The Team The Buffalo Bills Could Have Drafted

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

The Bills entered the 2003 NFL Draft with the 23rd overall pick. They drafted Willis McGahee (RB) and this was a controversial pick since McGahee had suffered a serious leg injury in a bowl game before he was drafted. He didn't play at all in his rookie season, but the following year he posted a strong season with 1,128 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. However, McGahee could never stay healthy and was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in 2007. After all that mess, the Bills would have been better off drafting Nnamdi Asomugha (CB), Rashean Mathis (CB), Dallas Clark (TE) or Ken Hamlin (S).

Chris Kelsay (DE) was taken in round 2. Kelsay has started nearly every game he has played, but bigger impact players like Osi Umenyiora (DE), Anquan Boldin (WR), Lance Briggs (LB) and Jason Witten (TE) were still on the board. The Buffalo Bills selected Angelo Crowell (LB) in the 3rd round. Crowell is a solid player when he is healthy, but a better player for the Bills with this draft pick would have been Justin Fargas (RB) or Asante Samuel (CB).

Round 4 brought two draft choices to the Bills, Terrence McGee (CB) and Sam Aiken (WR). McGee is a slam dunk Pro Bowl pick. Aiken, on the other hand, never developed into a play maker. The Bills should have used that draft selection on Robert Mathis (DE).

In round 5, the Bills drafted Ben Sobieski (OG) and was an absolute horrible pick since he played in only one game. David Diehl (OT) and Dan Koppen (C) were still available. Lauvale Sape (DT) was taken in round 6. Sape was only with the team for three years. A better option here would have been Cato June (LB).

Mario Haggan (LB) was selected in the 7th round by the Bills. During his five-year career with Buffalo, Haggan never started a game. The Bills should have drafted Tony Romo (QB) who did not get selected in the 2003 NFL Draft. Other future NFL stars that were passed on by every NFL team during the draft include Kris Dielman (OG) and Antonio Gates (TE).


Summary Of Players The Buffalo Bills Should Have Acquired In 2003

Nnamdi Asomugha
Osi Umenyiora
Justin Fargas
Robert Mathis
Dan Koppen
Cato June
Tony Romo
Kris Dielman
Antonio Gates

With the 13th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, the Bills selected Lee Evans (WR). Evans is almost an elite receiver; he just needs a quarterback that can get him the ball more often. But this is a good pick for the Bills. The team actually had another 1st round selection, which was used on J.P. Losman (QB). Losman was thought to be the future franchise signal caller, but never proved to coaches that he could be that type of player. The Bills should have used this draft pick on Bob Sanders (SS), Steven Jackson (RB), Nick Hardwick (C) or Darnell Dockett (DT).

Tim Anderson (DT) was picked in round 3 and was not a play maker. The Bills could have saved this draft selection for Matt Schaub (QB) or Chris Cooley (TE). In the 4th round, the Bills drafted Tim Euhus (TE) and was a disappointment as well since he could not develop into an NFL star. A better pick here would have been Nathan Vasher (CB), Michael Turner (RB) or Jared Allen (DE).

In round 7 of the 2004 NFL Draft, the Bills selected Dylan McFarland (OT) and again was a bad pick (he played in only two games). The Bills should have drafted Derrick Ward (RB).


Summary Of Players The Buffalo Bills Should Have Acquired In 2004

Darnell Dockett
Matt Schaub
Jared Allen
Derrick Ward

1. Marshawn Lynch
2. Trent Edwards
3. Lee Evans
4. Buffalo Bills defense
5. Rian Lindell

The Bills had no 1st round draft selections in the 2005 NFL Draft, so in round 2, Buffalo picked Roscoe Parrish (WR). Parrish is not a Pro Bowl-caliber player so this is not a particularly good first draft pick for the Bills. They should have selected Frank Gore (RB) or Justin Tuck (DE).

In the 3rd round, the Bills grabbed Kevin Everett (TE). Everett didn't start many games before he received a career-ending neck injury in September 2007 that left him paralyzed. Fortunately for Everett, he was able to walk again and live a normal life. The sad reality is Everett wasn't that productive when he could play, so the Bills should have drafted Marion Barber III (RB), Brandon Jacobs (RB) or Kyle Orton (QB).

Duke Preston (C) was taken in round 4 and is more of a bench player than anything. A better option here would have been Trent Cole (DE). The Bills selected Eric King (CB) in the 5th round and only started one game for Buffalo. Atari Bigby (S) was still on the draft board. In fact, Bigby went undrafted just like Ryan Grant (RB) and Josh Cribbs (KR). Any NFL team could have signed these free agents.


Summary Of Players The Buffalo Bills Should Have Acquired In 2005

Frank Gore
Marion Barber III
Trent Cole
Atari Bigby
Ryan Grant
Josh Cribbs

Donte Whitner (S) was drafted with the 8th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. The Bills are happy with this selection because Whitner has been a starter for most of his short career.

Buffalo picked John McCargo (DT) with another 1st round selection (26th overall). McCargo was a horrendous pick since he is not even a starter and was actually traded in 2008, but failed his physical so the trade was voided. A much better pick here would have been DeMeco Ryans (LB), Greg Jennings (WR), Marcus McNeill (OT), Devin Hester (KR) or Mathias Kiwanuka (DE).

The Buffalo Bills took Ashton Youboty (CB) in the 3rd round. Youboty is not an impact player, so the Bills would have been better off drafting Brandon Marshall (WR) or Owen Daniels (TE). Ko Simpson (S) was selected by the Bills in round 4 and started most of the games he has played, so this is a good selection.

With two draft picks in the 5th round, Buffalo selected Kyle Williams (DT) and Brad Butler (OT). Both players have started most of the games they have played in, so these draft selections will be considered good picks. Keith Ellison (LB) was taken in round 6 and is an average player. A bigger impact player like Antoine Bethea (FS) was still on the draft board.

In the 7th round, the Bills wasted a draft pick on Terrance Pennington (OT) as he played only one year for Buffalo. The Bills should have spent their draft choice on star receiver Marques Colston (WR).


Summary Of Players The Buffalo Bills Should Have Acquired In 2006

DeMeco Ryans
Brandon Marshall
Antoine Bethea
Marques Colston

Like any NFL team, a franchise will make mistakes at drafting the wrong players. The Bills have certainly had their down years. But look at the team Buffalo could have drafted from 2003 - 2006.

The "dream team" below is based on team needs and draft pick locations. Imagine what the Buffalo Bills would be like today if they had just 1/3 of these players on their roster.

Tony Romo (QB)
Matt Schaub (QB)

Marion Barber III (RB)
Ryan Grant (RB)
Derrick Ward (RB)
Justin Fargas (RB)

Lee Evans (WR)
Marques Colston (WR)

Antonio Gates (TE)
Owen Daniels (TE)

David Diehl (OT)
Brad Butler (OT)
Kris Dielman (OG)

Darnell Dockett (DT)
Kyle Williams (DT)
Jared Allen (DE)
Trent Cole (DE)
Justin Tuck (DE)
Robert Mathis (DE)

Lance Briggs (LB)
DeMeco Ryans (LB)
Cato June (LB)

Nnamdi Asomugha (CB)
Terrence McGee (CB)
Atari Bigby (S)
Antoine Bethea (FS)
Donte Whitner (S)
Ko Simpson (S)

Josh Cribbs (KR)