Buffalo Bills Get Bigger and Faster In NFL Draft

I'm not sure what the so-called draft "experts" are going to say about how the Buffalo Bills fared in this year's NFL draft, but they did everything they set out to do.  They wanted two cornerbacks, two linebackers, two offensive tackles and a reciever and that's exactly what they finished with.  General Manager Buddy Nix says "we got bigger and we got faster."

The Bills first-round selection Stephon Gilmore may not have been the best cornerback in the draft, but second-best will be good enough to compete for a starting job in the Bills' defensive back-field.  He didn't smile when he was introduced as the Bills' pick Thursday night in New York leading some to believe he was disappointed, but he explained that's just the way he is.  He's a reserved guy and that plays well at a position where there's so much pressure in the NFL.  He can get burned on one play, but has to be ready for the next and he seems to have the personality to do that.

The Bills second pick is a steal.  Tackle Cordy Glenn was projected to be a first round selection.  Some draftniks had the Bills taking him with their first pick.  He fell to the Bills with the 41st overall selection and he'll compete for the starting left tackle position.  He's huge; 6-foot-5 and 345 pounds.  He's versatile too.  He can play multiple positions on the line and with all the injuries the Bills had on the line last season that's a huge plus.

The guy who I think is the most interesting player among all the Bills' draftees is the second of their two 5th Round selections - linebacker Tank Carder.  He was a champion BMX bike racer when he was 10 years old, but was critically injured in a car accident when he was 13.  He suffered a broken back, seven broken ribs and a punctured lung when he was thrown from a vehicle.  There was concern he'd never walk again.  He battled back to earn a spot on his high school football team and then started 39 games at Texas Christian University where he made 228 and was a two-time Conference Player of the Year.

The Bills' voluntary offseason workout program is already underway.  Rookies and first year players mini camp is May 11th - 13th.