Brandon

Aside from all of these rumors, virtually everyone seems to hate this late start. I can't imagine that they're going to do this again next year.

The point is, if these guys all go in the top 25 picks, they're probably better than you give them credit for. But assuming they're not, why bother picking Nelson or Hubbard, either? If the guys above them in the draft order can't play, why should guys regarded as lesser prospects be able to? IMO, if the Bills skip the position in R1, they probably shouldn't even bother drafting a WR until the 2nd day. I think all of those guys in the 2nd tier of WRs this year will struggle to ever beat out Parrish/Reed for the #2 spot. Given that, I'd rather just take a couple of receivers late and hope for the best. TE would be my R2 target if they go defense in R1.

If the top three WRs are all gone at pick 24, why are they 'sub par'?

Probably Gholston, although IMO its pretty stupid to do that after trading Allen.

I thought they'd pick Chris Long at #4, but since it appears he'll be off the board, McFadden probably makes the most sense. And believe me, after seeing most of his college games, I'm very, VERY glad that he probably won't be going to the Jets or Patriots.

I'll believe that when I see it. I'd expect the Ravens to take a CB or DL at 8, then try to move back up from their R2 spot for a QB, if anything.

I think he'll go in the late 1st or the first few picks of R2 (KC really likes him, from what I hear). But as you say, its hard not to be impressed with anyone who catches 122 passes in 12 games in a major conference.

Rashaun Woods was a can't-miss WR in the 2004 draft. We know how that turned out for the 49ers. No one is 'can't-miss'. But the thing that really bugs me about Nelson at this point is that my prediction a few weeks ago seems to be coming true: he's probably not going to make it to pick 41. The Bills will likely have to trade up for any of these taller WRs if they pass in R1. I'd just take Devin Thomas if I were them, assuming he's their top-rated WR.

Its more likely Gaughan just made a mistake. If anything, the fact that Malcolm Kelly's picture is given for the lead story 'NFL Draft Weekend' on the Bills home page right now is what scares me a little. They've been known to put their R1 pick on the homepage the morning before the draft a few times in the past, even if it probably was just a coincidence at the time.

I don't hate the idea of taking a CB in R1, but like a lot of people, I think I just got real sick of seeing the Bills burn 1st round picks at the position, only to let them walk after their rookie contracts expired. I'm not going to be upset if they pick McKelvin (although I think he's off the board at 7 or 8), but its probably not a pick I'll get excited about, either.

I wouldn't really be interested in seeing them select a LB in the first few rounds. They seem to be pretty well set at the position. Now perhaps an argument can be made that the Bills should draft Crowell's replacement, but I don't think its necessary to burn a 1st rounder this year to do that. Pick a guy in the middle of the draft and if Crowell does leave, you then have a viable replacement or can use the 1st next year on that spot if you have to.

I'd add Jermichael Finley to the list. I think he's the best receiving TE in this draft class, though his blocking is going to need serious work. The Bills have also spoken to Maryland TE Joey Haynos, who I know absolutely nothing about, except that he's about 6'8" tall.

It didn't help that the defense was on the field the entire game, either. Part of that was their fault, but part of that was also the fact that the offense probably led the league in 3 and outs and couldn't sustain drives.

And I'm gonna have to disagree with you. You don't draft strictly for need OR BPA. Its always a balancing act between the two, taking into consideration the likely remaining players in later rounds, as well as impending free agents the next offseason, age and injuries, as well as a variety of other factors. The only time you really should draft on a strict BPA basis is if that player is rated significantly higher on your board and even then its sometimes not an easy decision. In the end, the draft is about the best collection of players you can draft in R1-7, not the best player you draft in R1, as well as the biggest impact that group of players taken as a whole can have on the team both this year and in the future.

If memory serves, the Dolphins traded down twice the year Jimmy Johnson, in all of his genius, picked the great John Avery in R1.

You can trade as many times as you want, so yes, they could potentially do that.

I like that remark by Kiper...for once, a voice of sanity and reason prevails on ESPN.

I'm hearing OT for the donkeys, hence KCs motivation for trading to 11. In fact, I think there will be a run on OTs in the early teens.

We dealt 71 for Marcus Stroud. 73 is part of that projected trade with the Chiefs. The Bills essentially are getting pick 73, plus a swap of 114 for 82 to make the move down with KC. No extra picks. KC has three 3rd round picks at the moment.

Its that way every year. Some team wins the Super Bowl and all the fans say we should emulate that team. Now perhaps that idea has some merit, but people go overboard with it. There is no magic bullet, no secret formula to making the playoffs or winning a Super Bowl. In the end, the only thing that is proven to work is what has been known for decades...you have to at least have a solid team in all three major phases of the game and there are a multitude of ways winning teams have successfully arrived at that point.

Chris Long and Vernon Gholston are the only 'impact' pass rushers in this draft, IMO and its highly unlikely either will be available at 11. I'd draft a DE in R2-4 with the hope that he'll overachieve and that your scouting department can find a sleeper. I have no problems with taking a DE there, but the thing I wouldn't do is draft a DE at 11 just to make myself feel better. While I believe Harvey will probably go in the top 10, I'm not at all sure that he should.

Bills receive picks 17, 73 and 82 Chiefs receive picks 11 and 114 17) WR Devin Thomas, Michigan State 41) CB Antoine Cason, Arizona 72) DE Jason Jones, Eastern Michigan 73) FS Tyvon Branch, Connecticut 82) TE Jermichael Finley, Texas 132) OG Mike McGlynn, Pittsburgh 147) OC John Sullivan, Notre Dame 179) WR Pierre Garcon, Mount Union 219) WR Todd Blythe, Iowa State 224) CB Jonathan Zenon, LSU 251) OLB Steve Octavien, Nebraska Obviously, I think that the rumored trade with KC will happen, it makes too much sense for both teams. Devin Thomas is probably their guy at 17, but I wouldn't be surprised if they pick Hardy or Sweed there, either. 41 is probably a little low for Cason, but they'll probably still get a solid CB prospect this deep in the draft, making a move up less likely. The rest all fill various needs for competition and depth, but two clarifications are probably in order. One is the FS. The Bills always throw a curveball, usually in R3, and I feel that FS will probably be that pick this year. I wouldn't be shocked if they pick Tyrell Johnson at 41 over a CB, either. The other interesting thing will be to see whether they pick two WRs or three. I have them picking three, one in the first, two more late. If they go with two, I think they'll still pick a WR in the 1st, but the 2nd one will probably be in R4 or perhaps 5.

If you take a close look at what this staff has done in the last two years, they've addressed every unit on the team except the receiving corps. Given that fact (as well as how putrid their passing attack is), it seems logical to assume that the WRs and TEs will be next on the laundry list of things to upgrade. I also think that the impact of Lee Evans' impending FA next year is being vastly underrated in all of this and will have a major influence in how they approach this draft.

That's what concerns me about Harvey. Generally speaking, DEs have a very rough transition into the NFL. Opposing OTs are too good anymore. These days, unless a DE is truly a playmaker, he's probably going to be very ordinary. There's no middle ground and again, its because the OTs around the league are so athletic and talented these days that unless that DE has some outstanding quality (and usually, its speed), he'll be shut down. To me, Harvey doesn't appear to have any standout qualities. He'd probably be an excellent pass-rushing OLB, but as a DE, I think there's a very real chance that he's a deluxe version of Chris Kelsay.

Phillip Merling. Don't like him at all. Brandon Flowers. He's a 2nd round type, IMO. Honestly, I can't think of any other picks that I'd be too upset with, as I don't see them making a major reach. Perhaps Antoine Cason, as I expect him to go about 20 picks later, but I think he'll be a solid starting CB in the NFL and I wouldn't complain too much.