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Bills Select CB McKelvin in Round One of NFL Draft

Boba_tiny by Brian Galliford on in NFL Draft


Troy alum should start at CB in Buffalo (Photo Source)

With the eleventh overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills have selected Troy cornerback Leodis McKelvin. The small-school product with big-time potential was reportedly the top player on their board, and fills an immediate need at cornerback.

We can now report that McKelvin was the top player available on Buffalo's board, which was finalized this week.  The team did consider other options at one point earlier this week, but ultimately, McKelvin was "their guy" all along.  Had McKelvin been gone, the team would have targeted a trade down, with selecting WR Devin Thomas atop the priority list.

The McKelvin Skinny
McKelvin is widely regarded as the top cornerback available this year and comes from a Troy program that has produced such NFL stars as Cowboys OLB DeMarcus Ware.  McKelvin is a pro-ready corner that is a solid tackler, has good size, outstanding leadership skills and instincts, and is also a dynamic punt returner.

The biggest knock on McKelvin, which is widely known, is his lack of outstanding ball skills.  McKelvin himself acknowledged at the NFL Combine that becoming a better playmaker when the ball is in the air is something he needs to work on.  By all accounts, he is a hard worker, a good character guy, and can be considered a very solid and safe (if unspectacular) selection here.  I, personally, am comforted by the fact that the Bills got their guy.  I have great faith in Buffalo's scouting department and front office, and if McKelvin is the guy, then I'm on board.

Please use this thread to leave your thoughts on McKelvin as well as another open thread for the rest of the first round.  The Bills are expected to target offense with their next pick, whether it's wide receiver or tight end.  Stay tuned to Buffalo Rumblings for further draft-day updates and live chats.  Go Bills!

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Not my first choice of the way to go

But I can live with it.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Apr 26, 2008 4:20 PM EDT   0 recs

Very solid pick, although Id say we need to trade back into the first early second to snag

a WR and hopefully still have enough ammo to land a quality TE

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on Apr 26, 2008 4:20 PM EDT   0 recs

This was a big need.

Needed CB depth and this meets it. Obviously going WR next.

by BeastMode on Apr 26, 2008 4:20 PM EDT   0 recs

Understated

The entire offense is going to wait….until the 2009 draft.

by Ron From NM on Apr 26, 2008 4:22 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

wasn't my first choice

But I’m very happy with it

by RabidBuffalo on Apr 26, 2008 4:20 PM EDT   0 recs

Gotta

Trade back up now… Looks like using the newer value chart so far today, could bode well for a trade

by Cinga on Apr 26, 2008 4:21 PM EDT   0 recs

Great. Just great

The Bills really needed another smurf who can’t cover Randy Moss….oh, and he gets about an interception per year.

by Ron From NM on Apr 26, 2008 4:21 PM EDT   0 recs

He's 5-11

and 190. Pretty good size.

by RabidBuffalo on Apr 26, 2008 4:22 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm concerned about

the minimal int’s, too.

by Fort Worth on Apr 26, 2008 4:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

We shall see

Could be WR or TE with the next pick

by Joe P. on Apr 26, 2008 4:21 PM EDT   0 recs

Its very very nice to know that Mcgee can focus soley on CB and not returns.

Im very happy with this pick

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on Apr 26, 2008 4:21 PM EDT   0 recs

let hope there is a good one left when

we pick again if we don’t land a wr this year that can really help we’re screwed—-again

Bills Fan in PA

by BILLS on Apr 26, 2008 4:22 PM EDT   0 recs

While I preferred DRC...

McKelvin is very good, too. Instant starter? WR a must in the 2nd? Trade up? This blog is going crazy!!!

by Fort Worth on Apr 26, 2008 4:22 PM EDT   0 recs

Let's relax a bit.

Remember how Whitner was a major reach?

by BeastMode on Apr 26, 2008 4:22 PM EDT   0 recs

I'm not gaga over this.

Gonna be WR or TE next, right?

by krytime on Apr 26, 2008 4:22 PM EDT   0 recs

WR or TE next

It’s gotta be…

by Fort Worth on Apr 26, 2008 4:24 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No guarantees WR will be the next pick

Having blown off WR, the Bills ought to at least get a starting caliber TE.

by Ron From NM on Apr 26, 2008 4:23 PM EDT   0 recs

Blown Off WR?

I don’t think they have blown off the position, there just wasn’t enough WR value at 11. There is plenty of solid players available there.

by BeastMode on Apr 26, 2008 4:24 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Cover Moss?

Um, who can cover Moss right now? No one.

by BeastMode on Apr 26, 2008 4:23 PM EDT   0 recs

i like it

he returns and is a solid defensive player. i like that he fell to us, remember they thought he would go to ne or someone else, i like this pick

Bills make me wanna SHOUT!

by silverstreak3k on Apr 26, 2008 4:23 PM EDT   0 recs

As I said

before.. some will be happy today, and some pi55ed off… So far… I’m pi55ed

by Cinga on Apr 26, 2008 4:23 PM EDT   0 recs

5'10 and 190

is not a smurf

Bills make me wanna SHOUT!

by silverstreak3k on Apr 26, 2008 4:24 PM EDT   0 recs

Yes, it is.

In a world of 6’6” WRs, 5’10” isn’t going to get the job done.

by Ron From NM on Apr 26, 2008 4:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

how many 6'6 wr

do we play again?

Bills make me wanna SHOUT!

by silverstreak3k on Apr 26, 2008 4:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Look

everyone knew that the WRs this year were not worth a top 15 pick.

by Joe P. on Apr 26, 2008 4:24 PM EDT   0 recs

Exactley

they needed a CB. Might as well get the best one availble.

by RabidBuffalo on Apr 26, 2008 4:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

But

I’m so tired of “renting” dbs for a few years…

by Cinga on Apr 26, 2008 4:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe not

But Albert and Clady and Mendenhall were on the board. This lack-of-trade smacks of lack-of-balls.

by Ron From NM on Apr 26, 2008 4:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No it doesn’t. All this week it’s been apparent that McKelvin was their guy. The got their guy. Had McKelvin been gone and they stayed to take Thomas, THEN you can make that argument.

by Brian Galliford on Apr 26, 2008 4:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Taking corner is the best value

... he’s a great selection… am surprised that some of you are upset.

taking the best corners translates to the most wins behind K and RB… check out this research while we wait for the 2nd round.

http://www.twominutewarning.com/nflsalarycap.htm

by osmanBAE on Apr 26, 2008 4:26 PM EDT   0 recs

Does anyone feel like the Bills feel they can stay put and still get Malcolm Kelly who they have liked all along?

by Fucilli5 on Apr 26, 2008 4:27 PM EDT   0 recs

Not a chance?

Not only was he there—he’s still there 10 picks later. Leave the drafting to the experts.

by Metzelaars on Apr 26, 2008 7:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Its possible

but Im thinking even thomas might be available.

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on Apr 26, 2008 4:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Could be the plan

but apparently, there are questions about his knees

by Joe P. on Apr 26, 2008 4:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Skill players going fast

Stewart at #13? Harvey at #8? There must not be much faith in OLs this year…

by Ron From NM on Apr 26, 2008 4:29 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

also notice

... taking the best WRs results in the least amount of wins statistically… also notice how taking expensive DTs have a negative correlation!

http://www.twominutewarning.com/nflsalarycap.htm

by osmanBAE on Apr 26, 2008 4:28 PM EDT   0 recs

WOW

first true shocker. Stewart? They needed some other stuff

by RabidBuffalo on Apr 26, 2008 4:28 PM EDT   0 recs

Mayo was the first

this is the second

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Apr 26, 2008 4:30 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Talk about a reach.

Jonathan Stewart, I have watched almost every game he has played. Very weak pick.

by BeastMode on Apr 26, 2008 4:28 PM EDT   0 recs

weird move by Carolina there taking stewart

I would have taken someone else there

Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....

by WABillsfan on Apr 26, 2008 4:28 PM EDT   0 recs

alright second round....

Davis, Keller for TEs

Kelly, Hardy, Sweed, Nelson (assuming Thomas is gone)

start hoping wideouts fall. i really don’t want to trade back up. I want to keep the third.

John I.

by jri111 on Apr 26, 2008 4:29 PM EDT   0 recs

not a bad player

but doesn’t fill any needs of Carolina’s at this time, they really needed another WR or CB themselves

Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....

by WABillsfan on Apr 26, 2008 4:30 PM EDT   0 recs

#25 with Seattle

Thats my guess.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Apr 26, 2008 4:30 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

This blog is awesome!!!

You fellow bloggers are great!

by Fort Worth on Apr 26, 2008 4:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Love you too buddy!!

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Apr 26, 2008 4:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No it isn't.

Buffalo can get one of their top TEs in the 2nd but likely not one of their top WRs. If the Bills don’t trade back into the end of the first they should just go TE and give the WR slot a lick and a promise.

by Ron From NM on Apr 26, 2008 4:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

TEs

If the Bills stay put in the 2nd they will get to choose between the 3rd or so TE off the board and 3rd or 4th WR….not exactly top or best.

by Ron From NM on Apr 26, 2008 4:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Trading back up

If one of the big WRs is on the board in the mid 20s Buffalo could offer a 2nd this year and next to move up. I don’t know that anyone would take it…

by Ron From NM on Apr 26, 2008 4:31 PM EDT   0 recs

Prediction

Which one do you think?

by Fort Worth on Apr 26, 2008 4:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Whomever is left

That’s the position the Bills are in with WRs…they don’t have anywhere near as many options as they did if they traded down.

by Ron From NM on Apr 26, 2008 4:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

anyone have his vertical?

??

Never forget 56-10. Revenge.

by SuperFan82 on Apr 26, 2008 4:31 PM EDT   0 recs

Maybe Chicago

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Apr 26, 2008 4:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

hey should go O-Line

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Apr 26, 2008 4:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

MEdenhall to Chicago is my guess

Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....

by WABillsfan on Apr 26, 2008 4:33 PM EDT   0 recs

McKelvin

It fits with the Bills present mood. Avoid developmental players. I’m not ecstatic either, but he is the most NFL ready. His KR capability is a big plus. I’m surprised he fell to 11. The non-intercepts is the biggest bothersome to me. They got their man! Now we have a very good secondary.

by keuka121 on Apr 26, 2008 4:34 PM EDT   0 recs

Few pass break ups either

McKelvin just didn’t produce on defense. As for KRs, we have a couple of good ones already.

by Ron From NM on Apr 26, 2008 4:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

If Buffalo can harness his aggressiveness and turn it into more heady plays, he could be an outstanding playmaker. He just had free license in college and got a little over-anxious at times.

by Brian Galliford on Apr 26, 2008 4:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I was

against this pick, before I was for it… Just remembered, McKelvin did shut down Calvin Johnson during a college game…

by Cinga on Apr 26, 2008 4:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Bowman

He did a real nice job on Bowman in the Oklahoma State game too. Bowman got his catches but everything was underneath and in.

by Metzelaars on Apr 26, 2008 8:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Chad Henne

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Apr 26, 2008 4:35 PM EDT   0 recs

That would be a interesting pick

would they get rid of Rexy?

by Joe P. on Apr 26, 2008 4:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wouldn't you?

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Apr 26, 2008 4:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs