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Bills find value in another successful draft class
By Tom Gallagher
On May 4, 2012
Fret not, Bills fans. Despite guiding Buffalo to 4-12 and 6-10 seasons since taking over, Buddy Nix and
Chan Gailey do have a vision. And if last week's NFL draft and preceding moves in free agency are any
indication, they're on the verge of executing that vision and leading the Bills out of obscurity - finally.
Entering the draft, the Bills needed help in four major areas: cornerback, wide receiver, the offensive
line and their linebacker corps.
Check, check, check and check. Sprinkle in some their smart signings of undrafted free agents to further
enhance their depth and increase competition at certain positions, and it's easy to believe that the Bills
left Radio City Music Hall with a better team than when they entered.
The Bills didn't draft any players that are going to rival top picks Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III in
jersey sales. Nix and Gailey didn't reach for flashier players like Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd
or draft a quarterback, reassuring the faith they've instilled in Ryan Fitzpatrick.
They didn't trade up or get away from their draft board to try and please a fan base that hasn't seen the
Bills play in a playoff game since 1999.
But they did get the best value at almost every pick they made and addressed their needs in doing so.
Buffalo's draft, much like its first two under Nix and Gailey, reinforced the belief that this front office
regime is competent. It's making moves - be it in the draft or free agency - that make the most sense
for the organization.
The Bills changed the identity of their franchise in March when they signed elite pass-rusher
Mario Williams to a mega-contract. With one less hole to fill, the Bills were able to focus on the
aforementioned four areas of concern. And at the end of the weekend, they had two probable day-one
starters, solid depth throughout their roster and even a new kicker.
The Bills added the first of two potential starters with their first-round pick. After Mark Barron and Luke
Kuechly were picked just a few spots ahead of him, the selection of South Carolina cornerback Stephon
Gilmore with the 10th pick became even easier for Buffalo to make.
Gilmore gives the Bills talent and size that they haven't had at the position in years. With receivers
getting bigger seemingly every year, the 6'0" corner will surely help the revamped Bills defense in a
pass-heavy league.
Gilmore had a great combine and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds. Revered by many as a more-
athletic player than the top-rated cornerback Morris Claiborne (Dallas), Gilmore is a likely starter
opposite 2011 second-rounder Aaron Williams. The young duo will give the Bills stability in the
secondary. The Bills also selected speedy LSU corner Ron Brooks in the fourth round, though he isn't
expected to start.
Georgia offensive lineman Cordy Glenn, picked 41st overall, is the other potential day-one starter the
Bills drafted.
Glenn, viewed by many as a first-round talent, fell into the Bills' lap in the second round. At 6'5" and 348
pounds, Glenn is massive. But he's deceptively nimble for a big man. His versatility made this an easy
pick for the Bills to make.
He played guard for three seasons at Georgia before switching to left tackle. He started 50 out of 53
games in his career for the Bulldogs and should add durability to an offensive line that was hindered by
injury last year. Glenn is expected to compete with second-year man Chris Hairston for the starting left
tackle position.
The team added a much-needed deep threat at wide receiver in the third round. Though the selection
of N.C. State wideout T.J. Graham with the 69th pick made sense for a Bills team that lacked a speed
receiver last season, this is the only questionable pick the Bills made.
Nix sent a seventh-round pick to Washington to move up two spots and draft Graham, a player many
draftniks had falling as far as the seventh round.
Ryan Fitzpatrick didn't have a player that could stretch the field last season. Gailey had hoped Donald
Jones would be that guy, but an injury limited him to just a few games last season. His play opposite
Stevie Johnson was underwhelming.
A former track star, Graham ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the draft combine and can separate himself
from cornerbacks with his speed alone. The pick may have been a reach, but Nix and Gailey must be
enamored with Graham, a player with serious boom-or-bust potential. Credit Nix for targeting a player
he really liked and getting him.
The Bills took Florida State's Nigel Bradham and TCU's Tank Carder in the fourth and fifth rounds,
respectively. The 6'2", 241-pound Bradham was a three-year starter and captain for the Seminoles. He
played both weakside and inside linebacker in college, adding versatility to a position the Bills had to
address.
Carder in the fifth round may have been one of the top value picks in the draft. The 2011 Rose Bowl
MVP is a tough player with a high motor. Like Bradham, he can play both inside and out. Both will be big
on special teams and have some un-tapped upside.
Zebrie Sanders, a four-year starter for Florida State, and Mark Asper, a guard for Oregon, round out
Buffalo's offensive line additions. They'll add stability and depth to the carousel of an offensive line the
Bills had last season.
With their final selection, 251st overall, the Bills selected Western Michigan kicker John Potter. Though
Potter isn't expected to beat out Rian Lindell as the team's kicker, it's possible the Bills keep both.
Lindell got injured covering a kickoff last year. Potter has a boom of a leg and can routinely kick for
touchbacks. Adding his skill set while keeping Lindell healthy enough to kick field goals could be
beneficial for the Bills.
Tom Gallagher can be reached by email at Gallagher.record@live.com.
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