Somewhat mirroring their draft of a year ago, the Bills selected a total of three defensive backs in the 2009 draft. After taking cornerback Cary Harris in round six, Buffalo took another with their final pick (220th overall) selecting West Virginia cornerback Ellis Lankster.
"I'm very excited," said Lankster. "My expectation was getting a chance to play for an NFL team. The Buffalo Bills have given me a great opportunity."
Lanskter was a junior college transfer at West Virginia, but established himself as a dependable starter on the corner for the Mountaineers earning second-team All-Big East honors in 2008.
He had 68 tackles, three interceptions and seven pass breakups in his final collegiate season. At 5'9" and 191 pounds Lankster is considered good in run support and a solid open field tackler.
"My man-to-man press and my coming up to hit a lot and getting aggressive are my best strengths," he said.
Lankster is also a two-for-one player as he is a hard-running return man serving as a kick and punt returner for West Virginia. Though he wasn't invited to the combine, Lankster did fare well in the Senior Bowl contributing three tackles.
Clocked in the 4.4s for a 40 time Lankster figures to stay out on the corner, though some NFL scouts have projected him as a corner-safety tweener.
