****OFFICIAL**** Buffalo Bills Draft Thread (1 Viewer)

[Tommy Collins]

Keith Ellison, OLB

Strengths: Is a developmental project with good quickness and agility for the OLB position. Is quicker than fast. He shows good range when protected by his D-Line in run support. Will chase down RB's from behind and makes a lot of plays in pursuit. A powerful tackler for his size. Is undersized but has continued to bulk up and has plenty more room on his frame. Has a lot of upside in the passing game if his recognition skills and discipline improve. He is fluid and quick. Can match up physically with most NFL RB's one-on-one. He has great range-potential in zone coverage. Closes quickly on the ball and has very good ball skills. He has shows upside when turned loose as a pass rusher. He shows great closing burst and also flashes some double moves in order to stay unblocked. He also shows the necessary athletic ability, toughness and tackling skills in order to contribute as a cover guy on special teams.

Weaknesses: Somewhat undersized WLB prospect. Must improve his bulk and lower body strength. Will not match up in the phone booth and will get engulfed by bigger blockers. He runs around too many blocks. Shows good quickness but lacks ideal top-end speed and will not be able to run around as many defenders in the NFL as he did in college. His angles in pursuit are inconsistent and he must improve his overall key-and-diagnose skills. He takes too many false steps and will bite on the play-fake. Needs to be more disciplined and improve his recognition skills in coverage. Possesses adequate-to-good speed, but not elite speed as an undersized WLB prospect. Also not fast enough to move to DS in the NFL.

Overall: Ellison started out at San Diego State in 2002 and played in 11 games as a true freshman that season. He then transferred to El Camino Junior College and was a second team All-American selection with 115 tackles and six interceptions in his one season in 2003. He signed with Oregon State in 2004 and wound up taking over as a fulltime starter at SLB. He finished his junior season in 2004 with 67 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and one interception. Ellison started all 11 games as a senior in 2005 and finished with 99 tackles, 15 TFL, five sacks and one interception. Ellison had experience at the SLB, WLB and SS positions in college but his best fit in the NFL likely will be at the WLB position. Ellison is still learning the linebacker position and he will need good coaching in order to develop fully at the NFL level. He also lacks ideal size and top-end speed. However, he is quick, agile, powerful and instinctive. He flies around the field with a good nose for the ball and he makes a lot of plays in space, which gives him potential to contribute as a cover-guy on special teams. Ellison should get selected early on the second day of the 2006 draft.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/...&draftyear=2006

Bills need OL, DE help more than anything. Not sure about this pick.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I like our picks today more than I liked our picks yesterday. The offensive line is still a trainwreck in progress, but at least we got value.

Still, this draft sucks overall. Imagine how things would have played out if we had traded down with, say, Denver in round 1, picking up another 2nd rounder in the process. We take Whitner in the 1st. We then sit tight and take McCargo with our own 2nd rounder.

The result would be that we get the exact same players we drafted anyway, but we would have had an extra 2nd and an extra 3rd. We take an o-lineman with both of those picks, and the rebuilding is that much further along.

I just can't get over how badly we ####ed up the first couple of picks. We lost so much value there that's its unreal.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I like the Ellison pick as well. It sounds like at worst he'll bet a very good special-teams player. We know Levy puts a heavy emphasis on this area of the game.

Overall, this is a very Levy-like draft. We got a bunch of hard working, high-character guys, and Levy got to indulge his fetish for defensive backs.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I LOVE the Simpson pick. Troy Vincent was not impressive last year, and now the team has a talented young FS to groom and possibly be ready to take over next year at a much lower cost. If things work out, Whitner/Simpson should be the starting safeties for this team for a long time.

The rest of the picks were all solid as well. Add more depth to the defensive line, bring in a developmental tackle, and add a LB who should contribute on special teams right away and has good coverage skills which will be crucial in the Bills new defense.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Bills add another OT prospect in round 7

Terrance Pennington, 6'7", 325, New Mexico

from NFL Draft Countdown:

Strengths:

Has outstanding size and huge frame with long arms...Very strong and works hard in the weight room...Displays good feet...An excellent pass blocker...A solid athlete with good quickness...Pretty good technician...Still has a lot of potential.

