The Bills, the Offensive Line, and the Draft

by sireric on Apr 16, 2009 9:34 PM EDT Comment 26 comments

Looking at the Bills offensive line from last year and seeing who is left on the roster, it becomes pretty obvious that the Bills could very well take as many as 3 offensive linemen in the upcoming NFL draft. Last year the Bills had nine offensive linemen on the roster, Jason Peters, Jason Whittle, Derrick Dockery, Melvin Fowler, Duke Preston, Brad Butler, Kirk Chambers, Demetrius Bell, and Langston Walker. So far the Bills have subtracted Dockery, Fowler, Preston and Whittle. They have also added Geoff Hangartner and Seth McKinney. That leaves two open roster spots, and that leaves Jason Peters. Unless they are planning on doing anything other than paying Peters the ridiculous salary that he is demanding, than they will need to find a third lineman to replace him on the roster.

Fortunately for the Bills the upcoming draft is loaded with offensive lineman, especially at Tackle. There could be as many as 12 Tackles taken before the third round is over. Everybody knows the big names like Jason and Andre Smith, Eben Britton, Eugene Monroe, and Michael Oher, others include:

Phil Loadholt from Oklahoma, Jamon Meredith from South Carolina, Gerald Cadogan from Penn State, Troy Kropog from Tulane, Fenuki Tupou from Oregon, Xavier Fulton from Illinois, and T.J. Lang from Eastern Michigan.

The Center and Guard positions are pretty staked also but not as much in the higher rounds. We all know the names like Alex Mack, Max Unger, Duke Robinson and Herman Johnson, but there are some good looking prospects that could be had later that would make a lot of sense for the Bills.

The BYU trio:

There are three players in this draft from BYU that are monstrous inside players; Guard Ray Feinga (6' 4"- 337), Guard Travis Bright (6' 5" - 316), and Center Dallas Reynolds (6' 5" - 328) all helped form a massive offensive line for BYU and helped them finish 16th in the country in offense. Reynolds isn't just a center though; he can play guard and tackle as well. In all likelihood none of these guys will go higher than the 4th round, but could be steals later in the draft.

The PSU trio:

I already mentioned Gerald Cadogan the tackle from Penn State that could go in the second round, but there are two other PSU lineman to keep an eye on. Rich Ohrnberger and A.Q. Shipley could be late round gems themselves. Shipley is reliable (started the final 39 games of his career) and was an All-American second teamer. Shipley also scored a 40 on the Wonderlic test, but his draft stock is being hurt by the "short arms" label. Orhnberger was an ALL-American third teamer.

Other names to keep an eye on:

- C.J. Davis, guard, Pittsburgh - has started 42 consecutive games, has played some center, and was an All Big East first teamer.

- Roland Martin, guard, Michigan State ~~is one heck of a fisherman.~~

- Cecil Newton, center, Tennessee State - A four year starter on one of the nation's best rushing teams.

There are some good lineman in this draft, some of whom could start, or at least play significant roles for their teams pretty early in their careers. Regardless of how the Jason Peters saga plays out, given the depth of the offensive line prospects in the draft I would be shocked if the Bills didn't draft at least three of them.

This FanPost was written by a registered user of Buffalo Rumblings. Its views do not necessarily reflect the views of Rumblings' editorial staff, but are just as valued as our own.

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Funny you should mention Cadogan… might hear from him again in, say, 2 hours and 15 minutes?

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by Brian Galliford on Apr 16, 2009 9:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This took forever to link all of those names. I hope you guys appreciate it.

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

by sireric on Apr 16, 2009 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I won't forget the dedication

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Apr 17, 2009 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is appreciated, my friend. By the way, how do you do that?(Use names, etc., to represent the link)

by jj24 on Apr 17, 2009 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

when your typing a comment you see the chain or link icon between the quotes and picture icon?

click on that and type in the URL – always click on open in new window so easier for users.

the link will show with some HTML code. type whatever word before the bracket (<>) with the \a at the end of the link. so you should have www.buffalorumblings.com in (<>) then another set of (<>) which in between is has a \a . the \a inbetween (<>) the brackets ends the link – with out the parenthesis

i’d can’t put an example becausee it interprets it as code and doesn’t display it correctly.

The rest of you go get the goods on Stan. His mom grounded him once for setting something on fire. Let's find out what that something was and then lie and say it was a puppy.

by J2 on Apr 17, 2009 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great job Sireric

I am excited about this years draft. Didn’t know all the OL prospects, so thank you very much. It seems as though this draft is real deep in many areas in which the Bills have needs (OT, OG, TE and DE). Not to bring up Peters, but the depth of the draft makes me all the more want the 1st and 3rd for him. Just to say an F-U to Peters, lets sign Jackson to a long term deal tomorrow :-)

by hilliarddavid on Apr 16, 2009 10:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

very informative

On alot of the best teams in the NFL, there are a lot of mid to late round guys who turn into top O-Lineman. I like to think our very own Brad Butler was a late round gem. I would never know these guys’ names, but they seem to have very good size, on big time football clubs in the case of PSU especially, and I would have to say they just might be savvy, and crafty lineman with a lot of ability.
Just like Ross Tucker
Said in his latest SI.com article, some of this scouting jargon like “short arms” is all a bunch of noise. If these guy are good on tape, it gives the Bills the opportunity to do alot more in the draft.

