Buffalo Bills Draft

Buffalo Bills With Questions to Answer This Offseason

Dan Hope — Sat, 25 May 2013 19:51:54 +0000

Marcus Easley has to prove he can get healthy and make plays on the field to make the Bills’ 53-man roster this season. (Photo: USA Today Sports Images)

BBD Staff Writer: Joseph Curtis

It’s a new season. Every team is 0-0, hoping to make the playoffs and ultimately hoping to win the Super Bowl.

Organized team activities are underway which means a fresh start for players. Players have the opportunity to atone for what they have or haven’t done in their careers.

The Buffalo Bills have a young, talented roster. While every player will have to prove themselves worthy of a Week 1 roster spot, several have major questions looming over them.

EJ Manuel: Was he worth it?

As the only quarterback to go in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, EJ Manuel will be scrutinized heavily over the next few seasons.

Manuel is competing to be the opening day starter for the Bills.

“He does have the work ethic and the leadership qualities that he’ll have a chance. But we believe competition brings out the best in everybody,” Bills general manager Doug Whaley said during an interview on NFL Network.

Bills offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said Manuel still has much to learn.

“He’s a young man that’s got to work on a lot of things from footwork to progressions to plays to formations, everything,” Hackett told BuffaloBills.com Tuesday. “Defenses in the NFL are obviously a little different. He’s got to work on that too. He’s got to work on everything.”

Even if Manuel doesn’t start week one, it’s likely he will start at some point this season. Since 2003, 26 of 31 quarterbacks selected in the first round started a game their rookie season, according to Pro Football Reference.

While it is far too early to judge whether Manuel will be a bust or not, especially without even throwing an NFL pass, he will need to make the most of his opportunities this season to show the Bills’ investment in him was worth it.

If his performance this season is lackluster and the Bills do poorly, fans may give up on Manuel early. If they are picking early in the 2014 draft, another quarterback may even be a possibility.

To adequately answer whether Manuel was worth a first-round pick will take time, more than just this season. This question will loom over him until he can prove he was worth being the top quarterback in this draft.

Marcus Easley: Can he stay healthy?

If you took two kick returns for 75 yards away from his statistics, it would look like Marcus Easley never played in the NFL.

Those two returns, and five special teams tackles, are the only stats Easley amassed in the three games he appeared in last season. Those three games are the only games he has played since being the Bills’ fourth-round pick in 2010.

He has an excellent blend of size (6’2”, 217) and speed (4.46 40-yard dash time at 2010 NFL Scouting Combine), but health issues have kept him off the field.

Easley’s first training camp ended early after suffering a knee injury. The Bills placed him on injured reserve.

Easley returned in 2011 with a chance at earning the No. 2 receiver job. Only a few days before the season opener, a health scare during practice led to him being diagnosed with a heart condition. Once again, the Bills placed him on the IR.

After being cleared by doctors, Easley returned for 2012. The Bills cut him but later signed him to the practice squad, then elevated him back to the active roster on Nov. 6.

Former Bills Head Coach Chan Gailey praised Easley’s hard work and success on the practice squad.

“He’s played extremely well on the scout team,” Gailey told CBSSports.com. “He deserves an opportunity to come up and see what he might be able to do.”

Easley ultimately got his chance week 13 against Jacksonville, and returned a kickoff for 55 yards. He also played in Week 15 versus the Seattle Seahawks and Week 17 versus the New York Jets.

He may have a more difficult time earning that opportunity this season though. The Bills drafted wide receivers Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin and added undrafted free agents Brandon Kaufman and Da’Rick Rogers.

Buddy Nix, former Bills General Manager, was a big supporter of Easley and his abilities.

“We are all excited about Marcus Easley,” Nix said at the Bills’ pre-draft luncheon, according to a BuffaloBills.com transcript. “I say, ‘We all,’ I am. Marcus Easley being healthy for a year. This guy, if you want to draw one up, draw him up. He is 227 pounds and can run.”

However, Nix is now gone and Doug Whaley is now the GM. Easley will need to be completely healthy and showcase the abilities that Nix praised to impress Bills management and earn a spot in a crowded receiving corps.

How Scott Chandler’s Progress Affects the Bills’ Tight End Depth Chart

Eric Samulski — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:23:31 +0000

Making a quick recovery from a torn ACL, Scott Chandler is the favorite to remain atop the Buffalo Bills’ tight end depth chart. (Photo: USA Today Sports Images)

BBD Staff Writer: Eric Samulski

With the recent BuffaloBills.com report that tight end Scott Chandler was recovering quicker than expected from offseason ACL surgery, the team’s tight end situation got a little more confusing.

Already an average position in terms of talent before Chandler went down in week 15, the Bills entered the offseason with many questions to answer. They added one tight end in the draft and signed another off waivers, but nobody had yet risen to the top of the heap in the young offseason. With Chandler potentially back for Week 1, he may be able to walk right back into the starting job. However, there are some other names fighting for playing time and a roster spot to keep an eye on.

