2008 NFL Draft Preview: Buffalo Bills' Wishlist
The Bills played above expectations in 2007, but that still left them at 7-9 and out of the playoffs. Trent Edwards, Marshawn Lynch and Lee Evans need help on offense. The defense lacks play makers across the board. This is the draft to fill those holes. The 2007 season was one of runs - the Bills started 1-4, then won 4 straight, and finished 2-5. A win against Washington was the only one against a winning team. Buffalo nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season - losing to Dallas on Monday Night Football 25-24 after leading in the 4th quarter. The defense was 31st in the NFL (yards) and 30th passing the ball on offense.
Trent Edwards appears to have the support of the franchise moving towards 2008 and beyond. That's the most important thing for any NFL team - do you have a clear-cut #1 quarterback? If not, you better go get one. The major needs for Buffalo in the 2007 off-season are offensive line, cornerback, defensive tackle and linebacker. Luckily, most of those positions are stocked with deep talent in the 2008 NFL draft.
With the #11 pick in the 1st-round, Buffalo will be able to look at Ryan Clady and Jeff Otah, both powerful offensive tackles. The Bills could also look at a couple top-notch cornerbacks in Mike Jenkins (South Florida) and Antoine Cason (Arizona). You win NFL games in the trenches, so expect the Bills to grab the best lineman on the board at #11.
In the 2nd and 3rd rounds, Buffalo can continue to improve their lines. Gosder Cherilus (Boston College) and Nick Carls (Nebraska) are prototypical tackles that will likely be on the board when Buffalo is on the clock in round 2. Also on the board could be Branden Allen (guard from Virginia), Shawn Crable (Michigan linebacker) and Vince Hall (linebacker from Virginia Tech). Allen is a beast on the interior of an offensive line. Crable and Hall both have lots of college experience against top competition - Crable a little better against the run, Hall against the pass.
Sleepers for Buffalo later in the draft include: Adam Kraus (Michigan guard), Barry Richardson (Clemson tackle) and Matt Spanos (USC center). The Bills would be on the road to a complete offense with two or three solid offensive linemen in the 2008 draft. Trent Edwards and Marshawn Lynch would send the personnel department a Thank You card the very next day.
The Bills are a tough team that can play close games - talent can get you over the edge. With Trent Edwards having more experience and a couple new faces on defense, Buffalo can challenge for a playoff spot in 2008.
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