Aaron Maybin

GM Buddy Nix said the club isn't quite ready to give up on Maybin, the 11th overall pick in the 2009 draft out of Penn State, who's been a complete bust since a long rookie holdout. Maybin, a defensive end/linebacker, has yet to record a sack and has been glued to the bench for long stretches of his young career. This is a year for Maybin, as the Bills seem willing to give him one more chance, but at the same time he's not longer going to be given first-rounder's treatment in making the team. Maybin has the athletic ability to get to the passer, he just hasn't been able to translate that to the pro game following a great final season at Penn State. Maybe it'll all click in Year 3 ... if not, that may his last one as a Bill. That said, we're talking pass-rushing specialist at best in 2011 and he won't see the field enough to record a lot of tackles that most linebackers need to have IDP value.

Aaron Schobel's likely retirement opens a lot of opportunity for Maybin, who's entering his second season. Maybin was one of 2009's biggest first-round busts, but a good part of that was because he unwisely signed late and missed too much offseason work, crucial for a rookie. Now he has a new coaching staff and a clean slate, and he's been switched to OLB, which seems more suited to his skill set. As of now, with Schobel about 95 percent out of the picture, Maybin is one of the team's starting linebackers. He's a risky IDP play, but he's also incredibly athletic and could put up some decent all-around numbers if everything breaks his way. Newcomer Reggie Torbor might push him for minutes.

The Bills are toying with ways they can use Maybin, the team's top pick in May, at both defensive end and linebacker. Maybin might have a tough time winning a starting defensive end role as a rookie, but if he can get himself into a rotation with defensive ends Aaron Schobel, Chris Kelsay and Ryan Denney, plus some time at linebacker in certain pass-rushing spots, he'd certainly increase his chances of production. If Maybin can develop more than one or two pass-rush moves during training camp, he'll improve his shot at being used in multiple roles. He's probably a year or so away from IDP consideration, but he was one of the best pass rushers in this year's crop and he's worth monitoring even if it's for the long haul.