The Buffalo Bills didn’t have a sexy draft because they didn’t take any offensive skill players, but they did a great job of reloading the defense and the offensive line! This draft is one that could go down as one of the best in team history if these players build on what they did as rookies. Here’s the breakdown:

With the Bills earlier first round pick they took safety Donte Whitner. Many thought that the Bills reached because of need, but Whitner quickly proved those critics wrong. Whitner played in 15 games and registered 104 tackles, 1 interception and he defensed 4 passes. He is very good in run support and should only get better as a player with experience.

The Bills other first round pick was DT James McCargo. He only played in 5 games and had 6 tackles and defensed one pass. He missed most of the season due to injury so the jury is still out on him.

In the 3rd round the Bills selected CB Ahston Youboty out of Ohio State and he didn’t do much. He played in 3 games and made 3 tackles.

With their 4th round pick the Bills chose S Ko Simpson. Simpson had a great rookie year and teamed with Whitner to give the Bills a solid set of safeties. He played in all 16 games and made 76 tackles, had 1 sack, intercepted 2 passes, defensed 2 passes and forced a fumble. The Bills look set at safety for a long time.

In the 5th round the Bills picked DT Kyle Williams. The Bills figured McCargo would be the man, but Williams played very solid when he got his chance to play. He played in all 16 games and made 53 tackles and defensed a pass.Â

With their second choice in the 5th round the Bills picked OT Brad Butler. Butler didn’t play very much as he only got into 2 games. But the 6′7″, 309 pounder will have a chance to make the team next year.

In the 6th round the Bills got another nice hit. OLB Keith Ellison was their choice and he got alot of playing time. He played in 14 games and made 65 tackles, had 1 sack, 1 interception, defensed 1 pass and recovered a fumble. He will be a future starter for the Bills.

In the 7th round the Bills hit a home run! Offensive Tackle Terrance Pennington was the pick and he played in 11 games and started 9 of them. The 6′7″, 325 mountain of a man will start next season at LT for the Bills!

The other 7th round pick was G/C Aaron Merz. Merz did a good job as a backup. He appeared in 7 games and made 1 start. He should stick around because he’s very versatile.