2011 NFL Draft: Some Names Buddy Nix and the Buffalo Bills Should Get to Know

As the 2011 NFL Draft comes closer by the day, the rumors get hotter, and in some cases, more strange and confusing.

I find myself stepping away from the first round and starting to look at the second round.  While the names may lack the glamour and recognition factor of those from the first night, it is worth remembering that second-round picks are very nearly as important as those in the first round, especially if that team is the Buffalo Bills.

With the 34th pick overall, the second pick of the second round is going to be critical for the Bills.  While I wouldn't label it to be as much of a "must hit" as the third pick overall, for a team with the number of needs Buffalo has, I don't consider it to be a great deal less important.

Great players can be had with second-round picks.  I'm sure long-time Bills fans will immediately recall Thurman Thomas being a second-round pick.  I'm sure many of you can name other greats who were second-round picks. 

But that digresses.  The main point I seek to make is that not only can the Bills can find some great picks out there in the second round, but they have to.

To that end, I want to present five names who are projected as second-round or top 50 players who could be available for the Bills.  While I realize this pick could represent any position, since I have long been adamant here that the defense is in severe disrepair and absolutely has to be addressed, I've concentrated on players along the defensive line.

Some names you'll know, some you may not, but I hope you find all of them interesting and worthy of discussion.

Allen Bailey 5T/DLE/DT (Miami)

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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners is sacked by defensive lineman Allen Bailey #57 of the Miami Hurricanes knocked down a pass attempt at Land Shark Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

One of the things I found most appealing about Allen Bailey is his strength. 

The guy legitimately wrestles alligators with his bare hands!  If that's not the definition of "country strong," then I don't know what is.

Tells you a little something about his demeanor too.  A guy has to be plenty strong-minded to be willing to grapple with a gator, after all.

To get back to football though, Bailey's versatility is intriguing.  Listed as a 5T, DLE or DT, he clearly can play all along the line.  This kind of flexibility gives coaches a great deal of latitude in designing schemes, knowing they have a guy who can line up and be effective in various places.  That kind of scheme diversity would be a huge asset for the Bills.

Bailey is 6'3", 285 pounds and it's not fat.  He's reportedly chiseled like a Greek God.  He's got outstanding character, is motivated and driven to succeed.  Bailey can set the edge, anchor against the double-team or push the pocket, depending on his assignment in the scheme.

Bailey will need to be coached up because he tends to play upright and presently relies strictly on a bull-rush.  But for someone who is motivated to succeed, those issues appear to be correctable with good coaching.

Bailey also played at the Senior Bowl; we already know Buddy Nix likes to draft seniors.

Christian Ballard 3T/DE (Iowa)

David Purdy/Getty Images

IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 30: Running back Larry Caper #22 of the Michigan State Spartans recovers his fumble as line backer James Morris #44, defensive line man Christian Ballard #46, and line backer Troy Johnson #48 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes clos

That's Ballard in the middle of the picture, No. 46, at 6'3" and 283 pounds. 

Ballard is a true striker, and when he hits folks, they tend to go backwards.  Nice trait to have in a defensive lineman.  He can also play inside or outside, and versatility is never a bad thing to have.  He is athletic, flexible and explosive with good foot speed.  Those are things you always want along your defensive line.

Ballard isn't without his flaws though. 

He needs to improve his upper body strength and can be inconsistent. He also needs to learn both to use his hands better and do a better job of protecting his legs. Ballard will need to learn to get his pads down consistently, but he should be able to improve once he's been coached up, and I have no doubt an NFL weight room program will take care of his upper-body strength. 

He's one of those guys who could thrive under the attention of NFL coaches and actually become a better pro than he was a collegiate.

Before I forget, Ballard also showed well at the Senior Bowl, where he was very impressive in one-on-one blocking drills; so impressive, he was extremely difficult for anyone to block. 

Did I mention Buddy likes seniors?

Stephen Paea NT/3T (Oregon State)

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 09: Defensive tackle Stephen Paea #54 of the Oregon State Beavers during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Beavers defeated the Wildcats 29-27. (Pho

Wow.  He looks kind of like a tree trunk, doesn't he?  Is it any wonder opponents always felt they had to double and triple-team him?  That would probably be the way I'd try to go about moving him.

In all seriousness, I'm sure you've all heard of this guy.  He's the one who set the combine bench-press record with 49 reps of 225 pounds.  Just so you don't get the idea it's only his arms that are strong, he also squats 600 pounds. 

Yeah, I'm thinking that tree-trunk analogy wasn't all that far off.

Paea is 6'1" and 303 pounds.  I find it worth adding that his heritage is part Tongan and part Samoan. 

