Buffalo’s front office went into the draft wanting to do everything to put the team one that would contend for the postseason, according to general manager Doug Whaley.
“I anticipated doing everything in our power to make the Bills a playoff team,” said Whaley. “I won’t be afraid to be aggressive and bold.”
That strategy was evident on the draft’s final day, with Whaley addressing an offensive line with multiple picks. In the fifth round (pick No. 153), Buffalo selected Baylor guard Cyril Richardson. Richardson was the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the year in both 2012 and 2013, and was listed at 6’5”, 329 pounds at the combine. On the drafting of Richardson, Director of Player Personnel Jim Monos said “We don’t draft guys to be backups”.
“We want guys to compete and challenge to start,” said Monos. “Once again we’re going to stick with our theme of big offensive lineman. He’s a big mauler type guard who can gain movement. We just love his power and his strength. This guy has played against some of the top competition and played in the Senior Bowl. We followed him and it’s just another big guard for us.”
Head coach Doug Marrone said today that he saw the team’s second-round pick, offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio, as a “first-round talent”, and sees the moves on the offensive line as necessary.
“Everyone is getting bigger players, especially in our division,” said Marrone. “We did it for matchups”
On his conference call, Richardson expressed happiness at joining the Bills.
“I’m glad to be a part of this,” said Richardson. “It’s a great institution. It’s a great fit.”
In the seventh round (pick No. 237), the Bills drafted Miami offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, a former top recruit who started 26 of 43 games with the Hurricanes, according to USA Today. Henderson admitted at the combine that his suspensions at the University of Miami were due to marijuana use. On his conference call, Henderson was excited to be selected, and ready to put past issues away.
“Words can’t explain,” said Henderson. I feel wonderful, I’ve been praying for this. I’m honored. Everybody knows about my past. I’m ready to work hard and be a Buffalo Bill.”
Henderson said he had a lot of “love for the game” and plays “tenacious”. Henderson was picked 16 spots after the Bills selected linebacker Randell Johnson from Florida Atlantic, joining 3rd-round pick Preston Brown as another linebacker added for depth. Marrone said he’s “looking forward to a dramatic improvement” on special teams.
CEO Russ Brandon saw the wheeling and dealing nature of the 2014 draft for the Bills as a fitting tribute to the team’s deceased owner Ralph Wilson.
“I’ll think about (Ralph Wilson) every day of my life,” said Brandon. “He would have loved the last three days.”
