SB Nation - Cary Harris

2009 NFL Draft Grades: Buffalo Bills Edition

Brian Galliford — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:30:10 -0000

8 months ago: Russ Brandon, center, Buffalo Bills chief operating officer/general manager, stands with the team's first-round NFL draft picks, Aaron Maybin, left, and Eric Wood at the Ralph Wilson Stadium complex in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Maybin, 11th-overall pick, is a defensive end from Penn State and Wood is a center from Louisville. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)

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The 2009 NFL Draft is in the books, and the Buffalo Rumblings community - at least to the point that this is published - has given the Buffalo Bills' efforts over the weekend an overwhelming 78% approval rating (while 9% of voters disapprove and 12% are undecided).

I have long believed that handing out grades after a draft is an exercise in futility, because ultimately, we have no idea how each pick is going to pan out. Ellis Lankster may end up being the best draft pick out of this class; we just don't know yet. But we do a reasonable amount of research, and far more prudently, we can grade the picks on a philosophical level - so grades aren't completely irrelevant. Here's how we grade the Buffalo Bills' 2009 NFL Draft efforts - factoring in player, philosophy and using those to form an ultimate grade.

1-11: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
Entering draft weekend - and throughout the entire pre-draft process, really - I worried that the Bills would pass on a speed rusher for a more well-rounded, every-down defensive end. That's the type of athlete they've targeted in the past, and I didn't expect it to change. I'm happy to report I was wrong. On paper, Buffalo has its most explosive pass rusher since Bryce Paup.

What makes this pick better is the fact that they took the right player. No DE displayed a quicker first step in college or at the Combine than Maybin. I had him rated as the top DE on the board the moment he declared for the draft, and the Bills clearly followed suit, if only at the most critical juncture. I think he's the best pass rusher in the draft. The Bills, too, think he's the best pass rusher in the draft, and his upside is tremendous. There is risk here, and he won't play every down, but this is still a perfect fit. Philosophy grade: A; Player grade: A-

1-28: Eric Wood, OG, Louisville
Considering the fact that Buffalo went into the draft with only three set starters on the offensive line, this pick made a ton of sense both philosophically and player-wise. Wood was Buffalo's top-rated interior lineman, and he was close to the top on my board as well. He was one of four or five guys that I viewed as immediate starters at this level, and it was plainly obvious that the Bills needed one of those. They may have had to reach a touch to get him, but blame the Cleveland Browns for that - they took California C Alex Mack at No. 21 overall. Buffalo couldn't wait on Wood once that happened, so they're not docked as many points overall. Philosophy grade: A-; Player grade: B+

2-42: Jairus Byrd, FS, Oregon
My eyebrows raised a bit on this one, as I'm certain yours did as well. It was pretty apparent, however, that the Bills were going to add a DB early on in the draft process, and it was nice to see them target a safety prospect with ball skills. Byrd's ball-hawking tendencies alone make him a smart investment, but like Maybin, he's probably not an immediate starter. I like the fact that they targeted a playmaker here; I do believe there were some better safety prospects available, but I'm not complaining about the Byrd selection in the least. Philosophy grade: B; Player grade: B-

2-51: Andy Levitre, OG, Oregon State
Remember when I said that I thought four to five interior linemen in this draft class could start right away? Levitre was one of them. He was also the third-rated interior line prospect on Buffalo's board (behind Wood and Seahawks C Max Unger), and at this point in the draft, he was another supremely intelligent investment. Don't be concerned with the college tackle's position switch - Levitre was born to play guard. He's a Wood clone. With this pick and the subsequent shift of Brad Butler to RT, Buffalo had quickly re-assembled its offensive line after the trade of OT Jason Peters a week prior to the draft. Philosophy grade: A; Player grade: B

4-121: Shawn Nelson, TE, Southern Miss
I'll say it now, folks - Shawn Nelson is the steal of the 2009 Draft. Name any other pick by any other team that you think is a steal, and I'll tell you why Nelson is a better pick. At one point in time, Nelson was considered a fringe first-round pick. A day before the draft, most experts would have told you he'd be a second-round pick; third at the worst. This kid is tall, super fast and athletic, and outside of Bengals TE Chase Coffman has the best set of hands on any receiving prospect in this draft class. Buffalo actually considered trading up on day two for this guy. His athleticism, ability to stretch the field, and run-after-catch abilities are going to be an excellent help for QB Trent Edwards - who got a lot of help in this year's draft, by the way. Philosophy grade: A-; Player grade: A-

5-147: Nic Harris, OLB, Oklahoma
I have no issues with Buffalo taking a productive, athletic collegian and asking him to make a position switch. Harris will be able to handle it. We've crossed the threshold from instant impact to depth here, though; Harris will make the team and contribute as a special teams player (where he actually has a good deal of potential), but he's not an answer to the team's question at starting SAM linebacker. Philosophy grade: B; Player grade: C+

6-183: Cary Harris, DB, USC
You knew that Buffalo would take a pure corner at some point, and Harris was actually one of the late-round sleepers I'd circled because of his physicality and zone-based skill set. He has the potential to start in this league, folks. He'll never be a spectacular player or a Pro Bowl performer, nor will he make many big plays, but he's smart, tough, defends the run well, and will hold his own. He can also play some safety if need be, and of course, he'll play special teams. Philosophy grade: B-; Player grade: C+

7-220: Ellis Lankster, DB, West Virginia
Was I surprised that the Bills ended the draft by taking two defensive backs? Not really. Lankster is a fringe prospect, but he has a bit of playmaking potential and, like Harris, has a zone-based skill set. I'll defer to the Bills on this one - they've drafted relatively well in the late rounds over the past three years. It would have been nice if they'd had a player at a different position graded out as highly as another DB, however. Philosophy grade: C+; Player grade: D

Total (weighted) philosophical grade: B+
Total (weighted) player grade: B
Overall 2009 Buffalo Bills Draft Grade: B+

2009 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills Pick Recap

Brian Galliford — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:33:19 -0000

More photos » by Charlie Neibergall - AP

Buffalo Bills DE Aaron Maybin, the team's first first-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

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The 2009 NFL Draft is officially in the books!

Entering the weekend, the Buffalo Bills had three areas that needed immediate attention: their woeful pass rush; their porous offensive line; and a defensive playmaker. The Bills addressed those needs on day one, and coupled with one tremendous value selection on day two, the Bills made out like bandits this draft weekend - whether you're a fan of their late-round picks or not.

Without further ado, here are your eight newest Buffalo Bills...

1-11: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State (Coverage)
We asked for a speed rusher and the Bills obliged. Maybin, by a country mile, is Buffalo's most athletic pass rushing threat since the days of Bryce Paup. He is undoubtedly a gamble, and won't be an every-down player right out of the gate. But with quarterbacks Tom Brady, Chad Pennington and now Mark Sanchez in the division, the Bills needed a guy to put heat on those signal-callers. This is a smart risk for the Bills to take - and Maybin's potential is elite.

1-28: Eric Wood, OG, Louisville (Coverage)
They tried to move up for TE Brandon Pettigrew but weren't prepared to pay out the nose to do it. Instead, they stay put and take a smart, athletic, tough-nosed kid who steps in and immediately fills the right guard position vacated by Brad Butler, who will move to right tackle.

2-42: Jairus Byrd, FS, Oregon (Coverage)
Buffalo went into the draft keenly aware that they needed a playmaker defensively, and particularly at the safety position. This is a risky pick in that they're asking Byrd to make a position switch, but he enters Buffalo as the best DB on the team in terms of pure ball skills. Ko Simpson, beware: you are officially on the roster bubble.

2-51: Andy Levitre, OG, Oregon State (Coverage)
Buffalo traded third- and fourth-round picks to move back into the second round and draft another instant starter in the versatile Levitre. He is a Wood clone - tough, smart, and durable. He has the inside track at starting immediately at left guard; the Bills will move Brad Butler to right tackle and flip Langston Walker to left tackle to replace the departed Jason Peters. And just like that, Buffalo's in-flux offensive line is once again settled - and perhaps better.

4-121: Shawn Nelson, TE, Southern Miss (Coverage)
This was by leaps and bounds Buffalo's best selection, if you're asking me. Nelson is one of the finer athletes available at any position in this draft class, and he's also got an incredibly soft pair of hands. He's an immediate upgrade at the tight end position and complements Derek Fine and Derek Schouman perfectly. Even better - unlike some of his "receiving TE" counterparts, he's got upside as a blocker. Buffalo now has themselves a legitimate tight end threat for the first time since Jay Riemersma ran routes at The Ralph, though whether or not he'll contribute as a rookie is another question.

5-147: Nic Harris, OLB, Oklahoma (Coverage)
He played safety in college, but the Bills will move the 230-pound athlete to outside linebacker. This is where Buffalo's draft class crossed the realm from "contributor" to "depth", but Harris was very productive at a high-quality program. He's worth a shot, and he'll compete directly with Keith Ellison for a future roster spot.

