There's no debating that the trade of Jason Peters leaves the Bills with a void at left tackle. It's a high priority position on any NFL team and Buffalo is no different. Armed now with three draft picks in the top 45 the Bills could select an offensive tackle with four premier talents in this year's prospect pool. But there are other options already on Buffalo's roster.
The first is Langston Walker. Buffalo's starting right tackle flipped over to the left side to spell Jason Peters in last season's opener after the mercurial lineman held out all offseason and training camp and wasn't ready to play in Week 1. Walker filled in admirably in a 34-10 victory over Seattle.
Of course moving Walker to left tackle would mean finding a replacement for him on the right side. That could be veteran Kirk Chambers, who did so in that Seattle game, or it could be second-year lineman Demetrius Bell.
Blessed with rare athleticism for a man his size, Bell came a long way in the practice setting as a rookie with Buffalo last season. The offensive staff has a great deal of faith in his potential.
Asking him to start at left tackle with no NFL starts on his pro resume might be asking too much, but playing right tackle could be a legitimate option for the up and coming talent.
Buffalo took a similar approach with Jason Peters back in 2005 inserting him into the lineup at right tackle before flipping him to the left side the following season.
The other option is to replace Walker on the right side with a top draft choice. With the 11th pick, Buffalo stands a good chance of landing one of the top four offensive tackles in the draft.
Prospects like Ole Miss' Michael Oher and Alabama's Andre Smith could still be on the board when the Bills are on the clock at 11.
With the top pick they acquired from the Eagles they could also possibly land a premier right tackle prospect.
Buffalo now has nine total draft choices in next weekend's draft affording them great flexibility should there be a prospect that slips that they are eager to land.
