2011 NFL Mock Draft: Buffalo Bills Edition
The 2010-2011 season was a tough one for both Bills fans and the organization as a whole. The 2011 NFL Draft provides some sort of hope for the future after an abysmal decade of failure upon failure.
Their poor decisions in the front office have directly lead to the poor performances on the field. Hopefully this year's draft will bring in more talent, which can lead to more wins.
My colleagues and I have studied the available players in this year's draft (aka we're Googling them) and have come up with the following players for the Bills to target with each of their picks.
Comments are encouraged.
With the No. 3 Overall Pick, the Buffalo Bills Select...
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Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson.
With Fairley and Peterson off the board, the Bills turn to the next best defensive player available. Coming off of a terrible defensive year against both the run and the pass, Bowers can improve both at the same time while being a defensive stud for many years to come.
With the No. 34 Pick, the Buffalo Bills Select...
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Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State.
After the revolving door that was the Buffalo Bills' right tackle this season, the Bills need a stalwart to solidify that position.
Derek Sherrod played well in the best conference in football, consistently matching up with the best pass rusher his opponents had to offer. Recently, the Bills have done a good job developing young offensive lineman like Andy Levitre, Eric Wood and Demetrius Bell and will hope to do the same with Sherrod.
Bell has proven to be a solid player on the offensive line, but could easily be moved to right tackle if Sherrod outshines him.
With the No. 67 Pick, the Buffalo Bills Select...
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Casey Matthews, ILB, Oregon.
Based mainly on family pedigree and the fact the Bills had the worst linebacker corps in the NFL, the Bills turn towards the brother of future Defensive Player of the Year (most likely this year), Clay Matthews III.
Although he is smaller than his older brother, his lack of size will not be much of an issue, as he will be playing as an ILB in the Bills 3-4 scheme. With Paul Posluszny's future as a Bill in doubt, the Bills need to add a playmaking linebacker to their squad.
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With the No. 99 Pick, the Buffalo Bills Select...
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Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin.
The Bills have lacked production from the tight end position for as long as many fans can remember.
Lance Kendricks was a consensus All-Big Ten first team and a first team All-American. He led a Wisconsin team that was one of the highest scoring offenses in College Football in catches, yards and receiving touchdowns, while also contributing quite a bit in run blocking.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, or whoever is playing quarterback for the Buffalo Bills next season, will benefit greatly from having his talents at his disposal.
Depending on How the Seahawks Finish, the Buffalo Bills Select...
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Thomas Keiser, DE/OLB, Stanford.
Even with Bowers and Matthews selected earlier in this draft, the Bills still need to look to bolster their front seven on defense. With teams focusing more on Kyle Williams and hopefully Da'Quan Bowers, the Bills will need another formidable pass rusher and the versatile Keiser could be the answer.
Keiser will fit in perfectly, as Chan has recently stated the Bills' defensive scheme will consist of both 3-4 and 4-3 looks. This will offer Keiser a great opportunity to find playing time and hopefully reduce Chris Kelsay's role on the team.
In the 5th Round, the Buffalo Bills Select...
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Andy Dalton, QB, Texas Christian University.
Most importantly, Dalton is a proven winner.
While this may not seem important with quarterbacks like Ken Dorsey, Craig Krenzel and Matt Leinart failing miserably in their attempts to become adequate NFL players, Dalton is worth taking a chance on in the fifth round.
Dalton is a good decision maker in the pocket and is able to make something out of nothing, which is a must in Chan Gailey's offense. His accuracy and pocket presence, as well as his beautiful ginger locks, will make him a hit in Buffalo, should he get an opportunity to shine.
In the 6th Round, the Buffalo Bills Select...
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Dejon Gomes, CB, Nebraska.
With holes throughout the defense, the Bills need to address their secondary somewhere in the draft. They would add some talent at the CB position with the addition of Gomes. Gomes would be a threat to opposing quarterbacks...maybe?
With Their Final Selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills Select...
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Chas Henry, P, Florida.
Okay, the picture is a little much. However, Henry did it all in kicking and punting for Florida over the past two seasons. Brian Moorman is getting old and isn't producing at the level he once was. Henry should be a solid selection with their final pick and hopefully remains a Bill for years to come.
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