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If you’ve been following me on Twitter over the past six-eight months, you have probably been annoyed at the praise I constantly had for a big, physical, but troubled receiver out of the small FCS school, Tennessee Tech. That receiver is named Da’Rick Rogers, and the Buffalo Bills have signed him as an undrafted free agent.

Rogers was originally a five-star recruit out of Calhoun High School in Atlanta, Georgia, and was heavily recruited by Georgia and Tennessee.

After accepting a scholarship to play for the Volunteers, Rogers appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman, catching 11 passes for 167 yards and two scores. As a sophomore, Rogers became a full-time starter and was named All-SEC after recording 67 receptions for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns.

However, what looked to be a promising collegiate career began to spiral downward. Tennessee’s head coach Derek Dooley dismissed Rogers from the team following numerous arguments with coaches, multiple failed drug tests and an arrest for disorderly conduct and resisting, after a brawl that left an off-duty police officer unconscious.

Despite his off-field issues, an assistant coach compared him to Chris Carter in terms of football intelligence, stating

“Da’Rick is the second-smartest football player I’ve been around,” said Charlie Baggett, former Tennessee assistant head coach and wide receivers coach, “and (Hall of Famer) Cris Carter is the first. Da’Rick doesn’t know how to be a pro like Cris Carter was, but he can immediately comprehend things the normal guy his age takes time to learn.”

Remember Carter’s issues coming into the National Football League?

Rogers was forced to transfer to Tennessee Tech, a small, unknown FCS college. He shined there, playing like a man among boys, catching 61 passes for 893 yards and 10 touchdowns, despite facing consistent double and even triple coverage throughout every game.

In one game, Rogers caught 18 passes for 303 yards, while there were two cornerbacks lined up directly over him the entire game.

His coach at Tennessee Tech had nothing but praise for Rogers regarding his time with the school, stating

“I don’t know what went down in Knoxville, but there was not an incident with him in Cookeville,” Brown said. “He had to learn a little bit and become a team guy. He didn’t come in with any of that ‘me-me-me’ stuff.”

Following the 2012 season, Rogers declared for the NFL draft, and lit up the combine, running a 4.48 40-yard dash, and finishing in the top five among wide receivers in the 3-cone, the 20-yard shuttle, the 60-yard shuttle, the broad jump and the vertical.

At the combine, Rogers accepted responsibility and didn’t place the blame on anybody, stating

“I did it to myself. You have to accept responsibility for what you did and move forward,” said Rogers, who added that he passed 10 drug tests while at Tennessee Tech. “All I can do is come in, work hard and get my foot in the door.”

Following an impressive combine performance, many believed that he would be selected somewhere between the second and fourth round, like LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, who dealt with similar, but not as severe off-the-field issues as Rogers. However, as the picks came in, Rogers’ name wasn’t called.

The Buffalo Bills signed him immediately following the draft. If Rogers’ stays out of trouble, Buddy Nix found his “Big outside receiver that can make catches when he’s covered.”

Rogers is a true No. 1 receiver and if he keeps his head in the right direction, the Bills’ offense will feature arguably the best three receiver set in the National Football League.

The Buffalo Bills entered the 2013 NFL draft with four glaring weaknesses: quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker and a lack of depth in the secondary. For the first time in Nix’s tenure as General Manager of the franchise, fans have agreed that he got great value while filling needs at the same time.

So how did the team fare? Here at BillsMafia.com, we decided to break down each pick and give analysis on the selection.

E.J. Manuel (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Round One, Pick No. 16 Overall (Via Trade With Rams)- FSU QB E.J. Manuel

The Bills shocked fans when they selected Florida State signal caller E.J. Manuel over Ryan Nassib and Matt Barkley after trading down out of the No. 8 overall pick to acquire the St. Louis Rams’ 1^st, 2^nd and 7^th round pick.

Manuel has the most upside of any quarterback in the draft class, standing 6’5” and weighing 240 pounds. He’s got a strong arm and can make plays with his feet, a combination of skills the team hasn’t had since Doug Flutie was under center.

Manuel was a two-year starter for the Seminoles, but played some backup duty for current Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder as a freshman and sophomore. In his career Manuel completed 66.7% of his passes for 7,741 yards, tossing 47 touchdowns with 28 interceptions. He added another 827 yards on the ground, finding the endzone 11 times.

Manuel was viewed as a developmental project, but with no sure thing between Kevin Kolb or Tarvaris Jackson at the quarterback position, there’s a strong chance Manuel could be the day one starter against the New England Patriots.

Robert Woods (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Round Two, Pick No. 41 Overall- USC WR Robert Woods

Arguably the most complete receiver in the draft, Robert Woods had an extremely productive career with the Trojans, catching 250 passes for 2,933 yards and 32 touchdowns during his three seasons with the team.

Woods became overshadowed due to freshman wideout Marqise Lee, a projected Top 10 pick in the 2014 NFL draft, but still managed to grab 74 passes as a Junior. The 6’0” 200 lb receiver ran a 4.5 40-yard dash at the combine and was the best route runner in college football.

Woods plays faster than his timed speed, and has proven that he can produce against top competition. (as a freshman, Woods caught 12 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns while facing Richard Sherman, a senior at the time)

Woods is a true outside receiver that will allow Stevie Johnson to move between the X, Y and Z receiver roles.

Kiko Alonso (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

Round Two, Pick No. 46 Overall- Oregon LB Kiko Alonso

While many fans thought Kansas State linebacker Arthur Brown could be the linebacker selection for the Bills at this slot, the team opted for a fiery, wild linebacker in Oregon’s Kiko Alonso.

Alonso, a two year starter for the Oregon Ducks recorded 144 tackles, 21 of which came for a loss, 3.5 sacks, six interceptions and forced three fumbles. Alonso only started for two years due to being suspended for the entire 2010 season following a DUI arrest (when he was rehabbing a torn ACL), but is a ferocious, attacking linebacker that has the versatility to play multiple spots in Mike Pettine’s defense.

In 3-4 looks, Alonso will likely hold down an inside linebacker spot alongside Nigel Bradham, and in 4-3 looks he’d likely line up at the weakside outside linebacker position, essentially replacing Nick Barnett.

If Alonso can keep his head on straight, he’ll be an impact player for the Bills’ defense for years to come.

Marquise Goodwin (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Round Three, Pick No. 78 Overall- Texas WR Marquise Goodwin

Marquise Goodwin was the fastest wide receiver at the combine, as the Olympic track star posted a blazing 4.27 40-yard dash. Goodwin played four years with the Longhorns, recording 120 receptions for 1,364 yards and seven scores, while adding another 416 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Goodwin is a raw prospect, but many scouts noted that he was criminally misused at Texas. USA Today had this to say about Goodwin:

“His speed was evident during drills. He consistently outran passes delivered by the strongest-armed quarterbacks. Proving to be more than a straight-line sprinter, he ran terrific routes and caught the ball well in the short field. Goodwin continues to build on the momentum he started at the Senior Bowl last month and further elevated his draft grade with his combine performance.”

Goodwin also offers special teams help, and will likely line up opposite Leodis McKelvin, as he averaged 22.4 yard per return on 44 kick returns at Texas.

Duke Williams (Photo lifted from Silver and Blue Sports)

Round Four, Pick No. 105 Overall- Nevada S Duke Williams

Despite moving Aaron Williams to safety, the team needed depth there, as Coach Pettine loves using exotic looks in the secondary. At times, Pettine uses up to seven defensive backs at once, and Duke Williams is another defender that brings a nasty attitude to the defense.

At Nevada, Williams racked up 292 tackles, 14.5 of which came for a loss. He defended 22 passes, while intercepting four and forced five fumbles.

Projected as a strong safety, Williams has the athleticism and range to play free safety as well, while displaying the physicality to be a strong, in-the-box, run defender as well.

Williams was an underrated prospect that will be an instant improvement to the Bills’ lackluster run defense, while adding some tenacity in the backend of the secondary.

Jonathan Meeks (Photo lifted from DetroitLions.com)

Round Five, Pick No. 143 Overall- Clemson S Jonathan Meeks

The Bills decided to double dip at the safety position, selecting Jonathan Meeks, a big, hard-hitting free safety out of Clemson. Meeks was an Honorable Mention of the 2012 All-ACC team, after recording 159 tackles and seven interceptions in his career with the Tigers.

Meeks was asked to play a lot of centerfield (deep, single high coverage) at Clemson, so his stats don’t really reflect the player, but he provides much-needed depth in the Bills’ secondary.

Prior to the draft, the only safeties on the roster with NFL playing experience at the position were Jairus Byrd, who’s contract status doesn’t seem too great and Da’Norris Searcy. In essence, the Bills turned an area of weakness into a position of strength.

Dustin Hopkins (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Round Six, Pick No. 177 Overall, Florida State K Dustin Hopkins

It was obvious that Rian Lindell was on the decline last year, as fans watched in horror as former head coach Chan Gailey routinely opted to punt outside the 35-yard line.

The Bills filled another hole by selecting the best kicker in the country, Dustin Hopkins.

Hopkins has a powerful leg, and has made nine field goals of 50+ yards over his four years with the Florida State Seminoles. He connected on 88-of-112 field goals in his career, but he posted an 82.4% success rate over his final two years.

Round Seven, Pick No. 222 Overall (Via Trade With St. Louis Rams) Arkansas TE Chris Gragg

Another great value pick, the Bills addressed a major need at the tight end position snagging Arkansas’ Chris Gragg in the seventh round.

At 6’3” 244 pounds, Gragg fits the “H-Back” mold that many offenses are utilizing. He’s not an effective blocker, but displays great hands and ball skills as a receiver.

Chris Gragg (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

The fastest tight end at the combine, running a 4.5 40-yard dash, Gragg is just another example of how different the Bills’ offense will look this year.

Gragg dealt with lingering knee and ankle injuries, which caused him to only appear in five games as a senior, but in his two years as a starter he recorded 72 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven scores.

Follow me on Twitter @RQUINN619 and let me know how you think the Bills’ draft went! 

The 2013 NFL draft is tonight and the Bills are in a sort of make-or-break position with the No. 8 overall pick. The team has a major void at the quarterback position and has been linked throughout the week to both Matt Barkley and Ryan Nassib.

Ryan Nassib: QB, Syracuse (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Coincidently, rumors have surfaced that the New York Jets, who hold picks No. 9 and No. 13 overall, and the Jacksonville Jaguars who hold the No. 2 and No. 33 overall picks, both are highly interested in Nassib and Barkley.

As soon as the report leaked, it seemed like a petty attempt to force the Bills into “reaching” for either of the signal callers at No. 8, instead of risking their guy being gone if they were to trade down.

The Jets have been rumored to be very high on Tavon Austin, so like clockwork, a leak out of One Bills Drive was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport on Twitter that Austin was the No. 1 overall player on the Bills’ draft board.

Buddy Nix has always stuck to his draft board since becoming the General Manager of the Bills prior to the 2010 NFL Draft and doesn’t seem like the type to get rattled by opposing franchises posturing and sending smokescreens.

Tavon Austin: WR, West Virginia (Photo by Chris Jackson/Associated Press)

If the Bills have Nassib and Barkley rated similarly, which I believe they do, they shouldn’t have any concerns regarding the Jets’ strategy. Basing their own draft plans based on what another franchise “might” do, would be the worst mistake a general manager could make.

There’s no doubt that the Bills are high on both quarterbacks, but I still believe the team needs to select the best player on their board, whether that’s a wideout, a linebacker, a quarterback, or even a defensive back. The big names are Geno Smith, E.J. Manuel, Ryan Nassib and Matt Barkley, with a close tier two consisting of Tyler Wilson, Mike Glennon and Zac Dysert.

If the Bills take Nassib or Barkley at eight, great. If they see a player that will impact the team more positively than either of the two at another position, great. The Jets are the only team standing in the way, in the first round at least, and I don’t think they’re giving up on Sanchez this year.

The Bills need to stick to their board and don’t let other team’s smokescreens cloud their vision of what direction they want to go in tonight’s draft.

(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

This article will rub some Bills fans the wrong way after many have relegated themselves to the fact that the team will use their No. 8 overall pick on either Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib or USC quarterback Matt Barkley. However, the Bills need to find a quarterback that can bring hope and energy back into a fanbase that has been in dire need of a franchise signal caller for over a decade.

While Nassib and Barkley appear to be “safer” picks, as both have experience in the West Coast Offense the Bills appear to be installing, Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel should be the pick.

No quarterback in the 2013 NFL Draft class has more upside than Florida State signal-caller E.J. Manuel. His rare blend of size, athleticism and arm strength makes him one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects in a class filled with question marks.

Manuel has an extremely strong arm, but has the ability to put touch on deep passes. He displays a quick release and zips the ball with incredible velocity. Manuel proved to be efficient, completing 66.9% of his passes for 7,741 yards while throwing 47 touchdowns to 28 interceptions in his four seasons with the Seminoles; two of which he was the starter.

Manuel didn’t have much assistance on his offensive line, and was always under pressure. He showed excellent toughness by standing tall in the pocket, keeping his eyes downfield and delivering strikes with defenders in his face. Manuel can make every throw and displays beautiful ball placement, especially on deep passes.

At 6’5” and weighing 240 pounds Manuel is a passer first, but he’s a threat to take off and run the ball to gain chunks of yards. He doesn’t have the speed of Robert Griffin III, but he’s a big, powerful man that can move the chains with his legs.

While using a top 10 pick on a player that is widely viewed as a “boom-or-bust” prospect would be considered blasphemy to most, it’s time for the Bills to roll the dice.

In a copy-cat league, you can be sure that more and more teams are going to be installing versions of the read-option after players like Cam Newton, Colin Kaepernick, Russell Wilson and Robert Griffin III took the National Football League by storm.

While the offense may not be for every team, it will definitely be a wrinkle in nearly every playbook across the league.

One thing you must keep in mind when thinking about the read-option quarterbacks, is that these guys can pass just as effectively as they can run. Manuel has the ability to stand in the pocket and make throws when he needs to, so it’s hard to label him a “scrambling” quarterback, a la Michael Vick.

Fans would rage about taking Manuel with the eighth pick, because he’s a raw prospect. However, the Bills brought in veteran Kevin Kolb to compete with the rookie quarterback and Tarvaris Jackson. Manuel has the potential to become a great quarterback in the league, but it would be a tough sell for Buddy Nix and Russ Brandon.

However, you can look back to when the San Francisco 49ers selected Colin Kaepernick in 2011 for a prime example of what the Bills could and should do. Jim Harbaugh knew he had a moldable quarterback that maybe wasn’t ready to start year one, but with a year of mastering the offense, Kaepernick would be ready to go within a year.

This is what I think is best for Manuel. While Manuel very well could beat out both Kolb and Jackson in training camp, if he doesn’t it wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen. Aaron Rodgers, arguably the best quarterback in the National Football League, a first round draft pick, sat on the bench for three years before dominating nearly every team that he faced.

The 2013 crop of quarterbacks has so many question marks, that no pick will be the right pick. E.J. Manuel presents the most upside of any passer in the draft and they can’t afford to miss out.

It’s the eve of the 2013 NFL draft, so here at BillsMafia.com I decided to release my final positional rankings. Keep in mind these are my personal rankings and are only players I’ve broken down, so some players were left out because I didn’t feel comfortable ranking players I hadn’t personally watched.

Geno Smith tops Rob’s QB positional chart (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Quarterback

1. Geno Smith, WVU
2. Matt Barkley, USC
3. E.J. Manuel, FSU
4. Ryan Nassib, Syracuse
5. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas
6. Zac Dysert, Miami (Ohio)
7. Tyler Bray (Tennessee)
8. Matt Scott, Arizona
9. Mike Glennon, N.C. State
10. Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Running Back

1. Giovani Bernard, North Carolina
2. Andre Ellington, Clemson
3. Eddie Lacy, Alabama
4. Jonathan Franklin, UCLA
5. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina
6. Christine Michael, Texas A&M
7. Le’Veon Bell, Michigan State
8. Montee Ball, Wisconsin
9. Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State

Who’s the best WR available tomorrow? Deandre Hopkins. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Wide Receiver

1. DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson
2. Tavon Austin, West Virginia
3. Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee
4. Da’Rick Rogers, Tenessee Tech
5. Justin Hunter, Tennessee
6. Keenan Allen, California
7. Robert Woods, USC
8. Stedman Bailey, West Virginia
9. Markus Wheaton, Oregon State
10. Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech

Tight End

1. Travis Kelce, Cincinnati
2. Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame
3. Vance McDonald, Rice
4. Gavin Escobar, San Diego State
5. Jordan Reed, Florida
6. Zach Ertz, Stanford
7. Levine Toiolo, Stanford
8. Dion Sims, Michigan State
9. Chris Gragg, Arkansas
10. Nick Kasa, Colorado

While almost every pundit has Luke Joeckel going first overall, Eric Fisher is the top tackle according to Rob. (Photo by Carlos Osorio/AP)

Offensive Tackle

1. Eric Fisher, Central Michigan
2. Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M
3. D.J. Fluker, Alabama
4. Lane Johnson, Oklahoma
5. Terron Armstead, Arkansas Pine-Bluff
6. Menelik Watson, Florida State
7. Dallas Thomas, Tennessee
8. Kyle Long, Oregon
9. Xavier Nixon, Florida
10. Justin Pugh, Syracuse

Cooper rates higher than Warmack, in Rob’s opinion. (Photo courtesy ACC Blogs)

Offensive Guard

1. Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina
2. Chance Warmack, Alabama
3. Larry Warford, Kentucky
4. Brian Winters, Kent State

Defensive End

1. Ezekiel Ansah, BYU
2. Tank Carradine, Florida State
3. Datone Jones, UCLA
4. Bjoern Werner, Florida State
5. Quanterus Smith, W. Kentucky
6. Alex Okafor, Texas
7. Corey Lemonier, Auburn
8. Damontre Moore, Texas A&M

Best DT? Sheldon Richardson. (Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE)

Defensive Tackle

1. Sheldon Richardson, Missouri
2. Shariff Floyd, Florida
3. Star Lotulelei, Utah
4. Jesse Williams, Alabama
5. Sylvester Williams, North Carolina
6. Brandon Williams, Missouri Southern State
7. Kawann Short, Purdue

Outside Linebacker

1. Dion Jordan, Oregon
2. Barkevious Mingo, LSU
3. Khaseem Greene, Rutgers
4. Jarvis Jones, Georgia
5. Jamie Collins, Southern Miss.
6. Alec Ogletree, Georgia
7. Sio Moore, UConn
8. Kiko Alonso, Oregon
9. DeVonte Holloman, South Carolina

Best inside guy for the LB corps? Arthur Brown. (Photo by Stephen Spillman)

Middle Linebacker

1. Arthur Brown, Kansas State
2. Kevin Minter, LSU
3. Manti Te’o, Notre Dame
4. Jon Bostic, Florida
5. Kevin Reddick, North Carolina
6. A.J. Klein, Iowa State

Cornerback

1. Dee Milliner, Alabama
2. Xavier Rhodes, Florida State
3. Desmond Trufant, Washington
4. Jamar Taylor, Boise State
5. Jordan Poyer, Oregon State
6. Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
7. Jonathan Banks, Mississippi State

Safety

1. Kenny Vaccaro, Texas
2. Jonathan Cyprien, FIU
3. D.J. Swearinger, South Carolina
4. Matt Elam, Florida
5. Baccari Rambo, Georgia
6. Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse

 
Originally posted by Cory Buck at The Penalty Flag Blog.

Me? I’m a big picture guy. I’m more concerned with the approach of the Bills. What do they want to get out of the 2013 draft? Certainly a quarterback, more help on the defense, sure, and another offensive playmaker would be great. The problem is there aren’t any bona fide, no-doubter QB prospects in this draft and, sitting at 8th in the draft, the Bills aren’t in position to take a top guy at his position without some risk. That’s why the team would be best served by accumulating picks both in this draft and in next year’s draft so that they can address more needs and speed up yet another rebuild at One Bills Drive.

The Bills have only six picks in this year’s draft and they’re about a dozen players away from even being worth discussing on a national level. In the broad view of things, that is what I would look to do from a managerial perspective. It is with that in mind that I came up with several trade scenarios. I came up with these proposals based on a couple ideas:

Ryan Nassib: QB, Syracuse (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

1) If the Bills feel that they can only get ‘their’ QB at 8, then they should draft him. No trading down, no funny business. Take him. But this doesn’t seem like a great year to take a QB in the top ten, and there’s a good chance Nix and company aren’t thrilled by anyone. Any interest they show could all just be an attempt to drive up the price of their pick. That said, for the most part, it seems that the same QBs who can be had at 8 can be had at 20. The only team that picks between Buffalo at 8 and Chicago at 20 that could use a QB is the Jets at 9, and now 13 thanks to the Revis trade. If the Jets want to leap frog the Bills, they can do that given their picks. What does this all mean? The Bills need to plan on the Jets swooping in on a QB. But that’s only one other guy. Depending on the field still available, it could be a while before another team wants to take a guy.

2) The team trading with Buffalo will likely covet either a WR (Patterson) or an offensive lineman (of which there are several big prospects). This opens up the field as there are a number of decent to good teams looking for help up front, including teams that want to win now who feel that they’re only one or two missing pieces away from serious Super Bowl contention.

That said, let’s look at a few ideas:

Buffalo sends 8th overall pick to St. Louis for the 16th overall pick, the Redskins’ 1st round pick for 2014 and a later round pick.

I’ve said for a long time the Bills should look to get another first round pick in next year’s draft, when a number of intriguing QB prospects could be NFL-bound. If the Bills are as bad in 2013 as most expect and they have two 1st round picks, the Bills would practically have their pick of the litter among the QBs next year and build a team in anticipation for him this year. St. Louis has two first round picks this year and next, and perhaps the idea of landing one of the top lineman in this year’s draft will be too tempting to sit around and wait for someone else to trade past them. If Sam Bradford is ever going to not suck, the Rams will need to keep him upright, and soon.

Buffalo sends 8th overall pick to San Diego for the 11th pick, the 45th pick and a 5th or 6th rounder.

Seems easy enough. Again, the Jets Factor looms large here. If the Bills like a QB, there’s no reason they couldn’t get him at 11 instead of 8, unless the Jets want their guy. And really, are any of these QBs worth worrying over to that extent? Each has his flaws and concerns to go with. The Bills could be doing themselves a favor by accumulating talent and letting the middling prospects wash to the wayside. If they get burned on one guy with question marks, so what? Draft the best guy you can and pick a QB in the second round with one of your two picks. Or move back up if that’s important. Accumulating ammo for a move though has to be the first step, and it would be a fairly simple move with a team desperate for OL help.

Buffalo sends 8th overall pick to Chicago for the 20th pick, the 50th pick, and a 1st rounder next year.

This might be further than Bills fans want them to drop, but if the compensation is right, it would be a big move. The Bills could get another 1st round pick for next year and bulk up in the middle of the draft this year. Let’s even take this a step farther. Say the Bills want to get a pair of linebackers because they’re so thin at the position. Now you can trade that 41st pick, get another 2nd and maybe a 3rd and the team will have gained three extra prospects to add to a defense that desperately needs cheap talent.

Manti Te’o: LB, Notre Dame (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Other candidates for a similar package:

Dallas Cowboys: Because it’s Dallas and Jerry Jones will be elbow deep in Jim Beam by the time the draft is seven picks in. He’ll probably decide he has to have some cornerback like Xavier Rhodes so the Cowboys make a move because they’re the Cowboys. That’s really my only line of reasoning here.

Minnesota Vikings: They have two 1st round picks so maybe trading one and a couple low picks to get in the top ten would be worth it to them. That’s another offensive line that could use a little more push to keep its QB on his feet. This would be a longer shot because it puts Buffalo in the twenties where they are less likely to get an immediate impact player. This goes back to scouting though. If this has been your plan from the start, you can make moves like this and get better.

The Buffalo Bills have struggled with the concept of forming an identity and most of that stems from inconsistent drafting. They never seem to have a plan beyond ‘Draft the best guy available’. That’s admirable in theory, but the Bills are more complicated of a mess than simply adding the best guy you can at a few points in the draft. They need a quarterback more than anything else, but that’s only one pick to make. The rest need to count because this team has a woeful lack of depth on both sides of the ball.

The Bills need to be proactive and consistent in their efforts to rebuild this team. They need to realize that as long as they get a quarterback they like in this draft, everything else is gravy. They only need one draft pick to do that and the rest should be seen as currency to build depth. Thus they need to find teams that already have a certain level of depth (like most of those above) and appeal to them to give up assets for a quality pick in the top ten. This is how teams turn it around in the NFL without requiring some magical three year window management always claims it will take.

We rarely see the Bills do anything but sit where they are and take what they can get. I want to see more fire out of the front office. Don’t just sit back and hope you get the team you want. Get out there and make it. If it takes twenty trades up and down to do it, so be it. Fewer trades? Fine. This team needs to do what it takes to win and build a team sooner rather than later. If they don’t, they’ll be sitting here in four years drafting with the same idea of rebuilding in mind. No thanks.

Thanks to The Penalty Flag Blog for sharing this with us. Check them out on Twitter at @ThePenaltyFlag.

The past month has begun to show what the Buffalo Bills want with their new coaching regime. The team released veteran defensive leaders in Nick Barnett, George Wilson and Terrence McGee. Additionally, the Bills opted against tendering wide-outs Donald Jones and David Nelson, leading many to believe that wide receiver would be a No. 1 priority upon the beginning of free agency.

However, the front office laid low, re-signing free agent cornerback Leodis McKelvin, while adding outside linebacker Manny Lawson, quarterback Kevin Kolb and defensive tackle Alan Branch.

Wide receiver and quarterback were the two biggest question marks on the roster and now that the quarterback is addressed for the short term, the team has a lot of flexibility in the upcoming 2013 NFL Draft.

If I were the Buffalo Bills’ General Manager, this is how I would utilize the six draft picks.

Arthur Brown: LB, Kansas State (Photo by Stephen Spillman)

Round One, No. 8 Overall: LB Arthur Brown, Kansas State

Arthur Brown, a two-year starter at Kansas State is arguably the best non-pass rushing linebacker in the draft and has the potential to be consistently voted as an All-Pro. Brown is an athletic linebacker that played middle linebacker for the Wildcats, recording 218 tackles, 17 of which came for a loss, three interceptions and defended nine.

Brown fits the mold of the “linebacker that can cover” General Manager Buddy Nix has expressed his desire for on numerous occasions and is a true three-down player. His ability to play inside while operating 3-4 looks or seamlessly transition to weakside outside linebacker in the 4-3 makes him the perfect option for the Buffalo Bills No. 8 overall selection.

Other Consideration: WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee

While selecting a wide receiver such as Tennesse’s Cordarrelle Patterson would be an attractive option, the depth at the position is too deep in the 2013 NFL Draft to use the No. 8 overall pick on a boom-or-bust prospect.

Da’Rick Rogers: WR, Tennessee (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Round Two, No. 41 Overall: WR Da’Rick Rogers, Tennessee Tech

Da’Rick Rogers’ off-the-field issues have been well documented, after being dismissed from the Tennessee Volunteers football team following three failed drug tests. He transferred to FCS college Tennessee Tech, where he has seemingly cleaned up his act.

At the NFL Combine, Rogers impressed both in drills and interviews, posting a 39.5” vertical and running an official 4.52 40-yard dash. He explained that he was randomly drug tested 10 times last year at Tennessee Tech, which was later confirmed by his coaches.

In his three years as a starter with both Tennessee and Tennesse Tech, Rogers proved he had the “Go up and get it” playmaking ability that Nix covets, hauling in 139 passes for 2,100 yards, an average of 15.1 yards per reception, while scoring 21 touchdowns.

All issues aside, Rogers is a top-five receiver in the draft, and if he can win over Buddy Nix and the rest of the Bills’ front office, he should be the pick at No. 41 overall.

Other Consideration: QB E.J. Manuel, Florida State

Florida State signal caller E.J. Manuel is the most intriguing quarterback prospect in the draft, but also has the highest bust potential. While he would surely be the unquestioned pick just a week ago, the addition of quarterback Kevin Kolb allows the Bills to add another impact player in Da’Rick Rogers while buying time for a quarterback.

Travis Kelce: TE, Cincinnati (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Round Three, No. 71 Overall: TE Travis Kelce, Cincinnati

Scott Chandler, the Bills’ starting tight end for the past two seasons suffered a torn ACL in a week 17 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, and his status for the 2013 season is unclear. The fact that the team heavily courted Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis signaled that the team is looking to upgrade the position.

