Buffalo Bills 2010 Draft Review

The Bills make an instant impact on their team with the drafting of their first round pick: speedy C.J. Spiller.  A running, receiving, and return threat, the Bills will try to get the ball into Spiller's hands any way they possibly can. Concerns over his lack of size are unfounded:  he never missed a game in four years of big time college football.  The rest of the draft seemed like reaches, but there was a focus on converting the Bills defense from a 4-3 to a 3-4.  Troup, Carrington, Moats, and Batten are all expected to have a role in that conversion. Ed Wang could be kicked inside to guard and start as a rookie. Levi Brown could develop as a back-up or stop gap starter. Buffalo had so many needs they didn't have the option of taking the "best player" available, and one could dispute whether they over- reached for players or not. Bringing in a new offense and defense is tough and only time will tell how good this draft will be for them.

Round 1, Pick 9
C.J. Spiller, RB/KR/PR, Clemson

Ht: 5’ 10 5/8” Wt: 196

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Spiller is a dynamic returner and receiver who will give the Bills the game breaking threat they've been missing.  Spiller could contend for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: A dynamite game-breaker who has shown he can impact the game in any phase — as a runner, receiver or returner — and has special, “wow”-type talent. Instantly can upgrade the horsepower of any offense and supercharge a special-teams unit with game-breaking return talent. Has shown the unique ability to dominate at the college level, leaving tacklers grasping for air in his tracks, and is every bit as explosive as Reggie Bush and Marshall Faulk. Would be discussed as a top-five talent had Bush lived up to expectations, but the lessened value of the RB position could drop Spiller’s stock.

NFL projection: Top-15 pick. 

GM Jr’s scouting report:  Spiller is a player that surprised many when he choose to return to Clemson for his senior season because players with his rare athleticism, explosiveness, speed and big play ability usually jump at the chance to enter the draft early because they go high.  While he would have been a 1^st round pick in 2009, he has definitely helped himself this season by making plays in every way – Especially as an inside runner and receiver.  Overall, Spiller is the type of back that gets me excited because he has the tools to become a star back in the NFL who makes big plays everywhere he lines up.  No doubt he will need to prove his durability in the NFL to become the player he has the talent to be, but if he can stay healthy he will be a game changing ball carrier and returner in the NFL.  He was not only a star football player at Clemson, but was also a star on the track team and has been timed as fast as a 10.22 in the 100 (Electronically Timed) so there is no doubt about his being an explosive and rare speed athlete.  Despite concerns about his durability we would take him in the Top 10 because I am confident in his ability to become an elite NFL back and returner.

Lindy’s Sports' scouting report:  Blessed with elite speed, superior elusiveness and return skills (NCAA record seven career kick return touchdowns), Spiller’s production and versatility is sure to earn high first-round consideration.  Teams will worry about his ability to hold up due to his size, but he didn’t miss a game in four seasons at Clemson.

Round 2, Pick 41
Torrell Troup, DT, Central Florida

Ht: 6’ 2 ¾” Wt: 314

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Troup is a great selection because of the rarity of nose tackles.  Buffalo may have taken Clausen or Kindle but they understand that quarterbacks and outside linebackers are deep positions in this draft. 

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: A strong, wide-bodied clogger capable of manning the nose in a 3-4 alignment, Troup has the mass and anchor strength to stuff the run for an aggressive, slanting odd front such as that of the Packers, Steelers or 49ers.

NFL projection: Third- to fourth-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports' scouting report:  It’s hard for teams to find nose tackles with Troup’s size, strength and motor in the middle rounds of the draft, so don’t be surprised if he is selected earlier that many project.  

Round 3, Pick 72
Alex Carrington, DLE, Arkansas State

Ht: 6’ 5 ¼” Wt: 285

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Carrington was another prospect that was thought of to be a possible first-round pick but a lack of production over shadowed his NFL physique.  Carrington is a good run stopper and will provide depth to the Buffalo defensive line.  I don't expect him to become a starter this season.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Height-weight-speed prospect who stood out in one-on-one drills at the Senior Bowl against an average crop of offensive linemen and will tease scouts with his athletic physique. Will be overdrafted as a developmental five-technique, and his lack of toughness and positional instincts could hinder his development.

NFL projection: Third- to fourth-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports' scouting report:  Carrington doesn’t possess the burst off the snap to duplicate his success as a college pass rusher (19.5 sacks combined in 2008-09) in the NFL.  But his rare size and strength make him a good fit to remain at the strong-side defensive end position in either the 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. 

107.)  Buffalo Bills

Marcus Easley, WR, Connecticut

Ht: 6' 3" Wt: 210

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Easley is an intriguing prospect in the fact that he has great height, weight, speed ratio.  He will need time to develop, but unfortunately does not have a lot of depth in front of him.  

Lindy’s Sports scouting report: After sitting out football during his first year at UConn, Easley walked on and spent his first three seasons primarily blocking for a run-first team.  He impressed during spring drills last year, finally earning a scholarship, and went on to catch 48 passes.  Easley is still extremely raw, but has a good combination of size, speed and willingness to block.

140.)  Buffalo Bills
Ed Wang, OT, Virginia Tech

Ht: 6' 5" Wt: 314

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Wang, the former left tackle for VT, does not have the elite speed to take on the best NFL pass rushers.  He could be an excellent left guard and has the opportunity to come in and start for a Bills' line that is lacking in talent.  

Lindy’s Sports' scouting report:  A former tight end, Wang is a work in progress and struggled with penalties last season.  Scouts would also like to see him add more strength and toughness.  However, teams will have a hard time ignoring his intriguing combination of size and pure athletic ability in the middle rounds.  Wang should be able to provide a team with a legitimate developmental prospect as left tackle. 

178.)  Buffalo Bills 
Arthur Moats, DE, James Madison
Ht:  6' 0" Wt: 246

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Moats projects to outside linebacker because of his lack of size.  He may not have the speed to be effective at the position but his college production and measurables make him worthy of a late round pick.

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: College defensive end who piled up behind-the-line production, but likely will have to stand up in the pros. Is not explosive off the edge, lacks strength to play with his hand in the dirt and is not comfortable operating in space. Measurables are more intriguing than his tape.

NFL projection: Late draftable pick

192.)  Buffalo Bills
Danny Batten, DE,  South Dakota State
Ht: 6 ' 3" Wt: 248

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Batten is probably going to be converted to an outside linebacker.  He doesn't have any experience and is raw coming from a small school.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:  Tough, overachieving, effort rusher who needs to be schemed to slant, stunt and play in gaps to have a chance in the pros. Could be tried as a rush linebacker, although he has little experience playing in space and could require a big adjustment period. Developmental prospect with athletic limitations.

NFL projection: Late draftable pick.

209.)  Buffalo Bills

Levi Brown, QB, Troy

Ht: 6’ 3 ½” Wt: 229

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Brown's physical makeup may limit him, but his intangibles should allow him to stick around the league.  Buffalo is a good starting point because of current inconsistent quarterback play.

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Has an intriguing mental makeup to develop as a backup and could blossom under the tutelage of an experienced offensive mind capable of harnessing his mechanics. Toughness, intelligence and competitiveness are all pluses worth noting that could allow him to exceed expectations.

NFL projection: Mid-to-late draftable pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report: Brown’s size and production is certainly enough to intrigue teams in the later rounds.  He’ll need time to develop, as much of his production at Troy was influenced by the spread offense and the number of passes he attempted – including 504 in 2009.

216.)  Buffalo Bills

Kyle Calloway, OT, Iowa

Ht: 6' 6" Wt: 323

EMQB’s analysis on the pick: Another try-hard prospect, Calloway will probably have to move to guard because of his lack of speed and power.  Could latch on to the team because of the lack of offensive line depth.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:  A three-year starter in a quality program, Calloway is an underpowered right tackle short on athletic ability but fundamentally sound and football-smart, which should enable him to assimilate into the pro game readily. Could develop into a serviceable starter in a scheme that provides chip help and would be best paired with a good-tempered positional coach.

NFL projection: Mid-round pick.

Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Preview available @ http://www.pfwstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=695

GM Jr. 2010 Draft Guide available @ http://gmjrnfldraft.com/

Lindy’s Sports 2010 Draft Guideavailable@http://www.lindyssports.com/product.php?cn=332

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