Ever since we knew a Jason Peters' trade was inevitable, I've become somewhat obsessed with trying to find out some more information about the Tackle prospects in this years draft.  Not counting Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe, I've been looking around for information about the next 4-6 prospects on most boards.  I'm not normally interested in OL play (I like the DL and WR positions better), especially like Ron from NM is, but this topic has certainly piqued my interest of late.  We know enough about Andre Smith and Michael Oher because of the amount of time spent discussing the possibility of them as the pick at #11, but what if we don't get one of them?

We know the team more than likely has to take an OT prospect somewhat early in the draft, we just don't know where.  I've decided to take a closer look at some of the other Tackles the Bills will have a shot at come picks #28, 42 and 75 this weekend.

Eben Britton, Arizona
6'6", 309 lbs

Strengths: Nice size, can add more bulk if necessary, tough, physical, good technique, durable, strong, experienced, good run blocking skills, hard worker.

Weaknesses: Limited mobility, struggles in space, average athleticism, average footwork at this point, doesn't handle speed rushers well, lets rushers get into his chest, upside is somewhat limited.

Outlook: Britton is a very good prospect, but seems more suited for RT in the NFL, at lease initially.  His lack of top athleticism and quickness will hurt him against NFL edge rushers, but he is a good enough technician with the smarts to play LT in a pinch or down the road.  He reminds me of Kirk Chambers, tall and somewhat thin, with average athleticism.  To me, he wouldn't be much of an upgrade at LT over Chambers. Maybe he's a better LT prospect than I think he is, mainly due to his technique, but his athleticism and quickness worry me a bit.  Because he's a good run blocker, and would likely be an adequate pass protector, he would make for a solid pick at #28.

Prediction: 1st round pick, probably in the top 25.

Highlights from Yahoo (somewhat tough to follow, see #77)
Highlights from NFL.com

William Beatty, UConn
6'6", 307 lbs

Strengths: Great size with ability to add more bulk, very athletic, mobile, pretty good footwork, great pass blocker, nice upside, smart, problems are correctable.

Weaknesses: Needs to add strength, needs to improve his hands and techinique, average run blocker, one very good year in college so motivation may be questioned, doesn't sustain blocks that well.

Outlook: Beatty is an excellent physical speciman and looks to have a great future.  He's your prototypical LT, with great size, athleticism and ability to get stronger.  Many of his weaknesses are correctable and he will get better with NFL coaching, weightroom work and overall further development.  He seems like a late bloomer of sorts.  Depending on when Britton goes, who seems to be a higher ranked prospect everywhere, Beatty could go soon after.  I really like him as a potential long-term solution at LT and would be more than willing to take him at 28 or 42.  We'll probably need to use #28 on him if we want to be sure we get him.

Prediction: Late 1st/early 2nd

Highlights from Yahoo (#64)
Bowl game highlights:

Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
6'8" 332 lbs

Strengths: Ginormous, strong, powerful, excellent run blocker, solid athleticism, pretty good mobility, strong hands, bends his knees well, good upside.

Weaknesses: Slow footwork, two years of D1 experience, struggles with speed rushers, gets caught off balance, intelligence question marks, may be a character concern, multiple arrests on his record, might be better suited playing RT.

Outlook: Loadholt is a mountain of a man (Joe P must like him) that has intriguing NFL potential.  Watching videos of him, he does a pretty good job of establishing position and getting wide during pass protection.  His run blocking is top notch, but the concerns are pass protection and how he'll handle edge rushers.  I didn't really like him all that much initially, but after reading up on him and watching video, I like him as a 2nd round option.  I'm concerned about how he'll handle the left side in the pros though.  I'm not convinced he'll be an NFL LT, but with further coaching and development, he may be able to overcome some of his deficiencies. He's probably a RT to start, so I'm not sure how interested the front office will be.  If they feel he's capable of playing LT, then he very well could be the pick in round 2 if we hold off on the position for a while.  I think he's too Langston Walker-esque on the left side, however.

Prediction: 2nd round

Highlights from Yahoo
Other Highlights:

Jamon Meredith, South Carolina
6'5" 304 lbs

Strengths: Great athlete, good frame with ability to add bulk, very quick and agile, really smart, was a great student, experienced, great pass blocker, good upside, versatile.

Weaknesses: Needs to get stronger and add bulk, not very tough or physical, poor hands, not a great run blocker, needs to sustain blocks better.

Outlook: Meredith is a very intriguing prospect.  He has experience at both Tackle spots, as well as Guard, but look athletic enough to be an NFL LT.  However, I don't see it happening right away.  He needs to get stronger, add some bulk and improve his technique.  He really needs to work on his hands and getting a better initial punch.  His athleticism is as good as you'll find in the draft at the position, so he is definitely worth keeping an eye on.  I doubt the Bills will have much interest because he'll take some time to develop.  We've already got Demetrius Bell trying to develop, I'm not sure the team needs to add a guy who's further along, but still has a ways to go.  I like him as a prospect, especially if the team doesn't feel the need to get an immediate contributor.  I think he's pretty underrated and will be a good NFL player.

Projection: Late 2nd/early 3rd round

Highlights from Yahoo
Further highlights:

Gerald Cadogan, Penn State
6'5", 309 lbs

Strengths: Good frame and bulk, long arms, smart, pretty agile, gets to the second level, hard worker, good initial punch, plays with attitude, will take defenders out of the play, still has good upside.

Weaknesses: Inconsistent, needs to work on footwork, technique, not a great run blocker, will get beat to the inside, does not have quick feet, loses balances, doesn't pull well and struggles in space somewhat, raw.

Outlook: Cadogan seems to be an underrated prospect that has a nice future in the NFL, whether it's at LT, RT, or even inside at Guard.  A little birdie told us the Bills like him, which isn't a surprise.  He's a player that will continue to get better and has great intangible.  His technique needs to improve and he has to concentrate hard on getting his footwork up to speed, so to speak.  I'm not convinced he's an NFL LT, but if he is able to improve his footwork, he very well could develop into one.  The team may like him in round 2, which may be a bit early, but overall not too bad.  I don't think he'll help improve the position a whole lot as a rookie, so like Meredith he's more of a future LT prospect that could likely play RT this year.

Projection: 3rd round

I couldn't find any highlight videos of him, but did find him singing the National Anthem before an Obama speech...

There are a number of other midround OT prospects, but none of them seem likely to help this year.  I tend to believe the team will look for a player who can play this year, so it'll likely come down to these top 9 or so prospects.