Breaking Down Buddy Nix's Live Chat 4/24/12

By Ryan Talbot on April 24, 2012 in Bills, NFL, Top Stories

Two days before the NFL Draft, Buddy Nix held a live chat on BuffaloBills.com. I’ll be picking out comments made today by Buddy to help get a better idea on what the Bills are thinking at pick 10. To read the entire chat head to the Buffalo Bills website.

On whether Justin Blackmon or Michael Floyd will be available at 10…

Nix: I think one of them will be there. I’ll leave it at that.

Analysis: Buddy Nix clearly believes that Michael Floyd will be available at pick 10. Most mock drafts would agree with him. He doesn’t give any hints here about interest, but Floyd was very complimentary of Buffalo as of yesterday. On Sirius Radio, Floyd stated that he’d be a great fit with the Bills.

On Melvin Ingram

Nix: I think Ingram is one of the best athletes in the draft and I think he can play multiple positions. I’m not sure he could play fullback, but yes I think he can play LB. The thing you don’t want to do is take away what he does best which is rush the passer.

Analysis: Very complimentary of Ingram, but Nix has said that they aren’t looking for a hybrid type of player and that is exactly what Melvin Ingram is. Great athlete, but no true position. Doubt we take him.

On Riley Reiff

Nix: His arm length is a concern and in my opinion (Reiff) is a better run blocker than pass protector right now.

Analysis: Not exactly a glowing review of Riley Reiff. His arm length is a major concern and Nix wants an impact player at 10. Reiff is the exact opposite. Looks like we’ll pass on him.

The value of LB to WR and is LB a position of need

Nix: I think depth at LB is certainly a position of need. I think the draft is much deeper at WR than it is LB.

Analysis: Nix is likely to be picking a LB early in this draft. Kuechly is ideal at pick 10, but there will also be some top LBs available in Round 2. Nix is right about the depth at WR this year, but I still say we go WR in the first three rounds.

Will the Bills look at QBs and is Ryan Fitzpatrick good enough to lead the Bills to the playoffs?

Nix: Yes on Fitz, I think he is and yes we’ll draft a quarterback if there’s one there at some point.

Analysis: Of course Nix believes in Fitzpatrick. He handed him a big contract last year. That said, I think Nix knows we don’t have much in regards to a backup. Look for the Bills to take a QB in the middle rounds. Kirk Cousins spoke highly on his visit to Buffalo, but he’d be a 3rd round pick. I’m not sure the Bills are looking to take a QB that early, but I’m sure Coach Gailey has a few QB’s that he’d love to work with. Until I’m proven otherwise, I believe Russell Wilson is on the Bills radar and can be had in round 4 or maybe even round 5. Wilson has all of the intangibles you look for in a QB, but his height is holding him back.

Need versus Best Player Available Approach

Nix: If two people have equal grade at 10 and one fills a need that’s the one you take. If not you take the highest rated guy.

Analysis: Our biggest needs are CB, LB, WR, and OL. I don’t think there are any OL that will have an equal grade to someone like Gilmore, Kirkpatrick, Kuechly, or Floyd. Unless someone unexpected falls, I’d be shocked if one of these players aren’t in a Bills jersey next year.

Is this draft particularly deep at any one position? if so, which one?

Nix: It’s deep at WR as usual and defensive line at both tackle and end. There will be a lot of good players in the middle rounds.

Analysis: Twice Nix stressed how deep the WR position is. This makes me think Gilmore, Kirkpatrick, and Kuechly may go ahead of Floyd on our draft board.

Would the Bills take a safety at pick 10?

Nix: We’ll consider the best player on the board.

Analysis: Obviously the person asking the question was referring to Barron. The guy is by far the best safety in this year’s draft and I wouldn’t be opposed to the Bills taking him. Barron may not get to see the field as quickly as someone like Kuechly, Gilmore, or Kirkpatrick though. Nix also stressed the importance of getting younger at the CB position and taking one or two CBs.

Will the Bills draft a TE?

Nix: No, probably not.

Analysis: I think it’s safe for me to remove Deangelo Peterson from my last mock draft. Nix is a straight shooter and unless Fleener fell to round two, it doesn’t look like we’ll be drafting any tight ends this year.

On Luke Kuechly playing OLB

Nix: I think he can play any of the 3 LB spots.

Analysis: This is the reason I picked Luke Kuechly in my last mock draft. Nix has stressed finding an impact player which Kuechly is. He’s also stated that we need depth at LB. You can’t do much better than Kuechly. The guy can play all three LB positions and he’ll play at a high level in the NFL.

Which NEED is more important on this upcoming draft day, LB OR CB?

Nix: CB, you can’t get enough of them with the way offenses are going.

Analysis: This is the comment that has all Bills fans saying we’re taking Gilmore or Kirkpatrick. I’d be more than okay with either on the team. There are very good CBs who will be available in rounds 3-5, I’m not as confident about the LB depth in those rounds. I do believe we’ll be taking more than one CB this year though. I just don’t think it’ll be in Round 1.

Is there a “no-brainer” pick for the Bills at 10?

Nix: There is. I don’t know if he’ll be there.

Analysis: This is the comment that makes me think we’re looking at Kuechly or Gilmore. He’s already said he believes a WR will be there at 10, but he’s unsure if his “no-brainer” pick will be available. This does sound like Gilmore to me, but I don’t think Nix looks at mock drafts. I believe he’s looking at his own draft grades and he’s worried about his target being there. Nix also agreed with a comment that WRs don’t usually make an impact in their rookie years and that the Bills want an impact player.

Final Analysis: Nix also stated in the interview that teams have called about moving up to the #1o spot as well as moving back to the Bills pick. Nix said anything can happen, but he usually stays put. Nix also was very complimentary of our safeties saying he thinks Searcy is going to be a very good player, that Byrd already is, and that Wilson is very important to our defense. If you asked me right now who the Bills will take at pick 10 based on Buddy’s chat and my gut feeling here are my top three players in order of how I think the Bills have them ranked:

1. Luke Kuechly