The NFL Combine has come to an end and for the Buffalo Bills who hold the No. 3 pick April’s Draft, they sure had an interesting weekend. As usual, there were top prospects who faltered, hurting their draft stock, while under the radar guys rose to the challenge and left Indianapolis a few spots higher on many team’s draft boards.
Bills fans know how crucial this draft is for their team, especially with their infamous 11-year playoff drought that has corresponded with perpetually horrendous picks, so every moment spent evaluating can never hurt.
Let’s take a look at how possible Bills targets performed at this year’s Combine and what their performances really mean….
Von Miller (OLB/DE) Texas A&M
Combine Workout – The guy proved to be an absolute freak in Indianapolis. At 6’3”, 246 lbs Miller ran a 4.46 40-yard-dash, which was later adjusted to an official 4.53. (Still ridiculously fast) Putting up 27 reps at the 225 lb. bench is impressive, and according to those who were in attendance, he displayed quick hips and better footwork than what is usually expected from outside linebackers. A definite Combine stud.
What It Means For the Bills – It means that Miller is a real possibility at No. 3. I, personally ,am not as enamored with the guy the rest of the draft “gurus” but it’s not like he’s just a physical freak. He won the Butkus Award last year as the nation’s top linebacker and had 28 sacks in his last two seasons with the Aggies.
Even if the Bills aren’t willing to draft another pure pass rusher with their first pick, it’s possible teams behind them may want to jump into the top 5 to nab the electric Miller. (Which would be nice)
A.J. Green (WR) Georgia
Combine Workout – Heading into the Combine there was talk that Green was at the same level with Calvin Johnson and Randy Moss coming out of college. Big, fast, physical, great hands, great routes, he reportedly had it all. Well, not that he’s a slouch by any means, but his stiffest competition, Julio Jones out of Alabama, stole the show in the wideout group. To be honest, all I saw was Green’s 40, which was slower than Jones and didn’t best Jones in any other of the workouts.
What It Means For the Bills – I still think both of these players are going to be stars in the NFL, seriously, but now that Green isn’t the clear cut best athlete at his position, I’d be shocked if the Bills make him their first pick. (He was a long-shot to begin with)
Marcell Dareus (DL) Alabama
Combine Workout – Want Buffalo to add some beef upfront? Dareus is your guy. He’s 6’3”, 319 lbs. and ran a 4.94 in the famed 40-yard-dash. Dareus displayed a great combination of brute strength and an astonishing agility that many weren’t sure he possessed.
What It Means For the Bills – Some are saying that after the Combine, Dareus moved slightly ahead of Nick Fairley as the class’ best interior defensive lineman. It’s a need for the Bills, albeit not the biggest, but it’s very possible Dareus may be gone before the Bills pick at No. 3. If he’s there, it’ll make Buddy Nix’s decision that much more difficult, although it looks like if they go with Dareus, they’re getting a rangy run defender that can occasional disrupt at the line of scrimmage and get to the quarterback.
Nick Fairley (DL) Auburn
Combine Workout – Fairley didn’t have a a bad workout by any means, running a 4.84 in the 40. He moved well in the positional drills and showed off a 31-inch vertical leap. He weighed in at 291 pounds, a bit lighter than the masses thought he would.
What It Means For the Bills – Like I stated above, Fairley may not be the consensus top interior defensive lineman, and with the Bills supposedly running the majority of their snaps next year in a 3-4, the beefier Dareus could be the better option. Still, Fairley to Buffalo at No. 3 would make a lot of Bills fans happy.
Patrick Peterson (CB) LSU
Combine Workout – Peterson talked the talk in February, and walked the walk when it was time to hit the field in Indianapolis. He ran a 4.32 40 at 6’0”, 219 pounds, jumped 38 inches in the air and pumped out 15 reps on the bench press. The guy is a world-class athlete.
What It Means For the Bills – This may be scary to some of you, but Peterson’s hard-to-ignore workout could make him an definite option for Buffalo. Sure, there are more needs than cornerback, but Peterson looks like a prospect that doesn’t come around that often. Even if the Bills are content with their current secondary, there could be many Peterson suitors looking to move up to grab the former LSU Tiger.
Cam Newton (QB) Auburn
Combine Workout – Newton, from all accounts, didn’t have an outstanding Combine. He was a little off on his throws and his 4.59 40-time was good, but not great, knowing Newton’s scrambling prowess.
What It Means For the Bills – His erratic tosses throw up somewhat of a red flag, but I’m sure Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey understand that throwing to unfamiliar wideouts can disrupt timing, which can be everything depending on the route. Still, Newton looks the most “natural” throwing the football, and his huge, built frame will make him a hot commodity, one the Bills will have a hard time passing on.
Blaine Gabbert (QB) Missouri
Combine Workout – Gabbert didn’t throw at Lucas Oil Stadium, but did run an above average 4.62 in the 40. He can move.
What It Means For the Bills – Not much. We want to see him sling the rock.
Jake Locker (QB) Washington
Combine Workout – Locker tied Newton with a 4.59 40, and was more accurate than many thought he would be in the throwing drills. Another extremely gifted athlete.
What It Means For the Bills – I doubt there is any consideration with Locker at No. 3 for the Bills, but he’s definitely intriguing enough for the Bills to take a long look. He’s smaller than Newton but possesses a lot of the same attributes. Most of his positives come in the parts of the game that aren’t measured at the Combine.
Side Notes – I really don’t see the Bills targeting Robert Quinn at No. 3, although his workout didn’t disappoint anyone. Same goes for Ryan Mallet.
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