SBN Mock Draft Update

We got off to a slow start, but the SBN Mock Draft is starting to pick up the pace. With the Bills holding the #12 pick, I hope to make my first-round pick within the next 2 days (although the current pace may have me picking on Monday or Tuesday). Here is a recap of the first five picks:

1. Oakland Raiders - JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
- No surprise here. The Raiders take arguably the best talent available at a huge position of need. Saint did a good job picking the right man for the Raiders.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers* (f/DET) - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
- Our first trade! Tampa gets the #2 pick in exchange for the #4 and the #64. Tampa definitely got the better end of the deal - JScott gave up far less than he should have for the right to move up, and still snagged the #1 player on my Big Board. Detroit didn't make out bad, though - see pick 4.

3. Cleveland Browns - Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
- After spending $49 million to bring in Eric Steinbach, Chris Pokorny still felt it prudent to address the O-Line in Cleveland. Leaving Adrian Peterson and Brady Quinn on the board, the Browns take Thomas and have a very legitimate left side of their O-Line.

4. Detroit Lions* (f/TB) - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
- Detroit came off nicely in their trade, despite giving up a little value in terms of draft picks. Sean Yuille moved down, got an extra pick and still came away with his top target in Adams. The Lions have the makings of one of the most feared defensive lines in the league with this pick.

5. Arizona Cardinals - Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
- This is, in my humble opinion, the first reach of the draft. To Jeff G's credit, he tried to trade down a few slots, but the trade market was slow at that point. Brown was the one player left who would help Arizona out the most - does this remind you of the Bills' pick of Whitner last season?

The draft rolls on with (hopefully) Washington and Minnesota choosing this evening. Tune in to Field Gulls to track all the action!

Roster Updates

With members of the Bills team weighing in this past week for the first round of OTAs, it was interesting to see how each individual player has spent their off-season. Many players have packed on additional weight, while a few have trimmed down. Here are some of the highlights:

- CB Jabari Greer, as promised, has packed on six additional pounds and now checks in at 175.

- Fellow CB Ashton Youboty has put on a bit as well, weighing in at 189 pounds. The guy is still a beanpole though.

- The team's defensive ends are slimming down. Aaron Schobel now weighs a mere 243 pounds, although it's likely he'll put back on about 10 before the regular season. Chris Kelsay and Ryan Denney have dropped as well, with Kelsay weighing 261 and Denney 264. Both players were listed at or near 270 last season. Schobel was listed in the 260s.

- With their switch to the NT position, John McCargo and Kyle Williams have both added some weight, and now check in at above 300 pounds. McCargo weighs 307; Williams weighs 306. As it stands now, those two will battle for playing time at the NT position, with Larry Tripplett and Darwin Walker splitting time at UT.

- Reserve LB Mario Haggan has added a lot of weight; he's up to 263. With the departure of London Fletcher and the team looking for size in its LB corps, Haggan may be positioning himself to make a run at the starting MLB spot.

- Another LB, Keith Ellison (above, right) is working to add weight as well. With the inside track at the starting WLB job, Ellison is now listed at 229 and would like to hit 230 by the start of training camp.

- Our offensive linemen are adding weight. Jason Peters added 12 pounds of muscle to jump to 340. Brad Butler, who was listed at 292 last year, now weighs in at 315. Terrance Pennington is up to 321, a slight increase as well. Heck, even the giant Langston Walker has ballooned, checking in at 366 (he might be asked to shed some of that if he's going to play RT). The Bills' lightest lineman is free agent addition Jason Whittle, who checked in at just 279 pounds.

- Buffalo's young safeties are looking physically fit. Donte Whitner checked in at 208 and, according to Chris Brown, has added a lot of muscle to his upper body. More impressive is the work done by Ko Simpson, who checks in at 202 and has also added muscle to his shoulders and back.

You know it's the off-season in Buffalo when you hear reports on weight fluctuations from their players. I can't wait for the draft. But it is nice to see that our players are working hard and preparing their bodies for the upcoming season.

Hats Off to Mr. Wilson

Tonight, I just wanted to touch on a recent article that appeared in The Buffalo News a couple days ago. The article, written by Allen Wilson, discusses Bills owner Ralph Wilson, Jr. (right) and his efforts for the league to reform its revenue-sharing plan. Below is an excerpt from the article:

"I'm certainly sympathetic to Ralph's situation in Buffalo," said Denver Broncos owner Patrick D. Bowlen. "From what I saw, he was pretty persuasive in, No. 1, keeping the team in Buffalo, and No. 2, having some better revenue-sharing agreements than we do. Ralph's been around since Day One. So I think what he had to say and his input was very important."

Nice to see our owner getting a little respect after the debacle of a year ago. If you recall, Wilson was one of just two owners (the other being Cincinnati's Mike Brown) that voted against the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Wilson's "no-vote" was met with strict criticism from a lot of members of the media, with some questioning the sanity of our 87-year-old owner.

"Ralph is one of our most respected owners, so you listen when he has something to say," Pittsburgh Steelers owner Daniel M. Rooney said. "He and his people were very much involved. He did a good job presenting his case."

Where was the respect a year ago? I guess that doesn't matter now, because Ralph is getting respect after getting the league's owners to agree to a new revenue-sharing plan (details provided in the article). By accomplishing that goal, Wilson has secured the long-term viability of his Bills franchise staying in Buffalo. Not bad for our "Golden Boy", eh?

Personally, I'm glad that Ralph took back some responsibility as President when Tom Donahoe was let go. Ralph cares about the city of Buffalo and its fans, and as long as he and Marv are around - as well as, as Allen Wilson says, Ralph's "people" - this franchise isn't going anywhere. I love my owner!

What's your opinion on Ralph as an owner? Do you love the old guy for keeping the team around, or can't you stand his so-called "cheapness"? Leave a comment below, I'd love to hear what everyone has to say.

SB Nation Mock Has Started
As I mentioned yesterday, I will be participating in a mock draft run by the vastly intelligent, very with-it NFL bloggers from SportsBlogs Nation. And, as promised, here is where that mock draft will be posted: head on over to Field Gulls, a fantastic Seattle Seahawks blog written by the ever-popular Shrug. This blog was chosen to host the draft because the Seahawks do not currently have a first-round pick.

