Buffalo Bills 2008 NFL Draft Team Needs
The Buffalo Bills had a lot of needs heading into last season, but managed a nice 7-9 record with many close wins along the way. A 3-game losing streak to end the season leaves a hungry team in the offseason, but there’s plenty of excitement in Orchard Park heading into 2008. Larry Cook gives you his 2008 Buffalo Bills NFL Draft preview below.
2008 Buffalo Bills NFL Draft Needs:
1.) Wide Receiver
The Bills desperately need a No. 2 wideout so that opposing defenses cannot constantly double team Lee Evans on the outside. Peerless Price has been a big disappointment and a long-shot to even stay on the team. Josh Reed is a decent underneath option, but he clearly isn’t the answer. Roscoe Parrish is a sensational punt returner and a good deep threat, but he is very inconsistent over the middle with his lack of size. The Bills need a big red-zone target to go up and make plays to bail their offense out. Just a wide receiver that will demand attention from opposing secondaries is their ultimate goal.
2.) Tight End
Robert Royal is not the answer at this position in the passing game. He’s decent at best and doesn’t alter any defensive game plans. QB Trent Edwards is their future under center, and he does a great job at looking for a tight end to bail him out. The neck injury suffered by No. 2 tight end Kevin Everett further depletes this position. The Bills want to pick up a marquee athlete that can line up on the line or in the slot position such as Dallas Clark of the Colts and Kellen Winslow of the Browns. The Bills could feature a much more dangerous offense in 2008 if they can just pick up a No. 2 receiver and an athletic tight end.
3.) Defensive End
The Bills have a lot of money tied up on Chris Kelsay and Aaron Schobel, but they are still looking for an upgrade at the defensive end position. Kelsay was a disappointment with just 2.5 sacks. After Schobel racked up 14 sacks in 2006, he came back for only 6.5 sacks the next season and to be equally disappointing. Schobel is a liability against the run to say the least. A season-long suspension of top reserve Anthony Hargrove has made the DE spot a big concern in Buffalo moving forward.
4.) Cornerback
Terrance McGee is much better as a kick returner than a cornerback. He can cover respectively, but the real concern comes on the other side. Jason Webster injured himself before even getting started last season, but he didn’t do much in Atlanta and is a question mark heading into this year. Jabari Greer is athletically limited but tries very hard which is more than what Ashton Youboty can say for himself. Youboty has been a big disappointment since getting selected in the 3rd round of the 2006 NFL Draft, displaying little toughness.
5.) Defensive Tackle
John McCargo, a 2006 first-rounder, came on strong last season as a backup for most of the year. Kyle Williams and Larry Triplett are starters with good instincts, but they simply lack the physical size in the middle to be able to move around offensive linemen. Finding a big man in the middle who can stop the run and provide a decent pass rush would be a big boost to the Bills defense.
2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Offensive Scheme:
Former QB coach Turk Schonert makes his debut this season as the Bills offensive coordinator. He should help boost a lackluster passing attack by adding some creativity and spark to the offense. This remains a traditional offense that opts to set up the play-action pass by picking up chunks of yardage on the ground behind Marshawn Lynch. The Bills do not run the spread and will not again this season. WR Limas Sweed out of Texas would be the Bills likely No. 1 Draft Pick if available in the first round. TE Dustin Keller out of Purdue could be that athletic tight end desperately needed in Buffalo. Other names such as WR Jerome Simpson of Coastal Carolina, WR Justin Harper of Va Tech, TE Gary Barnidge of Louisville and FB Carl Stewart of Auburn are just a few names you might be hearing the Bills call on Draft Day.
2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Defensive Scheme:
Head Coach Dick Jauron and defensive coordinator Perry Fewell work together to master the Bills conservative 4-3 scheme. The Bills blitz is almost non-existent, preferring to generate enough push with their down-linemen. A size upgrade throughout the front seven is needed to compete with the bigger offensive lines in this league. DE Derrick Harvey of Florida would be an ideal fit. CB Dejaun Tribble of Boston College, LB Tavares Gooden of Miami, DT Trevor Laws of Notre Dame, CB Trae Williams of South Florida and DT Josh Thompson of Auburn are the types of players on defense the Bills will be looking for throughout the 2008 NFL Draft.
Related Articles You May Be Interested In: