Report: Bills consider trading up past the Bengals for Andre Smith

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 23, 2009 9:13 PM EDT

For a while today, I got the chance to chit-chat with Brian, the lead blogger at Buffalo Rumblings. He wanted to gauge the Bengals interest with Andre Smith, hoping that the offensive lineman would fall to the Bills with the 11th pick. However, there are sources that claim the Bills are interested in Smith. Like the 49ers speculation, the Bills would have to trade up to position themselves in front of Cincinnati. Scout NFL Network (via Scout.com) points out that the Bills are considering trading past the Bengals' sixth pick.

Rumors this time of year are pretty much dime a dozen, but we're hearing one that makes a lot of sense. A league source told Scout.com that the Buffalo Bills are considering trading up past No. 6 where the Cincinnati Bengals are selecting in order to pick University of Alabama OT Andre Smith.

As we speculated about the 49ers trade, this could greatly benefit the Bengals, or at the worst, force us to pick one of the other high-prospect tackles. However, the key is with whom the Bills would trade with. If it's the Lions, Chiefs or Browns, then there's a shot the Bengals won't have a shot at either of the top three tackles. Then again, there's a better shot that the Bengals could acquire Aaron Curry. It's all pre-draft fodder that's mostly entertaining for gossip.

Another interesting point is this. For all the holier-than-thou prima-donna draft analysts that compared Smith to a domestic terrorist after his suspension, combine and poor results during Alabama's Pro Day, it's rather telling to note that two teams are considering trading inside the top-five to acquire him, and several teams inside the top-ten could make a play on him.

Listen to what Dave Lapham had to say about Andre Smith Thursday afternoon. This is not an imbedded page; it will prompt you to play in a media player. So right-click on the link and Save As onto your desktop and then play it.

Here's another question for you: Even if Monroe or Jason Smith are available, do we still draft Andre Smith?

Poll

Consider a scenario that all three offensive tackles are available, who do you select?

Jason Smith

161 votes

Eugene Monroe

135 votes

Andre Smith

203 votes

499 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

It wouldn’t make any sense to trade up any higher than five. Actually, it would make more sense to trade with us. #11 = 1150 and #42 = 500 = 1650 . Pick #6 = 1600. Or, maybe their first and both this year’s and next year’s third?

by IgnatiusJReilly on Apr 23, 2009 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

shit

this is all we need right now

by CincyMike56 on Apr 24, 2009 2:37 AM EDT reply actions

i wouldn’t take too much note of the smoke signals pouring out of Buffalo about Andre Smith. I mean he’s most likely a pro-bowl guard or RT, not LT. Yeah he can play LT but for a guy with plenty of character flags taking a risk that he’ll pan out in a position which requires pass-blockers is a reach too far. Yeah, take the risk if he drops to them, but not worth losing a 3rd round pick which could be used to solidify their interior line.

Buffalo are better suited to trade with the Packers to ensure the 49ers won’t take Oher than with the Browns for Andre. Buffalo could trade past us for Monore or J Smith but i would count on A Smith being there.

by Sheffieldbengal on Apr 24, 2009 6:52 AM EDT up reply actions

No need to worry, Mike. I am 99% sure that this is what it is – a rumor. The Bills DO like Smith – a lot – but they’ve got too many holes to mortgage their draft for one guy, particularly a tackle. I highly doubt they’d trade up. I think it’s far more likely they move down, actually, and try to get two of Robert Ayers/Brandon Pettigrew/Clay Matthews in the first round.

So rest easy. Your big Alabama OT is still in safe hands. Unless the Seahawks take him, that is… :)

Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more

by Brian Galliford on Apr 24, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Poll

Man, the poll is much more even than I thought it would be.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 24, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I thought so, too…is it just that all the talk about Andre Smith has caused so many people to throw their weight (no pun intended) behind him?

by TheWalrus1971 on Apr 24, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

its not the talk

its the tape. A. Smith has been a better tackle than Monroe or J. Smith in their careers, not to mention playing in the SEC, which is as close as you are gonna get to NFL defenses (don’t get me started on the ACC or the [cough] Big 12 defenses). It’s just a matter of teams realizing that yes, A. Smith made some mistakes earlier this year, but his college coaches with nfl experience (saban and pendry) vouched for his character and work ethic, and the cream is rising to the top.

by Joe27 on Apr 24, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

tape

totally agree with the previous reply, andre smith grades out ahead of monroe and j smith on tape. he is by far the best run blocking tackle and has the ability to play left tackle in pass protection (though i think he will end up playing right, at least initially). he did struggle against tennessee’s robert ayers (who is rising as a possible top 10-12 pick), but his ability to collapse his side in the run game is something we lack on the line. collins is a better fit on the left side in my opinion, and i would have no problem taking andre smith over monroe or j smith. remember that prior to his failed evaluations at the combine/pro day, he was a possible #1 pick, and most had him as the top tackle. i would be more concerned with someone in the top 5 taking him before us as opposed to someone trading up.

by jmaats on Apr 24, 2009 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions