NFL Draft 2011: The Buffalo Bills Will Not Select a QB in the First Round

Multiple teams hope to snatch Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton early in the draft.

With the first overall pick, the Carolina Panthers might do that to solve their horrific QB situation.

With Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn, the Denver Broncos will not use their second overall pick on a QB.

Thanks to Denver, at least one of the top two quarterbacks will be available when the Buffalo Bills are on the clock.

Do not expect Buffalo to choose one with the third overall pick.

Here's why.

Ryan Fitzpatrick's Emergence

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 03: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills walks down the tunnell to the field prior to playing the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 3, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Jets won 38-14. (Photo by Rick Stewa

Before 2010, Ryan Fitzpatrick was a below-average QB.

After becoming "the guy" for the first time, Fitzpatrick had the best season of any Bills QB since Drew Bledsoe in 2002. Since the Bills are in a small market and have been in the cellar of the AFC East, Fitzpatrick's performance flew under the radar.

The Harvard graduate only had one three-interception game last season. That was against the New England Patriots. That also happened to be the only game in which he did not have a touchdown pass.

Fitzpatrick can still improve, but he performed better than most expected. He kept Buffalo competitive in most of their games.

Fitzpatrick is 28 years old. Compare that to Super Bowl XLV participants Aaron Rodgers (27) and Ben Roethlisberger (29).

If Ryan Fitzpatrick can maintain his steady play and avoid any serious injuries, there is no reason why he cannot remain the starter for seasons to come.

He was one of few bright spots for Buffalo last season, and the starting job is his to lose in 2011.

Stable Situation in Buffalo, for Now

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 31: Head coach Chan Gailey of the Buffalo Bills talks on the sidelines with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 31, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (P

Chan Gailey and Fitzpatrick have a good relationship. Fitzpatrick is also appreciative of the opportunity Buffalo gave him to be an NFL starting QB.

That does not guarantee he will stay with the Bills long term. Fitzpatrick's contract will be up at the end of the upcoming season. His performance this upcoming season will heavily impact whether the Bills will keep him or not.

Despite this, all Buffalo needs now in regards to QB is depth.

Current backup Levi Brown is still an unknown. Many feel he is not capable of filling in for Fitzpatrick if he gets injured.

The former seventh-round selection threw three passes in his rookie year, one of them being an interception.

Not Enough Urgency

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Christian Ponder #7 of the Florida State Seminoles drops back to pass against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Ge

Since the situation in Buffalo is stable enough at the moment, there is not much urgency to get a franchise QB through the draft that will immediately contribute.

QBs drafted in the first round are generally pressured to contribute immediately.

With guys like Christian Ponder likely available in the second round, Buffalo can wait until then to grab a passer. In case the Bills choose not to, they should know the quality QBs in this draft are projected to be gone by the time they pick again in the third round.

Drafting a QB outside of the first round removes the pressure of playing right away.

Any passer the Bills draft will learn behind Ryan Fitzpatrick for at least one season.

The young QB, if everything goes according to plan, would then become the starter if Fitzpatrick does not re-sign with the team.

Buffalo Must Address the Defensive Front

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 07: Marcell Dareus #57 of the Alabama Crimson Tide sacks quarterback Jarrett Lee #12 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Imag

The Bills already miss Aaron Schobel's pass rush off the edge. They're now going to miss Marcus Stroud as well after his release and subsequent signing with New England.

The biggest hole on this team is run defense. The hole is so big opposing tailbacks have no problem running through them. The Bills allowed 169.6 rush yards per game.

Dead last in the NFL.

The Kansas City Chiefs had the best ground attack. They averaged 164.2 rush yards per game.

The Bills have to prove they can stop the run. Doing so starts up front. Buffalo currently doesn't have much talent on the defensive line after Kyle Williams.

Guys like Marcell Dareus, Nick Fairley or Da'Quan Bowers can instantly provide a boost to a D-line that desperately needs it. They are also versatile enough to play both the 4-3 and 3-4 schemes. For a team that wants to run a hybrid scheme, the Bills need as many quality defensive linemen as they can get.

One of these prospects will become Buffalo's first-round pick. They might not be as immediately dominant as Ndamukong Suh was with the Lions, but their impact will far exceed that of any QB the Bills can take with the same pick.