By CHUCK POLLOCK, Wellsville Sun Senior Sports Columnist
(Photo: The Wellsville Sun has had a chance to see the draft picks in Pittsburgh and visit the new sites, including players and celebrities at the TOPPS football trading card stage)
In the second round the Bills took edge rusher TJ Parker from Clemson, 6-foot-3, 265 pounds. Their third choice was cornerback Davison Igbinosun, 6-2, 195 from Ohio State, verifying the Bills focus on defense.
In assessing Parker, the Sporting News said of his strengths, “He was one of the Top 5 players in the state of Alabama in 2023. He has some really impressive run defense. Able to bottle up running backs by setting up a good edge. Flashes great explosiveness. Great flexibility and short-area quickness.
Weaknesses: OK pass rusher. Footwork and lower body skill set are behind the development curve. Parker should start in the NFL for awhile.
IGBINOSUN transferred from Mississippi to Ohio State where he maintained his upward trajectory. Logged four interceptions and three fumble recoveries for the Buckeyes.
Strengths: Great traits for an outside corner. Long arms and great top speed. Physical as hell. Super impressive in run defense. Sure tackler.
Weaknesses: Had some really intense penalty concerns … just way too grabby. Does not like to turn his head to track the ball. Does not have good footwork. Going to need time to develop better technique.
THE BILLS will have seven draft picks acquired in trades.
Three of them came from the Titans: Round 2 (35), Round 3 (66) and Round 4 (101).
Also in Round 4, pick 125 arrived through Chicago, Kansas City and New England.
In round 5, pick No. 167 came via Houston and Pittsburgh.
Four teams had their hands on selection 182 in the sixth round; Jets, Cleveland, Jacksonville and Las Vegas.
And finally, in Round 7, pick number 220 came from the Jets.
(Chuck Pollock, a Wellsville Sun and Olean Star senior sports columnist, can be reached at cpollock@wnynet.net.)
