Ellis figures in as #4 DE as rookie (Photo Source)

For the entirety of the four months between the end of the NFL's regular season and this past weekend's NFL Draft, the fine folks who visit this blog daily have been expressing their worry over the Buffalo Bills' pass rush. The Bills boasted one of the NFL's worst pass defenses last season, and that wasn't because the team's starting cornerbacks were awful (note: they weren't great). In the style of defense that the Bills run - whether or not it's run in the most traditional of manners - a disruptive pass rush is essential to defensive success, especially against the pass.

Enter Chris Ellis. Buffalo's third-round draft pick will be expected to contribute right out of the gate as a pass rush specialist. But like second-round pick James Hardy, Ellis enters the league with some questions about his character. No one really knows what to expect from him as a player, either. We're very happy to be joined this morning by Gary Cope, a "traditional" media veteran who covered Virginia Tech for a decade before retiring to his current Hokies blog, VTHokieFans.com. I asked Mr. Cope about some of the major concerns with Ellis. Here's what he had to say about our new speed rusher:

Ellis was suspended in 2006 after an arrest for obstructing justice and resisting arrest. What are your thoughts on Ellis' supposed character concerns?
- In this, the image-conscious age of the NFL, I can easily understand why Bills' fans may have some character concerns related to Chris Ellis. My short answer is "no," I don't think his character will be a detriment to the Bills.

My long answer is as follows: his arrest in 2006 was a huge disappointment for Virginia Tech fans, coaches and players. It was also the beginning of a three-week span that will remain, at least in my mind, one of the lowest points in the program's history in terms of sportsmanship and character and Ellis was at the forefront.

Ellis and a teammate were suspended for the Georgia Tech game. The No. 11 Hokies hosted the No. 24 Yellow Jackets and lost 27-38 on national TV (ABC). A week and a half later, the Hokies imploded and were blown out by Boston College, 3-22, again on national TV (ESPN). Toward the end of the game, Ellis struck Eagles' tight end Ryan Purvis in the back and pushed him to the ground earning his second personal foul of the game. Coach Beamer immediately pulled him from the game.

Following the back-to-back humiliating losses, the Tech players held a team meeting and what followed was a six-game winning streak in which they played disciplined football en route to blowout victories over No. 10 Clemson and No. 14 Wake Forest. Up until this point, Ellis' character and discipline were proving a liability on the field. Following the players-only meeting, Ellis became a changed man both on and off the field. He kept his nose clean and was among the leaders of the team that stepped up and took responsibility for their actions. From that point on, Ellis evolved into a team leader and his character was never again an issue for the Hokies.

We're not talking about a guy like Darren McFadden who has had multiple run-ins with the law. Ellis' was a one-time incident and he learned from it. He got his head screwed on straight following his arrest, his one-game suspension, and the two personal fouls against BC. I don't think Bills fans have anything to worry about.

Ellis is regarded as a solid pass rusher, having racked up 35.5 sacks in his Virginia Tech career. Was Ellis a game-changer as an end for the Hokies, or did he get most of his sacks on hustle plays?
- I don't know if "game changer" is an accurate description of Ellis. Certainly when he was in the game, the opposing offensive coordinator was keenly aware and game-planned accordingly, often double-teaming him. Ellis is a speed guy - lightning quick off the snap - and has a motor that never quits ... I mean never. And that's how he racked up many of his sacks; relentless pursuit from the backside. The guy never takes a play off.

After two major shoulder surgeries, durability is a big question mark for Ellis. Yet he played 52 career games at VT. Were injuries ever an in-season problem for Ellis?
- Ellis is as tough as they come. He has played through injuries and pain and rarely did those ailments get in the way of his playing time. His first shoulder surgery was during his redshirt freshman year, which repaired a torn labrum. He was healthy for the next two seasons, but aggravated his shoulder during the beginning of his junior year (2006). It slowed him in the UNC game and again at the end of the season, but he played through the pain and had surgery immediately following the bowl game. He show no ill effects during the 2007 season, by far his best year. I believe the questions about his durability are overstated.

Please talk briefly about Ellis' ability against the run. Is he a liability in this facet of the game?
- It is no secret that Ellis is a far better pass rusher than a run stopper. However, he has the speed and athletic ability, especially the lateral quickness, to pursue running plays to the sidelines. Because of his lack of size and overall strength, he struggled at times against traditional power running games and I imagine the NFL running game will prove even more difficult for him to contain. Because he regularly gave up 40-60 pounds to offensive lineman, he was easy to contain. Ellis is much more effective when he has some distance, leverage and speed to beat bigger, slower offensive tackles off the edge. I would imagine that the Bills will use him as a DE during pass rushes, or may try him at OLB in a 3-4 defense, but he hasn't played that position since high school. I wouldn't count on him contribute much in the way of run defense, at least not in the first couple of seasons.

What one aspect of Ellis' game would you say is his strong point? Where does he need to improve, in your opinion?
- Ellis is a hard worker and a relentless player. As I mentioned before, he never quits; he leaves everything he has on the field each and every game. He was one of the ACC's premier pass rushers in 2007 because of his speed, quickness and hustle, but, if he's going to succeed at the next level, he will need to add another 10-15 pounds before training camp opens.

Assuming he gains the weight, he'll have to learn how to use against the considerably bigger, stronger and faster offensive linemen in the NFL. His learning curve will be considerable, but he has the determination and work ethic to become a solid NFL pass rusher. I wouldn't consider him an immediate impact player, but if the Bills are patient, I think they can develop him into something special.

I could go on forever about how he could improve on his run-stopping game, but I would be surprised if the Bills would even put forth much effort to develop him in that role. He is a pure pass rusher and that's his niche. I'm sure the Bills recognize that and will develop him to his strengths.

I'd like to thank Gary Cope once again for his insight on Chris Ellis. Buffalo's top two draft picks have a lot of pressure on their shoulders to contribute immediately, and that goes the same for Ellis - Tom Brady needs to be hit, and it's going to be Ellis' job to do that on third downs. We've got a quick rusher that's a hard worker. That's a good start.

Was McKelvin a "surprise" pick on draft day? (Photo Source)

Anybody who reads this blog on a regular basis knows that I was a receiver guy.  When it came to the Buffalo Bills and our pre-draft preparations, I was dead set in my opinion: the Bills had to draft a wide receiver.  Clearly, this past weekend, that did not come to fruition, as the team's top draft pick was not a receiver, but cornerback Leodis McKelvin.  As disappointed as I was that the pick was not a wideout (note: that disappointment was quelled after our second-round pick), I saw the logic in the McKelvin selection.  Good player, elite potential, and a position of need.  Nothing wrong with that.

Yet there is still a contingent of Bills fans out there that believes the McKelvin selection was a poor one - and today, Anthony Bialy became their ringleader.  This contingent is a small one, but some of their concerns deserve to be addressed this afternoon.  Since Bialy is the ringleader - and believe me, I enjoy Mr. Bialy's work; his writings are generally excellent - I'm going to (hopefully) address some of his concerns right now.

Excerpt One: The Cover-2 Fit
First thing's first - is McKelvin a good fit in Buffalo's defensive scheme?  Bialy thinks not:

McKelvin doesn’t have a reputation as a dispenser of overpowering brute force at the line of scrimmage according to most scouting reports. That’s only a problem if a team plays, say, a Tampa 2 style where it want its corners physically confronting wide receivers as soon as the ball is snapped. Of course, the Bills employ this exact technique; defensive backs are schooled to engage in bumping knowing a safety should be ready to help if the opponent gets by, and McKelvin will have to adapt.

That's true... for every other Tampa 2 team besides Buffalo.  Watch the game tape from any Bills game last year - and I mean any game.  Buffalo's cornerbacks play double-digit yards off of the receivers they're playing.  Much of that had to do with the fact that the Bills needed an eighth defender - mostly Donte Whitner - in the box, as their run defense was atrocious.  But even with the run defense apparently getting better this off-season, don't expect our coverage philosophies to change much.

I can recall several times our very own Kurupt becoming belligerent at Buffalo's pass defense.  Our season-opening loss to Denver last season serves as a sufficient example - how many times did Javon Walker and Brandon Marshall catch a slant route in front of Buffalo's corners, which led to Jason Elam's game-winning field goal?  They could have used a corner with closing speed and an ability to contest every throw at that point.  The Bills didn't need a jam-them-at-the-line corner this year, because that's not the style they play.  Playing off the ball, cornerbacks in Buffalo's scheme need to play the ball well and have terrific recovery speed.  Those are areas in which McKelvin excels.

Excerpt Two: Not a Positional Need?
Bialy's next argument is whether or not cornerback was a positional need for the Bills:

With all the money NFL teams invest in player evaluation and rookie contracts, the Bills should have spent a fraction of a dollar on a pad of Post-Its so they could have stuck one on their board reminding them that they didn’t need a potential shutdown corner.

Perhaps it's just me, but I was not overly comfortable relying on Jabari Greer or William James as a starter next to Terrence McGee.  Sure, I was willing to deal with it if it meant the team would draft a receiver with their top pick, but that doesn't mean I was comfortable with it.  The Bills did, after all, boast a terrible pass defense last season.

Let's crunch numbers: in 2007, Buffalo's defense surrendered 35 total touchdowns - 19 through the air, 16 on the ground.  Playing a bulk of their late-season games in the northeast with less-than-ideal weather conditions, the Bills gave up 10 of those 16 ground scores over their last 7 games.  That's true of just two air scores.  Therefore, at one point, the Bills had given up 17 scores through the air as compared to just six on the ground.  And of those 17 scores, folks, 9 of them came off the right arm of some bum named Tom Brady.  If New England's offense is not reason enough to draft a shut-down cornerback, I don't know what is.

Excerpt Three: The Trade Down Argument (+)
Bialy also believes that drafting a cornerback was a waste of the team's resources:

In a defensive philosophy where quick pass-rushing linemen and help over the top are almost as crucial to stopping throws as corners, using the 11th overall pick on the Troy product comes across as wasteful.  If the Bills were absolutely fixated on drafting a corner first, they could have traded down in the round and still been able to choose from a decent buffet of secondary prospects...

Well, the "trade down" argument can be made for wideout as well - any time you can move down to get picks and value it's a good idea.  That really doesn't pertain to the argument at hand, though.  Had the Bills traded down, they could have done any of a number of things; it's entirely possible they would have considered a different cornerback with lesser skills than McKelvin in their eyes.  We know now, however, that the team was not as high on Mike Jenkins (the best Cover 2 fit of the top prospects) as most, and they likely weren't going to select Kansas' Aqib Talib, either.

As far as the defensive philosophy goes, Bialy admits in his writing that though the pass rush and safety help are considered very important to good pass coverage, cornerbacks are still the most important players in this endeavor.  Let's face it - the Bills only had five such players on the roster heading into the draft, and only one of them (McGee) could start for most NFL teams.  Greer, James and Ashton Youboty all have starting experience and are solid players, but they're numbers guys more than answers to the question.  We didn't have a guy who can be a true-blue, put-him-on-your-best-receiver corner.  Now we do.

In the end, McKelvin was not my top choice.  I'm still willing to admit that.  But if anyone tells you that McKelvin was a poor first-round choice, keep in mind this argument: you can NEVER, ever ever ever, have enough cornerbacks in this league.  Especially when Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker are in your division.  It wasn't the ideal choice for a lot of Bills fans, and that's OK.  But it is logical.  And ultimately, it may be the smartest move that Buffalo's current regime has made to date.

Hardy should start immediately at WR (Photo Source)

Buffalo Bills wide receiver James Hardy has only been a Bill for a little over three days, and already there is an uncommon amount of pressure on his shoulders.  As a second-round pick, the ultra-productive Hardy and his 6'5" frame are being counted on to boost Buffalo's scoring potential offensively.  That's a tall task for any rookie - even if that rookie happens to be pretty tall himself.

So to get a better perspective on the rookie who is supposed to open up Buffalo's offense, I spoke to John, author of the Indiana blog Hoosier Report, who watched Hardy put up double-digit touchdown totals in each of his three years as a Hoosier.  John's first-hand perspective on Hardy serves as an invaluable resource in regards to what we can expect from Hardy in his rookie season.  Here is the interview in its entirety; my questions are in bold:

What do you make of Hardy's legal issues in 2006?  Do you believe he has put those issues behind him?
- I don't expect Hardy to be a problem.  As you know, he was arrested for domestic violence before the 2006 season.  Ultimately, those charges were dismissed as part of a pretrial diversion agreement (which is pretty unusual for a domestic situation, which makes me think the prosecution had serious concerns about the case), but he also was suspended for a couple of games early in the 2006 season, but hasn't had a problem since then.   Hardy comes from a pretty tough background, but IU's late coach Terry Hoeppner seems to have been something of a father figure to him and he has continued to meet higher standards even after Hep's death.  As we all know, even guys with pristine records can be lead astray by NFL riches, but I think Hardy has grown up.

How was Hardy utilized at Indiana - was he more of a vertical threat or did he catch more underneath passes?
- While he isn't completely one-dimensional, certainly Hardy was more of a deep threat than anything else: he averaged 14.2 yards per reception and led the Big Ten with 16 TD receptions.  But, as some of the highlight packages have shown, he certainly isn't afraid to go over the middle and because of his size, he is a great asset in red zone situations.

What one single aspect of his game impresses you the most?
- I don't know if it is an aspect of his game, so much, but his value as a college player was that the defense had to account for him on every single play, so even when he wasn't catching the ball he had a positive effect on IU's offense.

How would you grade Hardy as a run blocker?  Is he a hard-working blocker, or is he a take-the-play off guy?
- Well, this is where I could pretend to be a great x's and o's guy who watches the game on that level.  I never thought that James was any sort of a problem in that regard, although those with a better eye for the game might disagree.  He certainly took some criticism at times for games in which he didn't catch many balls (although those games were few and far between), but obviously a WR isn't always in control of such things.  Hardy came to IU predominantly as a basketball recruit, although he quite basketball to focus on football after his freshman season.  My impression is that he has worked hard to develop his game and I would expect that to continue.

Some "experts" have questioned Hardy's straight-line speed.  Did Hardy have trouble getting open in college or running away from defenders, in your opinion?
- I think that's a legitimate criticism, or at least a legitimate question.  He was plenty fast enough for college, but even the guys who get paid to analyze these things can't figure out how some guys' games will translate to the NFL.  So I'll be interested to see how Hardy plays.  On the other hand, even though NFL defenders will be faster, 6-6 is 6-6.  Hardy still will have a height advantage on nearly every defender in the league, so even if he isn't as dangerous a deep threat he should be an asset to the Bills' offense.

I'd like to thank John for the honest perspective on Hardy.  Be sure to drop by Hoosier Report from time to time to gauge his awe as Hardy tears up the league as a rookie.  For even more on Hardy, be sure to check out the Skycap's FanPost on Hardy, which includes a first-person perspective on Hardy's draft-day experience.

I want to touch quickly on one point John made:

...his value as a college player was that the defense had to account for him on every single play, so even when he wasn't catching the ball he had a positive effect on IU's offense.

This is the most important point that John made, folks.  At this point in time, Hardy's height alone will have an effect on Buffalo's offense.  Will Hardy be a world-beater as a rookie?  History says no.  But he's finally someone an opposing defense has to at least keep an eye on.  Peerless Price could not be that type of player in his second stint in Buffalo.  Hardy's mere presence will make things easier between the twenties for Buffalo's best offensive players, specifically Lee Evans and Marshawn Lynch.  When we get to the red zone, Hardy becomes an even bigger factor.

Does the kid have some growing up to do, both on and off the field?  Probably in both cases.  But this was a smart draft pick.  I wish I could see the look on Trent Edwards' face when he meets Hardy for the first time.

McKelvin has elite potential at CB, PR (Photo Source)

With their first round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills chose the top player rated on their board in Troy cornerback Leodis McKelvin. Widely regarded as the top cornerback available in this year's draft class, the highly athletic McKelvin was known as a shut-down corner at the college level, as well as one of the nation's elite return specialists.

The Bills made a splash at the top of their 2007 draft by taking RB Marshawn Lynch, whose superb rookie year may have landed him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors had it not been for a certain Peterson character in Minnesota. The Bills' pick of McKelvin, however, may have provided the team with an even more explosive player, especially when the ball is in his hands.

Just how good is McKelvin, and just how good can McKelvin be? No one is more equipped than a draft scout to answer those questions. Matt Miller, head of the popular scouting service New Era Scouting and head of SB Nation's draft blog, Mocking the Draft, was kind enough to take some time from his busy post-draft schedule to talk about McKelvin at a more intricate level. Here's his take on some of the nitty-gritty questions I asked him - and you may be surprised at some of the responses...

We've heard good things about McKelvin's footwork, fluid hips and recovery speed. His size is very adequate as well. Can McKelvin be a corner that eventually matches up with any receiver in the league?

We had Leodis McKelvin rated as our #1 CB going in to the draft for many reasons, most of which you mentioned. McKelvin can be a player who will match up with and shut down the best receivers in the NFL. In no way will he be ready to line up across from Randy Moss as a rookie, but his tools show that he has the talent to eventually do so. McKelvin has everything we look for in an elite cover man.

The Bills view McKelvin as an immediate starter, even though they employ the Cover 2. Does McKelvin have the tackling skill and demeanor to excel in this defense?

Tackling, unlike other areas, is as much about will as it is talent. McKelvin has shown the ability to "lay the hat" on receivers throughout his time at Troy. The area that must be taught is his press coverage at the line of scrimmage. He has the size and strength to be physical with receivers, but must show the heart to do so. I do not see this being a problem for him, as he's a successful return man and is not afraid of contact there.

We've heard conflicting reports on McKelvin's instincts. Some say he's a great anticipator and can read quarterbacks well, while others say he's lacking in this area. What are your thoughts after watching him on film?

I would say it's both. McKelvin has games where he shows great instincts in reading the route and jumping it, or reading the quarterback's eyes and breaking up a pass. His best talent may be baiting the quarterback into a bad throw. His recovery speed is so phenomenal that he has the ability to play off the receiver and then jump the route once the pass is thrown. His instincts are sufficient, and when combined with his speed they are more than adequate.

McKelvin was an elite punt returner in college, scoring 7 times on punt returns. But the Bills already have arguably the league's best punt returner in Roscoe Parrish. Is McKelvin as effective returning kickoffs as he is punts?

His natural ability with the football will make him a success any time he touches the ball. Early in the season McKelvin was among the best return men I had ever seen in college. He is naturally gifted with speed, agility and vision in the open field. He could quickly take over return duties from Parrish while becoming a starter at cornerback.

Give us your prognosis on McKelvin's career. How good can he be? What's the worst case scenario for this kid? Can he be compared to any current NFL cornerbacks?

The best case scenario is quite high. McKelvin has the potential to be in the class of Champ Bailey and Charles Woodson. He compares favorably to Woodson in many areas, in fact. At worst, McKelvin is a Devin Hester clone on returns, but a nickel cover man on defense.

I'd like to thank Matt Miller once again for the intriguing insight on McKelvin. It's interesting - the McKelvin selection was regarded in the immediate aftermath of the selection as a solid pick, yet the more I hear about McKelvin, the more I hear that he could truly be an NFL superstar. Clearly, it is much too early to be turning that claim into gospel, as McKelvin's still never played an NFL snap and will need to adjust to the NFL setting.

I also found it interesting that Miller believes that McKelvin can unseat Parrish as this team's punt returner as a rookie. I don't see that happening - Parrish has been among the top two or three punt returners in the NFL over the past two years - but it speaks volumes to McKelvin's ability with the ball in his hands. I still have some doubts as to whether he's as effective on kick returns, but clearly, the Bills now have three outstanding return threats on their roster, and that's going to be very difficult for opposing special teams coordinators to game plan for.

I'm jacked up about this kid. Elite coverage tools, explosive with the ball in his hands, and he instantly improves depth in the defensive backfield and adds an entirely new dimension to an already solid special teams unit. You want to talk about a value selection with an incredibly high ceiling? Leodis McKelvin is your guy. Work on those ball skills, kid, and we'll have nothing else to complain about.

Hardy stands alone as impact offensive rookie (Photo Source)

For two years, the Buffalo Bills had made a name for themselves on NFL Draft weekend by trading picks early and often to land players they wanted. In 2006, they traded back into the first round to select DT John McCargo. In 2007, they traded up into the early second round in order to pick LB Paul Posluszny. And entering 2008, the Bills had ten draft picks and a disgruntled quarterback (J.P. Losman) to help them make a move once again.

Over this year's draft weekend, an NFL record 33 trades were made - slowing down an otherwise streamlined draft. Yet despite their history, despite their ammo and despite a growing sense that moving around the board was the best option, in a record-setting draft, the Bills didn't budge an inch.

Bills Still Found Impact
The Bills chose to let the draft come to them, and in the early stages of the draft, it worked beautifully. Adding CB Leodis McKelvin and WR James Hardy gives the Bills two vastly talented players at their two biggest positional needs. McKelvin will likely lock down a starting job at cornerback during the season (if not before) as well as a return role in some capacity, while Hardy should start at wideout immediately next to veteran Lee Evans.

Even the team's third-round pick, Virginia Tech DE Chris Ellis, should make an impact as a rookie situational pass rusher.

When the impact was in the fold, however, the trading game failed Buffalo, and at least from an outsider's eyes, the picks started to frustrate.

Plan B: Build Special Teams, BPA
The Bills have never been a team that uses their late-round picks to fill needs in the vain hope that a sixth-round pick will carry them to the playoffs. Instead, the Bills choose to take the best player available - and, as this is rarely a bad strategy, the Bills have come away with some pretty good players over the years (LB Keith Ellison, S John Wendling).

With an eye on revamping their decimated special teams - which lost five impact coverage guys (WR Sam Aiken, TE Ryan Neufeld, LB Mario Haggan, LB Josh Stamer, LB Coy Wire) this off-season - the Bills added three rookies who should see significant special teams action as rookies. CB Reggie Corner, TE Derek Fine (who may also see a role offensively this season) and LB Alvin Bowen were all standout specialists in college, and they should become immediate special teams contributors for coordinator Bobby April.

The BPA method also landed the Bills three very intriguing prospects in RB Xavier Omon, OT Demetrius Bell and WR Steve Johnson. Omon is a record-setting Division II back with power and soft hands that adds a slightly different dimension to Buffalo's backfield. He may also be looked at as a fullback from time to time. Bell, the estranged son of former NBA star Karl Malone, is an immensely gifted athlete who with a little polish could be a worthwhile project for Buffalo, who needed depth along the offensive line. Johnson had a very productive final year at Kentucky, and although he's extremely raw as a receiver, he's a smooth athlete with plenty of upside at a thin position.

So, was the draft a success?
If you were looking to be wowed by Buffalo's draft class, a la 2007 when Marshawn Lynch and Posluszny sent waves of excitement through the fan base, 2008's class may disappoint you slightly. However, these are ten good football players that the Bills brought in - and half of them could be instant-impact rookies in one way or another. Did the Bills address all of their needs? No - they failed to find an impact tight end. This team's second-day philosophy has remained consistent for all three years they've been there, and tight end remains the team's one glaring weakness.  The team will instead rely on Fine to add to a competition that includes Robert Royal, Courtney Anderson, Teyo Johnson and Derek Schouman.

So for me? I'm satisfied. No draft is perfect.  I get the logic. I'm not wowed, and I'm not going to brag about this draft class to all of my pals. But the Bills lost a lot of role players this off-season and took strides to replace them with young, smart, athletic football players. It's hard for me to argue with that logic.

Whether or not the Bills should have made a few trades to get more impact, however, is a story that only time can tell.

The 2008 NFL Draft is now officially in the books, and the Buffalo Bills were a busy team on draft weekend.  Holding ten selections on the weekend, the Bills chose to stay pat and draft players at each of those ten spots.  Here is a recap of those picks, with links to Buffalo Rumblings' coverage of each player:

Round - Overall: Name, Pos., College

1-11: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

2-41: James Hardy, WR, Indiana

3-72: Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech

4-114: Reggie Corner, CB, Akron

4-132: Derek Fine, TE, Kansas

5-147: Alvin Bowen, LB, Iowa State

6-179: Xavier Omon, RB, Northwest Missouri State

7-219: Demetrius Bell, OT, Northwestern State

7-224: Steve Johnson, WR, Kentucky

7-251: Kennard Cox, DB, Pittsburgh

As I mentioned earlier, I will post my initial thoughts on this weekend's Bills proceedings tomorrow morning - I need a night off for a little perspective.  Expect that early tomorrow morning.  For now, enjoy your evening.  We'll see you back here tomorrow.  Go Bills!

The Buffalo Bills will close out their participation in the 2008 NFL Draft with three selections in the seventh round.  Those selections are...

7-219: Demetrius Bell, OT, Northwestern State
- We knew coming into the day that the Bills would try to target an offensive lineman who can play guard and tackle; a "swing" lineman, if you will.  At 6'5" and 303 pounds, Bell is that type of lineman.  He's only got three years of experience in football, but he's a big kid with a load of potential.  In the seventh round, a developmental project with as much upside as Bell has is about all you can hope for.  This is a strong pick for the Bills.

7-224: Steve Johnson, WR, Kentucky
- I really, really like this pick.  Johnson is a productive receiver coming out of the SEC, and at 6'2", 210 pounds and with 4.55 speed, he has the ability to be an underrated slot receiver at the NFL level.  He's not quick or explosive, but he's a smooth player who scored 13 touchdowns in his one productive college season - outproducing his college teammate, Keenan Burton, in 2007.  This is a nice seventh-round flier selection that could pan out and add some solid depth to Buffalo's receiving corps.

7-251: Kennard Cox, CB, Pittsburgh
- A 6'0", 195-pound cornerback that runs a 4.58-second 40 is nearly a perfect fit for a Cover 2.  He is also the cousin of Buccaneers CB Torrie Cox.  This is the third cornerback that the Bills have selected in this year's draft (though he could also be shifted to safety), and if Cox can't prove his mettle on special teams, he likely won't make the roster.

That does it for the 2008 NFL Draft, at least from the Bills' perspective.  I'd like to thank everyone for stopping by Buffalo Rumblings for your Bills draft coverage this weekend.  I'm tabling my thoughts on the draft as a whole until tomorrow morning (going to sleep on it for a little perspective), so I hope to see many of you back here tomorrow morning for that.  In the meantime, feel free to leave your final draft thoughts in the comments section or in a FanPost.  Go Bills!

Omon a little-known Division II prospect (Photo Source)

With the 179th overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills have selected NW Missouri State running back Xavier Omon.

Despite having solid depth at running back thanks to last year's top selection, Marshawn Lynch, and the emergence of a solid backup in Fred Jackson, the Buffalo Bills have added Xavier Omon to the positional mix.  A Division II prospect out of Northwest Missouri State, Omon has been regarded for some time as one of the best small-school prospects available in this year's draft.

Omon is a big (5'11", 228 pounds), versatile back that does everything well but no one thing great.  With such bulk, Omon is a tough inside runner who absolutely dominated the Division II level, scoring 92 career rushing touchdowns, including a whopping 37 as a senior.  He added six more career scores as a receiver, and though he was not used much in this capacity as a collegian, he reportedly has soft hands.  There are also some NFL experts who believe that Omon has the ability to become a ball-toting fullback, considering his size and the fact that he's an above-average blocker.

There are some concerns with Omon, namely ball security and wear and tear.  Omon logged 1,271 carries in college, so there is definitely some wear on his tires.  He's not the fastest (4.59 40) or quickest back, either, which should make him a one-dimensional smash-mouth runner.  That's a nice complement to Marshawn Lynch if he can make the team - and it may speak to Buffalo's feelings on their current number three back, Dwayne Wright.

The Bills have three picks in the seventh round.  Stay tuned - Buffalo Rumblings will have those picks covered for you as well.

Bowen brings depth to a LB corps that needs it (Photo Source)

With the 147th overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills have selected Iowa State linebacker Alvin "Ace" Bowen.

The Bills entered this draft with a need for more depth at linebacker after losing special teams aces Mario Haggan and Josh Stamer in free agency (Haggan was suspended as well).  Enter Bowen, an undersized but aggressive linebacker that plays the game hard and can deliver a big hit.  He immediately becomes a favorite to be a "starter" on the team's kick coverage units based on his hard-hitting nature alone.

Measuring in at 6'1", 223 pounds and timed at 4.75 seconds in the 40 yard dash, Bowen is an explosive athlete that is known for his sideline-to-sideline range and plays faster than he times.  He is, once again, a typical Dick Jauron player - high character, blue-collar worker with a non-stop motor and the ability to help the team out in more than one way.  Again, he's about as safe a prospect as you can find in the fifth round and should contribute from day one in Buffalo.

What's interesting about Bowen is his potential pro position - in Buffalo, he could either play linebacker on the weak side (where his 223-pound frame fits best), but Bowen's coverage skills are so good that he could even make the switch to strong safety.  He's got a Coy Wire aura about him, but he's a much better athlete than Wire ever was.  A position change of that magnitude may be a difficult one for Bowen to undertake, but it's an option that the team may explore early on in his career.

The Bills have now made six selections in this year's draft, and four of them have come on the defensive side of the ball.  With four more selections, will the Bills turn their attention to building depth on the offense?  Will they trade up to grab one of the better offensive prospects remaining (TE Kellen Davis, FB Owen Schmitt)?  Stay tuned to Buffalo Rumblings to find out.

Fine could see field as TE or HB option (Photo Source)

With the 132nd overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills have selected Kansas tight end Derek Fine.

After addressing the defensive side of the football with three of their first four picks, the Buffalo Bills have added a second receiving threat to their arsenal with the addition of Fine.  A reliable receiving target for an upstart Kansas team this past season, Fine will add to the competition at a rather weak tight end position in Buffalo.

What you see is what you get with Fine, and he's a typical Dick Jauron guy.  Fine measures in at 6'3" (short for a tight end), 251 pounds and has average speed, running a 4.83 in the 40 yard dash.  He has reliable hands, is smart and reads coverages very well, and knows how to get open.  Because of his recognition skills, he was lined up all over the field in Kansas, including on the line as a natural tight end, in the slot as a receiver, and in the backfield as an H-Back.

There are, of course, downsides to Fine as well.  He is not considered a top blocker and lacks the bulk to consistently hold his own at the point of attack.  He also lacks the speed and burst to exploit defenses down the seam.  He is not believed to have a lot of upside, but the skills that he does possess are blue-collar and make him a natural fit in Buffalo.

If you're looking for instant offensive impact with Fine, you may have to wait.  Fine will need to improve his route-running before he can be a consistent threat.  But he has the potential to be a go-to player on underneath throws - something QB Trent Edwards likes to exploit - and he also has the ability to play special teams in a number of roles right out of the gate.  This is a smart kid and a pretty safe pick.

This is your open thread until Buffalo's next pick, #147 overall (fifth round).