My suggestion? Keep your eye on Field Gulls over the next two to three weeks - nowhere else will you find a mock draft where the "pickers" are as in-tune with their teams. The goal is to have this be the most accurate mock draft available on the Internet!

Prospect Profile: Paul Posluszny

My apologies for the "day off"; I assure you, I wasn't vacationing. Schoolwork caught up to me, but I have conquered it. I was also prepping for two mock drafts that I have been asked to take part in.

Speaking of those mock drafts...

Today I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to post on the Internet's best Chicago Bears blog, Windy City Gridiron. The head of that blog, WCG, asked me to participate in his site's second annual WCG Mock Draft. Today I posted who I thought the Bills would take after other members of his site made the first 11 picks.

For today's prospect profile, I will post what I wrote on Windy City Gridiron. According to that mock draft, with the 12th pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select...

12. Buffalo Bills (7-9): Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State

The Bills have three major needs with their first-round pick: LB (where Spikes and Fletcher no longer reside), CB (where the team has talent but is very young), and RB (to replace Willis McGahee). As exemplified last year with the selection of SS Donte Whitner at pick #8, the Bills are not a team that is afraid to reach a little bit to select a player that fits their team.

Posluszny is the perfect fit in Buffalo. He is versatile, having played both OLB and MLB in his time at Linebacker U. He is vastly intelligent, has great instincts and intangibles and his work ethic is fantastic. He is completely recovered from a 2005 knee injury, and his 4.65-second time in the 40 was better than most expected. He plays very well in coverage (a huge necessity for Buffalo's Tampa-2 scheme) and attacks and fills well against the run. His size is a concern for some, but size is not an issue in Buffalo's scheme (Keith Ellison only weighs 225). Most importantly, however, he gives the Bills options at who they can play at MLB - the team may not be totally sold on playing Angelo Crowell inside, and "Puz" gives the team two viable options for that position.

As for the other needs, there are some good value RB's in Rounds 2 and 3 and the Bills will employ a 2- or even 3-back scheme, so using a first round pick on Marshawn Lynch is tempting but not necessary. The team has 4 corners it plans on using at the moment (T. McGee, K. Thomas, A. Youboty, J. Greer), so a draft pick would not need to start right away. Posluszny makes the most sense for this team.

(as written on Windy City Gridiron) -- Check it out! It's a great blog that's very well-written!

Big Board Coming Pre-Draft
In preparation for my second mock draft with SportsBlogs Nation, where I will also be picking for the Bills (this time for 3 rounds), I am preparing a "Big Board" which lists my Top 100 prospects available in the draft. I literally just started working on it today, and I do not have plans to post it here or anywhere else while the Mock Draft is going on - don't want anyone finding my secret blueprints that, of course, are 100% accurate. Yes, that's a joke.

As far as pre-draft activities, I will continue my Prospect Profiles mixed with Bills news, Mock Drafts and the like until Draft Weekend. Stay tuned!

Announcement
Hopefully within the next few days, I will be making a big (at least for me) announcement about the future of this blog. Stay tuned for that announcement as well - you won't want to miss it!

Bills Acquire DT Walker for Spikes, Holcomb

In a much-anticipated move that has been discussed for a couple of days now, the Buffalo Bills have finally traded away their veteran dead cap space in LB Takeo Spikes and QB Kelly Holcomb. The two veterans will be playing in Philadelphia next season, where Spikes is expected to start at outside linebacker and Holcomb will compete with A.J. Feeley for the right to back up Donovan McNabb.

Meanwhile, the Bills acquired veteran DT Darwin Walker (right) in the deal, as well as a 2008 unconditional late-round pick. Marv Levy continues to make solid moves in the trade market - Walker is exactly the type of veteran run-stuffing presence that the team needs on the inside. Walker will likely push for a starting job along with Larry Tripplett, Kyle Williams and John McCargo. All four will see significant playing time next year. This move could spell the end of Tim Anderson's tenure in Buffalo.

Initial Reaction
I love this move. By moving the two veterans in Spikes and Holcomb, the Bills save about $6 million in cap room this year, which will help in signing their draft picks. They also get another veteran presence in the middle who is still relatively young (he'll be 30 in June) and can push youngsters McCargo and Williams. Yes, Walker has had injury problems, but his playoff experience could be invaluable on a young ballclub.

A lot of fans are going to be upset by this move. They'll see the name "Takeo Spikes" involved, say "Who's Darwin Walker?", and immediately be irate, claiming the Bills got ripped off. Believe me when I say that Levy made a good deal - quietly, he is finding quality individuals for this football team while giving young players such as J.P. Losman and Angelo Crowell the opportunity to step up as leaders. I love what's going on in Buffalo!

BuffaloBills.com story
Chris Brown's take

Sound Off!
What's your opinion on the Spikes/Holcomb for Walker trade? Boon or rip-off? Comment below, let's hear it people!

Bad Move, Willis

I'm going to take a pause from my Draft Profile series to do something I try hard not to do too often: RANT. Today's subject is quickly becoming the self-centered, loud-mouthed moron sidekick to King of Idiots Terrell Owens. Yes, Bills fans, I speak of the ever-popular Willis McGahee (right). No lie, he was once my favorite player. Now, let's just say that the feelings have changed slightly. Let the pissed-off adrenaline start seeping through your veins, and read on...

Willis McGahee is a Moron

"I couldn't wait to get out of there..." -- Willis McGahee

McGahee, in an interview with Rick Maese and Bill Ordine of the Baltimore Sun, made the above claim in regards to our favorite football franchise. We all sort of knew he felt that way, but it was what he said later on that really got my juices flowing...

"I've grown a whole lot," McGahee says. "It doesn't feel like it's been five years since college. Coming from Miami, I was used to partying, going out, just having something to do every night. Restaurants, whatever. Going to Buffalo, it was like hitting a brick wall. Like, 'Damn!' Can't go out, can't do nothing. There's an Applebee's, a TGI Friday's, and they just got a Dave & Buster's. They got that, and I'm like 'What the?' And you know, the women... it's no big city. You know what I did every day? I came home and played video games."

