What Could Happen...

Well--THE day has arrived. All the tape has been watched, interviews conducted and finally, all the speculation and rumours will be put to bed and reality will rule.  Like all of you, I will be a close observer and am intensely curious as to how it all will turn out. I have a few thoughts as to what may happen over the next few days based on some informed speculation and will share with you what I am able here as the draft is about to begin. A couple things first--I have a very high degree of confidence in both Tom Modrak and Dick Jauron, and make no mistake about about it--despite Russ Brandon's public visibility, it will be Modrak and Jauron who will make the final calls today and tomorrow. They are philosophically in-tune and extremely good talent evaluators.  I trust them and you should too. 

The Bills Board was finished and polished up on Wednesday and the last two days at OBD have been spent playing "War Games." Going through scenario after scenario. A complete and comprehensive  review of every "what if" possibility. Who will likely be selected ahead of them--what if there are surprises. Trade down possibilities, trade up possibilities. Who would be the likely trade partners. All of it. No stone left unturned.  There are FAR more players on the Bills Board than will be drafted. Watch for the scurry to sign UFAs right after the draft.

Yestersday, the Bills spoke with almost every team in the league. If they didn't hear from them--they called. As of this moment, the best trade-down scenario is with the Chiefs, coming up from  #17. The Eagles coming up are also a possibility.   We will see if these talks amount to anything. So much depends on what happens in the top tem--particularly with the Chiefs.  There will be surprises as always.

So--let's begin. I should say that I will NOT be editorializing on any of the following. That will come post-draft.   Barring any last minute changes in the "assumed" top ten, and assuming a tad of good luck,  if he is there (I thnk this is 40-60 against happening) and we do not trade out--I strongly strongly believe that Leodis McKelvin will be the pick at #11. He is highly rated, the Bills think he is a complete CB who can play from day one and he fills a need position.

If McKelvin is gone--the Bills will strongly consider (if available of course) WR  Thomas, Rodgers-Cromartie, Derrick Harvey, and Keith Rivers. The latter may surprise you, but the Bills think he is an outstanding prospect and could make an immediate contribution. How and why they think that will have to wait for another day. DRC is viewed as the second best CB--not great against the run--but with  truly outstanding ball skills and great athleticism. All the plusses and issues with Thomas have been debated ad nausuem--so I will not review them here. He is obviously liked at OBD. By far (to me anyway) the most interesting selection would be Harvey and he would be strongly considered. In the end the pick will be Thomas. Bank on it.

Obviously the rest of our draft will depend on what happens at #11. OBD is well aware of the need to surround Trent Edwards with weapons. They believe that TEs Keller and Davis can step right in, play and contribute. Carlson from ND to a lesser extent.  Martellus Bennett and Finley are viewed as talented, interesting and intruguing--but raw and more project types.

Not surprisingly the WR wish list after Thomas includes Kelley, Hardy, Sweed (they have warmed up to him a bit) and Jordy Nelson. In Rosco we already have the grown-up DeSean Jackson.  Of this group and the TEs --who has the potential to drop to us in the second round if we go Defense at #11? Hard to say--but OBD's interest in all that Nelson could bring to the table transcends the single knock against him--that he'd struggle making the transition from slot to wide-out. The Bills think he would have no problem. OBD doesn't really care about Kelley's 40 time...or his post workout tantrum. They are far more concerned with his knees. The character issues with Hardy are a non-issue with them.  San Diego at #26, but no #2,3 or #4 I beleive really would like to move down for more picks. Could we move up to land of these WRs or TEs if we like him enough and it looks like nobody will make it to us in round #2?  Possibly.    Note to the friends and family of Adarius Bowman. Your boy's dope-smoking and other evil ways cost him a LOT of money.  I mean a LOT. I know one team in Western NY, who positively loved you on tape.  OBD sees Manningham as a 4th-5th round guy.

There is much more to talk about but little or no time or room left. CB Flowers is well thought of as is Cason.  They wish he played tougher though. Jenkins is not all that well thought of.

I have NO doubt that we will see a surprise or two from OBD in the next 48 hours. One of things I like about them is that they totally resist the herd mentality of the League and actually have the courage of their convictions.

Should be fun!!!  More after the Draft!!!