Let’s take a closer look at the current competitors, ranked from most likely to least likely to make the Bills’ final 53-man roster.

1. Scott Chandler

The Bills’ starting tight end for the past two seasons, Chandler was enjoying a career year before blowing out his knee in Week 16 against Miami. At 6’7” and 260 pounds, Chandler is a big target that has come up huge in the red zone, catching six touchdowns in each of the past two seasons.

Still, despite his relative success under the previous regime and his impressive size, Chandler is not without his flaws. He’s a bit of a lumbering athlete and doesn’t get consistent yards after the catch. He’s also an average in-line blocker who possesses inconsistent hands. In a fast-paced, vertical offense like the one Marrone is trying to put in, Chandler may not be the best fit outside of the red zone. However, his value there cannot be overstated and his overall success over the past two years make him a near sure thing to make the roster if healthy.

2. Chris Gragg

One of two new additions to the Bills’ tight end rotation, Gragg is a seventh-round pick out of Arkansas who blew up the combine this past March. He was the top performer in the tight end class in the 40-yard dash (4.5 seconds), vertical jump (37.5 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, 5 inches), and tied for third in the three-cone drill (7.08 seconds).

Gragg pairs his impressive athleticism with a 6’3”, 245-pound frame. His body type has him labeled as an H-back and frequently compared to Aaron Hernandez. It’s a comparison that Gragg, and most Bills fans, welcome.

On the field, however, Gragg has been inconsistent. His best season was as a junior when he caught 41 passes for 518 yards and two touchdowns. He was having a solid season as a senior, hauling in 22 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns in five games before a knee injury ended his season.

The fact that he was still able to post those combine numbers proves that the knee injury is behind him, but many Bills fans are unsure what Gragg will actually bring in terms of football skills. His open-field ability and sure hands make him a good fit as a move tight end in Marrone’s offense, and Gragg can cause mismatches against linebackers, safeties and inside corners. All of that seems to imply that the tools are there for Gragg to have success, but whether he does is dependent on how he is used by the Bills’ new staff.

3. Lee Smith

At 6’6” and 265 pounds, Smith is the heaviest and second-tallest tight end on the Bills roster, and was considered a potential left tackle conversion prospect when he was coming out of Marshall. After being drafted by the Patriots, the Bills signed Smith off waivers in September of 2011.

He doesn’t offer much in the passing game, although he caught two touchdowns for the Bills last season, but he’s an elite blocking tight end who can often act as a sixth lineman. With both Chandler and Gragg being far more important in the passing game, the Bills are likely to keep one tight end who will not be asked to do much more than block. Smith seems to be the early favorite to fill that role.

Grading the Buffalo Bills’ 2010 Draft: Alex Carrington

Ryan Talbot — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:40:51 +0000

2010 third-round pick Alex Carrington has emerged as a “secret superstar” for the Buffalo Bills. (Photo: USA Today Sports Images)

BBD Staff Writer: Ryan Talbot

The third installment of Buffalo Bills Draft’s look back at the 2010 NFL Draft analyzes Alex Carrington, Buffalo’s third-round pick, who earned the nickname “Megahand” in 2012.

Round 3, Pick 72: Alex Carrington, DT/DE, Arkansas State

In Round 3 of the 2010 NFL draft, the Bills continued selecting defensive players that would fit into the 3-4 defense they were converting to at the time. They selected Alex Carrington, a Sun Belt standout from Arkansas State.

Back in 2010, I was not as involved in the draft as I am now. Truly I didn’t know much about Carrington, but many people considered him to be a raw prospect. I’m all for developing talent, but my mindset has always been that your first three picks should be instant contributors.

NFL.com had the following to say in their pre-draft overview of Carrington:

A fifth-year senior, Carrington put two excellent seasons together to cap his career with the Arkansas State defense. He has a good combination of size, strength and speed for an interior defensive lineman. He doesn’t have great lateral quickness or agility to come off the edge as a 4-3 end but is well suited for a five-technique in 3-4 scheme. He is best at the point of attack, anchoring versus the run, and is effective pushing the pocket as a bull rusher. He has a decent feel for blocking schemes and restricting running lanes when using proper pad level and hand use. Carrington is inconsistent to shed blockers and get to the pile but has the natural arm strength and power to improve in this area. He is a good tackler in a restricted area but lacks great burst and range out of the tackle box. Carrington has the measurables and raw talent to vie for a starting position after his second or third season in the league.

Carrington had a strong career for the Red Wolves. At Arkansas State, Carrington was a three-time all-Sun Belt selection.

His best season came in 2008, his junior season, when he was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year. He finished the season with 53 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss.

