NFL Combine: Part 3

Heading into the NFL Draft, the Bills have two absolutely fundamental assets of their football team that they must improve. Protecting the quarterback and stopping the running game.

Finishing dead last in rush defense last year means teams can move the ball on the ground against us at ease and allowing the 4th most sacks on the quarterback last year means we couldn't pass the ball to get ourselves back into ball games once losing.

Below is what I feel the Buffalo Bill's draft board should look like going into the draft. Basically, the highest available prospect on the list below at #9 should be the pick the Bills send in.

Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle:
In a word, dominating. Playing defensive tackle for Nebraska, Suh with limited talent surrounding him lead the Cornhuskers to the Big 12 Championship game against Texas where he nearly single-handedly defeated the Longhorns. With a juggernaut-like 4.5 sack performance the Suh-lead defense held the explosive Texas offense to only 13 points.


Unfortunately, their underwhelming offense only put 12 on the board and Nebraska couldn't pull off the upset but Suh's performance certainly caught the attention of NFL scouts.

Sadly for Bills fans, the chance of Suh falling to the 9th pick is slim to none as he if almost locked in as one of the top 3 selections of this years' draft.

Gerald McCoy, Defensive Tackle:
Since their high-school days, Suh and Mccoy have been grouped together as the 2 most dominating defensive players in their class. As it stands currently, Suh is thought of a slightly more dominating force in the middle but some scouts have them tied with Suh being 1a. and McCoy being 1b.

Whichever way you cut it, McCoy is another truly dominant player that would most certainly help the Bills create more pressure on opposing quarterbacks and prevent teams from running all over them.

Again however, this is another situation where McCoy is basically guaranteed to go as a top 3 pick in the draft. Buffalo shouldn't hesitate to take him if somehow there at #9 but it will most likely take the Bills trading up for the Lions 2nd overall pick (which actually has been rumored) to land McCoy.

Russell Okung, Left Tackle:
A more realistic but still somewhat unlikely selection with the #9th overall pick, Okung is one of the "safest" selections of this draft and, aside for career-ruining injuries, is more than likely going to be an All-Pro left tackle in the NFL for at least a decade.

With great size and feet quicker than any man with his mass should have, Okung matches power with finesse to stay in front of pass rushers and keep his quarterback's blind side in tact. While he very-well may be gone before the Bills pick, if there he should be an instantaneous selection.

Bruce Campbell, Left Tackle:
With a strong combine, Campbell has made the case to be a top 10 selection. Originally, Okung was the only tackle to be considered not being a reach in the top 10 but Bruce has emerged as an elite prospect who could step in and start for a weak offensive-line like that of the Bills.

As it is right now, we could plug Peyton Manning behind our offensive-line and he would only achieve limited success as there simply isn't time for receivers to get open and anybody to get them the ball. A player the caliber of Bruce Campbell would fix that.

Currently, if Campbell is the Bills' desired selection we should first look to trade down into the early teens as he will probably still be available then and we could possibly pick up another draft pick. If takes two to tango though and if there are no takers than picking him at #9 would still be a strong selection in my book.

Anthony Davis, Left Tackle:
Catching a trend? Left tackle needs to be a top priority for Buffalo in this draft as our chances of a winning with the offensive line we have now is quite simply, not going to happen.

Davis has the size and agility to be a solid starter for years in the NFL and could be far and away the best left tackle Buffalo has had since trading away an unhappy and unmotivated Jason Peters 2 years ago.

Another possible slight reach at #9, trading down wouldn't be a bad decision but, like the situation with Bruce Campbell, taking Davis at #9 wouldn't be all too bad.

Rolando McClain, Inside Linebacker:
Being the consensus top linebacker prospect in this years' draft, McClain is an explosive force in the middle that, if Buffalo elects to switch to a 3-4 defense could put up some serious numbers roaming the middle with Posluszny or, if we stay with a 4-3 defense, could man the middle linebacker position and allow Posluszny to swing out to outside linebacker where he probably has more potential.

McClain would immediately help our lacking run defense and could probably create some pressure on opposing quarterbacks with his athleticism on the occasional blitz. Plus, McClain wouldn't be as much of a reach at the 9th spot and no criticism would be made towards the front office if taken there.

All in all, if any of the above players are wearing a Bills jersey come training camp Buffalo fans should be more than happy with the new organization lead by Chan Gailey and Buddy Nix. Here's to rebuilding.