Cap'nCrunch

Jonathan Martin is, according to that site's mock draft, the best pure pass protector with a higher ceiling than Reiff. If that is the case, the Bills take Martin. A million times we've heard it's a pass first league, and if Fitz is given just a little more time, the whole offense will be better, including the run game. Even if D Bell returns, we need OTs. Chris Hairston was a good 4th round pick. He has a place on this team. It would just be nice to have a great pass protector so that Stevie and whoever is lined up opposite Stevie will have time to run their routes to get open. In Buddy We Trust.

Yes, Mayock is the best. If you trust his analysis, Martin would be taken by the Bills ahead of Reiff if both were available. Brian Baldinger mocks Reiff going to the Bills at 10. Between the lines, even Mayock doesn't know if Buddy would rather have Martin, Kueckly or Gilmore (ahead of Kirkpatrick). Refreshing to hear a couple of names that aren't just retreads from other analysts. In Buddy We Trust.

IMO, it can be called a myopic view or it can be called a disciplined view. IMO, certain positions, regardless of year, trump other positions. A kicker or punter would almost never be considered in the 1st round. Taken further, centers, guards, tight ends and safeties, unless very special, are trumped by the other positional players. At the top, QB trumps every other position. Tackle and CB are 2nd to QB (IMHO). WR greatly depends on the talent of the QB. RB greatly depends on the talent of the O-line. So, if Reiff or Martin are graded close to Floyd, or even Trent Richardson, by these rules, we would go with a tackle. In Buddy We Trust.

Very well done, indeed. Now all the other posts seem just ordinary. Keep it up!

Even before the Mario signing, top value for the Bills seems to be at LT and CB. Right now, looking closely at Reiff or Martin at LT and Dre Kirkpatrick at CB. Having a tall (6' 2") CB playing the slot to cover TEs like Gronkowski or bigger WRs would be a big plus.

There is a lot of time until the draft for OBD to speak about who they like now that they are "out of the FA business". Even if a trade down is executed, there are some 1st round quality LTs. If a trade down doesn't happen, we may end up with an elite 1st round LT, either Reiff or Martin. It would be great if Kalil dropped to 10 since the Bills drafted his father in the early 80s.

Just add Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer in 24 and you've got a hit series.

It was reported earlier that Mario is waiting for Peyton Manning to decide where to go so Mario can give Tennessee a chance to beat the Bills' offer. How much difference could a couple more dollars up front or guaranteed or whatever make when you're making that much already? He's taking a risk by holding off even for a few days by potentially being injured driving down the road, by other teams running out of cap space signing other players while waiting for him to decide, and by just making this into an ordeal for himself and his fiance. Say yes to Buffalo and begin to enjoy a nice place to play and to live.

Let's let this play out. Charley Casserly was the GM who drafted Mario #1 when Reggie Bush was the apparent #1 and he has been considered wise for that decision. If this goes through and Mario lives up to the expectations we have, history will be kind to Buddy.

Not afraid to draft a DE high - Marcell turned out pretty good in 2011, even though he'll end up as a DT in 2012. Just heed the warnings by the unbiased national gurus who are afraid to mock draft a DE in the entire 1st round. Resist the urge, mock drafters, just because the biggest apparent need is DE, keep focused on the big picture of getting the BPA at a position where he will be utilized, for example OT or CB.

I'd draft Nick Toon if only for the potential "nick" names.

Jonathan Martin will likely be available at 10 and represents not only great value but also fills a need. Athletic and smart. I want to develop a man-crush on someone in this draft to keep a high level of interest up. Also, it sounds as though Nick Perry may also be available at 41. That would be a nice two-fer.

Maybe we could use a tall, big WR with speed. Or, maybe a smaller, quick as a cat WR. Maybe someone like Marcus Easley and someone like Roscoe Parrish? Maybe, if they could stay healthy.

Agreed that putting pressure on the opposing QB is top priority. On the other hand, it would make sense to provide your QB with as much protection as possible. Last year, Andy Levitre played not only guard, but also center and left tackle. We want to avoid that again in 2012. Why not take a 1st round talent at tackle. Two, maybe three will be taken in the top 9, but the "experts" rate 4 in the 1st round, if not in the top 15. (i.e. Adams from Ohio State). Give Fitz 4 or 5 seconds to look around and Freddy and CJ bigger holes throughout the season.

Agreed. Carrington should be a producer at one DE position. He produced in college. Kelsay is earmarked for the other DE, but if an FA DE can be brought in who can light it up, ie double-digit sacks, Carrington will probably be a backup. This is Troup's make it or break it year. Kellen Heard showed he can play, and we need at least 2 DT backups who can play. Maybe the biggest acquisition of the past 2 years will prove to be getting Wannstedt on the coaching staff. His schemes may make the front 7 more effective. (How could they not?)

Nice post DD. Couldn't agree more. Bills should not just draft for need, but should tend to "go big" with front 7 on D or QB/OT on offense in 1st round as a general rule in any year. Or, to put it another way, no TE, G, C, WR, or safety in the 1st round, maybe 2nd as well. That allows the 1st pick this year to be a pass rusher at DE or OLB. Also CB or an OT. If this is a weak DE/OLB year, other positions of need, i.e. OT and CB could be looked at with 1st round worthy prospects.

We, the Buffalo sports fans "survived" losing the Braves of the NBA, but we weren't better for it. Sure, if we lost the Bills, we would "survive" but that isn't the point. We could all save money by never going to professional games or, for that matter, restaurants and other types of non-necessities, but life would be less interesting. The 1st thing talked about at work on Monday morning and throughout the week was the Bills' game on Sunday. Win or lose. Same with relatives and friends who live in various places around the country - we connect through our shared interests in sports on the national stage. It may have an expense, but as the credit card commercial says, priceless.

Can we label Coples a 1 year wonder, just that his 1 good year was 2010? Plus, I think Nix takes Upshaw or Reiff or Martin before Mercilus. So, with Ingram as a possible pick, that would be 4 guys with whom we would probably be happy. So, with what I see as "only" 5 locks in the 1st 9 amongst most mocks, Luck-RGIII-Blackmon-Kahlil-Claiborne, we still are not assured of getting a guy we want. 2011 was nice being drafting 3rd.

Could Mercilus start for the Bills from Day 1?

The Bills have stated their need to upgrade their pass rush. That's how the Giants beat NE and we need follow suit if we are to start beating NE twice a year. If, however, in this draft class, the difference between the top pass rushers and the lower rated pass rushers is small, especially if the top level players are considered questionable, we shouldn't take on this extra risk just because we want a 1st round answer to this need. We may help ourselves more by strengthening other positions of need such as CB or LT if the players available have higher margins of value. Then we can spend a 3rd round pick on a DE or OLB and still get value.

Saw Mayock's comments on NFL Network regarding the DEs. He is usually complimentary even when he doesn't like someone. This was the 1st time in years I've heard him dismiss a whole class of positional players. If he is right we need to steer clear of DE altogether in the draft. Can't wait until Path to the Draft begins. It really is tough to seriously consider taking a wide receiver in the 1st. The NFL is run by the QB and the receiver is dependant on the ball being delivered to him. A good WR will become a star with a good QB while a stud WR will not be a star with a poor QB.

If they go DE in the 1st round it may signal going 4-3 and the new DE competing with Dwan Edwards. I think they would want to keep Williams, Dareus and Carrington on the field at the same time and leaving Sheppard, Barnett and, if healthy, Merriman at LB.