Buffalo Bills Forecast
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Buffalo Bills (5-11)
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(8) Haloti Ngata, DT. Oregon
(42) Richard Marshall, CB. Fresno State
(70) Ryan O'Callaghan, OT. California
(73) Jason Spitz, OG. Louisville
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The Buffalo Bills are going through an entire transformation on the defensive side of the ball. Dick Jauron has brought with him the Cover 2 scheme. The team's draft needs will reflect this adjustment. Needing help in the secondary, finding a dynamic safety will be a priority. The team would also love to have some depth behind Nate Clements and Terrence McGee at corner. Most of all, defensively, a pass-rushing defensive tackle is high on the team's list of priorities. The Cover 2 scheme is predicated on dropping seven and only rushing four on passing downs. A smallish, slithery pass rushing defensive tackle is not present on the team currently. This need will be addressed in the first two rounds for certain. Offensively, the team is very well rounded at the skill positions. Help is needed up front. Former headache Mike Williams is gone, but Jason Peters and Mike Gandy can not hold down the fort all alone. After all, Jason Peters is nothing more than an undrafted free agent tight end turned tackle. Needless to say, offensive line will be drafted early and often by the Bills.
(8) Haloti Ngata, DT. Oregon
Haloti Ngata can be a perrenial pro bowler in the NFL. At 6'4"/338, Ngata has ideal size to play the defensive tackle position. He can take on two blockers better than any defensive tackle prospect to enter the draft in recent memory. In addition, Ngata has the requisite athleticism to get to the quarterback as a pass rusher. His blend of size and speed is truly rare. An elite prospect, Ngata would be very tough to pass up for the Bills at #8. Ngata is simply a beast in the middle. Don't believe the rumors. This guy can play in the Cover 2.
(42) Richard Marshall, CB. Fresno State
Needing depth at the corner position, Richard Marshall is a brilliant solution. He has an average NFL frame at 5'11"/189 and has above average NFL speed at 4.40. Marshall is aggressive against the run and makes plays all over the field. He is built tough. Marshall's size is competent to get an effective jam at the line, and his instincts and ball skills make him perfect for dropping back in zone coverage. A durable and productive player, Marshall could step on the field tomorrow as a nickel back. He would upgrade an already dominant pass defense and give the franchise a viable option to replace Nate Clements or Terrance McGee in the starting lineup one day.
(70) Ryan O'Callaghan, OT. California
The Bills need help on the offensive line. Having not been given the chance to grab D'Brickashaw Ferguson at #8 or Marcus McNeil at #42, grabbing a right tackle in the third round will be a priority. O'Callaghan, at 6'7"/344, has ideal size. He is very strong, dominating at the point of attack. He is simply an outstanding run blocker, making him draw the modifier "prototypical" often. He is a hard worker with top intangibles. Given his size, strength, and ability to grade a road for the running game, O'Callaghan is NFL-ready, capable of playing either right tackle or right guard (should he struggle with quicker defensive ends). Regardless, this is a dynamite value pickup for the Bills.
(73) Jason Spitz, OG. Louisville
Continuing to grab value for the offensive line, Jason Spitz would be an excellent selection for the Bills. The team needs more help up front than just a right or left tackle. A guy like Jason Spitz would be perfect for the Bills because he was a very productive college player that has a high floor. In other words, he is very unlikely to bust like former offensive line headache, Mike Williams. While not being an elite athlete, Jason Spitz is very strong at 6'4"/313. He is excellent as a run blocker, and he has proven to be very durable during his career at Louisville. Spitz would offer the Bills a player that could potentially start at right guard from day one. He is one of those late day-one picks that does everything well but nothing excellent. At the very least, he will supply depth to an offensive line that needs it.
(*) Winston Justice, OT. USC
Winston Justice is a dominating force up front. After being stagnant for about two months, Justice's stock rose substantially after a dominating Pro Day. At 6'6"/320. Justice managed a vertical jump of 39". He benched 38 reps @ 225lbs and managed 5.04 in the 40-yard dash even after coming up lame and hobbling the last five yards on one leg. Simply put, Justice is a physical freak. He is an outstanding run blocker and an excellent pass blocker. He is mobile and has tons of upside. What he lacks in technique at the moment, he makes up for with Pro-Bowl potential. Justice's major knock is having been a part of a series of incidents off the field -involving an AirSoft gun among other things- that led to his suspension for the entire 2004 season. Nevertheless, he is an elite prospect. He is a legitimate option at #8.
