No. 3 Pick in 2011 Reader Mock: Buffalo Bills on the Clock

[Walter]

Voting for the No. 3 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Who will be the pick?

Results and some comments will be posted here.


http://walterfootball.com/draft2011reader.php


1. Panthers - Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
2. Broncos - Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama


Da'Quan Bowers
A.J. Green
Nick Fairley
Von Miller
Cam Newton
Patrick Peterson
Robert Quinn

[Walter]

Robert Quinn should be listed as DE/OLB; not DE

[JoeLegend]

I have Von Miller here. Sure he is not the top player on the board but the Bills 2 biggest needs are OT and OLB. there is no LT worthy of a top 5 pick so why not help the D and get a OLB that can actually get to the QB and make plays behind the line of scrimage.

[Blazedestin]

The Bills desperately need a franchise QB more than anything else, but there's going to be enough QB's that fit the "Great physical tools, need time to learn the game" mold ala Newton and Kapernick in Round 2 as well. That being said, a pass rushing terror like Von Miller will not be available in Round 2, and he's a natural fit for the 3-4. If I recall correctly, he played it at Texas A&M, so unlike previous 1st round flop Maybin, he doesn't have to adjust to a new position.

[RazorStar]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Bills derped us again and took a position they didn't necessarily need. A.J. Green is the best offensive prospect in this draft, and Chan Gailey loves getting his offense rolling. When you consider the bust factor of a guy like Newton and the sort of reluctant stability Ryan Fitzpatrick brings at QB, the Bills may be hesitant to bring in a rookie for the job.

The other option would be to address the Bills defense, in which case the only options would be to go pass rusher. Von Miller provides an interesting fit as a OLB who shades down to DE on passing downs, Bowers and Quinn could provide the pass rush as well. I mean if I was not thinking like the Bills, I'd take Von Miller for his versatility,but sometimes a team believes they can get that all star receiver in the top 5. AJ Green is probably that kind of guy, but it won't help the Bills in the long run.

[trisoman]

Bills need: QB, OT, DL, LB, CB, TE

Therefore, the pick must be AJ Green, going by their philosophy last year of picking the one player they didn't need.

Seriously though, I think the pick will probably be Von Miller - they have nothing for the Rush LB position and Miller's draft stock is through the roof at this point.

[SteVo]

I can't see Newton falling past Buffalo at this point. Let's be honest; Ryan Fitzpatrick is not a franchise quarterback. The Bills need to get themselves one. If you're concerned about Newton's "entertainer" and "icon" comments, well, you know, Buffalo could use some zest.

[Classic Silver and Black]

This is where I think things will start to be interesting.
The Bills have two huge blatant needs: OLine and DLine. With no OT worth the nr 3 overall and Dareus (maybe even Fairley) already gone, they don't have a safe pick at a position of need.
I don't think Gailey will make the same mistake he made last year, drafting according to their BPA disregarding need. So Buffalo will gamble, either on a QB or on a pass rusher.
Have they given up completely on Aaron Maybin? Maybe not and anyway it will be hard for them to take another risk of the same kind.
So chances are that Gailey will see in Cam Newton the next Michael Vick for his dynamic offense and he will take the Heisman winning QB from Auburn.

[Vezella22]

I'm taking Cam Newton because Cam Newton is the best!

[TeHDruiD]

I went with Von Miller. The Bills severely need help along the front 7 and to me Von Miller is the best pass rusher in this draft. Cam Newton is going to be the popular pick here, but I truly believe the Bills think they can win with Ryan Fitzpatrick. Not only that, but guys like Kaepernick will be available in the 2nd round who offer the same attributes that Cam Newton does minus the high price tag/risk because he's a 2nd rounder and not the 3rd pick in the whole draft.

The Bills spent 2 high picks on the DL last year in Alex Carrington and Torell Troup so I believe this is the year that the 3-4 successfully kicks in. What every 3-4 needs is an elite calibur OLB and Von Miller offers just that. It's clear that Aaron Maybin isn't the player he was drafted to be so it's time for the Bills to see their mistake and give it another try. You won't find Von Millers explosiveness and speed often, so it'd be wise to get that squared away.

[aaah]

I voted for Fairley. Denver is the team that got ran over for the most TDs. Buffalo is the team the just got plain ran over. The Bills were 3rd againt the pass and last againt the run. You know 32nd out of 32 teams againt the run. People may vote Miller but the Bills will draft DT.

[SanchoPanza]

I went AJ Green. Fitzpatrick isn't the answer long term, but would make him and (insert development prospect here) better in the future

[EL Guapo]

I don’t think Bills pass on Peterson, they can’t afford to miss on this pick. Every team needs impact players so I don’t care what their greatest needs are. It’s the third pick in the draft, they have other picks and hopefully other offseason transactions this year and beyond to fill holes with average and above average players.

[Yergsword]

The Bills have way too many holes to make a luxury BPA pick in the 1st round for the 2nd year in a row, and while Newton fills a need, I think they desperately need to get production out of this pick this season. Their 3-4 isn't going to work properly until they get a force from the edge, and while Maybin may have them a little gun-shy at the OLB position, they had the chance to coach Miller in the Senior Bowl and should have a good idea what he can bring to their D, so Von Miller is the pick for me.

[Finnegans Wake]

BPA, Patrick Peterson, because the projected R1 QBs this year fall short relative to other years, which means you're not getting value for any QB at 1.3. Why gamble on a developmental QB when you can start assembling a defense to slow down the premier offense in the division? The Jets template involved Revis and Cromartie, and the Bills cannot hope to claw their way in without a CB who can take away big zones of the pass attack. As for pass rushers, there is enough depth to get a solid value at the top of R2, but the dropoff at CB after Peterson and Amukamara is much more precipitous. Stick with Fitzpatrick and either take a mid round value developmental QB or wait a year for a better crop of signal-callers.

[Tom]

What should they do? I'd say take Von Miller here, and get Kaepernick in the 2nd. I think that's the better long term strategy, as he'll have a year or two behind Fitzpatrick to figure out the pros. Newton is too boom or bust to me, and they'd get a solid pass rusher.

But what will they do? If the Spiller pick last year said anything, its a love for flashy picks. That means offense and Newton, although I could see AJ Green if they think Fitzpatrick is better than he is. I think that's a real possibility, Buffalo is not the smartest drafter.

[KcinMan11358]

I went with Cam Newton because Adam Schefter told me to.

[mdb17]

I don't get the idea of Peterson to Buffalo. He's BPA so I can see the attraction of the Buffalo FO to him. However I don't understand the point of quality cornerbacks if your front seven sucks. We've seen in Denver that Bailey cannot have a consistent effect on the game because the front seven is terrible. Buffalo have one quality player in their front seven (Kyle Williams) who is a great pass rusher but is not a solid run defender. All the rest of the front seven has average to below average talent. They need another top quality player in their front seven. It sounds like I'm gonna go Von Miller. He's a strong possibility but his great strength is his speed. The weather in Buffalo doesn't suit players who's best attribute is speed. The conditions they play under are better for strong, physical players on defense. I think Dareus would be perfect for the Bills but he will not be there when they pick. I don't think any of the players on the board are perfect fits for the Bills.

I voted Cam Newton partly for the reasons above but also because I think they will choose him because of his great fit in Chan Gailey's offense. I think at the end of the seson they realized that Fitzpatrick cannot be a quality starting QB but he could bridge a gap between now and when Newton is ready.

[rossfelhofer]

patrick peterson; i really think it comes down to him and cam newton, it probably will be newton, but i just cant understand how a team can overlook such an awesome prospect in peterson, especially when you have to face the pats 2x a year

[Finnegans Wake]

I don't get the idea of Peterson to Buffalo. He's BPA so I can see the attraction of the Buffalo FO to him. However I don't understand the point of quality cornerbacks if your front seven sucks. We've seen in Denver that Bailey cannot have a consistent effect on the game because the front seven is terrible. Buffalo have one quality player in their front seven (Kyle Williams) who is a great pass rusher but is not a solid run defender. All the rest of the front seven has average to below average talent. They need another top quality player in their front seven. It sounds like I'm gonna go Von Miller. He's a strong possibility but his great strength is his speed. The weather in Buffalo doesn't suit players who's best attribute is speed. The conditions they play under are better for strong, physical players on defense. I think Dareus would be perfect for the Bills but he will not be there when they pick. I don't think any of the players on the board are perfect fits for the Bills.

I voted Cam Newton partly for the reasons above but also because I think they will choose him because of his great fit in Chan Gailey's offense. I think at the end of the seson they realized that Fitzpatrick cannot be a quality starting QB but he could bridge a gap between now and when Newton is ready.

I agree in part, but think they could stock up on front 7 guys in later rounds. IMO, Peterson is >>> the R2 and onwards CBs, and compares very well to CBs from other years' drafts.

[TeHDruiD]

Rotoworld:


According to SI's Peter King, the Bills will not draft a wide receiver at No. 3 overall.

King says Buffalo will either draft a front-seven defender or quarterback, with Marcell Dareus, Da'Quan Bowers, Von Miller, Cam Newton, and Blaine Gabbert all distinct possibilities. An A.J. Green-Steve Johnson pairing would be pretty lethal, but the Bills still have Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish, and are high on young wideouts Donald Jones and David Nelson.

[vikingfan173]

now how in the world can the two of the best players fall out of the top three...just give me a break...its either Peterson or AJ Green, while buffalo doesnt exactly have a need for a CB they will go there, they have two good WRs in evans and johnson so AJ green would be a waste of a pick...but the bills waste picks anyway

Peterson

[outsyderz34]

While the Bills are still looking for that elusive franchise QB since Jim Kelly (they screwed over Doug Flutie), they'll wait on either a later pick this year or hope to win the Luck sweepstakes next season. This pick will more than likely be Peterson. Fairley is an option here, but his BPA grade has dropped quite a bit since his Combine and Pro Day - to no real fault of his own.

Leodis McKelvin showed some excitement in his first year, but his injury from 2009 seemed to plague him throughout last season. To heap on to his misery, he had a horrible early season game against New England where he was pretty much single-handedly responsible for their loss. While his statistics improved from his rookie year, he still lacks great corner skills. Hopefully another year removed from injury will help him vastly. The other two corners, Terrence McGee and Drayton Florence, are both 30 and their former athleticism is fading fast. A corner opposite McKelvin is needed and Peterson fills that void.

I think McKelvin will also benefit greatly from Peterson potentially taking over return duties if/when Fred Jackson is no longer around.

With the addition of Peterson, and having backfield mates McKelvin and Jarius Byrd, Buffalo has the makings of one of the best young secondaries for years to come.

[mycarman]

I was a little disappointed to not see Mark Ingram on the voting list. The team needs playmakers and like to reach for one ten picks too soon.

[John L.]

Forget what the Bills positional needs are. Because the Bills need to draft Cam Newton. They need to bring some hope and life back into their fanbase. They have a decent enough stopgap in Fitzpatrick (who really is pretty good in Gailey's system) to hold down the fort for a season or two until Newton is ready. Get him, train him, and make him the face of the franchise. They can get the other pieces in later rounds. They can't keep putting off a franchise QB.

[mdb17]

I agree in part, but think they could stock up on front 7 guys in later rounds. IMO, Peterson is >>> the R2 and onwards CBs, and compares very well to CBs from other years' drafts.

They have a lot of guys from the later rounds. They need big-time playmakers on defense and you'll be extremely lucky to pick one up late. I like going front seven on defense early in the draft because you don't get huge guys that are athletic later in the draft. They just don't exist unless they have glaring issues (injury or character).

[kuandreas]

Everyone agrees that the Bills definitely need a franchise QB. What they don't need to do is reach for a QB at number 3 just because they need a QB. Then they will end up with a high priced pick that sucks (see Jamarcus Russell). THERE ARE NOT ANY QBs worthy of a top 10 pick this year. I think they will realize this and draft for their defense.

[rphx88]

Cam "Take The Money and Run" Newton is the Bills selection. The Bills are desperate to be relevant in a division that is dominated by the Jets and Pats of late. Newton in my book won't put them in that stratosphere anytime soon, but he will atleast give the Bills some press. If Newton is to succeed he must follow the footstep of Tim Tebow and put in the work to become a pro football quarterback. Newton has questions whether he can fit into a pro offense like Tebow. It is his work ethic that will decide wether he is the next big thing or crumbles like a Fig Newton.

[wraith36444]

The Bills have a pretty consistent draft strategy over the last decade. Take a DB or a RB very high. They will not give up on Spiller after last year and there is not a RB worth taking at this juncture. However, there is an excellent CB to take in Peterson.

[Baous]

Gotta be Cam Newton. Gailey finds "his guy", and we all know Gailey likes his QB to be mobile, there is no more mobile QB in this class than Newton.

[vikingsteve26]

Voted Von Miller. The Bills don't seem to learn from their mistakes very well.

[Daniel Brown]

Walt, why isn't Mark Ingram an option? Besides I think they'll mess it up anyway.

On a serious note, I'll go with Cam Newton since they're high on him. He can sit behind Fitz until he's ready.

[Vincinerator]

Unless the Bills completely screw the pooch on this one with Cameron Newton, it comes down pretty much to Patrick Peterson and Von Miller.

They're easily the two best players available. I'm very high on Peterson, and while I'm high on Miller too, it just isn't the same. The Bills, however, need to move on from Aaron Maybin (sheesh, what's wrong with this team? Aaron Maybin at 11? I had him in the mid-twenties). Linebackers aren't really top ten picks, let alone top five, but I'd compare Miller to Junior Seau, but with a little more on the pass rushing end. Which is saying something cause whenever Seau did go on a blitz, he would usually get to the QB.

I'm taking Miller because he is one of the highest graded prospects in the draft, and he would have a huge immediate impact on a Bills defense that needs a major revamp up front.

[gotama]

None of the above. I believe the best choice would be JJ Watt.

QB is definitely NOT the Bills biggest need. Fitzpatrick is not elite, but serviceable. Super Bowls have been won with less. The Bills could win with Fitzpatrick if they give him a team to work with. Newton is drastically overrated. He was an outstanding college QB. Just 2 months ago we all questioned whether his skills would translate to the NFL. Now he is suddenly a good risk to be taken 3rd overall? Looking for comparable NFL QB? How about Joey Harrington. Why not take a developmental QB in the later rounds and groom him behind Fitzpatrick to do the most to improve the team overall?

Meanwhile, Buffalo was dead last in rushing yards allowed despite excellent play out of Kyle Williams. Watt would be the perfect compliment. He has scheme versatility as they like to run 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. He plugs the run and can get after the opposing QB. He fills the biggest need and, if you've ever seen him play, is a safe and worthy choice at number 3. The case could be made for Nick Fairly, but from what I've seen Watt is the better player.

[vikingsteve26]

None of the above. I believe the best choice would be JJ Watt.

QB is definitely NOT the Bills biggest need. Fitzpatrick is not elite, but serviceable. Super Bowls have been won with less. The Bills could win with Fitzpatrick if they give him a team to work with. Newton is drastically overrated. He was an outstanding college QB. Just 2 months ago we all questioned whether his skills would translate to the NFL. Now he is suddenly a good risk to be taken 3rd overall? Looking for comparable NFL QB? How about Joey Harrington. Why not take a developmental QB in the later rounds and groom him behind Fitzpatrick to do the most to improve the team overall?

Meanwhile, Buffalo was dead last in rushing yards allowed despite excellent play out of Kyle Williams. Watt would be the perfect compliment. He has scheme versatility as they like to run 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. He plugs the run and can get after the opposing QB. He fills the biggest need and, if you've ever seen him play, is a safe and worthy choice at number 3. The case could be made for Nick Fairly, but from what I've seen Watt is the better player.

JJ Watt getting a lot of love on these forums

[Phatal]

JJ Watt getting a lot of love on these forums

He was supposed to work his way into the top 5. A good combine and interviews surely would have put him in the top 10 at least.

[Stupac]

Last offseason, the Bills sent a promotional photo to their loyal season-ticket holders. It was a picture of Brian Moorman punting out of Buffalo's endzone in a 6-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns... If Cam Newton is there at #3, it's safe to say he'll be the pick.

[Centurion]

I don't think he'll be a Bill, but I think Newton will be the pick here.

[Cougfan]

The Bills will be going for Luck or Barkley next year and will use this pick to help out whoever next year's pick will be.