Armchair GM

Love the time that you put into this. I'll drink the kool aid and sate my unprofessional and completely bias opinions: QB: Fitzy is the obvious starter here. I think this is a system that Young can have some success in, assuming his head is back in the game (50/50). I think Thigpen and one of the 2 projects they brought in as UDFA's has an equal shot for competing for the #3 spot. As for Smith, I see him as being relegated to WR, esp. if Young makes the team as he'll be a better Wildcat option. RB: Obviously Fred & CJ. I'm not sure they're sold on White, even though he was their own pick. If so, I think he would have had gotten more of the snaps over Choice (unless he was injured, which I don't recall). So I see Fred & CJ with Choice as the #3. Deservedly so as I think he got a raw deal in Dallas and Washington. WR: SJ13 is the man. From the praise heaped on Easley during camp & preseason last year, it looks like he and Graham will battle it out for #2 & 3. I know Buddy said Graham can play on the outside, but from what I see in his game, he's a prototypical slot receiver...good routes & separation and good hands as well as YAC capability and speed. That leaves Nelson looking in from the #4 spot. the rest is wide open with all the other guys (Jones, Haggan, Martin, *Aiken, Tounkara-Kone, etc. *= personal fav.) OL: I really think this has been turned into a position of strength and great depth. I could see some movement and Levitre, Urbik, Pears & Brown as backups come mid season. I think Hairston can play LT and may prove to be better than most think. Sanders is MUCH better than where he was picked and could land as the starting RT. I also think that Asper was a STEAL in Rd. 6 and I'd like to see how the line works out with him @ C and Wood @ G. I see potential of the line looking like this (L to R): Hairston, Wood, Asper, Glenn, Sanders. I know Pears and Urbik played pretty well last year, but I still think they are quality depth rather than starters. Also, Wood at RG may push him to an Elite level. FB & TE are as you said... The D is where it gets exciting... DT: Williams and Dareus are the starters. Spencer Johnson returns to the form he was at in Minn when he was rotating in with the Williams'. I love the way Heard played last year, so that rounds out my top 4 DT's. DE: Mario never leaves the field...he's just too damn good at stopping the run and getting to the passer. Kelsay goes back to his natural position and may end up proving he belongs as a starter again. Although they think Anderson is more than a passing down end, I expect he stays in that situational duty...and succeeds. I'd like to see Carrington succeed, whether it's inside or on the end....really depends on what he'll play at, 285 or 305. Now, if Merrimen is truly healthy and can prove he can be effective with his hand on the ground, that shakes things up a bit. So the top 4 DE's could end up like this: Williams, Kelsay, Anderson & Merrimen. I like Carrington to make it as a 9th on the DL, as I think he can play both DT and DE. This puts Troupe and Edwards on the chopping block. LB: Again, a ? last year has seemed to turn into another strength with the additions of Bradham and Carder, Both of whom could be potentially starting by years end. As of now it's Barnett, Shepp and Morrison. I don't believe Morrison will be the starter by the time the season rolls around. I'm infatuated with Shepp....he got burned a couple times in coverage last year, but a short camp and a late start will do that to a rookie LB. He's got tremendous upside and I love how he's a true plugger. The good I saw from him last year was a great start. He gets to the ball within 3 yrds of the LOS, unlike Poz making tackles 5-10 and even sometimes 15 yrds downfield. I also think Carder has that type of mentality (plugger). Bradham is a tremendous athlete and a hard hitter. I think he's our starting WILL. So, looks to me that we'll see Barnett, Shepp and Bradham as our starting LB's with Carder, Morrison, White and Scott as depth, even Merrimen in situational roles. CB: We got younger, faster and bigger...gotta love that. Gillmore is a day 1 starter opposite Williams. I also don't think they're ready to give up on McKelvin. McGee's time in Buffalo may come to an end, especially if he gets hurt again. Florence isn't as bad as last years play dictated, not is any of our CB's given the utter lack of a pass rush. They ALL improve this year. Don't sell Brooks short. If he's on any other team in College, he's a starter and probably a 1st/2nd round talent. Not his fault LSU turns out CB's like Penn State turns out LB's. I like him and Rogers as our Nickel and Dime corners, repsectively. SS/FS: Wilson and Byrd are in...I think Byrd has a MONSTER year. Searcy & Scott are quality depth. We also brought a couple in after the draft that may shake things up...who knows. Special teams: Rogers looked great returning kicks and Graham is a home run threat. We also have McKelvin if they don't want to risk Graham too much. If McKelvin makes the 53 man roster I expect to see him do anything and everything he can to build up his resume in a contract year...He may even do enough for us to consider extending him. All in all, you hit the nail on the head!! Great competition and positional battles leads to the best players being on the field and quality depth. In years past, I just got excited for football and forced myself to believe in the potential of my Bills...this year, I can honestly say I am excited for Bills football again and I don't have to try so hard to see potential. GO BILLS!!!

Where'd you get that picture of me?

Ummm...but the Eagles opted for Trent Edwards rather than bringing VY back...?

Wow...really? When Nix came back to the Bills in '09 he was a National Scout and focused on the Southeast. To suggest he had anything to do with the scouting, recruiting, and selecting of Maybin is as ignorant as it is a stretch...just add that selection to a long list of "F" ups by the previous regime, hence the reason they were FIRED. As for your Pro-Bowl BS...as if that is anywhere near an accurate measuring stick of talent, Nix proved his theories in SD home slice. After a rebuilding process (well know that this usually takes 3 years)in which he was one of the main decision makers in college and pro scouting, as well as drafting, the chargers sent something like 28 players to the pro bowl from '04-'08, all of which Nix had a hand in drafting and/or recruiting. Yes, this team has been a mess for over a decade, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the progression as of late. Or we can just be like you two schleps and think everyone this team hires, drafts and signs are crap until they win something. Yeah, that's exactly what a being a fan is all about.

