There's been LOTS of discussion on the Rumblings recently on where we should draft an offensive tackle this year. Some want to pull the trigger in the first round. Others feel that there is not a blue-chipper that we can get at pick #10, and the other guys available at that point are not worth it. I'm writing this under the assumption that Bell will not be returning to Buffalo.

I've been wondering to myself, I wonder what rounds the starting tackles in the league were drafted at? What would the average draft position be? I dunno.

I read this article by Jonathan Bales from the DC times: http://thedctimes.com/2012/02/top-20-nfl-offensive-tackles-using-advanced-stats-to-rank-best-ots

Using his top 20 guys, let's see where they were drafted.

1. David Stewart, Tennessee Titans. Round 4.

2. Tyson Clabo, Atlanta Falcons. Undrafted.

3. Jason Peters, Philadelphia Eagles. Undrafted.

4. Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns. Round 1, 3rd overall.

5. Branden Albert, Kansas City Chiefs. Round 1, 15th overall.

6. Eugene Monroe, Jacksonville Jaguars. Round 1, 8th overall.

7. Jake Long, Miami Dolphins. Round 1, 1st overall.

8. Sebastian Vollmer, New England Patriots. Round 2.

9. Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys. Round 1, 9th overall.

10. Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati Bengals. Round 2.

11. Bryan Bulaga, Green Bay Packers. Round 1, 23rd overall.

12. Eric Winston, Houston Texans. Round 3.

13. D’Brickashaw Ferguson, New York Jets. Round 1, 4th overall.

14. Trent Williams, Washington Redskins. Round 1, 4th overall.

15. Andre Smith, Cincinnati Bengals. Round 1, 6th overall. (This workout warrior was a true gym rat in college, go to 0:41:) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF2nYd2NOys

16. Duane Brown, Houston Texans. Round 1, 26th overall.

17. Michael Roos, Tennessee Titans. Round 2.

18. Matt Light, New England Patriots. Round 2.

19. Joe Staley, San Francisco 49ers. Round 1, 28th overall.

20. Marcus Gilbert, Pittsburgh Steelers. Round 2.

I'm not saying whether or not Mr. Bales rankings are accurate or not, but I think we can all agree that these guys are pretty good.

Here's some other guys not on his list that are pretty good:

Erik Pears. Buffalo Bills. Undrafted.

Bryant McKinnie, Minnesota Vikings. Round 1, 7th overall.

Will Beatty, NY Giants. Round 2.

J'Marcus Webb, Washington Redskins. Round 7.

Jeff Backus, Detroit Lions. Round 1, 18th overall.

Jermon Bushrod, NO Saints. Round 4.

The Bills goal for the draft is to find somebody that is capable of pushing Hairston for the starting job at best. Our draft pick needs to be a solid pick that can immediately fill in for Hairston in the event of an injury at worst.

Now go back up to the list above. These guys were either:

a. Drafted high to become immediate starters, or

b. Drafted later on to be groomed and developed.

That being said...............