Brian posted a list of the 10 or so players he was looking at and we all emailed back and forth ranking them. It became quite clear that Oher and Pettigrew were 7 and 8 (although I had Pettigrew at 6 ahead of Oher and Raji) so we turned our attention to the DEs where Brown and Maybin clearly became the favorites. Matthews beat out Raji because of need essentially and then the fight about Maybin vs. Brown commenced. My top 8 isn’t exactly like this but it’s pretty close.

I’m of the opinion that trading down should rank between 3 and 5 on Brian’s list. If Raji is available, I guarantee there will be callers wanting to trade up to our slot. Of course, this only becomes a reality if we still need a TE come draft day, and the FO is high enough on Pettigrew to sacrifice getting Maybin or Brown (both won’t be available at #11).
We can use an extra pick or two.

I agree with the board but I would be trying to trade down right after Curry, we need a few extra picks this year.

On another note, I was reading PFT on the weekend and Florio posted an article about Connor Barwin’s pro-day where he ran a 4.47 40y dash. The article goes on to say that pro teams actually had TE coaches at his pro-day, given that he is a converted TE. They say that he could play SAM, DE or TE

I still like Everette Brown over Maybin as I think he has just as high of ceiling and is closer to that ceiling then Maybin. He also is a more stout at the point of attack. I also rated Pettigrew higher then Oher and Orakpo. After doing some research on Pett I’ve become more comfortable with him being a higher 1st round pick. He would be an immediate upgrade in the blocking and pass catching departments.

but Curry would be tempting. Very few players are worth passing up multiple high round picks for. Would Curry make a bigger impact than Maybin and Matthews? We have too many holes. If Curry is still on the board, then Matthews etc. are as on the board as well. Would Oher be higher on the list if we knew the Bills were not going to be able to sign Peters?

- I really like Curry and Everette Brown, but Brown some say could play linebacker in a 3:4 defense, as could Orakpu.
- Maybin, some are saying, should have stayed in college for another year, but he has freakish ability.
- Pettigrew was just in town over the weekend, visiting with the Bills and Lions.
- Everybody at Sports Management in Charlotte, tell me that Matthews will not be drafted before Cushing and his stock has risen late in the season.

I still have Brown ahead of Maybin, though the gap between the two has closed significantly recently for me. I’d be most happy with either of those two.

We think he’s by leaps and bounds the best tight end in the draft;

Not all of us think that….

I’m loving the list. IMO I would take Clay Matthews. Like you said, the guy can contribute in so many ways.

Hey, I’m new around here but have been reading your site for some time as it’s the best bills site, period. Hi to all.

Great list.

IMO, I’d love the bills to take one of three names at #11:

a) BJ Raji. But I think he will be gone. This guy reminds me of Ngata and will be a force in the NFL with the right coaching. Could be a great run stuffer here which we lack and would help free Stroud up, not to mention Schobel and Kelsay.

b) Brandon Pettigrew. The first round is all about taking not only starting caliber players, but someone who upgrades the team immediately and can break a game. I think Pettigrew would bring that here- he can block, and he has great hands at TE which we haven’t had for too many seasons now. He makes Lee Evans and TO even more dangerous, and frees up space for Josh Reed on 3rd downs over the middle too.

c) Malcolm Jenkins. You may think I’m mad here, but he fits our scheme and is a great talent. He has the potential to play safety or otherwise could be the starting corner in the future (ie. when McGee goes, and McKelvin makes the other spot his).

Beyond those three, I like Clay Matthews and Michael Oher but not sure I’d take them at 11. Then again, I wouldn’t have taken Whitner at 8 so who knows???

I know we need pash rushing ability, but I don’t see the Bills taking this at number 11- there’s too many question marks around each potential DE who would be available there.

My guess- Bills take Pettigrew as Raji is gone. They then concentrate on pass rush in the 2nd round, and then linebackers/o-linemen thereafter.

I know it seems crazy, but I actually don’t fancy taking a DE at 11.

I’m not sure there’s a solid pick to be made there and so I’d rather go with two guys I see as excellent bets for our team- Raji or Pettigrew.

I think Raji has a chance of slipping because teams above just have too many needs and he would be a cracking pick.

Pettigrew is next best for me because our offense needs more than just TO to get us to the next level, and TE is where we’ve had real trouble for years. Trent needs a reliable receiver there and the line need a TE who will help block.

Plus, I look at our history in drafting recently and I just don’t think we go DE at 11.

Im not a big fan of either but if Matthews makes thelist where is Cushing?

Does anyone have any tape on Maybin? Everything i’ve seen on youtube is rather unimpressive. He seems to get pushed around like a rag doll. I like Everette Brown much more than Maybin.

You can talk about his 10 yd dash all you want, but I need to see some tape.