No, you're a troll because you take what the "experts" say as scripture and regurgitate the crap that people, who don't know much about the prospects, say is so. God forbid you do your own research and actually watch these kids play...it's not hard to find game tapes on-line brotha...Formulate your own opinions and compare them to those of people that actually work in the NFL and let us know what you come up with. By the way, we did just sign a UDFA Tounkara-Kone who is big and was "open when covered"...albeit in the IVY League, but he's still 6'4" & 220lbs.

Redshirted in '07. Sat behind Sanchez in '08. Beat out Barkley for starter job in '09 only to break his leg b4 the season. Transferred to Richmondin '10 and played 5 games until he tore his ACL. Came back in '11 and threw for 2800, @ 61% with something like 17td;s and 11 INT's. Lost a step after the ACL injury, but has all the tools and can make all the NFL type throws...who knows!?

Believe it or not, not all of us on this board are overweight middle-age slobs...4.8 is pretty accurate, maybe a tad faster...I'll have it timed in practice on Wednesday and let you know.

Much better..I got my info off of Brown's team page.

a 4.81 40 yrd dash is pretty slow for a kid that tall and lanky...I'm 6'3" 250 and run faster than that...just sayn'

You forgot Prince Miller and the 4 UDFA's we signed: Chris Hill Deano Howard Nick Sukay Ian Wild (Mercyhurst...nice to see a kid from a nearby school)

You forgot our 6th rd selection Mark asper. Also, we have 10 WR's (Including Brad Smith) and 9 DB's...

I'd butter her face...baby batter facial!

So...you're telling me that both you and your girlfriend surpass genius level IQ? Wow, what are the odds? Please, do tell?

This is exactly what I said when they picked Maybin! I'm over it now.

Nail in coffin...bring him in as a UDFA

This is exactly where every GM in the NFL wants everyone to be...flooded with "inside" information, thinking that all signs are pointing to...someone other than who they really want.It's a lot of fun, and I have my opinions as well, but in the end I have no clue who they will pick...aside from Indi and Washington. I do a TON of player e v a l and research every year and I find guys who I really like, most of whom end up in the NFL, some are as good as I thought they' be, some end up as career back ups, and some flat out fail. I can name, maybe, 5 guys I wanted the Bills to draft over the last 5 years (43 total picks), that they actually did. ('07-Wendling' '08- ZERO; '09-Wood; '10-Carrigton; '11-Dareus and Sheppard which is not all that impressive as everyone knew about Dareus) All in all, WE have no idea what WE are talking about!! If we did, we'd be working in the NFL.

You neglect to mention Spencer Johnson...With a move back to the 4-3 (as a base, not just a set) Johnson's stock rises. That's where he had his best seasons in Minnesota, rotating with the Williams'. I think this puts him back in the mix as the #1 back up @ DT. Troop needs to prove something, big time, or he's a goner. I really like Heard and have always liked Carrington, even more so @ 305lbs. He didn't seem to lose a step with putting 20lbs. since he was drafted. The way I see it is Troop and Edwards being on the bubble. As Edwards is a true 3-4 DE, he's looking like he has the shortest leash, IMHO. Williams, Dareus, Johnson, Heard & Carrington...if we keep 5, but Johnson and Carrington provide flexibility as gap fillers @ DE too. Also, any development out of Jasper remains to be seen...just sayn'.

Personally, I think this kid is worth the risk. He's had to overcome a lot in life off the field which, pretty much, says to me that he'll grow up through this process and become a monster in the NFL

Great story that I will continue to follow...I wish this kid all the best!

After those words from Buddy,I'm not entirely convinced they take 2 OT's in the draft...I WAS, up until I read this...Anyway, come late August, there is going to be some quality veteran depth for the picking. I can see it if they think there's a couple studs that slip through the cracks, but I think they'll focus on WR, CB and LB, maybe even a couple each. Also, I think this info almost eliminates a trade down. What we have to look at here @ 10 is who stands out as being above the level of competition in the NCAA...a real man amongst boys. The kind of player that makes it look easy. IMHO, that is Melvin Ingram. The guy can play outside either tackle, line up as a DT, or even up in a 2 as a LB. All of this, with no drop off anywhere on the field. He gets to the passer and ball carriers in the backfield and has been working at both DE and LB during his entire career. Biggest gap would be picking up coverage skills, but he's already got them. He's got great field vision and good hands. For pushing 280, he can fly, as in the mid 4.6's...thoughts?

The sky is blue and grass is green...I tought Madden was the master of the obviouos. Just kidding bro...kinda.

I was going to give you a +1, but had to deduct for the comment, in bold...Really?

New Mock...check the sig... Feel free to fire away with questions about omissions and additions...Curious to see what Astro thinks!

The only problem I have with most of the so called "experts" is that they mostly watch highlight reels. They simply don't have access to actual game films where the real talent evaluaters can see every play. IMO, a lot of stock is put into what these kids do AWAY from the ball. I would say even more so with WR's. What do they do to draw coverages...do they run the routes that makes the safety take a step toward them...do they lock down their man after the ball is delivered, etc.

Point taken...I was appealing to his big play potential and ability to stretch the field...to your closing argument, name a WR with Hill's measurables that caught less than 50 passes. Todays NFL world is much different, and stakes rise and fall with the combine and pro day work outs. Teams value athleticism more and more these days. Also, if you read what I wrote, I know that its a reach @ 10. YEAH!! What he said!