First of all: What about the women, Willis? You can't be referring to any of the women who take care of your illegitimate children - and I suppose he's not, since they're all from Florida. But are you even that picky, Willis? Your seed is spread so far that it's hard to believe you have a problem with any woman you encounter. Seriously can't believe he went there.

I didn't know it was that bad. Yet, I'm sitting here kicking myself for giving Willis the benefit of the doubt. "He doesn't think it's that bad," I'd tell myself. "He doesn't complain too much." It makes me sick to my stomach that Willis lead Bills fans to believe that he actually put forth any effort whatsoever in his time in Buffalo. Remember all of his aches and pains during games? His vomiting episodes? Who's to say that he wasn't just making it all up to sit on the sideline?

Willis produced enough in Buffalo to ensure that other teams would be interested in his services once he had the leverage to get out of Buffalo. When he achieved that level of play, he stopped caring - he danced in holes, rolled around in "agony" on occasion and didn't put forth the effort necessary to get this team to the playoffs. He did the minimal amount necessary. Levy and Jauron recognized it and moved his ass before it really started bothering the players.

Anyone want to complain about the trade now? To read the whole story, click on McGahee's picture above. I'll leave this section by giving you my favorite quote, and please feel free to comment about it below (link at bottom of post):

"I wasn't, I guess, a team leader. But if you aren't happy, you're just going to do your own job and don't worry about nothing else. They asked. But that isn't like me to be trying to get other grown men fired up. They know what they've got to do."

Baltimore's Spin
It cracks me up to read how Baltimore is putting a positive spin on his acquisition. The Baltimore media are using the typical defenses to protect their new star running back:

"He ran behind a bad offensive line."
"The fans in Buffalo didn't appreciate him."
"He was never happy in Buffalo."
"He just needs a fresh start in a new city."

Seriously, I'm considering starting a bet. How many games will it take for the Baltimore media to turn on their runner? Willis does not have much improvement along the line in Baltimore - the Ravens may lose Jonathan Ogden to retirement and they also released Edwin Mulitalo this off-season. Buffalo, meanwhile, fortified their offensive line and will be very much improved there.

Oh, but don't worry, Ravens fans - Willis can go out and party now. He'll be fine.

Bills/Ravens 2007 Tilt
Every Bills fan knows this, but it's worth repeating - the Buffalo Bills host the Baltimore Ravens at The Ralph in 2007. Willis McGahee is coming back to Buffalo. I can honestly say that if the NFL does not recognize the market potential here and make this a primetime game, they will hear it from a lot of people in the media, as well as irate fans.

Regardless of what time of day the game takes place, count on the Bills being jacked up. They're jacked up every game. But new defensive leaders such as Angelo Crowell and Donte Whitner will be out to make a statement that game. When the schedule comes out, mark your calendars with that date. Willis McGahee will meet his maker that day.

Prospect Profile: Amobi Okoye

Buffalo Bills Nation continues its look at top NFL Draft prospects today with highly touted defensive tackle Amobi Okoye. A large populace of Bills fans would like to see the team draft Okoye in an effort to shore up the team's shoddy run defense.

Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
Height: 6'2" Weight: 302 40-Time: 4.97 seconds Senior

STRENGTHS: Strength (no pun intended)
- Strongest defensive lineman available in this draft... Short and stocky, which combined with his strength makes him adept at penetrating... Good at shedding blocks... Great athlete whose timed speed is outstanding for the position... Fantastic instincts... Smart and mature for his age (19)... Potential is sky high and still has room to grow both as a player and physically.

WEAKNESSES: Leverage
- Sometimes does not play with the proper leverage and gets engulfed by big blockers... Still raw, especially as a pass rusher... Technique is sketchy and needs to be further developed... Closing burst is questionable.

NFL COMPARISON: Anthony McFarland, Indianapolis
- McFarland has long been a run-stuffing presence in Cover-2 schemes in Tampa Bay and last year in Indianapolis. McFarland is big, strong and is a bull - he is fantastic at clogging running lanes. Okoye is just as much of a bull as McFarland is, and once he fully develops as a pro, his potential is virtually unlimited.

DOES HE FIT THE "BILL"?: Yes.
- Okoye appears to be exactly the type of run-stuffing defensive tackle that the Bills need. His athleticism and speed/agility also make him a potential threat as a pass rusher once he develops those skills. Okoye would be a great fit in Buffalo, but two hurdles remain: 1) How willing is Marv Levy to spend a first-round pick on Okoye when he has a first-rounder last year invested in John McCargo? 2) Will Okoye be there when the Bills pick at 12?

BILLS NATION FINAL GRADE: 9.4 out of 10

LINKS
NFL Draft Countdown profile
CSTV profile
NFL Draft Scout profile
Football's Future profile
Okoye's Story - Yahoo! Sports

COMMENTS - Sound off! What is your opinion on Amobi Okoye? Is he worth the Bills' investment? Or is he overrated? Feel free to talk about Okoye by commenting!

Prospect Profile: Ben Patrick

Buffalo Bills Nation continues its look at top NFL Draft prospects today with small-school tight end Ben Patrick. A vastly underrated prospect, Patrick is just now beginning to receive national media attention as the draft draws nearer.

Ben Patrick, TE, Delaware
Height: 6'3" Weight: 252 40-Time: 4.74 seconds Senior

STRENGTHS: Hands
- Fluid athlete with great hands... Can make spectacular catches... Has solid bulk and works hard as a blocker... Very intelligent and has top intangibles... Solid when picking up yards after the catch... Runs good routes and knows how to get open... Versatile and can be lined up in several different ways.

WEAKNESSES: Assertiveness
- Is sometimes not as physical or aggressive as he could be... Can be overpowered by strong defensive linemen... Has average speed and is not as agile as some others at the tight end position... Put up better numbers against Div I-AA competition... May be slightly overrated due to the "small-school" buzz Delaware is generating for him.