There have been one or two players from that island area who have been okay as pros. 

Paea was named the Pac-10 Defensive MVP in 2010. He also applies that weight room strength to the field by stacking or collapsing the pocket as needed.  Paea is also motivated, has a terrific work ethic and is well -respected by teammates.  He's also coachable with good football aptitude and grew up playing rugby, so he has terrific speed, movement and balance skills for a man of his size.

Paea unfortunately tore the meniscus in his right knee during Senior Bowl practice and underwent surgery, so he wasn't able to run, jump or do position drills at the combine. 

Oh, I guess that makes him a senior. I think Buddy likes them.

Jabaal Sheard DRE/ROLB (Pittsburgh)

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EAST HARTFORD, CT - DECEMBER 06: Zach Frazer #10 of the Connecticut Huskies narrowly escapes Jabaal Sheard #97 of the Pittsburgh Panthers on December 6, 2008 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. The Panthers defeated the Huskies 34-10. (Ph

Sheard is listed as either a defensive end or linebacker, but played mostly the right end position at Pitt and was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2010.  He did this despite playing hurt, having both a right thumb injury and bone chip in his left elbow that he wore braces to protect.

Sheard has good athletic ability and generally plays with good leverage. He's got a quick first step and can get underneath a tackle and bull rush to the quarterback. Sheard is aggressive, playing with consistent effort/energy, is hardworking and will play through injuries.  He measures 6'2" and 264 pounds, which might make him more of a hybrid in the pros at that weight.

I mentioned he is aggressive.  

Unfortunately, he hasn't confined that to the field. 

In July 2010, he was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after he threw another man through the glass door of an art gallery and had to be pepper sprayed.  Maybe the other fellow shouldn't have disagreed with Jabaal about that picture quite so vocally.  But that does bring his character somewhat into question.

Sheard also lacks bulk and the strength that goes with it.  His over-aggression can sometimes take him out of plays, and he has never really been asked to drop back into coverage.  But he looks very natural rushing the passer from a wide alignment and possesses a nice combination of power and speed.

Sheard is also a senior. There's a chance Buddy might like that.

Phil Taylor, NT (Baylor)

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 07: Defensive tackle Phil Taylor #11 of the Baylor Bears in action during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Hey!  Where did the sun go? 

This is a 2009 photo of Taylor, but I used it because I thought it gave a great idea of his girth (okay that, and it was the best one I could find).

Taylor is 6'3" and comes in at around 335 pounds.  I say "around" because of two issues.  One is Phil doesn't much like to work out or practice, and his weight has always tended to fluctuate due to the former.

The thing of it is, he has a skill set very reminiscent of ex-Bill Pat Williams.  Taylor can anchor inside with his huge body, long arms (34 inches) and huge hands (10.75 inches). He occupies blockers, holds his ground against the double-team and can cave the pocket with a bull-rush.  Taylor is surprisingly athletic for his size and is a hard, heavy tackler.

Problem is though, Taylor is no self-starter, except possibly when it comes to the dinner table.  Due to his disdain for working out, his stamina is marginal. He wears down, stays blocked and doesn't exert himself at times.

There does seem to be a good deal of potential here, so one would hope that weight incentives in his contract and some tough-love type coaching could get the best out of him.  His best might turn out to be very good indeed.

There was one other thing—what was it? 

Oh, yeah, Taylor's a senior. I've heard rumors Buddy likes to draft seniors.

The Buffalo Bills Select...

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NEW YORK - APRIL 22: C.J. Spiller from the Clemson Tigers holds up a Buffalo Bills jersey after he was selected number 9 overall by the Bills during the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 22, 2010 in New York City. (Phot

So, there you have it.  Five players who may or may not be on the Bills' radar, but If Buddy Nix is as good as his word, and he plans to draft the best players available that will fill the most pressing needs of the team, one has to think the defensive front seven should be somewhere near the top of that list.

It is true that none of these players are going to have the name recognition factor of Marcell Dareus, Von Miller, Nick Fairley, Da'Quan Bowers or any of the others who have been talked about in the first round.  Depending on which way the Bills go, none of these players may even factor into their second-round plans. 

If they should happen to draft a defensive lineman in the first round, they might decide they don't need another one in the second.  Only the inner circle of the team knows that for sure though.

While I did not put these players in any form of preferred order, there are surely some I like better than others.  Were I the decision-maker for the Bills, my order would be the following:

1. Stephen Paea

2. Allen Bailey

3. Christian Ballard

4. Phil Taylor

5. Jabaal Sheard

So I now ask you, do you like any of them?  One, two or a few?  None?  Tell me who you like and why. I'd love to hear your opinions because I always appreciate and enjoy hearing them from you!