Kelce is one of the most complete tight ends in the draft, as he is a threat as a receiver and is the surest blocker in the class. While he doesn’t have blazing speed, he’s quick and able to move the chains while gaining yards after the catch.

Other Consideration: CB Brandon McGee, Miami

University of Miami cornerback Brandon McGee is an under the radar player that has the measurables you look for at the position. He didn’t have mind-boggling statistics with the Hurricanes, but was a solid contributor and leader for a young team that was dealing with NCAA sanctions. The Bills need to add a body at cornerback, but with Aaron Williams, Ron Brooks and Justin Rogers battling for the No. 3 corner role, a third round pick may be too early to address the position.

Zac Dysert: QB, Miami of Ohio (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Round Four, No. 105 Overall: QB Zac Dysert, Miami (Ohio)

With Kevin Kolb under contract for two seasons, the Bills find the perfect developmental prospect to take over the starting role in 2015. Dysert performed admirably, dealing with multiple scheme changes due to a terrible offensive line and receivers that couldn’t get the job done.

In his four years with the Redhawks, Dysert completed 63.8% of his passes for 12,013 yards, tossing 73 touchdowns and 51 interceptions. The 23-year old is exactly the type of quarterback a franchise wants holding a clipboard for a season or two, while he learns the nuances of an offense.

Other Consideration: S T.J. McDonald, Southern California

With Da’Norris Searcy seemingly penciled in as the starting strong safety entering the 2013 NFL Season, the Bills could’ve used their fourth rounder on USC safety T.J. McDonald. While McDonald played free safety with the Trojans, the 6’3” 220 pounder has the ability to play at strong safety and even serve as a nickel linebacker.

In his three years at USC, McDonald racked up 275 tackles, 12 of which came for a loss, broke up 17 passes and intercepted eight.

Tharold Simon: CB, LSU (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Round Five, No. 143 Overall: CB Tharold Simon, Louisiana State

LSU cornerback Tharold Simon only has one full year of starting under his belt, but was very productive during his three year collegiate career. The 6’2” 193 pounder recorded 95 tackles, defended 28 psses and intercepted six.

Simon has a long frame and his wingspan measured 32.75” at the combine. That radius is what allows Simon to defend so many passes that are thrown his way. Simon would add solid depth to the cornerback position and is a guy that could quickly see the field on Sundays.

Other Consideration: RB Le’Veon Bell, Michigan State

Running back is far from a position of need for the team, but Michigan State’s Le’Veon Bell could be an attractive option if available in the fifth. Bell is a horse, standing 6’3” and weighing 230 pounds and could be a perfect complement to the speed of C.J. Spiller.
Fred Jackson had fumbling issues in goal-line and third and short situations and is 32 years old. Bell is a powerful man that would be the perfect fit for a 3^rd down back.

Cooper Taylor: SS, Richmond (Photo courtesy nmnathletics.com)

Round Six, No. 177 Overall: SS Cooper Taylor, Richmond

6’4” 233 pound strong safety Cooper Taylor has taken the long road to the NFL Draft. After being a contributor at Georgia Tech for his freshman and sophomore seasons (named second-team All-ACC), he was diagnosed with a heart condition. Taylor underwent a procedure and transferred to Richmond, where he became a star.

Cooper is a physical freak that can play both strong safety and nickel linebacker. In his five year collegiate career, Taylor racked up 231 tackles while intercepting seven passes.

Other Consideration: OG Hugh Thornton, Illinois

Many Bills fans are worried about the left guard situation following the departure of Andy Levitre via free agency. However, the team has some versatile offensive lineman such as Zebrie Sanders, David Snow and Colin Brown that will be fighting for the starting job.

The team has four quality, above-average players out of the five offensive line positions, and with Cooper Taylor on the board, the team can survive without a sixth round guard for a season.

Round Seven: Traded To Seattle Seahawks For Tarvaris Jackson

With the 2013 NFL Draft less than a month away, the Buffalo Bills need to address quite a few holes after a relatively quiet free agency period. At BillsMafia.com we decided to put together a “Big Board” with a twist.

While a Big Board is generally listing the top prospects by their overall grade, this one will rank them based on both grade and the player’s relation to positional need.

Note: These rankings are based off of Rob’s own personal analysis of the following players, so feel free to comment with any players you believe should be higher/lower!

Geno Smith: QB, West Virginia (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

1.      QB Geno Smith, West Virginia

The Buffalo Bills’ biggest need entering the 2013 NFL Draft is at the quarterback position. Geno Smith has been not only the consensus No. 1 option at the position for months, but he’s also regarded as one of the top 10 prospects in the entire class. Smith is likely the Bills’ No. 1 target in the draft.

2.      DE/OLB Dion Jordan, Oregon

With new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine announcing that the Bills would be utilizing a “hybrid” front similar to the 4-3 “under” scheme he ran with the Baltimore Ravens, Oregon’s versatile pass rusher Dion Jordan is a perfect fit. Jordan wouldn’t line up as a defensive end in a three-man front, but he can rush the passer from the linebacker position and has the athleticism to successfully drop into coverage.

3.      WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee

General Manager Buddy Nix has expressed his desire for a big-time, playmaking wide receiver since the end of the year and no wideout is more explosive than Tennessee’s Cordarrelle Patterson. A boom-or-bust player, Patterson was arguably the most electric receiver in college football.

Arthur Brown: LB, Kansas State (Photo by Stephen Spillman)

4.      LB Arthur Brown, Kansas State

With the Bills going through another scheme change on defense, Arthur Brown is an intriguing prospect for the team. A middle linebacker in Kansas State’s 4-3 defense, Brown is an exceptional athlete that projects well to inside linebacker in a 3-4 front, and weakside linebacker in a 4-3. Brown is the best non-pass rushing linebacker in the draft, and with the Bills’ stout defensive line in front of him he could easily earn Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

5.      OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M

While Buddy Nix said the team was “set” at offensive tackle in his embarrassing recorded phone call, Joeckel is still one of the best prospects in the 2013 NFL Draft. If Nix is worried about losing Andy Levitre at the left guard position, Joeckel could be an option, allowing Cordy Glenn to slide inside.

