On the Clock: Buffalo Bills

For the next few weeks leading up to the draft, I am going to assume to roll of each NFL general manager and make draft picks based upon need, scheme, and in some cases wants.  I will not make any trades throughout this process but will chime in when I think one is needed.  Each day leading up to the draft I will make a pick and summarize my thought process of why certain teams will go a particular way.  So put this blog in your favorites section and check back daily to see who I will select for each team.  With the third pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select…

Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU (6’0” 219 LBS)

"Silk"

Last year the Buffalo Bills said that they were going to take the best player available when they picked and one could argue that they did. C.J. Spiller was the 9^th overall pick for the Bills and was considered by many to be a game breaker.  Now it is tough to grade Spiller after one season but the Bills can’t be happy with what came of his rookie year.  The organization has come out again and said that the 1^st round pick for the Bills will be the best available player.  If I stick with that idea, Patrick Peterson is easily the best player available and might be the best player in the draft.

While running the Bills I have to consider the fact that I have a 28 year old QB behind center and that he is coming of his best season yet.  My coach Chan Gailey is a wizard at getting the most out of quarterbacks and there isn’t a franchise changing QB in this draft like previous draft.  Matt Ryan, Matt Stafford, and Sam Bradford helped other clubs start down the path to success but I don’t believe that Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton can change the path for my franchise.  My offense is growing.  I need to fill some holes up on the O-line and strengthen my defense.  The no doubt about it prospect on the board is Patrick Peterson. 

"Silk" has the ability to be a hybrid defensive back that can play on the outside against the top WR, slide into the nickel on short yardage pass situations, or place into the safety spot and blitz.  He is a dangerous punt returner as well and could change the game if I need a spark.  I keep putting things in the media that suggest that I love Cam Newton but I am trying to get a team to bite to try and trade up to the number 3 spot.  You never know.  It takes just one team to overpay for a draft pick.

In the second round I will consider drafting a QB that falls.  Christian Ponder, Andy Dalton and Ryan Mallet all come to mind.  I think Ponder could be excellent in my system and might consider trading back into the end of the first round if he falls.  I’m also going to consider taking a top flight guard to help out in the run game. I will sign a veteran to help out along the line as well.   Stacy Andrews is probably going to get cut due to his salary. However, he is still a fine fill in for a year

The Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock...