The Bills pre-draft visit schedule was focused on the defensive side of the ball Thursday as they hosted a pair of linebackers on St. Patrick's Day.
Buffalo welcomed in Texas A&M pass rusher Von Miller and LSU inside linebacker Kelvin Sheppard. Miller is widely seen as a top five draft choice and has been projected as a possible pick for the Bills at three by several mock draft prognosticators. Sheppard is expected to be more of a middle round choice.
Miller led the nation in sacks in 2009 with 17.5 and had another 10.5 this past season for the Aggies, and had a strong performance at the NFL combine. But he's not getting caught up in how much he has helped to improve his stock during this pre-draft process.
"Honestly, I haven't even noticed it," said Miller. "I've just been taking it day by day, one day at a time. That's for all the fans and stuff,that's for my mom. I just take it day by day and trying to maximize my days and come April, see where I end up."
Sheppard was the emotional leader of the LSU defense and a three-year starter at linebacker. He led the Tigers in tackles in each of his last two seasons with back-to-back 100 tackle campaigns (103, 116). Considered an intelligent player, Sheppard's quick run/pass recognition skills are what could have his stock rising as the draft draws closer.
Both Miller and Sheppard already have a good working familiarity with the Bills coaching staff. Both were members of the South team at the Senior Bowl, which was coached by Chan Gailey and his staff.
"It was great," said Sheppard. "A great staff. I love them. Coach Chan Gailey is a great guy,a very personable guy. We were only there a week, so we really couldn't say or do too much. But every chance he got he was always coming by congratulating me, just doing the extra things that those coaches don't have to do."
Buffalo has also had Wisconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi in for a pre-draft visit. NFL clubs can host a maximum of 30 players prior to the draft.
