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In trying to think of a way to describe the 2012 Buffalo Bills’ draft class, the best phrase I could come up with is “under the radar”. After making a big splash in free agency by signing Mario Williams and Mark Anderson to beef up their pass rush, the Bills went through the 3 days of the NFL draft pretty quietly, with each pick drawing little fanfare. General Manager Buddy Nix seems to have supplied help to most positions of need for the Bills, with the exception of a backup quarterback. The team did address that, however, immediately after the draft by signing Aaron Corp out of Richmond as an undrafted free agent. Corp was slated to be the starting QB for the USC Trojans before a major injury sidelined him, and after recovering the job had been sewn up by current star Matt Barkley (expected to be a high NFL pick next year), so he transferred to Richmond and carved out a pretty good college career. Interestingly, the team also signed one of the top collegiate punters, Shaun Powell of Florida State, to challenge Brian Moorman. Powell is 6’4″ and 248 lbs., huge for a punter, and has a very strong leg.  Here is an analysis of the Bills’ 2012 draft class:

1. Stephon Gilmore (CB – South Carolina) – he was considered to be the second best corner in the draft behind LSU’s Morris Claiborne. One difference between the two – Claiborne reportedly scored low on the NFL Combine’s Wunderlic IQ test, while Gilmore was an honor student. Still, intelligence doesn’t always translate into being a good football player. Gilmore does have great athletic ability, and the Bills’ plan is to eventually pair him with 2011 second round pick Aaron Williams as starters on the outside, two big, physical, athletic corners to battle all the big receivers in the AFC East.

2. Cordy Glenn (OT – Georgia) – he was considered a first round pick, and is a huge specimen with long arms. The Bills were thrilled to get him in the 2nd round, seeing him as a future left tackle, even though he only played there for one season with the Bulldogs. Most draft “experts” love the kid but see him as a guard or right tackle at best. Although the Bills’ front office’s opinion of Glenn seems to differ from others, the best description I saw over the weekend of him was that he’s “bustproof” due to his ability to play anywhere on the line at a high level if he doesn’t work out at LT.

Cordy Glenn

3. T.J. Graham (WR – North Carolina State) – the Bills traded up to get him even though he wasn’t rated very highly on most “experts” draft boards. He is fast ( he ran college track) but small and there is a consensus among scouts that he needs to get stronger to avoid getting pushed around by bigger, stronger NFL defensive backs. He also supposedly needs to work on his route running, but has improved his hands as his college career progressed. The Bills’ brass must see something in him that other teams just don’t.

T.J. Graham

 

4a. Ron Brooks – (CB – LSU) – Brooks’ college coach, Les Miles, was a guest analyst on NFL Network’s draft coverage and offered this assessment of him: “He played a lot in every game. I think they’re getting a great pick there and a guy that’ll be in the NFL a long time.” Brooks wasn’t a starter, but played his college career behind 2 top 10 draft picks (Patrick Peterson and Claiborne) and according to some scouts probably would’ve been a star at another school.

4b. Nigel Bradham (LB – Florida State) – he was a team captain for the Seminoles, so he must have some leadership ability. Apparently he struggles with the mental side of the game, so the fact the Bills are simplifying their defense under Dave Wannstedt should help him. He should at least compete for a roster spot with special teams play.

5a.  Zebrie Sanders (OT – Florida State) – an interesting prospect who has a chance to stick with the club as a depth lineman, although he needs work. He might be a practice squad candidate, although some experts feel he could be the steal of the draft. Sanders was considered a much higher draft pick before a poor showing at the Senior Bowl and a subpar Combine dropped his stock considerably.

5b. Tank Carder (LB – TCU) – he’s known for being a physical player who hits hard, something the Bills’ defense can use. He will need to make the team as a special teamer and hope to develop his overall defensive game. His back story is interesting – he was a BMX bicycle racer as a teenager and survived a traffic accident where his injuries were so severe that doctors feared he wouldn’t walk again.

Tank Carder

6. Mark Asper (G- Oregon) – another big offensive lineman. He was a good run blocker in Oregon’s fast-paced offense, and has versatility – he can player guard, center or tackle – which makes him a candidate to stick due to the ability to fill in at different spots on the line.

7. John Potter (K – Western Michigan) – I can’t remember the last time the Bills drafted a kicker. Potter’s job will be “kickoff specialist”, which means he’ll be expected to boot the ball out of the end zone on kickoffs to help out the defense with field position. Rian Lindell is 35 years old and had injury problems in 2011, so Potter could have a chance to win the regular kicking job in the future.

On average, if 50% of the players drafted make the team and are making some sort of contribution 3 or 4 years later, then that draft is considered a success. At the very least it appears the Bills have added size, strength and speed to the roster and have created some competition for spots in training camp. That can only make the team better in 2012.