So why would I not want the Bills to select him with the #11 pick? Maybin is very young and needs a lot of work. Aside from just one season of experience as a starter, he is just three years removed from high school. He has a lean frame and must put on weight to reach his potential. His impact as a rookie may be limited to pass rushing situations, because he lacks the strength and power to hold up at the point of attack against the run.
He could have used another year in college, if only to gain more weight at a natural pace. His lean frame could limit him as a rookie and his team may need to have some patience for him to develop into an all around player. His athleticism and pass rush ability should translate early, but he will be a situational player.
Maybin does not have the ability to be a run stopping OLB and would struggle dropping into pass coverage. Thus, he is a one dimensional player. Rush the passer or watch from the sidelines.
Aaron Maybin is 20 years old and has just 11 college starts on his resume. He could wind up being a Pro Bowl player, say in 2012 as he has so much untapped potential.
I just don't feel that the Buffalo Bills are in a position to select a player based primarily on "potential". The Bills can't afford to use high draft choices on projects. When you are a perennial playoff team, like the Steelers, Patriots or Colts, you can select a player like Aaron Maybin and be patient. The Buffalo Bills are not in that position. They need an every down player at SLB, a starting TE as well as depth on both lines and at SS.
Buffalo has selected underage players in the past and the results have not been stellar. Marshawn Lynch, Ko Simpson, James Hardy, John McCargo and Donte Whitner. All but McCargo have had run ins with the law, something that could be attributed to maturity. That isn't to say that Maybin would fall into that category, but maybe the Bills will think twice before handing out a ton of cash to a player who left college early.