DRAFT REVIEW -- Unable to swing a trade for disgruntled running back Travis Henry to get back into the first round and possessing just six picks overall, the Bills weren't able to add one player with instant potential to start.

The team's defense, ranked No. 2 in the NFL two years running but growing older and suffering a hit at defensive tackle with the loss of free agent Pat Williams (Minnesota), was especially neglected.

The Bills, however, were able to add some explosive receiving targets and blocking help for first-year starting quarterback J.P. Losman, a move that is hard to knock given the risk the club has taken by naming last year's first-round pick the club's starter after cutting fading veteran Drew Bledsoe.

The Bills made the University of Miami a shopping mall -- never a bad idea -- landing their two top choices, wide receiver Roscoe Parrish and tight end Kevin Everett, with the 55th and 86th overall picks.

Day Two brought in reinforcements for an offensive line that has undergone an upheaval, losing three regulars including free agent left tackle Jonas Jennings (San Francisco). Illinois center Ray Preston, taken in the fourth round with the 122nd overall choice, and Vanderbilt guard Justin Geisinger (sixth round, 156), add bulk and intelligence to the middle of Buffalo's front wall.

With their first pick, the Bills had the chance to land one of two highly regarded defensive players still on the board in Clemson cornerback Justin Miller and Iowa defensive tackle Jonathan Babineau. Both would've filled more glaring needs, as would have Syracuse offensive left tackle Adam Terry.

But adding more explosiveness to an offense that was improved but still ranked just 25th in yardage last year was the No. 1 priority heading into the offseason for coach Mike Mularkey and general manager Tom Donahoe.

"The first round was long to begin with and that (picking 55th) just made it longer," Donahoe said. "We're pleased that we were able to get a couple players to give us more playmakers on offense, give us some speed at those positions and help with our transition to a young quarterback."

Miller and Babineau were on Buffalo's radar, Donahoe said.

"They were in the mix; we had a little better grade on Roscoe," he said. "We just felt that we're trying to get better on offense and one way to do that is with playmakers. Roscoe and Kevin we felt could come in and do that."

Parrish and Everett were among the top names at their positions and represent very good value for where Buffalo drafted them. Their impact on the salary cap will also be minimal, always good news in this era.

Parrish is a smurf at 5-9 and he will have to prove he can handle the rigors of the NFL. But he has speed to kill at 4.37, and the Bills know first-hand what speed can mean. Wide receiver Lee Evans, last year's first overall pick from Wisconsin, had a huge impact with 48 catches and a team-high nine touchdowns.

After Evans and Pro Bowl veteran Eric Moulds, Buffalo's receiving talent falls off badly, with Josh Reed catching just 16 passes last year and Sam Aiken still unproven. Parrish, who is strong over the middle, has the potential to replace Reed as Buffalo's No. 3 man in the slot. He's also a top-level punt return specialist.

"He makes catches in space and is hard to corral," scout Joe Haering said. "We were looking for that guy. In space, he's so hard to tackle because of his size and quickness."

Everett is no smurf at 6-5, 240. He's raw, playing behind Kellen Winslow, a top 10 pick of the Cleveland Browns last year. But he possesses great athletic ability and can overpower a strong safety if sent deep into the seams.

For Buffalo, he's also good insurance in the event top tight ends Mark Campbell and Tim Euhus fail to return to full strength from knee surgeries.

"We feel everything with Kevin is yet to come," Donahoe said. "He's got size and he can get bigger, he's an aggressive blocker, and he can give us something in the tight end position that we haven't had and that is more of a vertical threat in the passing game."

Both Parrish and Everett figure to find playing time in the creative coaching schemes of Mularkey and coordinator Tom Clements. In two drafts, Mularkey has been handed 10 offensive players in 12 selections. Speed has become his mantra.

"It's a rare thing when you can find a guy with that speed and with the quickness," Mularkey said of Parrish. "We have to improve offensively. There are areas within the offense we have to improve in like third down, the red zone. We have tried to address it with free agency and now with Roscoe. We are trying to get better."

The Bills' line remains in a state of flux but the additions of Preston and Geisinger provide them with more scenarios to explore. Preston, a very smart player who handled the line calls in a pro style offense at Illinois, has a shot to start. If he can do so, that would allow the undersized Trey Teague to shift to left tackle.

In the fifth round, the Bills took cornerback Eric King of Wake Forest, adding to a pool of candidates for nickel and dime duty.

They closed the draft by taking running back Lionel Gates of Louisville in the seventh round. He adds depth in the event Henry is moved eventually.

A closer look at the Bills' picks:

Round 2/55 -- Roscoe Parrish, WR, 5-9, 168, Miami.

Hurricanes coach Larry Coker called Parrish "the most exciting player I've ever coached," and that's saying something. A Santana Moss clone, Parrish led Miami with 43 catches for 693 yards and eight TDs last fall and averaged a staggering 16.2 yards with two TDs on 20 punt returns. He's got the potential to be a human highlight reel.

Round 3/86 -- Kevin Everett, TE, 6-5, 241, Miami.

Was slated a second-round pick so the Bills were elated when he was still on the board at this position. Was a top junior college player who transferred to Miami and backed up Kellen Winslow (first-round to Cleveland in 2004) before starting 11 games last fall. Caught 23 passes for 310 yards before separating his shoulder in the season finale vs. Virginia Tech. Had surgery and will be fine for the start of training camp. Was the third TE taken and has tremendous upside with his great size and 4.6 speed. Can stretch the field and make the acrobatic catch against overmatched strong safeties. Needs to improve his hands and route running and become a more dominating blocker, but has the potential to be a full-time starting tight end.

Round 4/122 -- Ray "Duke" Preston, C, 6-5, 311, Illinois.

A three-year starter for the Illini who recorded 208 knockdown blocks and gave up only three sacks for his career. Has good size and takes good angles in the running game. Biggest asset is his intelligence. Made all the line calls and showed great awareness in picking up blitzes and stunts in a pro style offense similar to what the Bills play. Not great against speed rushers and needs to add upper body strength.

Round 5/156 -- Eric King, CB, 5-10, 185, Wake Forest.

Aggressive defender who impressed the Bills with his great production at Wake Forest. Was a four-year starter, totaling 216 tackles, seven interceptions, and six fumble recoveries in 46 games. On the small side but not afraid to sell his body out in the run game. Has trouble transitioning out of his back pedal and lets receivers get by him but he has great recovery speed. Should be able to challenge for time on special teams and as a nickel and dime back.

Round 6/197 -- Justin Geisinger, OG, 6-4, 322, Vanderbilt.

Was regarded as Vanderbilt's best line prospect since Bills' great Will Wolford in 1985. This is a great value pick for Buffalo. While Geisinger played left tackle in college, allowing seven sacks in 42 games, he'll play inside for the Bills due to his short arms and limited movement skills. But he's a powerful, road-grading type who was one of the strongest players in the college ranks, bench pressing 600 pounds, and also one of the smartest with a 4.0 grade point average. Is versatile enough to play all three line spots. "He's a guy you don't have to worry about with assignments," scout Joe Haering said.

Round 7/236 -- Lionel Gates, RB, 6-0, 222, Louisville.

Physical, between-the-tackles runner who has the potential to shift to fullback. Shared a lot of playing time at Louisville with Henry Miller, Eric Shelton and Michael Bush, so had only 310 career carries for 1,475 yards and 20 touchdowns. Had a strong junior year but struggled with injuries as a senior. Runs too upright and provides too much of a target.

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