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.
Breaking Down the Draft: Buffalo Bills
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.
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