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Day 2 is officially in the books. The Bills went in with a “best player available” philosophy and stayed true to that, picking up a cornerback and a . Here’s a few factoids on each:
Round 2, Pick 50 – Ronald Darby, CB FSU: The 5’11, 193 pounder was a good corner and will do well in a Ryan-based pressure scheme. At times his tackling has been lacking, but as long as he’s a willing tackler that’s not as big a deal for me. One knock that was mentioned during his selection was a lack of ball skills with his back to the QB, an issue that Leo had coming out that was mitigated the last few years with Donnie Henderson. Donnie will also have to work on his hand usage after the snap as it leaves a little to be desired.
As Doug Whaley has mentioned several times this off-season, next year’s free agents require the Bills have players in the pipeline that can push out the “middle class” of the roster. In the case of Darby, he’s cover for the 30 year olds – Leodis McKelving and Corey Graham. If one or both have to be jettisoned to get cap relief, Darby and last year draftee Ross Cockrell will have to step up.
Here’s some footage for your perusal:
However, Darby is has also been “the other guy” with the two biggest discipline cases at FSU recently – as the roommate of Jameis Winston, he was called to testify during Winston’s school case due to his witnessing the incident, which he refused to do. Ronald was also the passenger in PJ Williams’ vehicle and fled with him after Williams’ hit-and-run car accident during that season. Hopefully, like Alonso before him, the indiscretions stay in college.
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Round 3, Pick 81 – John Miller, G Louisville: Road. Grader. As a Greg Roman prototype, he’ll need to be coached up a little bit in pass protection, but as a run blocker he will look to demoralize defensive linemen. Miller can go into the rotation and try to earn a spot as a starter on the line, or at worst be one of the rotational “Balco” linemen Roman will use at times in unbalanced sets. At 6’2 and 309 pounds, Miller started at left guard at Louisville and that may be his best spot – between Glenn and Wood. Wood and Preston Brown I’m sure are happy to see another Cardinal join the Bills.
Miller also has experience playing in an offense that featured a lot of shifting and motions, so he’s an intelligent lineman that can “hold his water” through the machinations of the Roman offense.
For more footage see below:
My reactions: For me, Darby’s pick comes down to is he just a guy who’s been in the wrong place at the wrong time – or someone who’s been lucky in not getting busted himself? This screams Rex pick, so I’m going to trust Ron has been vetted. But with all the OL prospects, both tight ends AND Rollins (a more raw, but ‘more clean’ prospect) available, I’m a little bummed. As a pure player though, he should do well in the scheme so I can’t complain on-the-field.
For Miller, what you see is what you get – a power pig that will try and destroy people. He fits in great with the “bully” mindset Rex and Roman want on the line. Should he win the competition, a group of Glenn-Miller-Wood-Incognito-RT X is not too shabby. From the “middle class” mindset, Miller also insulates the Bills should Richie leave for greener pastures in 2016.
All in all, I would say it was a productive day two. Going into day three the Bills still need:
Depth on DL
Tight End (Y) Depth
Linebacker Depth
Jump-Ball WR (if available)
and potentially a developmental QB
And to fill those needs they’ll have the 155th, 188th, 194th and 234th picks. If they feel froggy and want to leap up in the draft, points wise they can get up to 117 or 118 by trading their 5th and both 6ths, or they could get to around 152/153 by trading both of their 6ths. Because of Whaley’s thought that most draftees later won’t make the team, those trades could make sense.
So what did YOU think? Like/Love both picks? Hate em? Thoughts on my thoughts? Hit me up @RDotDeuce and remember this is One Fan(n)’s Opinion.
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