As the smoke settled on the final day of the draft, the Bills bolstered their depth on both sides of the ball, highlighted by a pair of talented linebackers.
With the 105th pick, Buffalo selected Nigel Bradham, outside linebacker out of Florida State. A speed back with good situational pass blitzing, Bradham was a three-year starter and team captain with the Seminoles. He appeared in all 52 games of his college career and led the team in tackles all three years. At 6-foot-2 and 242 pounds, Bradham should be a physical presence in Buffalo's scheme."In spread formations, a lot of the linebackers are smaller now, but he’s got size," Bills National Scout Darrell Moody told the media. "He’s got a chance to play at any one of the two outside positions. He’s got straight line speed. He played in their subpackages. I think he’s got good cover skills.”
At pick No. 147, Buffalo took Tank Carder, a 6-foot-2, 236-pound outside linebacker out of TCU. Carder was a two-time Mountain West player of the year (2010-11), the 2011 Rose Bowl Defensive MVP and a 2011 All-American. He started 39 consecutive games at one point TCU, the defensive juggernauts who led the NCAA in defensive three consecutive years (2008-10). He, like Bradham, is strong against the rush, and his ability create interceptions may place him in plenty of third-down passing situations.
“I’m excited,” Carder told reporters after the pick. “When I went up there (Buffalo) I had a good feeling. I loved everything (they) had, the facilities and everything were real low-key, it wasn’t anything too fancy and that was the best part I liked about it. Not a lot of flash and I love that. I’m ready to come there and do my part and help out the team the best I can.”
In keeping with the defensive mindset, Buffalo took cornerback Ron Brooks from LSU with the 124th pick. Spending most of his playing days in the shadow of Morris Claiborne and Patrick Peterson, Brooks's 53 games of experience and 4.37 40-yard time will make him an instant asset to the Bills either in the backfield or on special teams. Brooks had two picks and 3.5 sacks in 2011, and will likely be used in slot-coverage situations if he gains a starting role as a defensive back.
“I played outside. I’m comfortable playing inside or outside, or even at safety,” Brooks told reporters following the news. “That’s one thing about me is I’m versatile. Whatever position you stick me at I’m going to be comfortable at the end and going out there and fighting my hardest.”
Buffalo addressed its lack of depth on the offensive line, as well, Saturday, taking Florida State's Zebrie Sanders and Oregon's Mark Asper. Sanders, at pick No. 144, spent time at both right and left tackle with the Seminoles. At 6-foot-5, 320 pounds, his size makes him more apt to be used on the right side.
“I feel like I am good at the right or left (tackle),” Sanders said Saturday. “I am ready to give my all for every line up position that put me in.”
Sanders has shown promise in one-on-one blocking situations, but conversely has struggled in open space. His durability in college is something Buffalo will be happy about, however, starting 50 of 53 games.
“I see the fifth round as an opportunity, just like anybody else,” he said. “I feel like it is going to give me a fair shot. It’s definitely something to look forward to and something to work on. I feel like I have to go up there and earn my respect. I cannot wait to get up (to Buffalo) and have a shot.”
Mark Asper, the 178th pick, comes from a high-powered, spread offense in Oregon. At 6-foot-6, 319 pounds, Asper saw time at pretty much every position on the Ducks' offensive line, a versatility factor that may be the reason for the Bills interest. At 27, his maturity plays a role as well, having gone on a two-year religious mission prior to starting his college career. He's shown great promise in space and has quick feet, and his ability to adapt to any spot on the line could earn him a roster spot.
“The first year I was there I was the swing tackle,” he said of his time in Oregon. “So I played right side, left side, did everything. My sophomore I played guard all year. My junior year I played tackle all year. Then my senior year I was slotted to play tackle, but because of the personnel that we had they made a change and my coach asked me to move inside because they needed a bigger body and they wanted experience inside because our center was young. At the all-star game they wanted somebody to play center and I volunteered to do it.”
