Mocking The Draft: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: Spencer Hall's Sports Meme Power Rankings

Breaking Down the Draft: Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills hit on 100% of their needs in the 2008 NFL Draft, earning high grades from the experts in the media (not Buzz Bissinger, though).  Here is a look at how the Bills have filled their holes at wide receiver, cornerback and tight end.

Star-divide

Pick 11: CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy (Scouting Report)

Scout It: Buffalo runs an aggressive Cover Two scheme, pinning their cornerbacks many times in man coverage on the edges. McKelvin is an accomplished cover corner, showing up big at the Senior Bowl and proving his ability to lock down Division I wide receivers. He will need to become more aggressive at the line of scrimmage, but this should be possible with increased strength and technique. McKelvin will also give the team a threat as a return man, taking pressure of Roscoe Parrish and Terrence McGee.

 

Pick 41: WR James Hardy, Indiana (Scouting Report)

Scout It: The need for a big receiver opposite Lee Evans was apparent all season. The Bills struggled in the red zone with no threat at tight end and without a big receiver to challenge the end zone. Hardy is a huge receiver with a long stride and enough speed to run away from defenders. He'll be asked to stretch the field, pulling safeties away from Evans and slot receiver Josh Reed.

 

Pick 72: DE Chris Ellis, Virginia Tech (Scouting Report)

Scout It: Aaron Schobel was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2007 and has become one of the most solid defensive ends in football. Opposite Schobel is Chris Kelsay. Kelsay is a consistent player, but doesn't offer much of a pass rush. Ellis will be asked to charge the quarterback off the edge. He brings much needed speed to the defensive line.

 

Pick 114: CB Reggie Corner, Akron

Scout It: Another potential Cover Two corner. Reggie is smaller than most cover two guys at only 5'9 and 175lbs. He is not a physical player, but he has shown good ball skills, which are ideal for a zone corner. His ability to break on the ball is very advanced. He also recorded 11 interceptions his last two seasons at Akron.

 

Pick 132: TE Derek Fine, Kansas

Scout It: An H-Back type tight end coming from the spread offense at Kansas. He has good speed and gets a clean release. Will be used in multiple situations and is an effective blocker when getting a good angle. May work best out of a motion set. An accomplished receiver, he'll be the red zone threat the Bills need.

 

Pick 147: LB Alvin Bowen, Iowa State

Scout It: A lean, active linebacker who is a perfect fit for the Buffalo defense. He has the speed to run and play in coverage. Bowen is ideal as a weak-side linebacker and resembles Cato June, one of the best WILL linebackers in a cover two.

 

Pick 179: RB Xavier Omon, Northwest Missouri State

Scout It: Omon has potential as a power runner. He's effective between the tackles and is a decent receiver. He'll fight to the be the third back behind Marshawn Lynch and Dwayne Wright, which means he must become a dependable special teams player.

 

Pick 219: OT Demetrius Bell, Northwestern State

Scout It: Bell has athletic genes, being the biological son of NBA Hall of Famer Karl Malone. He's a big body at 6'5, but has nimble feet and a quick first step. He's a very raw player, though, and will need time to learn the intricacies of the NFL offensive line.

 

Pick 224: WR Steve Johnson, Kentucky (New Era Scouting Interview)

Scout It: Johnson should not have lasted until the 7th round. From a scouting stand-point, he's a good slot receiver who can work well in a four-receiver set as a rookie. Johnson has good size, speed and hands. He also has good size and can stretch a defense.

 

Pick 251: CB Kennard Cox, Pittsburgh

Scout It: With their last pick Buffalo grabs another cornerback, their third in the draft. Cox has better size for the cover two than Reggie Corner, but is not the ball hawk Corner is. Cox can contribute on kick off and punt as a rookie, he's a good tackler and a willing player.

Poll
Grade It!
A
17 votes
B
21 votes
C
3 votes
D
0 votes
F
2 votes

43 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 2 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Re: Omon

Actually, Matt, Xavier Omon will be battling for the #3 RB spot in Buffalo WITH Dwayne Wright and behind Lynch and Fred Jackson. Buffalo kept four running backs at the start of last season, and if Omon or especially Wright can prove they can play special teams, I don’t see why all four don’t make the roster.

by Brian Galliford on May 1, 2008 5:38 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I had read this analysis, and completely forgot about Fred Jackson

My Roommate/Bills Fan might not have forgiven me. What an excellent find that was for you guys.

by math_geek on May 1, 2008 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Mocking the Draft provides detailed information, scouting reports, mock drafts and rumors surrounding the 2010 NFL Draft and beyond
Start posting on Mocking The Draft »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

South_park_avatar_small
Mock 1.0
Me_as_a_simpson_small
Mock Draft 2.0: Still Rough!
Photo_10_small
An Average Joe's Mock Draft: 1.0
292900584_l_small
It's Time To Mock #6
292900584_l_small
Draft rankings 11/5
Buster-posey_small
My Second Mock
292900584_l_small
Mockery of a Mock VOL.5
4xki832rkhcrp3veaezzdh9we_small
Mike Williams Quits the Team
Small
My Positional Rankings and Big Board
Rc9ubca0n5jbncalor6ipcaeoow8scapb9djjcajqq8vjcaj39wbpcanrq9hncauk2hepcax6gnl8cadr98u6cauaqzgzcaxta3ddcawuv9nbcalkc6kmcast1rh1ca4svkemca14mepcca8gp318cai4htzy_small
Diamonds in the Rough: People to watch for in the Draft

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

LATEST MOCK DRAFT

MBoz:

2010: JULY 13

Mocking Dan:

2010: OCT. 9


OVERALL RANKINGS


Director of Scouting and Head Writer

Stampedeblue_small BigBlueShoe

Mockingthedraft_small Mocking Dan

Writers

Bob-sanders-081107_small shake n bake

N62102227_31665467_1591_small MBoz126

Moderators

Milehighreport_small John Bena