The Buffalo Bills addressed their defense in Round 1 of the 2011 NFL Draft in a big way - literally and figuratively - by selecting Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus. With the second round set to begin at 6PM this evening, experts such as Mel Kiper and Todd McShay of ESPN believe that the Bills will continue to address their defense in the form of adding a linebacker.
In Kiper's second-round mock draft, the Bills are projected to select Illinois junior Martez Wilson. An outstanding athlete - he has 4.49-second speed and explosive athleticism at 6'4" and 250 pounds - Wilson was an inconsistent performer in college, though he did finish strong with 112 tackles, four sacks and an interception in 2010. He's overcome a rough upbringing, and has an injury history, as well. In Buffalo, he could play Will (inside) or Jack (outside).
Meanwhile, McShay's second-round mock draft gives UCLA junior Akeem Ayers to the Bills. Like Wilson, he'd project as a Will or a Jack for the Bills. Though he is not the explosive athlete that Wilson is - he has 4.8-second speed in a 6'2", 254-pound frame - he displays more natural pass-rushing ability, though is also rather inconsistent on tape. He recorded 68 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions in his final season as a Bruin.
In just a little over four hours, Dareus will have a new teammate. Anyone think Kiper or McShay will turn out to be correct?