It’s all about the trenches for the Buffalo Bills so far on this first day of the draft.   Pass rush specialist Aaron Maybin was their first pick, offensive lineman Eric Wood was their second.

The Bills brain trust just came out and talked to us in the media room about Buffalo’s first round picks.  As for Maybin, the Bills seem genuinely excited about the upside for this Penn State product.  They acknowledge that he only has one year of production in college,  but chief College Scout Tom Modrak says Maybin is getting better.

The Bills envision Maybin as a defensive end, an edge rusher.  Dick Jauron says Maybin will probably be a situational pass rusher early on, but he says don’t discount his ability to play the run, also.  According to Modrak and Jauron, Maybin has exceptionally long arms which enable him to shed blocks and make plays.

Late in the first, the Bills went for Center Eric Wood of Louisville.  I admit I was surprised at what looked like a reach.  Many draft experts had had Wood rated a second our third round prospect.  And while he’s made 49-consecutive starts at center for Louisville,  the Bills say he’ll come here as a guard.  They want to keep free agent signee Geoff Hangartner at center, and let Wood compete at guard.  Given his toughness and propensity to stay in the lineup once he’s in, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him take over at left guard.

Now, onto the second round pick, moments from now.  I’ve been off target so far on both Bills draft picks, but I am undeterred.  Look for TE Jared Cook of South Carolina to come off the board to Buffalo next.