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Bills Daily 2002 Draft Board

Round Pick Overall Pos. Player College
  1   4   4 OT Mike Williams Texas
  2   4  36 WR Jake Reed LSU
  2   29  61 DE Ryan Denney BYU
  3  32  97* SS Coy Wire Stanford
  5   4 139 DT Justin Bannan Colorado
  6   4 176 CB Kevin Thomas UNLV
  7   4 215 OG Mike Pucillo Auburn
  7  40 249* WR Rodney Wright Fresno St.
  7  42 251* FB Jarett Ferguson Virginia Tech
  7  50 260# LB Dominique Stevenson Tennessee
* - Compensatory Pick
# - Non Compensatory Pick to fulfill number of draft picks permitted according to the Collective Bargaining agreement.

2002 DRAFT CAPSULES

1) OT Mike Williams 6-5, 375, 5.09 - Williams is a tight, impact player with a thick chest and arms. He is a big man with good flexibility and is very quick for his size. He allowed only two sack in his college career in 28 starts. He played right tackle to protect the blindside of left handed QB Chris Simms. He's light on his feet with excellent movement and has great techniques. He is a high character player who wowed Bills officials during his visit to Buffalo. He helps solidify the offensive line and projects as a left tackle in the pros but there is a chance he starts his career on the right side. It will be interesting to see how the offensive line juggles now that Williams comes to Buffalo.

2) WR Josh Reed 5-10, 210, 4.65 - Reed He is a possession type of of receiver and is tough, with good run after the catch ability. Does a great job at breaking tackles and is considered in the Andre Reed-mold by Bill Polian. He won the Biletnikoff Award for being the best college receiver last year. He had 94 catches for 1,740 yards as a junior last season. He lacks pure speed but is a terrific athlete with solid body control. He was the best available athlete at the time and his a good choice except he comes in to tough competition as this wasn't a need area for the Bills. He is different than the burner type of receiver that Buffalo already has in Peerless Price and Eric Moulds.

2) DE Ryan Denney 6-7, 276, 4.85 - The Bills coveted this guy enough to give up a fourth round pick to move up eight spots to grab him with the second of two picks in the second round. His very tall and has very good speed. He projects as a pass rushing end in the pros. He is 24 years old, so age may be a factor. Has good explosion off the ball and is good at chasing plays from behind. He should compete for a job right away on the Bills thin defensive line.

3) SS Coy Wire Stanford 5-11, 209, 4.5 - He's an inexperienced strong safety as he played running back early in his college career. He also has played outside linebacker. He's a team leader who tackles very well and is a good worker. Doesn't have great athletic ability and is raw as a defensive player. He's a team leader who tackles very well and the Bills hope he can learn enough to be a factor in the 46 defense but was a reach in the third round.

5) DT Justin Bannan Colorado 6-2, 300, 5.01 - Bannan is a hard working, tough tackle that has excellent instincts and technique at tackle. He doesn't have the mass size but the Bills feel he is a two gap stuffing tackle. Doesn't rush the passer well but won't be asked to in the Bills defense. He is considred a good run stopper in the Shawn Price mode. He may replace Price on the roster since he's an unrestricted free agent.

6) CB Kevin Thomas UNLV 5-11, 180, 4.64 - Thomas is a good cover corner, who is a good athlete. He's smooth and agile but his weaknesses include his size and suspect tackling ability. He does seem to have the knack for making big plays but doesn't have top-end speed and needs to gain some aggressiveness. Will compete for a backup job with the club.

7) OG Mike Pucillo 6-3, 315, 5.35 - A disciplined lineman who can play both guard and center. He is improving and has some upside with his smart play. His technique is good and he gives a solid effort to help overcome the lack of great talent. Will challenge for a backup lineman position.

7) WR Rodney Wright Fresno State 5-8, 185, 4.45 - Had a big finish last year and had 91 catches for 1,331 yards and 10 scores. He is very small for a wide receiver with good quickness and elusiveness but not great pure speed but is a great route runner. The Bills are hoping they can catch lightning in a bottle like they did with Reggie Germany last year. It will be tough for him to crack this team. Unlike other drafted players he is not known for giving great effort all the time.

7) FB Jarett Ferguson 5-8, 222 - The Bills needed to add a fullback and did so late in the draft. He's a good bruising runner with some good movement to boot as he changes direction well. He is also considered a good receiver and blocker to go along with his good running skills. Not an ideal size for a blocking back. Should challenge for a roster spot at a position where there is no depth behind Larry Centers.

7) LB Dominique Stevenson Tennessee 5-11, 222 - Run stuffing middle linebacker who is small and can't handle multiple blocks well. Played running back in high school. He always plays hard but is slow at reacting. Best chances of making the team is as a special teams player.


2002 DRAFT GRADE
The Bills had an excellent first day of the draft and filled some holes on day two. Staying with the 4th pick and taking Williams was a smart move, it is a safe pick and he will be a fixture at tackle for year. We love the pick of Reed, he will be a starter in 2003. Denney was a good need pick but they gave up a valuable 4th round pick to move up and get him. They got burned in the third round when Denver traded up ahead of them and took a defensive tackle they may have wanted. Wire is a project case and the third round is too early to pick one. Picking Bannan in round 5 may have made up for the third round mess. The later picks filled some holes in the depth with Ferguson being a possible steal, while Stevenson and Wright may be possible misses. Grade: B. If you count the trade for Bledsoe in the draft day grade then it becomes in A.

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Our Bills Seven Round Mock Draft




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