“Brick” should top Buffalo’s first round big board

By Connor Byrne  |   Wednesday, April 26, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Buffalo Bills
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The phrase "best player available" is something that has been thrown around far too often at the NFL Draft over the past few years. However, it seems to be the philosophy of many GM's who use the phrase as their own personal creed. Sometimes front offices don't always judge by need, but by who's available that's high on their draft board.

It should be no different in the upcoming draft for Buffalo Bills GM Marv Levy. The Bills have many needs, which are headlined by the gaping hole at defensive tackle as well as the perceived weakness at strong safety, even though free agent signee Matt Bowen might be able to fill that void. Nevertheless, with the eighth pick in the draft, the Bills find themselves in prime position to fill a need, or take the player who is supposed to be the best available.

Without any further delay, let's take a look at how the Buffalo Bills' draft board should look for the eighth overall selection this Saturday.

1.) D'Brickashaw Ferguson, LT, Virginia. The 6-6, 313 pounder could go as high as No. 2, but there's also a slight chance he'll be available when the Bills select. Ferguson has incredible athleticism for a big guy and could anchor an offensive line for a decade or more, a la former Cincinnati Bengals Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz. The Bills have Mike Gandy at left tackle, a decent player, but they simply would not be able to pass on Ferguson. He's a character player who can solidify the Bills' line for a long time, while making for a solid tackle tandem with Jason Peters, who's on the right.

2.) Michael Huff, DB, Texas. The Bills' pass defense isn't necessarily a major weakness on paper, but they haven't had a playmaking safety in a long time. Bowen's penciled in as the starting strong safety, but he could be better served as a reserve player/special teamer. With 4.36 speed in the 40-yard dash, Huff has the ability to play cornerback if he has to, which he may in Buffalo since their No. 1 guy, Nate Clements, may want out. Huff should be available at No. 8, which will make it tough on Levy to pass on him.

3.) Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland. I know, I know. The Bills signed tight end Robert Royal to a five-year, $10 million deal last month, and they already have former third-rounder Kevin Everett on the roster. Well, would you pass on a Porsche Roadster because you have a Ford Escort and a Chevy Impala? Didn't think so. The 6-3, 250 pound Davis ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the scouting combine in February, which is the fastest ever for a tight end. His 42" vertical leap makes him even more of an athletic specimen. Since the Bills lost No. 1 receiver Eric Moulds, they need all the playmakers on offense they can find. Davis will probably go No. 6 overall to San Francisco, but if he's on the board at eight, Buffalo will have to give him serious consideration.

4.) Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State. I've been flip-flopping more than former presidential candidate John Kerry on the defensive tackle issue in this draft. Should it be Bunkley or Haloti Ngata? Well, it should be Bunkley. Why? Because he seems to be what the Bills are looking for in their new "Tampa 2" defense, which requires smaller, quicker "one gap" tackles. Bunkley's strength is unavoidable, as he managed to bench a whopping 44 reps of 225 pounds at the combine. The 306 pounder, who ran a 4.95 40, would make for a great tandem at tackle in Buffalo next to former Indianapolis Colt Larry Tripplett.

5.) Winston Justice, OT, USC. After a tremendous career at Southern Cal, Justice finds himself in somewhat of a quandary; will he go eighth to Buffalo, 14th to Philadelphia or 16th to Miami? Either way, he'll cash in. The best thing about this 300 pounder is the fact that the Bills can trade down to get him, which would allow them to stockpile some day one picks. He's a great talent who isn't getting the same publicity as Ferguson, but Justice insists he is the best offensive lineman in this draft. Those words are brash, but when we all look back in 12 years, we may find he was right.

6.) Haloti Ngata, NT, Oregon. Much like Justice, the Bills may be able to trade down for Ngata, but don't bet on him ending up in Buffalo. The 340 pounder is better suited for a 3-4 defense, which he'd find in Cleveland or Baltimore. Still, many Cover 2 defenses favor having at least one large tackle, but it doesn't seem like the Bills and defensive coordinator Perry Fewell are leaning that way. Even their defensive line coach, Bill Kollar, said the Bills didn't have much interest in mammoth defensive linemen. Instead, they'll follow the mold of defenses such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts by going with "one gap" guys that can penetrate the line of scrimmage

At No. 8 overall, the Buffalo Bills will find themselves a very good player, as long as they play their cards right. The only way they won't is if Levy goes in and completely tanks, much like former GM Tom Donahoe did in 2002 when he selected offensive tackle Mike Williams No. 4 overall. Horrible first round picks happen to even the best GM's, but Levy has too much at stake to flub this pick. Bills fans can rest easy because the 80-year-old rookie will get it done.

--Connor Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com
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