NFL COMPARISON: Bubba Franks, Green Bay
- Franks has been a consistent performer for the Packers for a number of years. Franks doesn't light up the world with statistics, but he is a solid blocker and a pretty good red zone threat. Patrick has roughly the same build as Franks and is equally adept as a blocker, but he comes with a better set of hands.

DOES HE FIT THE "BILL"?: Yes.
- Patrick has the ability and the football smarts to become a solid starting tight end in the NFL. I really like his athleticism - despite his average speed, he makes plays. He has a lot to prove, however, going from DI-AA to the NFL. He could be a good performer for the Bills, but the demand for a tight end out of One Bills Drive is low.

BILLS NATION FINAL GRADE: 7.1 out of 10

LINKS
Short highlight video - Ben Patrick
NFL Draft Countdown profile
Sports Frog profile
NFL Draft Scout profile
Interview - Scott Wright
Interview - War Room Report

COMMENTS - Sound off! What is your opinion on Ben Patrick? Is he worth the Bills' investment? Or is he overrated? Feel free to talk about Patrick by commenting!

Prospect Profile: Jason Hill

Buffalo Bills Nation continues its look at top NFL Draft prospects today with wide receiver Jason Hill. A very productive college receiver, Hill is a first-day pick who could make an impact for the Bills.

Jason Hill, WR, Washington State
Height: 6'1" Weight: 204 40-Time: 4.32 seconds Senior

STRENGTHS: Production
- Very productive college receiver, scoring 32 touchdowns in is career... Good hand-eye coordination and body control... Can make all the catches... Very good athlete who ran faster at the Combine than everybody expected... Great instincts and is very adept at finding holes in zones... Has very good strength which will help him out when blocking... Has a nose for the end zone, where he is helped out by his great athleticism... Somewhat of an underrated prospect.

WEAKNESSES: Concentration
- Can sometimes lose focus and drop easy passes... Occasionally runs sloppy routes... Lacks explosiveness out of his cuts... Likely will struggle separating from NFL cornerbacks due to this lack of explosion... Needs to use his hands better to get out of jams... Lacks intensity as a blocker... Many scouts feel that his college production masks obvious flaws in his game, and thus think he is overrated.

NFL COMPARISON: Isaac Bruce, St. Louis
- Bruce is not the fastest wideout in the league, but he runs crisp routes, is a heady wideout and year after year produces above-average numbers. If Hill can lose his concentration problems and work on his agility, he has the ability to become every bit as effective as Bruce has been throughout his career.

DOES HE FIT THE "BILL"?: Yes.
- I say "yes" while still holding the theory that the Bills will not draft a wide receiver this year. The team has four wide receivers they use regularly on offense, and the chances that the team uses a Day 1 pick on the position are slim. I am a huge fan of Hill as a prospect, though, and feel that he would be a good addition to the team. It's not going to happen, but Hill is going to be a good receiver in this league for a long time.

BILLS NATION FINAL GRADE: 8.1 out of 10

LINKS
Senior Bowl highlights
NFL Draft Countdown profile
CSTV profile
Scout.com profile
NFL Draft Scout profile

COMMENTS - Sound off! What is your opinion on Jason Hill? Is he worth the Bills' investment? Or is he overrated? Feel free to talk about Hill by commenting!

Prospect Profile: Brian Leonard

Buffalo Bills Nation continues its look at top NFL Draft prospects today with another running back: Brian Leonard of Rutgers. Leonard is a bit different from the previous runners covered (Lynch, Pittman and Walker) because his natural position is fullback.

Brian Leonard, RB/FB, Rutgers
Height: 6'2" Weight: 226 40-Time: 4.52 seconds Senior

STRENGTHS: Versatility
- Great inside runner due to his size and strength... Very effective in pass protection... Outstanding receiver out of the backfield who has the size to overcome linebackers and the quicks to outrun some... Excellent attacking the edges of a defense from a fullback perspective... Toughest runner available in the draft outside of Adrian Peterson... Very instinctive player who is football smart... Versatile weapon who could be used at RB, FB, H-Back, tight end or even lined up in the slot as a wide receiver... Probably the most versatile weapon available in the draft, in terms of playing different positions well.

WEAKNESSES: Explosiveness
- A fullback by trade, Leonard does not have the explosive agility to make big plays... May not have a true pro position... Teams may overvalue him based solely on his versatility... Never carried a full rushing load in college... Likely will never be a starting running back in the NFL... Has a more limited upside than other runners available in this draft.

NFL COMPARISON: Sammy Morris, New England
- Leonard is a bit bigger and stronger than Morris is, but Morris has the same sort of versatility and plays a similar style to Leonard's. Leonard is a bit better of a receiver as well. Morris has made a career as a solid pass blocking, backup running back in the NFL.

DOES HE FIT THE "BILL"?: No.
- With the Bills switching to a two-back system, Leonard does not exactly fit the type of back that the Bills will seek to split time with Anthony Thomas. He has the versatility necessary to complement Thomas, but the Bills need to find a back who has a bit higher ceiling than Leonard does. Leonard has value, but not as the team's future starting running back.

BILLS NATION FINAL GRADE: 7.4 out of 10

LINKS
NFL Network Path to the Draft - Brian Leonard
NFL Draft Countdown profile
NFL Draft Scout profile
Football's Future profile
Scout.com profile

COMMENTS - Sound off! What is your opinion on Brian Leonard? Is he worth the Bills' investment? Or is he overrated? Feel free to talk about Leonard by commenting!

Prospect Profile: Darius Walker

Buffalo Bills Nation continues its look at top NFL Draft prospects today with another running back: Darius Walker of Notre Dame. The versatile back looks to have a diverse skill set that could help the Bills' offense in a few different ways.

Darius Walker, RB, Notre Dame
Height: 5'10" Weight: 206 40-Time: 4.55 seconds Junior

STRENGTHS: Receiving
- Very instinctual runner with solid balance and vision... Tougher than he appears and can bounce off of and break a few tackles... Highly productive in college and is experienced... Intelligent blocker who plays well in blitz pickup despite great size... Fantastic receiving threat with great hands and top-notch route-running ability from the RB position... Has played in a pro-style offense under Charlie Weis in college... Has kick and punt return ability, though he did not do much of that in college.