6-183: Cary Harris, CB, USC (Coverage)
Zone-based, physical cornerback that provides depth and special teams potential. May have a tough time making the roster considering Buffalo's envious depth in the defensive backfield, particularly at cornerback.

7-220: Ellis Lankster, CB, West Virginia (Coverage)
... Zone-based, physical cornerback that provides depth and special teams potential. May have a tough time making the roster considering Buffalo's envious depth in the defensive backfield, particularly at cornerback.

That's it, folks. Draft weekend at Buffalo Rumblings has officially concluded. Thanks for dropping by this weekend; I know that personally, I had a blast hanging with y'all. Cheers!

Poll

Do you approve of the Buffalo Bills' efforts in drafting eight players in the 2009 NFL Draft?

Yes

1064 votes

No

131 votes

Undecided

159 votes

1354 votes | Poll has closed

Bills select USC CB Cary Harris at No. 183

Brian Galliford — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 20:27:56 -0000

New Buffalo Bills CB Cary Harris (photo source)

With the No. 183 overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills have selected USC CB Cary Harris.

Here's the deal - the Bills entered this draft process with the knowledge that they had eight defensive backs entering the final year (or two years) of their contracts. At cornerback, that list includes starter Terrence McGee, Ashton Youboty and recent signee Drayton Florence.

Cary Harris is an experienced player coming from a great football team, having started for the past three seasons at USC. His measurables won't excite you - he's skinny (5'11", 187 pounds) and his straight-line speed is lacking (4.59-second 40 yard dash). But in terms of cornerbacks available this year, Harris ranks amongst the most physical. He's smart and aggressive. There isn't an abundance of ball skills with Harris (5 career INT, 8 career pass breakups), but he will play well in a zone scheme and can defend the run well.

And, as is custom with late-round players drafted to the Bills, Harris offers some special teams value.

This is another solid-value late-round pick by the Bills. Buffalo will make one more selection, No. 220 overall in the seventh round. Stay tuned - the 2009 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching its close!

Poll

Are you pleased with the pick of new Buffalo Bills CB Cary Harris?

Yes

355 votes

No

379 votes

734 votes | Poll has closed

Cary Harris to the Buffalo Bills

Paragon SC — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 20:27:18 -0000

This is Awesome!

Come on KeTo Bring us Home

FIGHT ON Cary!

2009 NFL Draft: Official Scouts Inc. 7-round mock draft

Fooch — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:00:13 -0000

While we do have an official mock drafting FanPost, I thought the official 7-round mock draft presented by Scouts Inc and Todd McShay was worth posting to the front page. Well, the 7 rounds for the 49ers at least. If you have any questions about who went where, post it in the comments and I (or anybody else with Insider access) will be happy to post an answer. I figure that doesn't cross ethical boundaries....maybe.

1. Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss - While I do like Oher, this remains less than inspiring given where Oher is listed among best players available. If it comes down to Oher and Sanchez I remain convinced the 49ers will trade down. Of course McShay and Co. actually have Sanchez going 4th overall. I'm really quite intrigued to see what happens with Sanchez on Saturday.

2. Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan - A quick search brought up a Mocking the Draft scouting report on Delmas (and the fact that the Cowboys took him with their 2nd round pick in our mock draft). The general idea with Delmas is that he is great in coverage, but a bit soft in tackling and might be a bit undersized. As a 4-year starter and 3-time all MAC player he would likely be able to provide some solid competition for Dashon Goldson.

3. Sebastian Vollmer, OT, Houston - Vollmer ranks right behind Phil Loadholt and Jamon Meredith among offensive tackles. At 6'7, 314lbs he definitely brings some serious size to the tackle position. It sounds like his primary weaknesses are bull rushers getting in under him and generally plays too high. Of course, when you're 6'7, I'd imagine it's difficult to play low. Is it possible for a guy to be toooo tall at offensive tackle?

4. Kenny McKinley, WR, South Carolina - The folks at Mile High Report have an interesting scouting report on the 6'0, 189lb corner from USC. Size-wise he seems like Dominique Zeigler. However, his hands don't seem quite as sure as Zeigler's can be. If he has to add some bulk in the NFL it could hurt his speed. At the same time, he seems to play well against zone defenses. Who knows how smart a player he is but he seems to recognize the limitations of his size.

