The Bills Can't Miss with a Deep Defensive Draft Class

After their third consecutive 7-9 record, including two seasons under coach Dick Jauron, it’s clear the Bills feel they are one or two pieces away from being a playoff contender. That rings loud and clear in the move to acquire cast-away star receiver Terrell Owens during free agency.

But with a desperate need to find legitimate 4-3 ends—a rare breed in this day of the 3-4 OLB/DE hybrid—the Bills may have to make some draft day moves to get their guy.

But there’s little doubt—and no excuse!—the answer for Buffalo’s lack of pass rush can be found in April.

Let’s look at some of their possible targets:

Texas DE Brian Orakpo

A freakish athlete in the mold of Julius Peppers—probably best suited for the 3-4—would almost certainly require the Bills to move up from the No. 11 spot to grab. That’s very unlikely considering the depth at DE in this draft, but not impossible because as the Bills have shown, it's "win-now" in Buffalo.

Florida State DE Everette Brown

A great “first-step” guy with good technique who projects as a prototype 4-3 defensive end—will likely be off the board before the Bills pick 11th.  If Brown were to fall to 11, there’s little justification for the Bills not to bring him to Buffalo. Like Orakpo, don’t look for the Bills to move up to grab him.

Penn State OLB/DE Aaron Maybin

A bit of a raw talent with unmistakable upside who should be on the board when the Bills pick. Maybin’s raw talent and high motor make him a mock-draft favorite. But a raw talent may not be what the Bills are looking for in 2009—with a win-now mentality—and Maybin looks like a diamond in the rough. Maybin also projects better as a 3-4 OLB.

LSU DE Tyson Jackson

At 6-4, 296 Jackson lacks the burst off the edge that the others possess, but he would be a great strong-side compliment to Aaron Schobel. If the Bills feel Schobel is going to return to form, you can expect Buffalo to look in this direction. With Buffalo’s defensive front rotation, having a guy like Jackson who is stout enough to play inside is a huge plus.

Northern Illinois DE/OLB Larry English

Probably the most enigmatic of the possibilities because he had a lackluster combine with a 4.82 40 and overall lack of fluidity in drills. However, unlike most of the guys in this list, English was a four-year starter and there is a volume of game tape on him. For a 4-3 team like the Bills, the super-productive English could immediately solve Buffalo’s pass rush issues.

Tennessee DE Robert Ayers

A playmaker who showed up late in his college career which may scare some off. A bit of a sleeper in this draft, would be a reach at No. 11 but an absolute steal at #43. If the Bills decide to grab a Linebacker at No. 11 (a good possibility considering the quality at the position), the Bills could be watching Ayers in hopes he falls to them in the second.

Utah DE Paul Kruger

Like Ayers, too much of a reach at No. 11 (perhaps even more so) but a steal at 43, Kruger would be an intriguing possibility if the Bills decide to go with a LB like Brian Cushing at No. 11. This would be an economical way to fill two major holes in the Bills defense. With Kruger’s high-motor, he has Buffalo Bills written all over him.

If you consider all of the second-tier depth at DE—including some guys who have proven they can get to the QB—it’s not out of the question that the Bills would want to tap into a very talented pool at linebacker with No. 11, and maybe even move back into the first round (ala, John McCargo) to grab one of the second-tier pass rushers in Ayers, English or Kruger.