In his senior season, Carrington saw drops in tackles, sacks and tackles for loss, but was still quite impressive. He finished his senior season with 41 tackles, nine sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss.

He finished his collegiate career with 146 tackles, 94 solo, 21.5 sacks and 40.5 tackles for loss.

What the Draft Analysts Said Following the 2010 NFL Draft

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com gave the Carrington pick a C:

He is a raw player from a small school, but a lot of scouts think this kid can develop into a quality end. He will play a 3-4 style, which he has the size to do.

Mel Kiper Jr. felt that Carrington was a reach (ESPN Insider Subscription Needed):

Alex Carrington, who could get backup duty, is another slight reach in the third round.

Over at FOXSports.com, John Czarnecki thought Carrington was a nice fit in Buffalo’s 3-4 defense:

Arkansas State DE Alex Carrington should fit ideally into the 3-4 scheme.

Buffalo Bills Career:

Carrington has seen the field quite a bit during his three seasons in Buffalo. He has played in 41 games, starting six, in three seasons. During this time he has 43 total tackles (29 solo), four sacks, six passes defended and one forced fumble.

When looking at Carrington’s play, it’s encouraging to see him becoming a better player with each passing season. In 2012, Carrington had career highs in tackles (19), sacks (2), passes defended (3) and forced fumbles (1).

Carrington’s strongest play came when opposing teams lined up for field goals or extra points. During the 2012 season, Carrington blocked three field goal kicks, tying Bills legend Bruce Smith’s total from 1996. He also added a blocked extra point. The four blocked kicks set a franchise record, though such records have only been kept since 1988.

Stevie Johnson dubbed Carrington as “Megahand” after he blocked a field goal attempt against the Cardinals in Week 6. (Carrington’s hands were measured at 10 1/2 inches at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine).

Pro Football Focus’ Secret Superstar

Recently, Pro Football Focus named Carrington as the Bills’ Secret Superstar for 2013.

Carrington finished 2012 with PFF’s highest grade (subscription required) for a special teams player (+6.0).

However, the article notes that Carrington, who moved to defensive tackle as the Bills converted to a 4-3 defense last season, also played very well on defense:

Carrington’s breakout season wasn’t confined to special teams. He earned a +8.7 overall grade on defense, with only three negatively-graded games. He averaged a pressure every 10 pass rushes, and his 7.8 PRP tied for the 10th-highest mark of any DT. Though he still graded negatively versus the run, he improved upon his 2011 performance and had some bright spots, like a defensive stop on 4th-and-1 in his final game of the season.

Carrington has looked strong in OTA’s, according to BuffaloBills.com, and looks ready to take another step forward in his career.

One area where Carrington needs to improve is against the run, but he started to show improvement at the end of the 2012 season.

Carrington won’t start for the Bills in 2013, but expect to see him get plenty of playing time as a rotational player. If Carrington continues to improve as a player, the Bills will find ways to get him on the field.

Final Grade: C+

Previous 2010 NFL Draft Grades:

C.J. Spiller, RB

Torell Troup, DT

2014 NFL Draft Prospect to Watch: Tennessee DT Daniel McCullers

Joe Marino — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:22:32 +0000

BBD Staff Writer: Joe Marino

There was quite the buzz about defensive tackle Daniel McCullers when he signed with the University of Tennessee after playing junior college football at Georgia Military College. It’s been rumored that McCullers is one of the largest men to ever wear a Volunteer uniform. He’s known to have weighed as much as 400 pounds, but is listed anywhere between 360 and 380 pounds while standing 6’8″, according to Tennessee’s official website.

McCullers finished his first year at Tennessee with 39 tackles, 5.5 for loss and one sack. Those are solid numbers for a guy who is asked to occupy blockers and allow linebackers to run and make plays. The 2013 season will be pivotal in figuring out if McCullers is worthy of a first-round selection in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Why You Should Watch McCullers

McCullers is a mountain of a man, and he seems immovable at times. He is a true two-gap player who projects as a nose tackle in a 3-4 defensive alignment. He takes on and commands double teams.

McCullers had a particularly strong showing against Alabama in 2012, when he faced Chance Warmack and Barret Jones.

McCullers is able to get strong penetration up the middle and push the pocket. He is an excellent bull rusher who can bring pressure on passing downs. His combination of push and height causes the quarterback to alter throws on a regular basis.

McCullers has a great overall feel for stopping the run. He can effectively read opposing linemen and fight pressure with pressure. He is not only large in stature, but his overall strength allows him to control the line of scrimmage. He really knows how to stay in his run fits.

Even at his size, McCullers has great movement skills and isn’t someone who you can criticize for taking plays off. He runs to the football on every down and has made some tackles down the field that you wouldn’t expect from a 360-pounder.

McCullers does a great job squeezing down when his lineman blocks down. He does not allow his opponent to cross his face.