Weaknesses:

Lacks a nasty demeanor on the field...Can improve as a run blocker and doesn't get as much of a push as he should...Only started two years in college and took a while to develop...May not be able to stay at left tackle once he reaches the NFL.

Notes:

Father, Henry, is a Stanford graduate and played offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys from 1978-81...Played left tackle in college but might have to move to the right side at the next level...Would certainly seem to have the measurables.

other notes on him from PFW:

Positives: Good weight room worker. Has good feet and is able to adjust on linebackers. Quick reactor. Intelligent. Solid character. Can take hard coaching.

Negatives: Will bend at the waist, raise his pad level and lose some functional strength. Not a great finisher and could play with more of a mean streak. Will lunge and spend too much time on the ground. Needs to improve as a run blocker, play with more power and leg drive.

Summary: Stock rose at the Las Vegas Classic, where scouts called him a poor man's Fred Miller, a 5th round pick of the Rams in 1996 who has gone on to have a 10-year career. Better pass protector than run blocker.

guy has some pedigree with his father having played in the NFL, is already a pretty good pass protector, and sounds like some NFL coaching would help improve his run blocking. looks like a guy who could be a very nice late round pick and maybe develop into a starter in a couple years.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

after ignoring the offensive line on day 1 of the draft, the Bills spent 3 picks on it on day 2.

last pick: Aaron Merz, G, California (6'4", 326)

was a walk-on in college who was projected as an undrafted free agent. probably practice squad material who could develop into a backup down the road.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

after ignoring the offensive line on day 1 of the draft, the Bills spent 3 picks on it on day 2.

Yeah, but realistically this isn't going to get it done. I know you know this, but I'm just venting a little. I get the impression that this staff realizes that it's facing a multi-year rebuilding process, so it focused on getting some guys it wanted this year, and will address the o-line next year in free agency or the draft. That's not a totally unreasonable approach.

 

[The Duff Man]

Overall solid draft by the Bills, addressing the team needs. I agree with everyone else though, they didn't maximize equity on the first two picks.

 

[OldMilwaukee]

B+.......I didn't like the trade up for McCargo at first, but learning to like it better now.

But what do I know?

To football guys!

 

[Tommy Collins]

We don't have the information the Bills front office does obviously, maybe if we did, we would understand the reasoning a bit more. Maybe they got wind of someone wanting Whitner and McCargo and were afraid they wouldn't be able to grab them later on. I can understand the trade up from rounds 2 and 3 to get McCargo now that I realize there was a significant dropoff from him. I'm very glad that we improved our defense alot with the first 4 picks. Youboty and Simpson definitely helped cheer me up after the first 2 selections. I'm looking forward to how these 4 do this season and hopefully they can swing some kind of deal for some more impact OL. If we get these kind of players for the OL and DL next season, I'm going to have very high hopes for 2007, although I'm still hoping we got a shot at 2006. You never know how things will work out.

 

[Tommy Collins]

PISCATAWAY, NJ – A senior who helped lead the Rutgers football team to a berth in the 2005 Insight Bowl has agreed to a free agent deal with the Buffalo Bills today.

Defensive end Ryan Neill, a two-time All-BIG EAST selection and MVP of the 2005 Scarlet Knights, signed with the Buffalo Bills.

A fierce pass rusher from his defensive end position, Neill was second in the BIG EAST with 21.5 tackles for loss (8th among all NCAA Division I-A players), and tied for second in the BIG EAST with 10.0 sacks, in 2005. He earned All-America recognition from SI.com, and was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, presented annually to the top defensive end in the country. The 6-3, 265-pound Neill also earned Academic All-America (District 2) honors, and was named to the BIG EAST’s All-Academic Football Team. Neill also excelled as the Scarlet Knights’ long-snapper.

 

[Tommy Collins]

Only minutes after the final pick was made in this past weekend’s NFL Draft, linebacker Derrick Ming received a phone call from the Buffalo Bills, who he signed with as a free agent. Ming, who registers at 5-11, 245, will join the team as a fullback. During Missouri’s Pro Day,

Ming bench pressed 225 pounds 25 times, ran a 4.47 second 40-yard dash - second only to quarterback Brad Smith, and had a vertical leap of 35 1/2 inches.

