Just days and perhaps even hours after the 2011 NFL draft came to its three-day conclusion, pundits all over commenced handing out grades to each of the 32 teams.  While immediate reactions are always entertaining, I’ve long been under the assumption it’s borderline absurd to dispense grades to a team when not one of prospect has even picked up a NFL team playbook yet.

I learned the hard way about the humiliation that follows when you prematurely anoint or blast an organization based on 24 hours of digesting unknown draft picks.  Back in 2006 while doing some contributing writing for Yahoo Sports and Scout.com, I instantaneously became a fanatic of the Bills’ 2006 under new general manger Marv Levy. I vividly remember stating in the days that followed that this would be the draft to turn Buffalo’s franchise around.  I recall saying the trade-up with Chicago to land John McCargo was potentially a revolutionary move for the franchise.  With the first five picks completely committed to defense, it was merely a matter of time before Buffalo would dominate the AFC East. I gave the Bills a Class-A grade and ranked the draft the best of all 32 teams.

Of course, turns out that class consisted of Donte Whitner, McCargo, Ashton Youboty and Ko Simpson being the first four selections.  Only Kyle Williams going off the board in round five prevents that draft from being a massive fail.

Continue reading ‘Grading The Buffalo Bills Draft – Thee Years Later’