Buffalo Bills (5-11)
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(8) Haloti Ngata, DT. Oregon
(42) Richard Marshall, CB. Fresno State
(70) Ryan O'Callaghan, OT. California
(73) Jason Spitz, OG. Louisville
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The Buffalo Bills are going through an entire transformation on the defensive side of the ball. Dick Jauron has brought with him the Cover 2 scheme. The team's draft needs will reflect this adjustment. Needing help in the secondary, finding a dynamic safety will be a priority. The team would also love to have some depth behind Nate Clements and Terrence McGee at corner. Most of all, defensively, a pass-rushing defensive tackle is high on the team's list of priorities. The Cover 2 scheme is predicated on dropping seven and only rushing four on passing downs. A smallish, slithery pass rushing defensive tackle is not present on the team currently. This need will be addressed in the first two rounds for certain. Offensively, the team is very well rounded at the skill positions. Help is needed up front. Former headache Mike Williams is gone, but Jason Peters and Mike Gandy can not hold down the fort all alone. After all, Jason Peters is nothing more than an undrafted free agent tight end turned tackle. Needless to say, offensive line will be drafted early and often by the Bills.
Haloti Ngata is a rare defensive tackle prospect
(8) Haloti Ngata, DT. Oregon
Haloti Ngata can be a perrenial pro bowler in the NFL. At 6'4"/338, Ngata has ideal size to play the defensive tackle position. He can take on two blockers better than any defensive tackle prospect to enter the draft in recent memory. In addition, Ngata has the requisite athleticism to get to the quarterback as a pass rusher. His blend of size and speed is truly rare. An elite prospect, Ngata would be very tough to pass up for the Bills at #8. Ngata is simply a beast in the middle. Don't believe the rumors. This guy can play in the Cover 2.
(42) Richard Marshall, CB. Fresno State
Needing depth at the corner position, Richard Marshall is a brilliant solution. He has an average NFL frame at 5'11"/189 and has above average NFL speed at 4.40. Marshall is aggressive against the run and makes plays all over the field. He is built tough. Marshall's size is competent to get an effective jam at the line, and his instincts and ball skills make him perfect for dropping back in zone coverage. A durable and productive player, Marshall could step on the field tomorrow as a nickel back. He would upgrade an already dominant pass defense and give the franchise a viable option to replace Nate Clements or Terrance McGee in the starting lineup one day.
Ryan O'Callaghan is a prototypical right tackle
that can dominate defenders in the running game
(70) Ryan O'Callaghan, OT. California
The Bills need help on the offensive line. Having not been given the chance to grab D'Brickashaw Ferguson at #8 or Marcus McNeil at #42, grabbing a right tackle in the third round will be a priority. O'Callaghan, at 6'7"/344, has ideal size. He is very strong, dominating at the point of attack. He is simply an outstanding run blocker, making him draw the modifier "prototypical" often. He is a hard worker with top intangibles. Given his size, strength, and ability to grade a road for the running game, O'Callaghan is NFL-ready, capable of playing either right tackle or right guard (should he struggle with quicker defensive ends). Regardless, this is a dynamite value pickup for the Bills.
(73) Jason Spitz, OG. Louisville
Continuing to grab value for the offensive line, Jason Spitz would be an excellent selection for the Bills. The team needs more help up front than just a right or left tackle. A guy like Jason Spitz would be perfect for the Bills because he was a very productive college player that has a high floor. In other words, he is very unlikely to bust like former offensive line headache, Mike Williams. While not being an elite athlete, Jason Spitz is very strong at 6'4"/313. He is excellent as a run blocker, and he has proven to be very durable during his career at Louisville. Spitz would offer the Bills a player that could potentially start at right guard from day one. He is one of those late day-one picks that does everything well but nothing excellent. At the very least, he will supply depth to an offensive line that needs it.
Winston Justice is an impressive specimen that is athletic
enough to play left tackle and physical enough to play right
(*) Winston Justice, OT. USC
Winston Justice is a dominating force up front. After being stagnant for about two months, Justice's stock rose substantially after a dominating Pro Day. At 6'6"/320. Justice managed a vertical jump of 39". He benched 38 reps @ 225lbs and managed 5.04 in the 40-yard dash even after coming up lame and hobbling the last five yards on one leg. Simply put, Justice is a physical freak. He is an outstanding run blocker and an excellent pass blocker. He is mobile and has tons of upside. What he lacks in technique at the moment, he makes up for with Pro-Bowl potential. Justice's major knock is having been a part of a series of incidents off the field -involving an AirSoft gun among other things- that led to his suspension for the entire 2004 season. Nevertheless, he is an elite prospect. He is a legitimate option at #8.