2011 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting All 7 Rounds for the Buffalo Bills
Flashback: With the ninth overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Buffalo Bills select running back C.J. Spiller from Clemson.
Why? The Bills already have Freddy Jackson and Marshawn Lynch. Don’t the Bills have other needs?
Last year’s draft was the first under the Nix-Gailey regime. Many Bills fans would grade it a C- at best. Let’s hope this year goes a lot better.
Round 1, Pick 3: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Buffalo ranked dead last in run defense in 2010. While cornerback may not be the top priority for the Bills, it is definitely on the list. Von Miller is worthy of the pick, but they may have their hopes up on Shawne Merriman.
Peterson has been referred to by many as the most athletic player in the entire draft. He may just be too good a player to pass up. The Bills’ secondary is in major disarray. Cornerbacks Drayton Florence and Ashton Youboty are free agents. The existing corners have some major concerns. Leodis McKelvin is coming off a flat 2010 and veteran Terrence McGee has battled injuries in recent seasons.
Round 2, Pick 35: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
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The second round is when the Bills begin addressing the defensive line. Cameron Heyward figures to be a solid pick for Buffalo. His bio on NFL.com reports, “He is a powerful athlete at the point of attack that can eat up blocks in the running game and uses heavy active hands to shed quickly.”
He also is listed to be versatile enough to play defensive end in either 3-4 or 4-3, which is great since Chan Gailey has stated the Bills will use a hybrid scheme between the two looks.
Round 3, Pick 67: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
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General manager Buddy Nix has already stated that the Bills will select a quarterback this year. I still think this is a mistake, considering all the defensive help the team needs.
Regardless of my opinion, if the Bills are going to select a quarterback, they can’t wait past the third round if they want one of the better ones this year. Third round may be a bit of a stretch for Christian Ponder, but the Bills draft so early in the round that they may get lucky.
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Round 4, Pick 99: Marcus Gilbert, T, Florida
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The Bills need a dominant tackle to anchor the offensive line. It’s been a very long time since we’ve had one (John Fina maybe?). The Bills just resigned Mansfield Wrotto to a new contract. Wrotto will rejoin Demetrius Bell and newbie Ed Wang.
Marcus Gilbert looks to be a good all-around tackle. He has good fundamentals and is a sort of brick wall. He needs to work on his awareness and aggressiveness, but should be a decent fourth round pick.
Round 4, Pick 121: Rob Housler, TE, Florida Atlantic
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It would be difficult to say that the Bills need a tight end. Yes, they haven’t had a solid one since Jay Riemersma, but the coaching staff has to incorporate the tight end into the game plan.
David Martin didn’t do a terrible job, but it’d be nice to see a solid possession tight end on the line for the Bills. The first line on Robert Housler’s NFL.com bio states, “Housler is a weapon in the passing game.” Good news for Buffalo.
Round 5, Pick 131: Josh Bynes, ILB, Auburn
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The Bills would like to get “bigger” at inside linebacker. Unfortunately, by the fifth round, there aren’t too many choices that fit this description.
Josh Bynes, at 6’1”, 239 pounds, is listed at the same height and a whole one pound heavier than current starter Paul Posluszny. His CBS player profile states Bynes “Can effectively plug his gap and shut off the inside run.” That’s just what the Bills need—someone who can fill a hole and help stop the run.
Round 6, Pick 163: Chris Neild, DT, West Virginia
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Kyle Williams is a beast in the middle. However, he’s going to need some help. Torell Troup, in his first year, appeared in 15 games, tallying 11 tackles.
Chris Neild has a good review on NFL.com. The first sentence reads, "Neild is a run-stopping defensive tackle who could contribute in a defensive line rotation at the next level.” The more help we can get to improve that 32nd ranked run defense from a year ago, the better.
Round 7, Pick 195: Chris Culliver, S, South Carolina
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Safety may not be as important of a position to fill now that the Bills have tendered Donte Whitner. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Bills will have him, it just means they have negotiating power, making Buffalo his likely destination in 2011. The Bills also resigned George Wilson to a three-year contract.
However, the lack of production out of Jairus Byrd has to raise some concerns. Byrd had a breakout rookie season, in which he had nine interceptions. He then followed with a one-interception sophomore season. If that becomes a trend, look for Buffalo to begin looking for a new “center fielder.”
Recap
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Here's a recap of the entire 2011 draft class of the Buffalo Bills:
Round | Pick | Player | Position | School |
1 | 3 | Patrick Peterson | CB | LSU |
2 | 35 | Cameron Heyward | DE | Ohio State |
3 | 67 | Christian Ponder | QB | Florida State |
4 | 99 | Marcus Gilbert | OT | Florida |
4 | 121 | Rob Housler | TE | Florida Atlantic |
5 | 131 | Josh Bynes | ILB | Auburn |
6 | 163 | Chris Neild | DT | West Virginia |
7 | 195 | Chris Culliver | S | South Carolina |
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