6.      CB Dee Milliner, Alabama

While the Bills extended Leodis McKelvin during the offseason, the cornerback position is full of question marks. Stephon Gilmore performed exceptionally as a rookie, but McKelvin and Aaron Williams have been too inconsistent to rely on. Dee Milliner is the best cornerback prospect in the draft, and adding him to the team would create a Jets-like secondary for years to come.

Chance Warmack: OG, Alabama (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

7.      OG Chance Warmack, Alabama

While North Carolina’s Jonathan Cooper is my No. 1 graded guard, Warmack fits the mold of the offensive linemen currently on the team, and fits the height-weight requirements of the offensive linemen Doug Marrone has coached in the past. More of a right guard, Warmack would be a true road grader for C.J. Spiller.

8.      QB Matt Barkley, Southern California

Much has been made about Matt Barkley’s “weak” arm and his connection to the historically poor play of USC quarterbacks in the National Football League, but Barkley is a perfect fit for the Bills’ new west coast-based offense. Barkley is one of the more accurate and intelligent passers in the draft.

9.      OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia

Georgia’s pass-rushing phenom Jarvis Jones is surely on Buddy Nix’s radar after taking the SEC by storm, recording 28 sacks, 45.5 tackles for a loss and forcing nine fumbles over the past two seasons. Jones has been diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis, a condition Nix is all-too familiar with, as Marcus McNeil (a former Chargers left tackle who Nix compares Cordy Glenn to) was forced to retire early from the condition.

10.   OLB Barkevious Mingo, LSU

A defensive end for the Louisiana State Tigers, Mingo didn’t jump off the stat sheet, but he has the potential to be one of the better pass rushers out of the 2013 draft class. He doesn’t have the bulk or strength at the point of attack to play defensive end in the National Football League, but is a relentless pass rusher that projects well to outside linebacker in a 3-4 front.

Ryan Nassib: QB, Syracuse (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The connection between Ryan Nassib and the Bills is obvious, and is surely in the discussion as a possible quarterback for the team. Coach Marrone has worked with Nassib for four years, giving him a jump start on picking up the offense the team hopes to run.

12.   DE/OLB Ezekiel Ansah, BYU

Ezekiel Ansah is one of the more intriguing players in the draft, as he’s only played football for a handful of seasons after moving to America from Ghana. However, he’s a versatile player that fits pretty much anywhere in a front seven in nearly any scheme. Ansah is a risky prospect but has an extremely high ceiling to produce in the NFL.

13.   CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State

Florida State’s Xavier Rhodes may be a better fit for the Bills’ defense than Dee Milliner in terms of experience in a press-man defensive system, but isn’t as athletic as the Alabama product. Rhodes is a big and physical corner that consistently jams opposing receivers out of their routes and would be a nice addition opposite Stephon Gilmore.

14.   DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida

While defensive tackle isn’t a need by any means as the Bills have two dominant ones in Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus, Floyd would be a perfect fit at the three or five technique (3-4 DE) in a three-man front.

15.   S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas

After releasing strong safety George Wilson, it’s hard to believe the Bills’ front office is confident in Da’Norris Searcy being an every-down player. Texas’ safety Kenny Vaccaro is versatile and athletic enough to play both free and strong safety, even playing some slot corner during his collegiate career. He compares favorably to Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ safety Mark Barron, who the Bills reportedly had high interest in last year.

16.   QB E.J. Manuel, Florida

E.J. Manuel is a risky quarterback prospect as he’s more of a project at this point. However, his upside is unquestionable as he has all of the physical tools necessary to be a successful player in the league. He’s a big player that is a threat to run, which will boost him up draft boards given the recent success of the read-option.

Jonathan Cooper: OG, UNC (Photo courtesy ACC Blogs)

17. OG Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina

Jonathan Cooper is the prototype left guard. He moves better than any offensive linemen in the draft and is an elite pass protector that consistently gets to the second level in the run game. He would make a seamless transition to replace Andy Levitre.

18.   WR DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson

DeAndre Hopkins is one of the more underrated wide receivers in the 2013 NFL Draft, despite hauling in 206 passes for 3,020 yards and 27 touchdowns in his three years with the Clemson Tigers. He’s a playmaker that plays bigger than his size indicates, and he truly is the “go up and get it” receiver.

19.   LB Alec Ogletree, Georgia

Alec Ogletree has been hyped as a premier talent throughout the season, but while he isn’t a blue-chip prospect, he has potential to be a solid player in the league. Like Arthur Brown, Ogletree fits best as a 3-4 inside linebacker or a 4-3 weakside linebacker, which makes him an attractive option for the Bills who need help at both spots.

20.   TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame

Tyler Eifert is another stud tight end to come out of Notre Dame, and with Scott Chandler’s injury the Bills really need to find an upgrade at the position. Eifert isn’t productive when blocking, but with the emergence of pass-catching tight ends taking over the NFL, that shouldn’t be an issue. 

Thoughts? Comments? Share yours below!

Welcome to our 2013 Draft Prospect Profile series, written by Rob Quinn. Rob is putting together quick, digestible summaries for highly publicized discussed prospects, prospects that interest him, and prospects that interest YOU.

If there’s someone out there who has piqued your interest and you want to know a little but more about him before April rolls around, get at Rob and request he put a profile together. You can email him at RQUINN619@billsmafia.com with a request.

The series isn’t Bills-centric necessarily; however, when the occasion calls for it, Rob will include thoughts on how a player might impact the Bills were they to draft him. But overall, the goal is to educate you on some of the names you’ll hear called in April.

