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Bills Daily 2001 Draft Board

Round Pick Overall Pos. Player College
  1  21  21 DB Nate Clements Ohio State
  2  15  46 DE Aaron Schobel TCU
  2  207  58 RB Travis Henry Tennessee
  3  14  76 DT Ron Edwards Texas A&M
  3  33*  95 OT Jonas Jennings Georgia
  4  15  110 LB Brandon Spoon North Carolina
  5  13 144 OT Marques Sullivan Illinois
  6  15 178 S Tony Driver Notre Dame
  6  32* 195 TE Dan O'Leary Notre Dame
  6  33* 196 CB Jimmy Williams Vanderbilt
  7  14 214 WR Reggie Germany Ohio State
  7  38* 238 DT Tyrone Robertson Hinds CC
# - Compensatory Pick

2001 DRAFT CAPSULES

1) DB Nate Clements 5-11, 207, 4.45 - Clements was the first cornerback taken in the draft and the Bills were able to get their top choice at that position while trading down seven spots and adding another pick in the process. Clements is a solid cover corner who has good speed. He fits in the Gregg Williams mold of aggresive players. He's not afraid to take a gamble to make a big play. He's a hard hitter with a good build. He averaged 12 yards per punt return and will be looked at as a punt returner and possibly a kickoff returner. He will probably start the year as the nickel back but he could steal the starting job from Ken Irvin with a good training camp and preseason.

2) DE Aaron Schobel 6-3, 263, 4.7 - Another Williams type of player, he is small for an end but is very fast and is a solid pass rusher. He is in the mold of another Williams protege, Jevon Kearse. Schobel believes in his skills and was upset he didn't go in the first round. He's a solid worker who has big play ability but his lack of size hurts him in run defense. May challenge last year's number one pick Erik Flowers for playing time, should be on the field on passing downs.

2) RB Travis Henry 5-9, 225 - This pick was a surprise as running back wasn't a need position for the Bills. Henry is a big tough halfback in the mold of Marion Butts. He is the all team leading rusher in Tennessee history. He's a powerful runner with good quickness and can also be a good bocker. He didn't get a chance to catch many passes there but the Bills feel he will be able to do that at the pro level. He will compete for playing time in the very crowded backfield.

3) DT Ron Edwards Texas A&M 6-2, 293, 4.9 - He's a good athlete that projects to play left defensive tackle. He has the size to play inside but the speed to play outside on first and second downs. He handles one-on-one blocking very well. He may be a starter this year by default next to Pat Williams who has very similar skills to Edwards.

3) OT Jonas Jennings Tennessee 6-3, 332, 5.28 - Jennings is a versatile lineman who can play tackle, guard, or center. He will probably get his first shot with the Bills as a backup tackle. He's a good athlete who doesn't give up many sacks, needs to improve his technique a bit.

4) LB Brandon Spoon North Carolina 6-2, 247, 4.88 - Spoon is in the mold of former Bill Chris Spielman. He's not the most talented player but is a workhorse who gives it his all on every play. He's played outside and inside linebacker, but projects as an inside linebacker.

5) OT Marques Sullivan Illinois 6-5, 338, 5.29 - Another player who thought he would go earlier. The Bills like his size and speed. He is a true tackle and will add to the depth of the depleted offensive line. He is a power type blocker with good foot work and quickness. He was considered an underachiever in College and the coaches will have to fire him up a bit.

6) S Tony Driver Notre Dame 6-1, 215, 4.55 - Went to college as a tailback before moving to safety. He played more free safety in college but will be slotted at strong safety in Buffalo. He has nice size, speed and range but is raw and inexperienced at the position. He will be able to learn from one of the best in Henry Jones.

6) TE Dan O'Leary Notre Dame 6-3, 253, 4.95 - Pass catching tight end that can double as the long snapper. He was solid as a punt snapper but never has snapped for field goals. He's a hard worker but isn't an accomplished blocker.

6) CB Jimmy Williams Vanderbilt 5-10, 188, 4.57 - Has all the tools with great athletic ability. His downfall was his lack of focus and concentration. If the coaches can get his head on straight he can be a steal in the sixth round. Will challenge for a spot as a nickel or dime backer.

7) WR Reggie Germany Ohio State 6-1, 183, 4.4 - Like Williams has the tools but seems to lose concentration and drop easy passes. He's a little on the thin size for the pro game and despite great speed he wasn't much of a long pass threat at Ohio State. Will have a chance to make the team because of a lack of depth at the Wide Receiver spot.

7) DT Tyrone Robertson Hinds Junior College 6-3, 275, 4.95 - Another small school project for the Bills. He has some talent but is very raw with two more years of college eligibility remaining. He is athletic and runs very well for his size and he plays hard.


2001 DRAFT GRADE
Of course you can't really grade a draft for a few years but what fun would that be? The key to the draft was trading down in the first and second rounds and getting two more picks while not comprimising the player they wanted. The disappointment of the draft was the early run on defensive tackle that kept the Bills from getting the impact tackle they wanted to step in and start. They got 12 new players who are surely going to provide depth. Clements will be an immediate impact and the draft may hinge on Edwards stepping in at defensive tackle. They never addressed there need at Center unless they plan on moving Jennings out there. Picking a running back in the second round was the biggest surprise. B

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