The Bills have definately improved the interior of their offensive line with the selections of Eric Wood and now Andy Levitre.  Levitre could likely start at guard from Day #1 for the Bills.  He also could likely learn how to play center if the need arised, but, they would be better off leaving him at guard.  He moved inside on the O-Line after having problems defending edge rushers.  Levitre is 6’2″, 306 pounds.  He played in 51 games (39 starts) in his 4-year career at Oregon State.  This was another solid pick for the Bills.

The Bills needed help at cornerback and Jarius Byrd should provide it.  He has nice size at 6’0″, 205 pounds but he’s not the fastest CB on the planet running a 4.55 40.  Still, Byrd is a playmaker as he anticipates throws better than most corners in this draft.  He played 3 seasons for Oregon and he appeared in 39 games (37 starts) in which he made 204 tackles, broke up 36 passes, had 17 interceptions (113 yards), forced 3 fumbles and recovered 4 fumbles.  Byrd could also probably handle a switch back to safety and he has punt and kickoff return experience.  This was a good pick for the Bills.

The Buffalo Bills added a tough center in Eric Wood with their 2nd first round pick of this draft.  Wood is a good run blocker when he keeps down which is hard for him at times as he is 6’4″, 304 pounds.  Wood is good in space pulling and hitting moving targets but he has some issues anchoring against power rushers on the inside.  Wood’s motor is always going as he gives a full out effort most of the time.  Wood played 4 seasons at Louisville and he appeared in 48 games (all starts).  Look for him to probably start from Day #1 for the Bills and to have a long career with them.

Aaron Maybin is a excellent pass rusher but he has problems against the running game as he is a tad skinny.  He is 6’4″, 245 pounds but he’s fast running a 4.6 40.  Maybin played 2 seasons for Penn State appearing in 26 games (10 starts) in which he made 61 tackles, had 24.5 tackles for a loss, had 16 sacks, batted down 4 balls and he forced 4 fumbles.  The Bills couldn’t rush the passer last season so this pick made perfect sense for them as Maybin has a nice upside.

The Buffalo Bills have traded 27-year old, 6’4″, 340 pound left tackle Jason Peters to the Eagles for a 1st round pick in 2009 (28th overall), a 4th round pick in 2009 and a late undisclosed 2010 draft pick.  Peters played in 13 games (all starts) last season for the Bills and he allowed a stunning 11.5 sacks!   In five seasons with the Bills Peters played in 65 games (55 starts).  The Bills will miss Peters somewhat but he is a overrated player.  Offensive tackle will now have to be addressed by the Bills this weekend in the NFL Draft but they did get a good return for Peters.

The Bills have signed 30-year old running back Dominic Rhodes to a 2-year deal.  Rhodes played in 15 games for the Colts last season and he carried the ball 152 times for 538 yards (3.5 ypc) with 6 TD runs.  He also caught 45 passes for 302 yards (6.7 avg) with 3 TD grabs for the Colts last season.  Rhodes will compete with Fred Jackson to see who starts at tailback while Marshawn Lynch is serving his suspension.  Rhodes has now played in 96 games in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 777 times for 3,114 yards (4.0 ypc) with 26 TD runs.  He has also caught 146 passes for 1,021 yards (7.0 avg) with 4 TD grabs in his career.  Early on he also was a returner for the Colts and he could help out the Bills in that capacity if the need arises.  Rhodes has returned 135 kickoffs for 3,122 yards (23.1 avg) with 2 TD returns in his career.  This was a good move for the Bills.

The Bills have signed 29-year old C/G Seth McKinney.  McKinney played in all 16 games (3 starts) for the Cleveland Browns.  He has now played in 85 games (45 starts) in his NFL career which has spanned 7 seasons.  This was a good depth move for the Bills as McKinney is a very versatile offensive lineman.

The NFL has suspended 22-year old running back Marshawn Lynch for the first three games of the 2009 NFL season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.  Lynch played in 15 games for the Bills last season and he carried the ball 250 times for 1,036 yards (4.1 ypc) with 8 TD runs.  He also caught 47 passes for 300 yards (6.4 avg) with 1 TD grab last year.  It will be interesting to see how the Bills decide to fill the hole that Lynch will be leaving in the offense.  He has now played in 28 games in his 2-year NFL career and he has carried the ball 530 times for 2,151 yards (4.1 ypc) with 15 TD runs.  He also has caught 65 passes for 484 yards (7.4 avg) with 1 TD grab in his career.  At least the timing for this was good as the Bills might be able to select a RB in this month’s NFL Draft.