5a. James Davis, RB, Clemson - While it's hard to tell at this point, some folks would have you believe Davis is worth upwards of a third round pick. From what the Scout's Inc report indicates, Davis is not the fastest guy in the world but has a strong ability to read the defense and exploit holes. All things considered, I wonder how much more the 49ers would be getting from him than what we already get in Frank Gore. The 49ers do need another running back, but would it be better to go with a more complementary back?

5b. Ryan Mouton, CB, Hawaii - At 5'9, 187 lbs, Mouton definitely doesn't bring much size to the secondary. At the same time he seems to have a lot of athleticism and really likes to hit folks. While he might turn into a solid NFL corner, I see him as more of a special teams guy. Anybody who is small and likes to hit people seems to work well as a special teams option.

After the jump we go through the 49ers last three picks and give some wrap-up analysis.

6. Anthony Parker, G, Tennessee - At 6'1 297lbs, one of the main concerns with Parker is his somewhat below average size for an NFL guard. Apparently his speed is fine but if he has to put on weight, will the speed come down? He seems to have the skills needed to be successful, but I keep coming back to size. The NFL is getting bigger and bigger. Any thoughts on relatively undersized offensive linemen?

7a. Tom Brandstater, QB, Fresno State - I put together a scouting report back in early March about the local boy. He's got size and surprising speed for such a guy. The problem is accuracy. If they snagged him in the 7th round I would be quite pleased at the value. I'm not sure if he's a long-term solution, but I'm intrigued to see what could happen with him in camp.

7b. Derek Walker, DE, Illinois - Walker is a bit undersized for a defensive end, but he seems like a guy who could fit the 3-4 DE role of occupying blockers. It sounds like he brings solid strength to the position which seems like one more positive for the 3-4 DE role.

So there you have it. Three different OL, FS, CB, DE, QB, RB and WR. I find value in a lot of the picks, but I'm not sure I see three offensive linemen being drafted. Maybe two, but three seems a bit much. Walker is the only DL/LB taken and it sounds like he can't make the conversion to OLB. I definitely think an OLB gets drafted somewhere in there.

I'm sure folks have plenty of areas of disagreement with this mock. Thoughts?

Scouting report: Cary Harris

Mocking Dan — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 01:10:01 -0000

Cary Harris

6'0, 188 pounds | Southern California | Cornerback

Strengths: Harris sticks out as a cornerback prospect because of his height and long arms. Like most USC players, Harris is a sound tackler. He also plays with a lot of aggression. Has a technically sound backpedal and keeps low. Shows good instincts and reads the quarterback's eyes well. Likes to help in run support.

Weaknesses: While Harris has plus height for the position, he's lacking some bulk. Doesn't have great speed. Hands are poor. Doesn't make a lot of interceptions. When he has to flip his hips and turn, he looks a little stiff in coverage. Has serious durability issues after having arthroscopic surgery on both ankles prior to the 2008 season. Sat out some games in 2008 with a hamstring problem.

Final word: Has was twice named to honorable mention All Pac-10. He finished his career with 143 tackles, 18 pass breakups and five sacks. He's a reliable corner against the run, but is limited because of his lack of agility and speed.

Round projection: 4

CB, Cary Harris, USC

Jeremy Bolander — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:05:04 -0000

CB, Cary Harris, USC

At A Glance
Position 1: Cornerback	Height: 6-0
Position 2: Free Safety	Weight: 187
Class: Senior	Age:
Projected Round: 5th-6th	40time: 4.58

Combine/Proday Results
Bench Reps: 18	Vertical: X
20yd Split: 2.78	Broad Jump: X
10yd Split: 1.64	20yd Shuttle: X
3 Cone Drill: X

Pros: Adequate size for the position. ... Instinctive. ... Rarely out of position. ... Good zone defender. Reads the quarterback's eyes and is quick to close.

Cons: Questionable deep speed. ... Lacks the late burst to recover if beaten initially.

Styg's Broncos Fit: An often-overlooked component of the USC defense, Harris may turn out to be one of its safest bets. A great team player, with attitude in run support and the feet and range to dominate his coverage zone. A smart player who trusts the play of those around him, and is willing to make the secure play over the spectacular play. Unfortunately doesn't seem to have the versatility to play any significant amount of man coverage, but has enough range and athleticism to play coverage zones as a corner or safety. A sound and consistent performer.

Around MHR:

Around SBNation:

Highlights:

Some general USC highlights from the Rose Bowl, where Cary played pretty well.

