Buffalo Bills 2013 Draft Preview

Apr 16, 2013 - 1:56 PM (Sports Network) - With Ryan Fitzpatrick now in Tennessee, new Bills coach Doug Marrone's first order of business is finding a quarterback and let's face it, neither holdover Tarvaris Jackson or newcomer Kevin Kolb is the answer.

That has many putting two and two together and coming up with Marrone's old signal-caller at Syracuse, Ryan Nassib, as the team's choice with the eighth overall selection. By doing that, however, Marrone would be severely curtailing his honeymoon as an NFL coach, a period which is generally far too brief to begin with.

Nassib just isn't the type of prospect worthy of being a top 10 selection so if he is Buffalo's plan, the organization would be best served moving down. If not, standing pat and filling some other hole would be a better option.

In fact it's conceivable Nassib could still be around when it's Buffalo's turn in the second round, the 41st selection overall.

The Bills also have plenty of issues in other places. The team needs a complement to Stevie Johnson at wide receiver and its best offensive lineman, guard Andy Levitre, signed with Tennessee in free agency. Meanwhile, tight end Scott Chandler has proven to be an excellent safety valve and red zone touchdown threat but tore his ACL in Week 16, making his status for the start of 2013 very questionable.

On defense, Mike Pettine comes in as coordinator from the AFC East-rival Jets and takes over an underachieving unit. On paper Buffalo is strong up front but needs plenty of help in the back seven.

All three starting linebacker spots could be in flux since Nick Barnett was released and both Kelvin Sheppard and Nigel Bradham are trying to establish themselves. Corner Stephon Gilmore and free safety Jairus Byrd are the constants in the secondary but need help.

If Buffalo general manager Buddy Nix can talk Marrone off the ledge, Alabama guard Chance Warmack would be a nice replacement for Levitre at No. 8.

2012 Record: 6-10

Top Needs: LB, WR, QB, CB

First Three Picks: No. 8, No. 41, No. 71

Number of Selections: 6 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2012 - Stephen Gilmore (CB, South Carolina); 2011 - Marcell Dareus (DT, Alabama); 2010 - C.J. Spiller (RB, Clemson); 2009 - Aaron Maybin (DE, Penn State), Eric Wood (OL, Louisville); 2008 - Leodis McKelvin (CB, Troy); 2007 - Marshawn Lynch (RB, California); 2006 - Donte Whitner (S, Ohio State), John McCargo (DT, North Carolina State); 2005 - None; 2004 - Lee Evans (WR, Wisconsin), J.P. Losman (QB, Tulane); 2003 - Willis McGahee (RB, Miami-Florida).