NFL Combine 2011 Results: Evaluating Top Prospects from A Buffalo Bills Angle

The NFL Combine has come to an end and for the Buffalo Bills, who hold the No. 3 pick April's Draft, they sure had an interesting weekend.  As usual, there were top prospects who faltered, hurting their draft stock, while under the radar guys rose to the challenge and left Indianapolis a few spots higher on many team's draft boards.

Bills fans know how crucial this draft is for their team, especially with their infamous 11-year playoff drought that has corresponded with perpetually horrendous picks.

Every moment spent evaluating matters. 

Let's take a look at how possible Bills targets performed at this year's Combine and what their performances really mean....

Von Miller (OLB/DE) Texas A&M

Combine Workout

The guy proved to be an absolute freak in Indianapolis. At 6'3'', 246 lbs Miller ran a 4.46 40-yard-dash, which was later adjusted to an official 4.53. (Still ridiculously fast)

Putting up 27 reps at the 225 lb. bench press is impressive and according to those who were in attendance, he displayed quick hips and better footwork than what is usually expected from outside linebackers. A definite Combine stud. 

What It Means For the Bills

It means that Miller is a real possibility at No. 3. I, personally, am not as enamored with the guy as the rest of the draft "gurus" but it's not like he's just a physical freak. He won the Butkus Award last year as the nation's top linebacker and had 28 sacks in his last two seasons with the Aggies. 

Even if the Bills aren't willing to draft another pure pass rusher with their first pick, it's possible teams behind them may want to jump into the top five to nab the electric Miller. 

A.J. Green (WR) Georgia

Combine Workout

Heading into the Combine there was talk that Green was at the same level with Calvin Johnson and Randy Moss coming out of college.

Big, fast, physical, great hands, great routes, he reportedly had it all.

Well, not that he's a slouch by any means, but his stiffest competition, Julio Jones out of Alabama, stole the show in the wideout group.

To be honest, all I saw was Green's 40, which was slower than Jones', as Jones certainly had the better Combine.  

What It Means For the Bills

I still think both of these players are going to be stars in the NFL, but now that Green isn't the clear cut best athlete at his position, I'd be shocked if the Bills make him their first pick.

(He was a long-shot to begin with)

Marcell Dareus (DL) Alabama

Combine Workout

Want Buffalo to add some beef up front?

Dareus is your guy.

He's 6'3'', 319 lbs. and ran a 4.94 in the famed 40-yard-dash. Dareus displayed a great combination of brute strength and astonishing agility many weren't sure he possessed. 

What It Means For the Bills

Some are saying that after the Combine, Dareus moved slightly ahead of Nick Fairley as the class' best interior defensive lineman.

It's a need for the Bills—albeit not the biggest—but it's very possible that Dareus may be gone before the Bills pick at No. 3.

If he's there, it'll make Buddy Nix's decision that much more difficult, although it looks like if they go with Dareus, they're getting a rangy run defender that can occasionally disrupt at the line of scrimmage and get to the quarterback. 

Nick Fairley (DL) Auburn

Combine Workout

Fairley didn't have a a bad workou, running a 4.84 in the 40. He moved well in the positional drills and showed off a 31-inch vertical leap. He weighed in at 291 pounds, a bit lighter than the masses thought he would. 

What It Means For the Bills

Like I stated above, Fairley may not be the consensus top interior defensive lineman, and with the Bills supposedly running the majority of their snaps next year in a 3-4, the beefier Dareus could be the better option. Still, Fairley to Buffalo at No. 3 would make a lot of Bills fans happy. 

Patrick Peterson (CB) LSU

Combine Workout

Peterson talked the talk in February and walked the walk when it was time to hit the field in Indianapolis. He ran a 4.32 40 at 6'0'', 219 pounds, jumped 38 inches in the air and pumped out 15 reps on the bench press.

The guy is a world-class athlete. 

What It Means For the Bills

This may be scary to some of you, but Peterson's hard-to-ignore workout could make him an definite option for Buffalo.

Sure, there are more needs than cornerback, but Peterson looks like a prospect that doesn't come around that often.

Even if the Bills are content with their current secondary, there could be many Peterson suitors looking to move up to grab the former LSU Tiger. 

Cam Newton (QB) Auburn 

Combine Workout

Newton, from all accounts, didn't have an outstanding Combine. He was a little off on his throws and his 4.59 40-time was good, but not great, knowing Newton's scrambling prowess. He did, however, demonstrate to all that he is an all-around athlete. 

What It Means For the Bills

His erratic tosses throw up somewhat of a red flag, but I'm sure Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey understand that throwing to unfamiliar wideouts can disrupt timing, which can be everything depending on the route.

Still, Newton looks the most "natural" throwing the football, and his huge, built frame will make him a hot commodity, one the Bills will have a hard time passing on. 

Blaine Gabbert (QB) Missouri

Combine Workout

Gabbert didn't throw at Lucas Oil Stadium, but did run an above average 4.62 in the 40. He can move. 

What It Means For the Bills

Not much. We want to see him sling the rock. 

Jake Locker (QB) Washington 

Combine Workout 

Locker tied Newton with a 4.59 40, and was more accurate than many thought he would be in the throwing drills. Another extremely talented quarterback. 

What It Means For the Bills

I doubt there is any consideration with Locker at No. 3 for the Bills, but he's definitely intriguing enough for the Bills to take a long look. He's smaller than Newton but possesses a lot of the same attributes. Most of his positives come in the parts of the game that aren't measured at the Combine. 

Rob Quinn (DE) North Carolina

Combine Workout

Quinn, who hasn't played since 2009, didn't drop any jaws, but hardly was a disappointment. He ran a 4.7 in the 40-yard-dash, which is a not terrible considering he weighed in at 265 lbs.

What It Means For the Bills 

Solely from a workout perspective, you'd think Quinn would be a distinct possibility for the Bills. But I still think the fact that he sat out all of 2010 will keep him off the Bills roster. 

In the end, the Combine isn't the determining factor in any Draft selection, as game tape is far more critical. (Keep that in mind)

Ryan Mallet fans, sorry, I just don't see him in the Bills plans.