He leaves for Buffalo on Thursday for his physical

 

[Tommy Collins]

OXFORD — When Miami University’s Martin Nance was not selected in Sunday’s NFL draft, he did what he always does when facing hard times.

Nance shrugged it off and got right back to the business of maintaining his dream of playing in the NFL by agreeing to sign as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills.

“It’s a done deal,” Nance said Sunday night from his home in St. Louis. “I’m headed to Buffalo on Thursday. That’s when they’ll have their mini-camp.”

Nance said it was “a little disappointing” that he went undrafted. “But at the same time, people who’ve followed my story know that I’ve been through (adversity) in the past, and that I’ll keep attacking it with a positive attitude.”

Nance enjoyed a spectacular season as a sophomore in 2003 when he teamed up with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and caught 90 passes for 1,498 yards — both were school single-season records by wide margins — and 11 touchdowns.

He suffered a knee injury on Sept. 29, 2004 at Marshall, however, and missed the final eight games of the season.

Nance bounced back last fall to catch 81 passes for 1,107 yards and 14 touchdowns. He made at least one TD catch in nine consecutive games and finished his college career as Miami’s all-time leader in receptions (208) and receiving yards (3,131).

___________________________________________-

Strengths: He has great size and good speed for his size. Is tall, well-built and muscular. He tends to build speed as he goes, but does have good top-end speed for his size. He has long arms, great height and impressive leaping ability -- he reportedly as a vertical leap of 34.5". He comes down with a lot of jump balls and is a true threat on fade routes and in the red zone. His size, wingspan and leaping ability make him a potential mismatch versus smaller DB's in man-coverage. He is a savvy route runner. Not explosive but smooth as a route runner. He will doe a great job of finding soft spots in zone. He isn't afraid to go over the middle. His hands are very reliable. He has big hands and good concentration. Will pluck the ball on the run and also shows the consistent ability to make the tough catch in traffic. He adjusts well to the deep ball and can catch over his shoulder. He has good sideline awareness and is a tough runner after the catch. He shows good vision and some quickness as a runner. He lacks explosive speed but is shifty and has better yards-after-catch production than most players like him. He is a willing blocker with good size and technique. A high-character player with no off-the-field issues. Quiet demeanor but competitive.

Weaknesses: Durability is a concern following season-ending knee injury in 2004. He is fluid but lacks suddenness. He gears down too much when getting into his breaks and he also lacks explosive burst out of his breaks. He is deceptively fast but it takes him a while to reach top speed. He's not going to run away from many defenders in the NFL. He may have a more difficult time separating from man-coverage at the next level, as well, due to his lack of explosive top-end speed.

Overall: Nance redshirted in 2001 and played as a reserve in 2002 before emerging as one of the nation's most productive and explosive receivers as a sophomore in 2003, when he finished with 90 receptions for 1,498 yards and finished fourth nationally with an average of 107 receiving yards per game. A left knee injury (partial tear of ACL) prematurely ended his junior season in 2004, as he played in just five of 13 games and finished with 25 receptions for 337 yards and one TD. Nance bounced back with a hugely productive season as a senior in 2005, when he finished with 1,107 yards and 14 touchdowns on 81 receptions, including a nine-catch, 106-yard performance versus Ohio State. Nance does not have great initial quickness and he seems to lack suddenness as a route runner. While he has developed into a consistent vertical playmaker at the collegiate level, Nance does not possess elite top-end speed to run by NFL defensive backs. There is some long-term concern regarding his durability, as well. However, Nance showed no signs of lingering affects from his season-ending 2004 knee injury and he continued to dominate the mid-major level of competition as a senior in 2005. His outstanding production versus Ohio State as a senior helps ease concerns regarding level of competition. Nance has excellent size and is a fluid athlete with deceptive speed. He also possesses elite leaping ability and hands. In our opinion, Nance is worth selecting early on Day 2 of the 2006 draft.

 

[Tommy Collins]

Has anybody considered after today's draft that the Bills may be trading Clements. It seems likely after selecting Whitner, Youboty and Simpson in the first 4 rounds give me a big feeling that Clements may be on the way out. He wants to be paid like a top 5 CB but he didn't perform that way last season. They tagged him for the time being but there will be certainly teams interested in someone of his caliber. Possible deal for some OT help? Or will we get 07 picks?

 

[Tommy Collins]

Signed DE Jason Hall.

Strengths:

A hard worker and overachiever who gets the most out of his ability...Is very technically sound, uses his hands well and does all the little things...Has a lot of experience against top competition...Smart player with top-notch intangibles.

Weaknesses:

Does not have the ideal size or bulk that you look for...His timed speed is very average...Was not overly productive and is not much of a sack artist...Not very athletic...Probably a 'tweener but he doesn't have the tools to play linebacker.

Notes:

Also participated in lacrosse, basketball and track in high school...Classic case of a solid college football player who just doesn't have the measurables to project as anything more than a backup at the pro level...Is probably more of a free agent.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Only minutes after the final pick was made in this past weekend’s NFL Draft, linebacker Derrick Ming received a phone call from the Buffalo Bills, who he signed with as a free agent. Ming, who registers at 5-11, 245, will join the team as a fullback. During Missouri’s Pro Day,

Ming bench pressed 225 pounds 25 times, ran a 4.47 second 40-yard dash - second only to quarterback Brad Smith, and had a vertical leap of 35 1/2 inches.

He leaves for Buffalo on Thursday for his physical

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

wow, that's a big, fast dude. will probably have to spend some time on the practice squad as he learns a new position, but this is an interesting signing.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

OXFORD — When Miami University’s Martin Nance was not selected in Sunday’s NFL draft, he did what he always does when facing hard times.Nance shrugged it off and got right back to the business of maintaining his dream of playing in the NFL by agreeing to sign as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills.“It’s a done deal,” Nance said Sunday night from his home in St. Louis. “I’m headed to Buffalo on Thursday. That’s when they’ll have their mini-camp.”

sweet pickup by the Bills here. I wouldn't be surprised to see Nance make the final roster.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Has anybody considered after today's draft that the Bills may be trading Clements. It seems likely after selecting Whitner, Youboty and Simpson in the first 4 rounds give me a big feeling that Clements may be on the way out. He wants to be paid like a top 5 CB but he didn't perform that way last season. They tagged him for the time being but there will be certainly teams interested in someone of his caliber. Possible deal for some OT help? Or will we get 07 picks?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't think so. At a minimum, I think they let him play out this season on the 1-year franchise tender and then re-evaluate everything a year from now. There is one school of thought that you don't need great CBs in the Tampa 2 scheme since they play mostly zone coverage so the Bills might consider him a luxury. But, since they can easily afford his $7 million salary under their cap this year, I don't think they move him unless they get an unbelievable offer from someone (which is unlikely at this point as most teams have filled their needs or might not have the cap space). They really don't have anyone else on the roster who is ready to take over the starting job right now so the defense would be severely weakened if they moved him. Much better idea to keep him around and hopefully Youboty is ready to take over the job next year to give the team some options.Personally, I still hope they find a way to lock him up long term as I think he's one of the best young CBs in the league and I think he could be a monster in this defense just like Ronde Barber has been in Tampa.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

With the season winding down, I have to say that this ended up being a vastly better draft than I gave it credit for at the time. Whitner and Simpson have been quality staters from the get-go, Ellison certainly looks like a guy who could be starting for a lot of teams, and Pennington must be doing something right since Losman isn't getting sacked on every other play like he was before the line got reshuffled. I'm not so sure about Williams but I haven't spent a lot of time focusing on him either so I can't say much about him.

Regardless, that's five rookies who have seen a ton of playing time this season and should be around for a while. Here's hoping McCargo can help us out at DT next year.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

With the season winding down, I have to say that this ended up being a vastly better draft than I gave it credit for at the time. Whitner and Simpson have been quality staters from the get-go, Ellison certainly looks like a guy who could be starting for a lot of teams, and Pennington must be doing something right since Losman isn't getting sacked on every other play like he was before the line got reshuffled. I'm not so sure about Williams but I haven't spent a lot of time focusing on him either so I can't say much about him. Regardless, that's five rookies who have seen a ton of playing time this season and should be around for a while. Here's hoping McCargo can help us out at DT next year.

Like everyone, I was ripping Marv after the draft but he sure looks like he knew what he was doing.