Travis Kelce: TE, Cincinnati (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Travis Kelce
Tight End
6’5” 255 lbs
Senior
Cincinnati Bearcats
@tkelce (unverified)

While Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert and Stanford’s Zach Ertz headline the 2013 NFL Draft class’ tight end group, Cincinnati Bearcats tight end Travis Kelce could very well be best prospect of them all. Kelce only saw one full season of action during his senior year, in which he hauled in 45 passes for 722 yards, scoring eight touchdowns.

The Good

Kelce is a physical tight end that’s active in both run blocking and receiving. He succeeded everywhere he lined up, from H-Back to an in-line blocker and split out wide as a receiver. Kelce is a dominating and powerful blocker and consistently holds his ground against defensive linemen and blitzers. He’s instinctive and smooth when blocking, picking up pass rushers with ease.

In this play, Kelce shows his pass blocking ability, recognizing his responsibility and provides the quarterback with a clean pocket.

In the run game, Kelce is just as effective, as we see him displaying clean technique, blowing through not one, but two defenders to pave the way for his running back.

Kelce is a physical player that uses his strength and tenacity to his advantage when he has the ball in his hands. He’s seemingly always aware of the first down marker and often requires multiple tacklers to bring him down, like we see in this play.

As a receiver, Kelce displays great hands and has the athleticism to adjust his body to bring in passes, as shown in this play, where he blows past the safety and outruns defenders for a game-winning touchdown in the 2012 Belk Bowl against Duke.

Kelce is a smart player and finds a way to manipulate holes in zone coverage. Here, Kelce displays an excellent burst off the snap and fools the strong-side linebacker with a double move, once again finding the endzone.

The Bad

Kelce’s only real negative aspect to his game is his top-end speed. He’s not going to blow past defensive backs and is more “quick” than fast. Kelce was suspended for the entire 2010 season after an unspecified violation of team rules, so teams will really have to look into the situation to find out more about him as a person. While he consistently finds holes in soft coverage, he doesn’t run the crispest routes and can be over-aggressive at times.

How He Fits The Bills

Kelce would be an excellent fit for the Buffalo Bills’ new “K-Gun” offense, as he has the ability to hold his own in the run game while proving to be a threat as a receiver. He’s a complete tight end that can be used in a variety of roles and that versatility allows him to stay on the field.

Pro Player Comparison

Rob Gronkowski

Projected Draft Postion

Second Round

Welcome to our 2013 Draft Prospect Profile series, written by Rob Quinn. Rob is putting together quick, digestible summaries for highly publicized discussed prospects, prospects that interest him, and prospects that interest YOU.

If there’s someone out there who has piqued your interest and you want to know a little but more about him before April rolls around, get at Rob and request he put a profile together. You can email him at RQUINN619@billsmafia.com with a request.

The series isn’t Bills-centric necessarily; however, when the occasion calls for it, Rob will include thoughts on how a player might impact the Bills were they to draft him. But overall, the goal is to educate you on some of the names you’ll hear called in April.

E.J. Manuel: QB, Florida State (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

EJ Manuel
Quarterback
6’5” 237 lbs
Florida State
Senior
@EJManuel3

No quarterback in the 2013 NFL Draft class has more upside than Florida State signal-caller E.J. Manuel. His rare blend of size, athleticism and arm strength makes him one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects in a class filled with question marks.

The Good

Manuel has an extremely strong arm, but has the ability to put touch on deep passes. He displays a quick release and zips the ball with incredible velocity. Manuel proved to be efficient, completing 66.9% of his passes for 7,741 yards while throwing 47 touchdowns to 28 interceptions in his four seasons with the Seminoles; two of which he was the starter.

Manuel didn’t have much assistance on his offensive line, and was always under pressure. He showed excellent toughness by standing tall in the pocket, keeping his eyes downfield, and delivering strikes with defenders in his face. Manuel can make every throw, and displays beautiful ball placement, especially on deep passes.

Here, Manuel has a clean pocket and throws a beautiful deep ball, placing the ball where only his wide receiver can make a play on it.

This play is another example of the touch Manuel places on his deep passes.

Manuel is extremely mobile and is able to buy himself extra time by scrambling in the pocket. While he doesn’t have breakaway speed, he’s a tough runner that will pick up the key first down.

While Manuel looks to pass first, he shows the grit to fight for the first down, even stiff-arming a would-be tackler.

An underrated aspect of Manuel’s game is his ability to manipulate safeties and anticipate his receivers’ routes. Here, Manuel anticipates the wideouts’ break and and delivers a beautiful strike down the seam.

The Bad

Due to Manuel’s shoddy offensive line play, it became evident in his first year as a starter that he was extremely rattled when facing pressure. He made a lot of bad decisions; throwing into double coverage and not finding the check-down receiver quick enough.

Here, this is evident as Miami brings pressure, and Manuel is sacked and loses control of the ball.

At times, Manuel tries to do too much with his physical abilities and be careless with the football when running. This is evident in this play in the Champs Sports Bowl against Notre Dame, when Manuel can’t find an open man and runs backwards.

When he doesn’t find his first or second read, he often takes poor sacks rather than simply throwing the ball away.

While Manuel has a great arm, he often misreads his receivers and overthrows quite a few passes. Furthermore, he tends to try to fit passes into tight spaces that more often than not turn into interceptions.

How He Fits The Bills

With the read option offensive attack quickly taking the National Football League by storm, E.J. Manuel fits the mold of the new-age quarterback. He has the ability to be a pocket passer, but is always a threat to run. At Florida State, Manuel’s offense was predicated on quick passes that opened up the deep ball, which is how the “K-Gun” offense was operated.

Projected Draft Position
1st-3rd round pick

Pro Player Comparison
Cam Newton/ Daunte Culpepper