2012 NFL Draft: 5 Players the Buffalo Bills Must Target

Prior to March 15, the Buffalo Bills biggest need entering the 2012 NFL Draft was pass-rushers.

However, after signing superstar defensive end Mario Williams to a six-year, $100 million contract (with $50 million in guaranteed money), the Bills truly expanded their draft day horizons.

The Bills spending spree didn’t end with Super Mario either. They also inked defensive end Mark Anderson, who had a widely underrated ten-sack season last year with the New England Patriots.

With the signing of Anderson, not only did the Bills further address their pass-rushing issues (as a team the Bills recorded just 29 sacks last season, only the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers had fewer total sacks), but they also managed to take a threatening player away from a division rival.

So where do the Bills go from here in the draft?

Should they address the offensive line?

Should they draft a playmaking receiver to complement the re-signed Stevie Johnson and help Ryan Fitzpatrick’s passing game?

Do the Bills look for help in the secondary with Terrence McGee on the decline?

These are all valid questions heading into the draft. But for the first time in a long time, the Bills have options.

Option 1: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills offensive line was not as bad as some critics say it was a season ago.

Ryan Fitzpatrick was only sacked a total of 22 times during the 2011 season. To put that in perspective, a total of 27 other quarterbacks were sacked more often than Fitzpatrick last year.

In addition, Fred Jackson got off to a blistering start, and was one of the best running backs in the league statistically, before going down with a broken fibula. So it would be unfair to blame the offensive line’s run-blocking ability.

Nevertheless, offensive line is one of the most underrated positions in the sport, and making it stronger is never a bad idea.

By not re-signing offensive tackle Demetress Bell, the organization may be hinting that they’ll want to target an offensive lineman in the draft.

If Reiff falls to the Bills at No. 10, I think the pick is a no-brainer. But Reiff falling to the Bills is a big if.

Option 2: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Ryan Fitzpatrick struggled last season, especially after he signed his new contract. 

He played well early on, but lagged down the stretch and threw an NFL-leading 23 interceptions in 2011. Giving him another weapon other than Stevie Johnson could really help his performance for next season.

With Justin Blackmon almost assuredly to be drafted in the top nine picks, Michael Floyd appears to be the receiver the Bills should target if they decide to draft a playmaker.

At 6’3” 224 pounds, Floyd put up gaudy numbers for the Fighting Irish in 2011. He posted 100 receptions for 1,147 yards and nine touchdowns.

Drafting a solid receiver may prevent Fitzpatrick from having another down year.

Option 3: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Kuechly reminds me of a guy the Bills drafted back in 2007, linebacker Paul Posluszny.

Although Posluszny was drafted by the Bills in the second round, he played great football for Buffalo despite recurring injury issues.

The former Penn State standout is now racking up tackles for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Bills do have a need at the linebacker position.

Although Kuechly wouldn’t be described as a freak athlete, he was very productive and consistent in college; and productivity with consistency is exactly what the Bills need on defense.

Other possibilities:

Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

If you asked me a month ago, I’d have said that Upshaw would be a great choice, but after the defensive end signings and a switch from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defense, this pick makes less sense.

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Same issues as Upshaw, after signing two big free-agent defensive ends, the Bills would be wise to look elsewhere.

Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Burfict is a solid talent… but he’s also a headcase. Maturity issues, off-field issues, on-field issues… Burfict has got it all. Oh, and he went to ASU.

Option 4: Dontari Poe, NT/DT, Memphis

Dontari Poe really helped his draft value at the combine. A 6’4” 350-pound behemoth like Poe should not be able to do the things physically that he showcased.

Running the 40-yard dash in under five seconds? Somebody should check to see if this guy is from another planet.

Poe likely would fit better in a 3-4 defense as a nose tackle, but if the Bills had a front four that consisted of Mario Williams, Marcell Dareus, Mark Anderson and Poe… Wow, I just started to salivate. Good luck running through that brick wall.

Kyle Williams will be back for the 2012 season, but after a surgery that required his achilles tendon to be detached to get at bone spurs, he may not bounce back to the player he used to be.

It’s unlikely that Poe will fall to the Bills at No. 10 after wowing scouts at the combine, but if he does, the Bills have to consider taking him.

Option 5: Dre Kirkpatrick, DB, Alabama

Dre Kirkpatrick’s draft stock has plummeted stemming from off-field issues, and it’s certainly not Chan Gailey’s style to draft guys with checkered pasts.

Nonetheless, Kirkpatrick did show in college that he can be a lockdown corner.

Terrence McGee’s injury woes and the slow development of Leodis McKelvin leave the Bills secondary as one of the bigger question marks heading into next season.

However, despite the uncertainty in the secondary, unless Morris Claiborne falls to the Bills at No. 10 (highly unlikely), I think they’d be reaching by drafting a defensive back.

When it comes right down to the draft, I believe the Bills will take the best player available, instead of worrying about filling a specific need. Besides, the Bills already addressed their biggest need by signing two pass-rushers, and ticket sales prove that fans in Buffalo are excited.