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

At 6'0 and 184, Harris has the perfect body to play cornerback in the NFL. Harris is a very good athlete with a bright football mind. He has good straight line speed (4.47), but has trouble moving laterally. He does not recover well once beaten and has bitten on too many play fakes. Harris' pass/run recognitions skills are not there yet and he does not support the run with tenacity. There is a tendency to shy away from contact. A good, not great, open field tackler, he needs to add bulk and work on refining his backpedaling technique. [see more...]
A tough, physical corner who plays with a lot more strength than his size would indicate. Supports the run well and displays the instincts to read run/pass quickly. Possesses smooth footwork with an ability to cleanly get in and out of his breaks. Is a versatile defensive back who was used in a number of roles on defense. Displays good ball skills and the first-step quickness to close on the play. [see more...]

Q&A With Conquest Chronicles: USC Invasion Edition

Cory Williams — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:54:39 -0000

Thanks goes out to the gentlemen at Conquest Chronicles. You can see my answers to their questions at this link.

1. We all know USC has the richest recruiting program in the country, rivaled only by SEC powerhouses such as LSU. Is there anyone hidden on the depth chart that you are excited to see play in the future?

I really want to see what T.J. Bryant and Chris Galippo can do. Galippo was a redshirt last year because of back surgery and he missed the first three games of the season also because of back surgery. Galippo is the heir apparent at MLB and with SC losing the three starting linebackers after this season he will have a lot of responsibility placed on his shoulders.

Bryant is another player who will have a major impact in the secondary with players like Josh Pinkard, Cary Harris, and Kevin Thomas graduating Bryant will be put in a position to become a leader real fast so he needs to get on the field to start getting some experience.

2. Lets say QB Mark Sanchez can't go on Saturday, which is unlikely considering his toughness. Mitch Mustain would get the start. How do you feel about Mitch, and what does he bring to the table that Sanchez doesn't?

It is not clear what Mustain brings to the table that Sanchez doesn't because we haven't seen enough of him yet. Mustain certainly has the talent; you don't go 8-0 in the SEC without talent. I think if Mustain had regular playing time we would see him progress at a much faster rate then we would see what he does different than Sanchez.

Mustain's biggest problem has been at mastering the USC playbook. The schemes are different than the ones he was used to at Arkansas. I thought it took a lot of moxie on Mustain's part to want to come to USC where there are no guarantees at starting. He clearly understood that he was expected to compete but just competing isn't enough you need to perform.

3. In practice, Mustain is showing weakness against the blitz. When asked about it, Pete Carroll said, "spotty," describing Mustain's performance during the drill. "Guys have to protect him better." Is this the fault of the O-line, or do you worry that Mustain just hasn't been getting enough reps lately?

I would say probably a little bit of both…Our offensive line, while having some great games against Ohio State and Oregon is still coming together, their play against Oregon State showed that. They also have to go up against one of the best defenses in the country on a regular basis in practice so it doesn't surprise me that the defense sometimes gets the better of the offensive line putting pressure on the QB.

I do think that Mustain is probably a little rusty as far as not getting regular reps as the back-up so his timing could be a little off.

4. Lets talk tailbacks. C.J. Gable and Joe McKnight are ridiculously good players. How do they compliment one another in the backfield?

Gable is the most complete running back on the team. He can run between the tackles, a catch pass out in the flat and he is a superb run blocker. There isn't too much that he can't do.

McKnight has an explosiveness that can take a defense by surprise and because of his speed you will see SC put him in all different types of formations. He still needs to work on his ball handling though, too many fumbles. If he gets that part of the game addressed you will see a lot more of what he is capable of.

Don't forget Stafon Johnson either, he has some explosive moves: His TD run against Oregon was reminiscent of Reggie Bush's TD run against Fresno State.

5. LB Rey Maualuga might not be able to make as big of an impact on Saturday due to his knee sprain. Should he be on the sidelines, who steps in, and what can you tell us about him?

Oh Rey is going to play but if for some reason he can't Brian Cushing will move to MLB with Galippo rotating in. There are a lot of people who think that Cushing is actually a better linebacker that Maualuga. I am one of them. I had the pleasure of seeing Cushing play high school ball here in NJ at Bergen Catholic. He is natural MLB but can easily play SLB. His game seems more polished as at time Rey gets a little too aggressive and over runs the play.

6. Finally, what is the biggest deficiency that USC currently exhibits? I know they were tested heavily against the speedy running game of Oregon State, leaving coverage openings for QB Lyle Maevao to throw into.

The Offensive line still needs a little more time to come together. The was no excuse for Sanchez being under pressure against a team that was replacing their whole front seven that seemed to have no difficulty at pushing back out offensive line.

Good luck on Saturday!

Same to you.

My answers will be up on their site this evening.