WEAKNESSES: Upside
- Timed speed is not great... Not very explosive and will not make many long (20+) runs... Does not have the size or make-up of a back who can carry the majority of a load... Will have more trouble hitting the edges of a defense than most believe... Upside is limited by his size and average speed.

NFL COMPARISON: Kevin Faulk, New England
- Faulk has always been the type of player who does everything well but nothing great. He plays the third-down role in New England, he returns punts, he blocks, he catches, he runs. What Faulk does for his team is make plays - little plays such as third down conversions, moving the chains, and being a team player. Walker projects as a player who can fit that role to the 'T', likely with a touch more explosiveness.

DOES HE FIT THE "BILL"?: No.
- Walker could be a good fit for the Bills due to his versatility, especially when it comes to his receiving skills. The Bills will be using a two-back approach, however, and the investment needed for Walker - at least for now - may be too much for the Bills to risk. If the team uses a Day 1 pick on a runner, they will likely seek a back who can carry a lot more of the workload than Walker can. If Walker slips to the early portion of Day 2, however, he could be a real solid value pick for Marv Levy.

BILLS NATION FINAL GRADE: 7.4 out of 10

LINKS
YouTube highlight video - Darius Walker
NFL Draft Countdown profile
CSTV profile
Scout.com profile
NFL Draft Scout profile

COMMENTS - Sound off! What is your opinion on Darius Walker? Is he worth the Bills' investment? Or is he overrated? Feel free to talk about Walker by commenting!

Prospect Profile: Antonio Pittman

Buffalo Bills Nation continues its look at top NFL Draft prospects today with another running back: Antonio Pittman of Ohio State. This is my favorite player of anyone in the draft - I believe that he is the back the Bills will target, likely in the second round. Read his scouting report below:

Antonio Pittman, RB, Ohio State
Height: 5'11" Weight: 207 40-Time: 4.4 seconds Junior

STRENGTHS: Patience
- Arguably the most patient runner in the draft... Very good balance... Great at setting up his blocks, and hits the hole with authority once they're set... Has outstanding time speed and doesn't lose any of it in pads... Tough runner that's hard to bring down despite lacking ideal bulk... Has soft hands and the ability to be a solid receiver out of the backfield... Can pound you inside or spread you outside on the edges of a defense... May be the most underrated prospect in this draft... Rumored to be a Bills fan when growing up.

WEAKNESSES: Durability
- May not be the ideal full-time starting candidate due to a lack of bulk... Raw when it comes to blitz pickup... Was not used much in the passing game, so he's very unproven there... May not be the most agile runner available, but can make up for it with football smarts... Lacks the big-time playmaking dimension that Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch enjoy, but can make big plays himself.

NFL COMPARISON: Dominic Rhodes, Oakland
- Pittman is slightly different from Rhodes in that he is a bit (and by bit, I really mean bit) bigger and has much better breakaway speed. But both backs are patient runners who are adequate receivers out of the backfield. The only difference between these two backs is that Pittman can take runs to the house more often, and can take more punishment. Sounds like a good deal to me.

DOES HE FIT THE "BILL"?: Yes.
- Pittman, like Marshawn Lynch, looks to have a skill set that effectively compliments current Bills runner Anthony Thomas. Pittman lacks the overall excellence that Lynch has, but his ceiling may be just as high as the California product's. Pittman would be the 1A to the 1 of Thomas for a season, but both backs could have big impacts on the offense working in a committee role. From my perspective, Pittman is the most sensible running back the Bills could select in this draft - it allows the team to focus on defense in Round 1 and still get a playmaker in their backfield.

BILLS NATION FINAL GRADE: 8.7 out of 10

LINKS
YouTube highlight video - Antonio Pittman
NFL Draft Countdown profile
NFL Draft Scout profile
CSTV Profile

COMMENT - Sound off! What is your opinion on Antonio Pittman? Is he worth the Bills' investment? Or is he overrated? Feel free to talk about Pittman by commenting!

Prospect Profile: Marshawn Lynch

Starting today at Buffalo Bills Nation, I will begin providing consolidated scouting reports for NFL Draft prospects that could be targets of the Buffalo Bills in the upcoming NFL Draft. Today's premiere prospect profile details California running back Marshawn Lynch.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
Height: 5'11" Weight: 218 40-Time: 4.46 seconds Junior

STRENGTHS: Big-Play Back
- Versatile player who has a wide variety of skills... One of the most explosive rushers in college football the past three years... Plays faster in pads than he times in drills... Has good size and runs with a lot of power... Able to run inside effectively, though by no means is he a "pile pusher"... Has a nose for the end zone... Great instincts and very adept at breaking tackles... Has the elusiveness to hit the edges and the necessary speed to break off long runs... A good receiver out of the backfield with the ability to get even better... Has worked as a slot receiver for coach Jeff Tedford... A pretty complete back with growth potential, Lynch has the look of becoming the centerpiece of an NFL offense.

WEAKNESSES: Durability
- Has never carried a completely full rushing load, splitting time with J.J. Arrington and Justin Forsett... Runs a bit high at times, which results in a lot of shoestring tackles at his ankles... Is not the most elusive player, with just above-average agility... Timed speed is good but not great... Needs to improve his route-running as a receiver... Unproven in terms of blitz pickup... Can be over-fancy at times, allowing defenders to catch up... Has had some problems with the law, although all charges against him were dropped... May not have as high a ceiling as some scouts believe.

NFL COMPARISON: Fred Taylor, Jacksonville
- Don't worry. Lynch is not that frail - he does not have as severe a durability issue as Taylor has dealt with his whole career. But their running styles are very similar, and both backs have similar explosiveness. Lynch is a young Fred Taylor in his prime without the vast injury history.

DOES HE FIT THE "BILL"? Yes.
- Any running back that the Bills add through the draft will undoubtedly be used in conjunction with current back Anthony Thomas. Lynch's skill set meshes with that of the A-Train's very well - Thomas is a steady back who prefers to run between the tackles and pick up positive yardage. Lynch is far more explosive and is much more effective hitting the edges of a defense. He also has more ability as a receiver. Lynch looks like an ideal compliment to Thomas, and he has the ability to carry the full load once Thomas' days in Buffalo are numbered.

BILLS NATION FINAL GRADE: 9.1 out of 10

LINKS
YouTube highlight video - Marshawn Lynch
NFL Draft Countdown profile
Football's Future profile
NFL Draft Showcase profile
NFL.com Profile
Scout.com Profile

COMMENT - Sound off! What is your opinion on Marshawn Lynch? Is he worth the Bills' investment? Or is he overrated? Feel free to talk about Lynch by commenting!

Mock Draft: Picks 29-32

Buffalo Bills Nation wraps up its first mock draft today with the final four selections of Round 1, 29-32. To read any of the previous seven installments in this series, please click on the links below:

1-4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-16, 17-20, 21-24, 25-28

The Baltimore Ravens are on the clock...

29. Baltimore Ravens (13-3): Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
- Last season, Baltimore exceeded a lot of people's expectations by finishing 13-3 and blowing away the competition in the AFC North. Then the playoffs came, where the Ravens were a huge disappointment, blowing home-field advantage in a divisional-round loss to the Colts. The team was hamstrung in that game by its apparent lack of any offense whatsoever. The team has emerging star Mark Clayton at wide receiver, but Derrick Mason is aging quickly and Clarence Moore is likely to receive offers from other teams as a restricted free agent. Dwayne Bowe (right) would have an opportunity to compete with second-year man Demetrius Williams for a starting job in Baltimore once Mason left. Bowe's big frame makes him an ideal possession receiver to complement Clayton, and would be a great weapon for Steve McNair.

30. San Diego Chargers (14-2): Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
- The absolute biggest disappointment of the 2006 season was San Diego's post-season performance. Following a 14-2 regular season, the Chargers had home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs and squandered it in a divisional-round loss to the Patriots. The loss led to the firing of Marty Schottenheimer, and the eventual hiring of Norv Turner as the team's head coach. Turner will likely look to revamp a passing attack that did not do much to take pressure off of league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson last season. Robert Meachem (left) gives the team a true #1 option at wide receiver, and his blazing speed complements the size and possession ability of youngster Vincent Jackson as well. This is an ideal fit for the Chargers, who could also target help at inside linebacker with this pick (David Harris of Michigan is a darkhorse pick here). Help is needed in the defensive backfield as well.

31. Chicago Bears (13-3): Greg Olsen, TE, Miami (FL)
- I'll just say this up front: I have the Bears taking Greg Olsen (right) because, by all accounts, Olsen is the top target of Lovie Smith and company. There is no way that the Bears take Olsen at pick 31, however - too many teams have a need at tight end that pick before Chicago, and Olsen's performance at the Scouting Combine was too stellar for him to fall this far. Olsen blazed a 4.51 40-yard dash, and his hands are as good as any wide receiver's. He is the ideal vertical threat at the tight end position and would team with Desmond Clark to give the Bears a very solid one-two punch at the position. In addition, Olsen has promise as a blocker and has room to add bulk to his spindly 254-pound frame. In the end, Olsen is the ideal pick for the Bears - he's a great dump-off option for Rex Grossman, has ability as a blocker and will provide a great red zone threat once Muhsin Muhammad hangs up his cleats.

32. Indianapolis Colts (12-4): Jon Beason, LB, Miami (FL)
- Defense is still the focus in Indianapolis, where a Super Bowl XLI Championship masked a historically bad defensive effort by Tony Dungy's '06 team. Linebacker is easily the biggest problem area at the moment, where Cato June has left for Tampa Bay and Rob Morris is on the wrong side of 30. Jon Beason (left) is exactly the type of athletic, attacking linebacker that thrives in the Cover-2 scheme, and if he survives this long in the first round he will become the newest member of the Colts' defense in a heartbeat. The team could also target running back to replace Dominic Rhodes, but with Joseph Addai on board can wait until a later round to do so.

That's a wrap on the installments of Buffalo Bills Nation's first mock draft. Check back in tomorrow for a full recap.

Coming up Next at Bills Nation: Prospect Bios! With the NFL Draft a little more than a month away, much of the coverage on Bills Nation will be in regards to prospect bios on potential Bills draft picks. Check back tomorrow for the first player, California RB Marshawn Lynch.

Mock Draft: Picks 25-28

Buffalo Bills Nation's first mock draft continues today with selections 25 through 28. To view any of the previous installments of this mock draft, please click on the links below:

Picks 1-4, Picks 5-8, Picks 9-12, Picks 13-16, Picks 17-20, Picks 21-24

The New York Jets are on the clock...

25. New York Jets (10-6): Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
- Even after an above-average finish in '06, coach Eric Mangini has a lot of holes to fill on his New York Jets ballclub. The team made a big move this off-season acquiring RB Thomas Jones from Chicago - his presence immediately improves the offense exponentially. With that in mind, defense should be Mangini's focus with this pick. Cornerback is an especially dicey position, where Andre Dyson is a fine starter but Justin Miller struggled terribly in his second year on the job. Aaron Ross (right) does not have superb speed and may slide a little, but he was good enough as a senior to win the Thorpe Award. Ross fills a big need in the Jets' secondary and despite the fact that he's not as fast as some of his fellow corners, he still presents the best value to the Jets with this pick.

26. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6): Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State
- Two days ago, coach Andy Reid would have been deciding between two positions for this pick: wide receiver and linebacker. Then the team signed Kevin Curtis, who is expected to start at wideout alongside Reggie Brown. That leaves Lawrence Timmons (left) to fill the team's need at outside linebacker. Timmons is still a bit raw, but his athleticism is unmatched and he has the blitzing versatility to be the perfect fit in Philly's blitz-happy defensive scheme. If the team deems wide receiver to still be a need, Dwayne Bowe would be an excellent value pick here.

27. New Orleans Saints (10-6): Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State
- It's no secret that of any position on the Saints' roster, corner is the biggest need. Sean Payton will not hesitate to reach a bit for a corner here if necessary. Marcus McCauley (right) is not even close to a reach. One of the better athletes at the corner position this year, McCauley is a sure-fire first round talent and immediately gives the Saints a starter opposite Mike McKenzie. If the team decides to wait on corner, however, Miami tight end Greg Olsen would be an extremely intriguing choice, as he would give Drew Brees yet another explosive weapon on offense.

28. New England Patriots (12-4): Anthony Spencer, DE, Purdue
- After already filling their need at cornerback with their first first-round selection, the Patriots have a lot of options with their second pick. Brian Leonard has recently emerged as a favorite here - the Patriots love his versatility and his ability to complement Laurence Maroney. But with Sammy Morris on board, the team has a great shot at finding the next great outside pass rusher for their team. Adalius Thomas and Rosevelt Colvin are not young by any means, and Tully Banta-Cain left for San Francisco. Anthony Spencer (left) was a playmaking defensive end at Purdue, but his size (261 pounds) has left scouts wondering what his true pro position is. Spencer is easily the best pass-rusher left in the draft, and his athleticism would make him a good 3-4 outside linebacker for New England.

The final four picks (29-32) of this mock draft will appear here tomorrow morning. Find out how the first round comes to a close!

Mock Draft: Picks 21-24

Buffalo Bills Nation's first Mock Draft continues today with selections 21 through 24. To view any of the previous installments in this mock draft, please click on the links below:

Picks 1-4, Picks 5-8, Picks 9-12, Picks 13-16, Picks 17-20

The Denver Broncos are on the clock...

21. Denver Broncos (9-7): Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
- After one of the busiest off-seasons in recent memory out in Denver, the Broncos are left with two glaring needs: offensive tackle (where George Foster's trade to Detroit leaves a large starting hole) and defensive end (where the team lacks a difference-maker and has missed out on players such as John Abraham and Patrick Kerney). Levi Brown (right) fills the bigger of those two holes - he is a very experienced, hard-nosed tackle who would instantly lock down the starting job at right tackle in Denver. With Travis Henry and Mike Bell splitting carries, the pressure is on for coach Mike Shanahan to give his runners better blocking - Foster himself was often in Shanahan's doghouse. Brown represents the best value of anyone on the board as well.

22. Dallas Cowboys (9-7): Michael Griffin, S, Texas
- It is obvious to anyone who even casually watches the Cowboys that their most glaring weakness - especially at the tail end of the '06 season - was their inability to stop opponents' passing attacks. Roy Williams is a very good safety, but his coverage skills are not high quality. The team has some good players at cornerback, but they are not helped out by the team's weak play at free safety. Dallas likes second-year man Pat Watkins, but it remains to be seen if he is a difference maker at the position. Michael Griffin (left) certainly is. Griffin is right up there with LaRon Landry in terms of coverage skills at the safety position, and he is a huge hitter as well. He is the perfect complement for Williams in Dallas' defensive backfield, and is the most logical selection for new head coach Wade Phillips - he needs more big plays for his defense if the Cowboys are to become true contenders in the NFC.

23. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7): Justin Blalock, OG, Texas
- Kansas City's pick is one of the most difficult to forecast of any of the teams picking in the first round. The team has several glaring needs, including wide receiver (where Eddie Kennison remains the top target but is aging very rapidly), offensive line (where age is a huge concern and free agent defections have left holes), defensive line (where the team desperately needs a playmaker to complement Jared Allen), and defensive back (where Ty Law and Patrick Surtain are steady, but depth is poor). Justin Blalock (right) is a player whose versatility will help him in the Chiefs' eyes. Blalock projects as a guard at the NFL level, but he spent his entire career as a tackle with the Longhorns. He is a monster in the run game, and he is athletic enough to become a very steady pass blocker at the tackle position as well. The Chiefs are still trying to replace Willie Roaf at left tackle and eventually Will Shields at right guard. Blalock's versatility gives coach Herman Edwards a few more options along the line, and he represents a very high value to the Chiefs.

24. New England Patriots (f/SEA): Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
- Let's just say it's strange to see the Patriots pull their best Redskins impression this off-season. After years of flying under the free agent radar, the Pats have spent millions this off-season to add Adalius Thomas, Wes Welker, Donte' Stallworth, Kelley Washington, Sammy Morris and Kyle Brady. With the majority of that attention going to help Tom Brady on offense, it's fairly obvious that the Patriots are thinking defense with their draft picks. The team put their franchise tag on CB Asante Samuel this off-season, but recent news has Samuel being very unhappy with the decision and threatening to hold out of off-season programs. With that unsettled situation at corner, the perfect pick at this juncture for Bill Belichick would be Darrelle Revis (left) of Pittsburgh. Revis is a smart, aggressive, physical corner with solid ball skills and phenomenal tackling skills for his position. He is probably a better fit in a Zone-based defensive scheme, but Belichick runs so many looks that he can make any player fit into his system. The team could also look for a safety, but with the top three prospects off the board at this point, Revis easily makes the most sense. Linebacker will be addressed with the second pick.

Picks 25-28 come tomorrow - just two more days of Mock Draft action! (Until April, that is...)

Mock Draft: Picks 17-20

Buffalo Bills Nation's first mock draft continues today with the fifth installment, picks 17-20. To see any of the previous four installments, please click the links below:

Picks 1-4, Picks 5-8, Picks 9-12, Picks 13-16

The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock...

17. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8): Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
- It has been a relatively quiet off-season in Jacksonville. The team has signed a couple of free agents in OT Tony Pashos and WR Dennis Northcutt, who should fit in nicely under coach Jack Del Rio. One big loss was S Deon Grant, who left for greener pastures in Seattle and left a gaping hole at safety. Donovin Darius is still around, but has battled injuries the past few years. Reggie Nelson (right) would give the team a playmaker with this pick and would give the Jaguars a pair of talented young safeties (Gerald Sensabaugh being the other).

18. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8): Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
- Predicting who the Bengals will take is tricky business. I'm nearly positive it's going to be a defender - the team has a solid nucleus on offense, though it may take a guard high after losing Eric Steinbach in free agency. The team has needs on defense, though - they would like to get a pass-rush presence along the line, a linebacker to replace the departed Brian Simmons and secondary help to go alongside youngsters Johnathan Joseph and Madieu Williams, as well as veteran Dexter Jackson. Depth at cornerback is especially thin, where Tory James and Deltha O'Neal are coming off horrendous seasons. Chris Houston (left) is a terrific athlete with blazing speed, and his superb workouts at the Combine have him climbing draft boards quickly. He could be gone before 18, but rest assured that he would be an ideal fit in Cincinnati. The ony limit on Houston's potential is his size - Houston stands at 5'10" and 185 pounds.

19. Tennessee Titans (8-8): Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State
- The Vince Young Era began with a flourish last season in Tennessee. Young took over as the starting quarterback after an 0-3 start, lost his first two contests to drop his team to 0-5, and them promptly won 8 of his next 11 starts to get the Titans back to 8-8. The Titans have hurt Young's potential growth this off-season, however, allowing RB Travis Henry and WR Drew Bennett to leave. If Young is to continue his maturity as a pro quarterback next season, the team will need to bring in a few more weapons for the young signal caller. Ted Ginn Jr. (right) probably has the most upside of any prospect in this draft, but he is extremely raw as a receiver. While he learns the nuances of the position there, he will immediately provide a boost in the kick and punt return units, where he has Devin Hester-type potential. The team's previous returner, Pac-Man Jones, may or may not be back with the team, so Ginn has extra value there as well.

20. New York Giants (8-8): Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State
- Let's face it: this is a make-or-break year for Tom Coughlin. It is pretty much the last year of his deal - if he does not have wild success with this team, he will not be back to coach the Giants in 2008. Therefore, the team will likely look for the highest-impact player it can find here - the team needs as many difference-makers as possible. New York released both of its starting outside linebackers, LaVar Arrington and Carlos Emmons, prior to the start of free agency. Paul Posluszny (left) seems to be the ideal replacement for one of those starting positions. With top-flight intangibles, fierce tenacity and the type of athleticism that makes him a good fit in any defensive system, Posluszny would be an immediate starter in New York. He also puts his team first and is a great leader, something that Coughlin is not used to from his linebackers - Arrington was never exactly a "team first" type of player.

Picks 21-24 come tomorrow - where will Levi Brown land? How about Lawrence Timmons? Stay tuned...

Mock Draft: Picks 13-16

Buffalo Bills Nation's first Mock Draft continues today with picks 13-16. To see any of the three previous installments, please click the links below:

Picks 1-4
Picks 5-8
Picks 9-12

The St. Louis Rams are on the clock...

13. St. Louis Rams (8-8): Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
- The Rams have spent a lot of money this off-season improving the talent at their offensive skill positions, signing players like WR Drew Bennett, TE Randy McMichael and RB Travis Minor. Perhaps the teams' biggest problem, however, is its lack of a pass rush - the team acquired DE James Hall from Detroit, but he was never very effective there. The team needs a versatile presence who can provide a pass rush from the edge as well as inside. Adam Carriker (above, right) has the ability to play both tackle and end in any scheme and would give the Rams the versatile line presence they sorely need.

14. Carolina Panthers (8-8): Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
- For having one of the game's most explosive wideouts in Steve Smith, Carolina's pass offense was awful in 2006. Jake Delhomme threw for just 2,805 yards, getting outstripped by players such as Tony Romo (who was on the bench to start the season in Dallas) and Alex Smith. Keyshawn Johnson was a letdown as the much-hyped #2 receiver last season and could be released. Even if he remains with the team, he is very near the end of his career. The team has a solid foundation on defense, so the only other position they could look at here is offensive line. Dwayne Jarrett (left), however, is just too good of a football player for the Panthers to pass up at this point. Jarrett has great size, adequate speed and his athleticism and body control are just short of Calvin Johnson-like status. He is the ideal possession-type compliment to Smith who also has the explosiveness to become a huge threat himself. Smith will turn 28 in May and while he is absolutely still in his prime, he is susceptible to injury and it is unknown how long he will be able to play. In the event Smith leaves early, Jarrett certainly has the ability to take over as the team's #1 down the line.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8): Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
- Blessed with the highest level of consistency the NFL has ever seen, this has been a strange off-season in Pittsburgh. Mike Tomlin replaces Bill Cowher as head coach, and team leader Joey Porter was released prior to the start of free agency. Porter has since signed with the Dolphins. Cowher ran a 3-4 defense for nearly two decades in Pittsburgh, but Tomlin is a student of the Cover-2 system being widely used in the NFL. Which ever system the Steelers use, Jarvis Moss (right) fits that system. The Steelers lost a huge pass rushing presence with the exodus of Porter and they need to reclaim it as quickly as possible. Moss would play outside linebacker in a 3-4, where his size and athleticism would make him a terrorizing pass-rushing threat. Moss can also be a fantastic edge rusher as an end in a Cover-2 scheme. Whatever way the Steelers decide to point their franchise, Moss fits the bill for this team.

16. Green Bay Packers (8-8): Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
- At this point in time, there is a gaping hole on the Packers' roster, and it was left there by RB Ahman Green. Green signed with the Texans this off-season, leaving the Packers without a bonafide starting running back. The team has other needs, but no rookie would have a bigger impact in Lambeau than Marshawn Lynch (left). There is a lot of upside when discussing Lynch - he has great size for a runner, has more-than-adequate speed, is very tough to bring down and has the potential to become a good receiver out of the backfield as well. There are, however, downsides - he has some character flaws, has never been the most durable of backs and does not have the breakaway speed or shiftiness of the league's elite backs. I'm guessing that any team interested in Randy Moss will look past character issues, and Lynch's upside far outweighs his drawbacks. This is the ideal pick for Packers GM Ted Thompson, and unless Lynch goes higher (possibly to the Bills?), this appears to be a sealed deal.

Jacksonville, Cincinnati, Tennessee and the New York Giants pick tomorrow!