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on Apr 16, 2009 10:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

great job Sireric… As a former college offensive lineman, nothing makes me happier to hear that people think short arms are a load of crock. The interior lineman dont really care how long thier arms are because lets face it when a big NT/DT is head up on you your arms mean squat….its all about keeping him in front of you. i.e.- the mirror drill at the combine. and by the way G/C-Antonie Caldwell from Alabama was not mention and im not saying he Sireric you missed him or anything just a guy i like

by danntheman on Apr 16, 2009 10:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Caldwell is a good prospect but I thought he was kinda a “Known” like Eric Wood, and Andy Levitre, and Kraig Urbik. I was trying to bring to light some of the lesser knowns.

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

by sireric on Apr 16, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t see Buffalo drafting 3 linemen with just 7 picks. I think it becomes more likely if Buffalo picks up extra trades, by trading back and/or Peters. Even then, I can see OBD taking two linemen in the first 3 or 4 rounds and then bringing back a guy like Whittle.

by Ron From NM on Apr 16, 2009 10:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ron

I kno you appreciate the line have you seen Caldwell as a possible pick OBD is looking at

by danntheman on Apr 16, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can see three

Think about it. Its the position we’re most lacking in depth, with a possible need at LT around the corner. Other positions, defined as a need, like LB, DE, or even TE, already have depth, but need a “starter”, or difference maker if you will.
On the OL, we need depth and difference makers, so I would say it is very likely that three get drafted. Depends on what kind of players available when the Bills pick though of course

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on Apr 16, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

good point

to draft three they might need to make a trade or two.

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

by sireric on Apr 16, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WIth 9 picks now, how many do you thiunk?

I think a guard and two tackles is likely. Say someone to replace Peters at starter or Chambers as backup and a developmental guy.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Apr 18, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jason Peters

So much hinges on what the OBD plans to do with this guy it is getting nosignating thinking about this all the time…. My worst fear is that Draft weekend comes and goes and Peters is bill that is unhappy… Nightmare!

by danntheman on Apr 16, 2009 10:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great job Sireric!

I rec’d it, not becuase I appreciate your linkage skills (I do), but because of the love you gave to my PSU boys… Wife trained you well… haha :)

John I.

by jri111 on Apr 17, 2009 12:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like that Xavier Fulton character. Seems to be a guy with some upside and ability.

Watch out for Cornelius Lewis of Tennessee State, the Florida State transfer. Big dude, tough and athletic. He seems like an underrated prospect to me.

I’m a big fan of Dallas Reynolds and his versatility. Getting an OL late in the draft with his size, experience and ability to play/know multiple positions would be excellente value.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Apr 17, 2009 1:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think we both have Reynolds in our Mocks.

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

by sireric on Apr 17, 2009 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Therefore

we better start looking at other players.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Apr 17, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have Lewis in my mock.

Bad track record, amazing on field results.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Apr 18, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sebastian Vollmer

Not sure if he’s been mentioned yet but I’m starting to like this guy a lot. And the Bills’ coaches love O Line projects…. 4th or 5th round pick.

Any of those Penn State guys would be a nice addition, but the best one is still in college, Stefan Wisniewski.

by Harris on Apr 17, 2009 10:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Anybody click the Roland Martin link?

I just wanted to show off my knowledge of professional fishermen.

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

by sireric on Apr 17, 2009 1:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I clicked based solely on curiousity and was not in any way dissapointed. The music was perfect.

by kaisertown on Apr 17, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did too.

and felt the same way. But I also thought Eric was a little weird.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Apr 18, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Roland Martin

Any relation to that TV show Laugh-in

by Bob on Apr 18, 2009 9:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree - it's 3

Good work on this Eric, I always like reading your posts.

I agree with you that this is a great year to stock up on linemen. Not sure how it will playout, I think they believe that Walker can play LT and that Bell will eventually be ready to take over the throne maybe by 2010. So I really believe that they won’t pull the trigger before the 4th or 5th round on a tackle, it’s unfortunate that a guy like Phil Loadholt probably won’t be around by the 4th round. I think they will take Pettigrew at #11 if they can’t trade down for him. He is NFL ready and would provide immediate help for Walker or Bell at LT.

I think at #28 they could pickup my favorite in this year’s draft – Alex Mack.

Then probably a guard or Tackle in the 6th or 7th round.

Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!

by keysh67 on Apr 20, 2009 10:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs