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With the No. 10 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills have selected South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
Considered by many to be the most athletic cornerback prospect available this year, the 6'1", 190-pound junior cranked out a 4.4-second 40-yard dash at the 2012 NFL Combine. A three-year starter in the SEC, Gilmore finished his college career with 181 tackles, 17 pass break-ups and eight interceptions.
Gilmore is a player that has quietly creeped up rankings since the college football season ended in January. Last week, Bills GM Buddy Nix and his scouting staff talked up Gilmore as a complete player capable of executing multiple coverages, and they also praised his physicality against the run. Earlier this week, Greg Cosell of NFL FIlms compared Gilmore athletically to Charles Woodson, praising his versatility to play on the edge or in the slot.
Paired with 2011 second-round pick Aaron Williams, the Bills appear to have their cornerbacks of the future after adding Gilmore. In 2011, however, he'll compete for playing time alongside three veterans (Drayton Florence, Terrence McGee and Leodis McKelvin) as well as last year's rookies, Williams and Justin Rogers.