What McCullers Needs to Prove in 2013

McCullers needs to play with better overall pad level, especially for his height. He has a tendency to stand straight up when the ball is snapped.

When playing the 3-technique position, he doesn’t always handle down blocks from the tackle well. Better awareness in this area would help.

McCullers has only played in 12 games with seven starts, as last year was his first season in the non-JUCO ranks. He needs to put together another solid year of production to solidify his draft stock.

While McCullers is an excellent bull rusher, he has no other pass rush moves. He gets great penetration but doesn’t have real ability to shed and make plays. His only sack came in the season finale against Kentucky.

Overall, it would be great to see McCullers make more plays in the backfield. Film shows he is often in position to make plays, but needs to improve his ability to shed blockers to increase his tackles for loss numbers.

With players as large as McCullers, you always have to be concerned about weight. I’d like him to get down to the 330-340 pound range and stay there.

Projecting McCullers’ Draft Stock

If you’re a 3-4 team in need of a nose tackle, McCullers is your guy in the 2014 NFL draft. I don’t think playing in the 4-3 is out of the question, but I prefer more athleticism for a defensive tackle in that scheme.

McCullers is a player who scouts will pay close attention to in his second year at Tennessee. He projects as a likely late first-round pick.

Candidates to Topple Teddy Bridgewater: Comparing Quarterbacks Tajh Boyd and David Fales

Evan Sidery — Thu, 23 May 2013 01:42:22 +0000

David Fales isn’t yet a household name, but he could challenge Teddy Bridgewater and Tajh Boyd to be the 2014 NFL Draft’s top quarterback. (Photo: USA Today Sports Images)

BBD Staff Writer: Evan Sidery

Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater is the consensus top quarterback in the 2014 NFL draft class, but two names could vault themselves into the same discussion as Bridgewater with great seasons. Those two are Tajh Boyd of Clemson and David Fales of San Jose State. Both are contenders for the top spot with their own key qualities that make them successful.

We’ll take a look at Boyd on page 1, then look at Fales and compare the two on page 2.

Tajh Boyd

Boyd is coming off a spectacular junior season in offensive coordinator, Chad Morris’ offense. Boyd threw for 3,896 yards and 36 touchdowns with only 13 interceptions. Additionally, he finished with 514 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 186 carries. Simply put, this Clemson quarterback can become a true dual-threat quarterback when needed to be.

Build/Athleticism

Listed at 6’1″, Boyd is teetering on the edge of being “too small” to play quarterback as some draft experts have said. I do not really believe in that myth at all. If a quarterback can display the total package, he can play.

Boyd has the size of Russell Wilson, but the true build of a mini Cam Newton (listed at 225). Boyd’s level of athleticism is one of the best for any quarterback in the upcoming 2014 class. He runs a lot of read-options in Clemson’s offense, resulting in solid chunks of yardage when he keeps it for himself. At times, Boyd was used in a Newton-like role on short yardage situations. He will not blow by defenders for touchdowns while on the run, but he can easily get the first down.

An example of Boyd’s athleticism is shown well below as he is used in a Cam Newton-like Auburn play on 4th and 1.

Plays like these are what Boyd can give you as another dimension to his game on the next level. The Newton comparisons in his running ability are well proven with plays like these. His strength as a runner is very underrated.

Arm Strength

Boyd has above-average arm strength compared to the other quarterbacks in this class. He can throw the ball 40-50 yards down field with ease, but often sails it too much by throwing the ball too hard. This happens a lot on intermediate routes when Boyd tries to hit his wideouts on the run. If he calms down a little bit and eases off, he could be better off with his arm.

From where Boyd threw this ball (own 45 yard line), he threw it 55 yards in the air right into DeAndre Hopkins’ hands. Unfortunately, Hopkins dropped the touchdown here. This shows Boyd’s big arm strength and also a nice touch on this pass. This is a play scouts and draft analysts like to call dropping it into the bucket (throwing the ball right on target, deep pass).

Accuracy

This is the biggest weakness by far in Boyd’s game. As mentioned above, he tends to sail a lot of balls when trying to throw a cannon-like ball 40-50 yards down the field. Also, he makes his receivers adjust to the ball too much, not throwing it on target.

Boyd misses a ton of throws, which concerns me and others when watching tape on him. If he is pressured, specifically through the A-gap or off the edge, he tends not to look downfield and runs for yardage. His throws in the 10-15 yard range are great, but after that it gets a little shaky. Boyd is not “bad” at throwing the football, but is in the middle of the pack for most accurate quarterbacks in the 2014 draft class.

Look below at the following three accuracy screenshots. Some are good and some are terrible choices by Boyd.

On this play, Boyd makes a bad choice by throwing into tight coverage and also sailing the ball. Both of these things led to an easy interception for the North Carolina State defender, as he returned it to Clemson’s five yard line.

This play helped Clemson upset LSU in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. On 4th and 18, Boyd threw a ball into a spot only DeAndre Hopkins could get it. He threw it far and also low enough so none of the LSU defenders could intercept it.

On this play, Boyd has two receivers open on the right side of the screen. He ignores both reads due to pressure off the edge by Barkevious Mingo. If he would have stepped up into the pocket, he could have thrown it down the middle of the field for a big gain. Boyd made up for his mistake though by running for a first down. Mistakes like these though are what Boyd will have to work on this upcoming season.

Mechanics

Boyd tends to demonstrate bad mechanics when he is throwing the football. When he is pressured up the middle or the edges, he either throws off his back foot or jumps. You never see Boyd truly step into his throws. He never seems to set his feet and release the football correctly on a consistent basis. If he can improve his mechanics, he could contend with Bridgewater for the top spot mid-season.

Here is a look at Boyd’s mechanics in a screenshot below.

His feet are a little unbalanced and it is also an unorthodox stance. Both of those can be corrected with coaching. It will be interesting to see how an NFL coach works with his mechanics.

Leadership

He was a team captain for Clemson last season and willed the Tigers to a win over LSU in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl last season. I was in the stadium, where Boyd showed great poise and being a true leader on the playing field. He was vocal to teammates on the field and sidelines when somebody made a mistake. Also after the game, Boyd was a true treat to the media. He answered every question well and detailed. Boyd even took a picture with kids and media after the interviews were over. Boyd looks the part of a true leader in the huddle once he hits the NFL.

Toughness

When a quarterback carries the football almost 200 times, he is tough. In the pocket, he can be good against pressure with his build. Boyd can shed defenders off him, or simply outrun them with his speed. During his high school career, Boyd played his senior year with a torn ACL. That truly fits into the category of being tough.

Overview

Boyd is an unpolished prospect at this point, but is steadily improving every year. He took a massive jump from his sophomore to junior year, but still has inconsistencies that need to be fixed before he hits the NFL.

Boyd needs to continue to develop his accuracy and mechanics more. Boyd will be thick in the Heisman discussion throughout next season, as Clemson will be hyped up as a top-10 team with himself and Sammy Watkins. He should put up the statistics that will pass the eye test, but can he truly develop into a Newton or Wilson on the next level? This will be dissected throughout the season.

Grading the Buffalo Bills’ 2010 NFL Draft: Torell Troup

Ryan Talbot — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:36:37 +0000

Back injuries have set back Torell Troup’s career, but the 2013 season will be a make-or-break year for the 2010 second-round pick. (Photo: USA Today Sports Images)

BBD Staff Writer: Ryan Talbot

The second installment of Buffalo Bills Draft’s look back at the 2010 NFL Draft analyzes their second-round selection of Torell Troup, whose career has been stalled since suffering a serious back injury during the 2011 season.

Round 2, Pick 41: Torell Troup, Defensive Tackle, Central Florida

In Round 2 of the 2010 draft, nose tackle was one area where the Bills were looking to add talent. The team was in the process of transitioning to a 3-4 defense under new coach Chan Gailey and new defensive coordinator George Edwards, and Kyle Williams was a bit undersized for the nose tackle role.

When the Bills selected Troup, I remember feeling quite disappointed. Troup was coming off of strong East-West Shrine Game and NFL Scouting Combine performances, but it wasn’t enough to win me over. Terrence Cody was still on the board and I felt he had outstanding value at pick 41. Cody’s career hasn’t taken off in Baltimore, so I may have been wrong about his NFL prospects, but he’s contributed more than Troup to this point.

Troup’s Career at Central Florida

Troup was a three-year starter for the Golden Knights. Playing under head coach George O’Leary, his main responsibility was to tie up blockers.

During his collegiate career, Troup was a two-time second team All-Conference USA pick. Troup played in 47 games at Central Florida, starting in 39 games. He ended his career with 105 total tackles, 24 of which registered for losses. His play in the middle allowed defensive ends Bruce Miller and Jarvis Geathers to register 24 total sacks in his senior season.

What the Draft Analysts Said Following the 2010 NFL Draft

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com gave the pick a C:

The Bills need a bigger nose tackle for their move to the 3-4 and this kid weighs 314 pounds. He was a three-year starter. I think Cam Thomas or Terrence Cody were better options.

As previously mentioned, Kiper gave Buffalo’s overall draft a C+. In round two, Kiper was not a fan of the Troup pick (ESPN Insider Subscription Needed):

The Bills reached on Torell Troup, who has to develop.

FOXSports’ John Czarnecki gave the Bills’ draft a C grade. Czarnecki felt Buffalo picked Troup too soon:

To shore up their porous run defense, they grabbed 318-pound nose tackle Torrell Troup of Central Florida about 20 spots too high. Troup was a three-year starter and a team captain and ran a spectacular 5.1 40-yard dash.

Open Thread: Reactions to A Potential May NFL Draft

Dan Hope — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:39:46 +0000

How do you feel about the NFL draft potentially being moved back to May? (Photo: USA Today Sports Images)

While we pride ourselves here at Buffalo Bills Draft on bringing you quality draft coverage year-round, the NFL’s “draft season” is typically considered to be the time between the Super Bowl and draft weekend. The draft season is expected to be a little longer starting next year, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Schefter tweeted Monday that the 2014 NFL Draft is expected to be held May 15-17. This is three weeks later than the fourth weekend of April, which has been the draft’s typical time slot since the draft converted to its current three-day format in 2010.

NFL Network’s Albert Breer tweeted Tuesday that the league is also discussing holding the draft just two weeks later (May 8-10), but nonetheless, it appears the league is set toward moving its late-April staple to early May. According to another Schefter tweet, tentative dates for future drafts are May 7-9, 2015 (second weekend of May) and May 5-7 (first weekend of May).

Update: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that the 2014 NFL draft will be held in May, either May 8-10 or May 15-17. No determinations have been officially made on the dates of future drafts.

This news of a later draft/longer draft season has been met with strong reactions from many NFL fans and media, many of which are negative. We know that many of you, our readers, have strong opinions on the topic as well! If you do, share your comments in the thread below the post, and let’s discuss the pros and cons of a May draft!

A few of us here at BBD shared our thoughts here. We will re-post interesting, unique, new and appropriate thoughts alongside ours.

Dan Hope (Editor):

My gut reaction when I heard that the NFL draft was moving to May was a negative one. That seemed to be the way I was expected to react judging by the social media comments of my peers. I’ve often been of the “Why mess with a good thing?” mindset, but when it came down to reason, both from personal and broader standpoints, I don’t see moving the draft back as being a bad thing at all.

My initial reaction when the NFL changed the draft from a marathon weekend to the current three-day format was one of disgust, but I’ve come to embrace that new format as well. Moving the draft to May certainly has its benefits, as it gives NFL teams and those of us who study the draft more time to scout players and be fully prepared for the draft. It also shortens the only relatively quiet period of the NFL calendar, which has typically been from May-July (though the relative quietness seems to disappear more and more each year).

Many NFL media are upset about the change, because it could take away what is typically their only vacation time of the year. From a personal standpoint, having the draft in early May is actually much better timing for me, at least in 2014, than the end of April. The bigger issue, however, seems to be around the thought that a longer draft season will lead to even more wild and incorrect speculation. While I understand these concerns, I will personally use the additional time to watch more game tape and become more well-versed on more draft prospects — can’t I be optimistic that NFL teams and other media draft analysts will do the same?

Ryan Talbot (Staff Writer):

If the NFL moves the draft to May, it wouldn’t bother me too much. I’m a rather impatient person, so I’m sure I’ll get fidgety around late April, but May will be nice too. It’ll give teams even more time to evaluate prospects and I’m sure I’d eventually get used to it. If anything it’ll give me more time to do mock drafts, although that’s not a good thing to most people as the draft nears.

Eric Samulski (Staff Writer):

I understand the move from a football perspective. The idea of the draft date never seemed to make sense when rookies then needed to leave their teams, miss practices and head back to school in order to graduate. It puts certain players, like the Brandon Kaufmans of the world, at a significant disadvantage. Having the draft and OTA’s (presumably) after graduation would make it possible for these rookies to be at each and every practice and speed up the learning curve. That said, my restless leg syndrome will certainly be kicking in with the extra wait.

Evan Sidery (Staff Writer):

Moving back the draft to May will affect draft analysts, but it will help out NFL teams. Moving it back and starting the new year earlier allows more time to scout prospects. Some fans might not like this move at first, but it works better for both players and coaches in the long run.

What do you think? Let us know your thoughts!

Zach Fleer (Reader Response):

“April already feels way too late. I don’t like the move to May.”

Omar (Reader Response):

“It is my anniversary, so I will have to get a new wife.”

Paul Guillemette (Reader Response – via Twitter):

“Went the wrong way with this one. For many fans NFL season will B too far gone or too far ahead to care as much.”

Breaking Down How UCLA OLB Anthony Barr Must Improve for 2014 NFL Draft

Joe Marino — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:47:38 +0000

In this writer’s opinion, Anthony Barr needs to develop significantly during the 2013 season to be a high first-round draft pick. (Photo: USA Today Sports Images)

BBD Staff Writer: Joe Marino

After spending his first two seasons at UCLA playing running back and “F-back”, Barr made the switch to outside linebacker for his junior year. The statistical results were very strong. Barr finished the 2012 season with 83 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. He was the Pac-12 conference leader in sacks and was a first team all-conference selection by the coaches.

Despite his great statistical season and having a major impact on the Bruin defense, Barr is still incredibly raw and has several areas of his game to improve to convince scouts he is a top player in the 2014 NFL draft.

Why You Should Watch Barr

Anthony Barr is an elite speed rusher off the edge. He comes off the ball extremely quick, and can run the arc. He has an incredible ability to properly time and execute stunts. The pressure he brings is timely and leads to errant throws in big situations. He contains the quarterback very well on rollouts to his side.

He bends well to get around tackles and applies pressure while staying very low to the ground.

Barr is a high-energy player who flies around the field. He has tremendous athletic ability.

What He Needs To Prove In 2013

Barr needs to prove he is not just a speed rusher off the edge. At this point, every other aspect of his game is raw and undeveloped.

Barr struggles to make plays in space and often whiffs on ball carriers. He is a “see and chase” type player as opposed to a “read and react” player. That said, he still struggles to shift through blockers and locate the football.

Barr is consistently driven off the ball by blockers, which creates huge running lanes for ballcarriers. He needs to become more physical with blockers and use his hands better. He struggles to disengage from blockers and his technique needs polish.

Despite having great speed of the edge, Barr’s repertoire of pass rush moves needs to expand. A large percentage of his sacks come from a well-timed stunt or beating his blocker with speed. He has no counter move if the speed rush isn’t there. He often gets stoned by running backs in pass protection.

At this point, he is not a great tackler. He almost seems afraid to get on the ground. You will often see him grabbing ball carriers and pulling them to the ground instead of wrapping up, driving his hips, and bringing them down.

Anthony Barr’s instincts are very questionable at this point. He is slow dissecting plays and locating the football. He truly looks like an offensive player trying to play defense.

His pass coverage is average. Many times his drops in coverage are not deep enough and several balls are completed over his head. He doesn’t always pick up the player in his zone quick enough which lead to a lot of receptions for his man.

Barr played at a slender 235 pounds last season, and would benefit from adding 10-20 additional pounds. (Editor’s Note: He is currently listed at 245 pounds by UCLA’s official website.)

Projecting Anthony Barr’s draft stock

I keep seeing Anthony Barr very high in early draft rankings. I agree with the potential of him being a high first-round pick but I feel he has a lot to prove to solidify that status.

The good news for Barr is that he has the entire 2013 season to prove his development as a linebacker and show he is more than just a speed rusher. He is someone to watch very closely this season to see if he improves and finds himself as a first round pick.

BBD Week in Review: 5/13-5/19

Dan Hope — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:08:59 +0000

Jadeveon Clowney led the discussion this week as Buffalo Bills Draft kicked its 2014 NFL Draft coverage fully into gear. (Photo: USA Today Sports Images)

BBD Editor: Dan Hope

The Buffalo Bills have a new general manager in Doug Whaley, all but one of their draft picks is now signed and while the offseason still has a few more months remaining, organized team activities (OTA’s) got underway in Buffalo last week. Meanwhile, we here at Buffalo Bills Draft not only kept up with the general manager switch, but also began to look ahead to the 2014 NFL draft and continued looking ahead to the Bills’ upcoming season.

BBD on the Bills

BBD’s six staff writers and Bills fans commented with their thoughts on Buddy Nix’s more than three years as Buffalo Bills general manager in BBD’s first “Open Thread.”
Staff writer Ryan Talbot brought his Sophomore Spotlight series to a close with looks at linebacker Nigel Bradham, cornerback Ron Brooks and offensive lineman Zebrie Sanders. Check out the bottom of Ryan’s Sanders spotlight to find out how you could win in BBD’s Autograph Card Giveaway!
Staff writer Eric Samulski broke down the top contenders to start at left guard for the Bills in 2013.
EJ Manuel isn’t the only rookie quarterback on the Buffalo Bills’ roster. Staff writer Joseph Curtis profiled the Bills’ “other” rookie quarterback, Jeff Tuel.

Breaking Down the 2014 NFL Draft’s Top Prospects

Staff writer Evan Sidery explained why South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is a “once-in-a-generation” prospect.
I explained why Teddy Bridgewater is the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick, complete with a breakdown of his game, even in a draft class that includes Clowney.
Texas A&M offensive tackle Jake Matthews may have been the No. 1 overall pick had he declared for the 2013 NFL Draft. I broke down why he’ll be an early selection in 2014.
Staff writer Joe Marino previewed the 2014 NFL Draft’s other top offensive tackle, Michigan’s Taylor Lewan.

More on the Bills

Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com provided updates from each of the three days of the Bills’ first OTA: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
Second-round pick wide receiver Robert Woods became the seventh of Buffalo’s eight draft pick to sign his rookie contract, signing a four-year deal according to ESPN.com’s James Walker.
On a more serious note, star Bills defensive end Mario Williams is going through some off-field issues in messy legal proceedings with his ex-fiance. A story by the Houston Chronicle‘s David Barron revealed text messages from Williams to his ex-fiance in which he mentioned hydrocodone abuse and suicidal thoughts.

