As the NFL draft approaches, I’ve been listening to the local sports buzz and the criticism of Tom Donahoe as the Bills GM, especially in regard to his draft record. So let’s start at the beginning…the Bills hire Tom Donohoe after GM John Butler stabs owner Ralph Wilson in the back and runs to San Diego. Donohoe has to do the dirty work and clean house for the Bills, releasing Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, Bruce Smith, and numerous other veterans in order to get under the salary cap. In the midst of all this, he also has to run his first draft as President of the Bills. Let’s see how he did…

The Bills initially had the #14 pick in the draft, but traded down with Tampa Bay and added their second round pick (#51) in addition to Tampa’s first round pick (#21). The Bills then traded that second round pick to Denver for Denver’s #2 (#58) and their 4th (#110). That gave the Bills five picks within the top 95, and seven within the first 114. A crucial factor in building depth on the Bills going forward.

1 (21): Nate Clements, CB, Ohio State. Was the first corner taken in the draft, and he has started all but the first five games in his career. He has 12 career INT’s, and while he is prone to not turning and spotting the ball on “go” routes, he is a solid corner who improves every year. There was an uproar when the Bills traded down and passed on Florida State OT Kenyatta Walker, who has done little in his pro career and sat his first two years. The other players drafted after Walker but before Clements were: Rod Gardner, Santana Moss, Steve Hutchinson, Jeff Backus, Casey Hampton, and Adam Archuletta. Has any of those players given a better three years of service? Of course, they could have had Duece McAllister, who went to the Saints with the next pick.

2a (46): Aaron Schobel, DE, TCU. Also a starter since his rookie year, Schobel has 26.5 sacks in three years (6.5, then 8.5, and 11.5 last year). While he tends to disappear against dominant tackles, he is a steady performer who continues to improve. With an above average player at the other end spot, Schobel would be even more dangerous. He seems to be a Phil Hansen clone, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

2b (58): Travis Henry, RB, TEN. What can you say about Henry? He has been everything the Bills could ask for and more. A workhorse who played most of last year on a broken leg, he gave his best even after the Bills drafted Willis McGahee. Best value of the 2001 draft (after some very brief research).

3a (76): Ron Edwards, DT, Texas A&M. Out most of 2003 with a shoulder injury, Edwards remains a solid backup for Sam Adams and Pat Williams.

3b (95): Jonas Jennings, OT, Georgia. Starting left tackle aho has blossomed in the last two years. Great value here.

4 (110): Brandon Spoon, LB, NC. Cut in training camp before the 2003 season. Spoon was unable to come back from pectoral and calf injuries sustained in the 2002 season. Spoon was a promising youngster who filled in at MLB his rookie year when Sam Cowart went down, but he couldn’t overcome the injuries of 2002.

5 (114): Marques Sullivan, OT, Illinois. Started 16 games at guard in 2002. Was scheduled to start in 2003 until Mike Pucillo beat him out in training camp. He recently signed a two-year extension and I expect him to compete for a guard position opposite FA signee Chris Villarrial. The bills love his size and quick feet.

6a (178): Tony Driver, S, Notre Dame. Released before 2003 season. Spot starter and backup in his two years here, he provided excellent depth.

6b (195): Dan O’ Leary, TE, Notre Dame. Released before the 2003 season. Was the Bills starting long-snapper until he was injured in 2002.

6c (196): Jimmy Williams, CB, Vanderbilt: Released in 2001 camp.

7a (214): Reggie Germany, WR, Ohio State: The talented but inconsistent receiver was released in 2002. He made the tough catches look easy, and the easy catches look like, well, incompletions.

7b (238): Tyrone Robertson, DT, Hinds JC: This project was released before the 2003 season. He was inactive or on the practice squad the other years.

So how’d ol’ Tommy Donohoe do with those nine picks he parlayed into twelve picks?

4-5 starters
1-2 backups
4 released after two years
1 released after one year
1 released in camp

I would put that draft up against any team, any time. I’m sure there have been better, but I’m not going to research them all. In today’s abbreviated draft, I think four or five starters is as good as it gets.