. One team will take a chance on this young man and hope that he grows to reach his very high ceiling, and the Bills could be that team.  

Buffalo is looking for a vertical threat who can go up above corners and bring balls down. If it misses out on some of the premier prospects, the team might choose to fill that need with this under-the-radar gem.

Keenan Robinson, OLB, Texas

Last year, the Bills drafted Texas cornerback Aaron Williams in the second round. Buffalo might consider another Longhorn in 2012 by taking a look at outside linebacker Keenan Robinson.

Robinson, who is 6’3” and 242 pounds, is versatile enough to play all linebacker positions. In fact, he was a three-year starter at inside linebacker for the Longhorns. His size makes him a great fit for the Bills as a Sam backer, and his experience playing inside should appeal to the Bills, who will be using a hybrid 4-3 defense.

NFL.com believes that Robinson may actually be best-suited to play outside at the next level. Though he didn’t post great straight-line speed at the combine, Robinson plays quicker in real time. He has demonstrated the ability to track down faster ball carriers and will be expected to cover big tight ends in the NFL.

Buffalo could land Robinson in the fourth or fifth round, and defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt should be able to get the most out of his various abilities.

Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri

Though there may be better tight end prospects than Michael Egnew in the draft, I have a feeling the Bills are going to be caught in the middle of all of them.

Stanford’s impressive Coby Fleener has now pushed himself into first-round consideration after an absurdly strong pro day and combine. His size, strength and athleticism have certainly garnered plenty of attention, especially at a time when big, athletic tight ends like Jeremy Graham, Jermichael Finley and Rob Gronkowski are taking the league by storm.

Other players like Georgia’s Orson Charles and Clemson’s Dwayne Allen may come too early or too late when the Bills are on the clock.

As a result, I think Egnew can be a good value in the fourth or fifth round.

Egnew isn’t as eye-popping as, say, Fleener, but he’s also no slouch athletically. He performed extremely well at the combine, turning in stellar marks in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle. Being the big target that he is (6’5”, 252 pounds) with good hands, he possesses the skills and the tools to benefit the Bills.

Thanks to a drop-off in production and a somewhat disappointing senior season, Egnew may slip a bit on draft day and be an option for Buffalo. The Bills could complement their own tight end, Scott Chandler, who at 6’7” and 272 pounds is a huge target for Ryan Fitzpatrick. While Egnew needs to improve his blocking, his skills as a receiving tight end are enticing. 

Demario Davis, OLB, Arkansas State

Super Mario and Demario. It just sounds right.

I’m starting to love Demario Davis as a potential fit for Buffalo. An aggressive team leader who plays with controlled intensity, Davis is a great tackler who can fly to the ball. He’s 6’2” and 235 pounds, and he reminds me a little bit of Lavonte David in his electric style of play, high motor and work ethic.

Davis was a late addition to the Senior Bowl roster, and he took advantage of the opportunity by impressing with his speed and power, according to the National Football Post.

As a fourth- or fifth-round draft prospect, Davis could contribute immediately on special teams and add some much-needed depth to the Bills’ linebacking corps, which is still trying to establish some reliable top-to-bottom talent.

Garth Gerhart, C, Arizona State

It’s slim pickings at the center position this year, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t talent to be had. Arizona State’s Garth Gerhart is a gritty player who brings a scrappy style and a tough attitude to the position. He’s not as naturally talented as Eric Wood, the Bills’ current starting center, but otherwise the two players mirror one another in their style of play and attitude on the field.

NFL.com describes Gerhart as a “throwback center,” highlighting his leadership, high effort and big motor. Like Wood, he loves to finish blocks and compete on every play.

The Bills need depth at center behind Wood, who suffered a nasty compound fracture in his leg in 2009 and a torn ACL in 2011. Starting right guard Kraig Urbik filled in sufficiently in Wood’s absence, but his being out of position caused the Bills to shuffle their offensive line around as a result.

I see the Bills taking a shot at Gerhart in Round 6, as I discuss in my most recent seven-round Bills mock draft. He has the potential to start in the NFL, and there’s no better guy to learn from than Eric Wood.