Around the NFL Draft Sites Network

In a guest column for NEPatriotsDraft, I questioned Bill Belichick’s affinity toward drafting players who played for current Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano at Rutgers.
The Buffalo Bills shouldn’t be in the market for a quarterback in the 2014 NFL Draft. For teams who are, Marc Sluis of NY Jets Draft bought or sold each of the draft class’ top signal-caller prospects.

Grading the Buffalo Bills’ 2010 NFL Draft: C.J. Spiller

Ryan Talbot — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:45:22 +0000

C.J. Spiller has been very impressive on the field, but has been underutilized in his first three seasons with the Buffalo Bills. (Photo: USA Today Sports Images)

BBD Staff Writer: Ryan Talbot

As an educator, I place letter grades on papers daily. It’s important for students to know how they did on a particular assignment. Simply put, grades are important.

However, not everything should be graded. I’m sure you can see where I’m headed with this, but if not I’ll make it crystal clear. I hate NFL draft grades that are given out before the players have even seen the field.

Personally, I’ve always felt that giving players three to four years is a sufficient amount of time in the NFL. By the end of three years, you should have an idea of how good a player is going to be; in a few cases, it takes a fourth year.

In light of Buddy Nix stepping down as Bills general manager, we here at Buffalo Bills Draft thought it would be as good of a time as ever to evaluate his first draft class: the 2010 NFL Draft.

First up to get his report card? C.J. Spiller.

Round 1, Pick 9: C.J. Spiller, Running Back, Clemson

I remember feeling excitement and confusion when the pick was made. In terms of play-makers, C.J. Spiller was by far the best player available. The confusion came from the fact that running back was one position where the Bills were actually pretty strong. At the time, the team had Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson as its backs. As I said, those are two solid running backs.

Leading up to the draft, then-coach Chan Gailey mentioned he would like to add a “water bug” back to the Bills. This apparently wasn’t a smokescreen. Spiller was the pick.

Looking back at the players taken right after the Bills running back, Spiller was the right call.

Spiller’s Clemson Career

At Clemson, C.J. Spiller put up head turning statistics.

In his freshman year, Spiller was the team’s second-leading rusher behind James Davis. Spiller made the best of his 129 attempts by running for 938 yards, an average of 7.3 yards per carry. He added 10 rushing touchdowns as well as 19 receptions for 210 yards and two receiving touchdowns.

In 2007, Spiller again was second on the team in rush attempts behind Davis. Spiller’s attempts went up to 145 carries on the season; he rushed for 768 yards and three touchdowns. In the receiving game, Spiller caught 34 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns.

For the third straight season, Spiller played second-fiddle to Davis during his junior year. He rushed the ball 116 times for 629 yards (5.4 average) and seven touchdowns. For the second straight year, Spiller hauled in 34 passes, but his receiving yards increased to 436 yards. He added another three touchdowns receiving. Spiller also had 19 kickoff returns for 516 yards and a touchdown, and 18 punt returns for 189 yards. For his efforts, Spiller was a first-team all-ACC selection as a returner and second-team all-ACC as a running back.

In 2009, Spiller was finally given his opportunity as the lead back for the Tigers. He carried the ball 216 times in his senior season for 1,212 yards (5.6 average) and 12 touchdowns. Spiller’s receiving totals also increased to 36 receptions for 503 yards and four touchdowns. He also had 23 kickoff returns for 755 yards and four touchdowns, and eight punt returns for 210 yards and a touchdown. For the second consecutive year, Spiller was a first-team All-ACC selection as a return specialist and a second-team All-ACC selection at running back. Spiller was also a consensus selection to the All-American team in 2009 as a return specialist.

Spiller was named the ACC Player of the Year in 2009 and had his jersey retired in 2010.

What the Draft Analysts Said Following the 2010 NFL Draft

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com was high on the selection of Spiller and graded it with an A.

I love this pick. The kid will be the next Chris Johnson. He can fly. The Bills need a playmaker. If they don’t take a QB, they had to help the offense.

Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN.com gave the entire Bills draft a C+ and had this to say about Spiller (ESPN Insider Subscription Needed):

Buffalo surprised me with its pick at No. 9. This is a team that has to get better up front, and it opted to go with C.J. Spiller instead. Spiller is, along with Jahvid Best, the best home run threat in the draft, and undoubtedly will help that offense.

Last, John Czarnecki of FOXSports.com gave the Bills’ draft a C grade. Czarnecki thought Buffalo should have looked at quarterback, but understood why Spiller was selected:

The Bills passed on their quarterback needs (maybe Trent Edwards is better than we think?), but they took the draft’s best running back, Clemson’s C.J. Spiller, who is a home-run hitter.