What the Bills Will Do with the Tenth Pick
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The signing of Mario Williams seriously alters the Buffalo Bills’ 2012 NFL Draft plans
The signing of star free agent defensive end Mario Williams does not change anything for the Buffalo Bills, at least in the draft. Despite mock drafts that have them taking everyone from Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw to South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram to North Carolina defensive end Quentin Coples, the Bills were never going to draft a defensive end with the tenth overall pick.
General manager Buddy Nix did not speak highly of the prospects at the top of the round. He was much more interested in defensive ends in the middle rounds, and said as much in an interview with WGR 550 AM in Buffalo while at the NFL Combine.
"Pass rusher, or defensive end, for us, is probably - you get a little nervous with the tenth pick - but in the mid rounds, it's probably as deep as I've seen it," Nix said. "From the second round on, there will be some guys that can come in and help you quick."
Clearly Nix said this with the intention of landing Williams as a free agent. So the question is: would his thinking have changed if they had not gotten him? Probably not. Nix and head coach Chan Gailey have a plan and they stick to it. Two years ago, in their first draft together, Gailey told the media about their thoughts on prospects.
"The guys that are coming out now, there's a bunch of those 5-foot-9, 185-pound or 195-pound quick-as-a-cat water bugs that are running backs-slash-receivers that might give you a little bit of punch on the field, maybe make a big play," Gailey said.
A few days later, they drafted Clemson running back C.J. Spiller with the ninth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. The team already had two running backs in Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch at that time, and every draft pundit thought that the Bills would take a tackle with that pick. They were wrong.
Bills’ Head Coach Chan Gailey can really bolster a new looks Bills squad with the 10th overall pick
The team has not given any hints yet as to what position they are targeting in the first round, but expect to hear more in the coming weeks. Nix has said that he believes the team needs another cornerback, as well as more help on the offensive line.
There are two strong options for the Bills at the tenth pick. One is tackle Jonathan Martin of Stanford. He is smart, has good feet and can run block as well as pass protect. The Bills like Chris Hairston, who they drafted in the fourth round last year, but don't believe he is close to being a consistent every day starter at his current playing level. The Bills are serious about making a playoff push in 2012, and Martin is an instant upgrade over Hairston, as he is considered pro ready right now.
The other option for the Bills is Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd. The only problem with him is that he has character problems, and the Bills place a high value on character. But Nix has gone on record saying that the team wants a big receiver who can be open even if he is covered.
Floyd measured in at 6-foot-3, with nearly 33-inch arms and a 4.47-second 40-yard dash time. That fits the mold for a big guy who can fly down the field. He would be able to take the offense for the Bills over-the-top. Of the two options, Floyd would be a bigger impact player. He would be a shot of adrenalin in the arm of the offense Buffalo is building.
So, change those mock drafts, because the Bills are not taking a defense end. And it has nothing to do with Mario Williams.
Thomas Frank Carr is a senior majoring in Broadcast Journalism and is a ComRadio Sports Director. To contact him, email tjc267@psu.edu.
