3. 3-4 DE Marcell Dareus A

Normally I blast teams for passing on a quarterback when one is needed, which is the case in Buffalo, but Blaine Gabbert would not have been the right move here. I was sold on him at all and this is a bad year to need a quarterback. They can go into 2011 with Fitzpatrick and a better supporting cast and not be laughed at and Dareus is part of that better supporting cast. They needed 3-4 front 7 help and Dareus tops my board when it comes to that.

34. CB Aaron Williams C

Cornerback depth was needed, but this team had way too many needs to address this position in the 2^nd. They have Leodis McKelvin, Drayton Florence, and Terrence McGee. Florence and McGee are 30, but they’re not quite over the hill. I don’t see where Williams fits. He could also play safety, but again, that’s not a huge need and he’s too similar to Jairus Byrd there to compliment him. It’s not like Williams is some great value either.

68. MLB Kelvin Sheppard A

I had a late 2^nd round grade on Kelvin Sheppard so the early 3^rd is a good value for him. He also fills a need inside at linebacker and is an excellent fit for their scheme.

100. S Da’Norris Searcy C-

Another defensive back? Safety depth was needed, but again, they had bigger needs and they could have gotten a safety depth/special team type player in the late rounds. Searcy was a reach too.

122. OT Chris Hairston A

The Bills haven’t drafted a tackle before the 5^th round since 2002…until now. Hairston breaks that trend in the 4^th round. He’s a good value and fills a need for a team that obviously needs it.

133. RB Johnny White D

Another running back? I guess 2010 9^th overall pick CJ Spiller and incumbent starter Fred Jackson weren’t cutting it…or something. White wasn’t a good value here either.

169. MLB Chris White C+

Another middle linebacker? They really only needed one in this draft, though White fits the range and can play special teams. They had much bigger needs, like rush linebacker and the interior of their offensive line. Also, how about a developmental quarterback. Somewhere.

206. CB Justin Rogers D

This pick would have been great if Aaron Williams weren’t drafted at 34. Rogers give them the necessary depth at a cheap rate and he fits the range. Unfortunately, after the Williams pick, this is just another unnecessary defensive back.

245. G Michael Jasper C

One of the few players drafted I’ve never heard of, which is bad because I researched about 450 prospects to prepare by top 300 big board, but it is the 7^th round and he does fill a need so I’m not bashing this one too much.

Overall: 

I think they nailed their first round pick. #3 overall for Blaine Gabbert or Jake Locker would have been much too high as I wasn’t a fan of either of those quarterbacks. I like that they didn’t take a quarterback in the first 2 rounds in a class where demand greatly exceeds supply. Ryan Fitzpatrick is capable for one more year. However, he’s not the long term answer. Where’s a developmental quarterback? I would have liked Ryan Mallett in the 3rd. I like that value. Also where’s a rush linebacker? They can’t count on Shawne Merriman, Aaron Maybin, and Chris Kelsey. I know they have a lot of money tied up in the position, but they did just manage 27 sacks last year. Marcell Dareus helps, but not enough. Tom Brady and Mark Sanchez will have all day in the pocket against this secondary twice a year. That’s not a good thing. They also didn’t address their interior line until the 7^th round and they did it with someone I hadn’t heard of. Instead, they drafted 3 defensive backs, 2 middle linebackers, and a running back. Also, how about some weapons for Fitz. Another receiver and a tight end were needed before a 2^nd linebacker, a 2^nd cornerback, or a running back.

Grade: C