RSS
Home
2009 Examiner Mock Draft: With the 11th pick, the Buffalo Bills select...
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Is there anything new going on with the Bills this year? Oh yeah, that’s right, they picked up some receiver in free agency and gobbled up all the NFL headlines for weeks with the curious, yet bold decision to bring Terrell Owens into the fold.
While the decision has a huge risk reward aspect, it no doubt makes the Bills relevant after failing to make the playoffs once again and finishing 7-9 after another strong start during 2008. T.O. will no doubt improve the Bills offense but the powder keg that is Owens can go off at any second which will have a big impact whether head coach Dick Jauron keeps his job past this season. Owens, who signed a one-year deal earlier this month after the Cowboys said good riddance, already skipped the Bills voluntary workouts this week. His excuse is he prefers to work out on his own and will only join his teammates if it is mandatory. Let the games begin.
So with Owens now ready to bring his popcorn show to Buffalo, the Bills have to decide where to go in the 2009 draft. There are needs across the board, but the Owens signing does signal that the Bills feel they are very close to becoming a contender this season. The Bills need to fill voids at the tight end position, defensive end, linebacker and left guard. These four areas need to be taken care of either through the draft or free agency.
The Bills have signed five free agents so far: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, C Geoff Hangartner, CB Drayton Florence, Owens and LB Pat Thomas. Hangartner needs to step up right away after the center position became a huge issue last year.
So most likely, Buffalo will address the tight end and defensive end position in the draft. The Bills have the 11th pick and some of the top DE will be off the board before their selection so the choice is…drum roll please…Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew.
Pettigrew is widely considered to be the most NFL-ready tight end and has the skills to be a top flight player. He is already a good blocker and while he may need to polish his receiving skills and route running, he is huge (6’5”) with soft hands and would be a big weapon in the red zone. With Pettigrew in the mix, QB Trent Edwards would have a third weapon after Owens and Lee Evans.
Right now, Derek Fine is listed as the starting tight end and he only had 10 catches as a rookie last year. While defense may be a major need (only 24 sacks in 2008), Pettigrew should make an immediate impact and with no other viable choices on the roster at this position, it makes it a slam dunk to take the Okalahoma State prospect.
Of course, no matter what they do, T.O. will make or break this season for the Bills and Jauron.
Sports Examiners: 2009 NFL Mock Draft »
Sports Examiners from around the country are making the first-round picks in the inaugural Examiner.com Mock Draft. Check out the full list of each Examiner's selections and see who your favorite team is predicted to take!
