Failing to sign top free agents Bryant Johnson or D.J. Hackett has put more pressure on the Bills' front office to use the No. 11 pick in the draft on a big, tall receiver.

Had it landed either Johnson, who signed with San Francisco, or Hackett, who went to Carolina, Buffalo could've calmly used its top pick on a cornerback before selecting a wide receiver in the later rounds of what is a deep draft for pass catchers. The Bills aren't likely to wait that long now.

Their scouts and personnel men will attend the workout of Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly on April 9. The 6-foot-4, 217-pound Kelly didn't run at the Scouting Combine or Oklahoma's Pro Day due to a thigh injury.

Buffalo is also eyeing Texas' 6-3, 215-pound Limas Sweed, who ran a 4.50 at his Pro Day, Indiana's 6-5, 217-pound James Hardy and Michigan State's 6-2, 216-pound Devin Thomas.

The Bills haven't had a big wideout since parting ways with Eric Moulds two years ago. The 34-year-old Moulds (Tennessee) is a free agent but he's not likely to rejoin the Bills.

None of Buffalo's top four receivers were over 6-foot last season and the offense, which netted less than 3,000 yards passing, was horrific in the red zone because it lacked matchup advantages.

It appears the Bills were overly cautious in their pursuit of Johnson, a 6-3, 216-pound fifth-year pro who has averaged better than 40 catches per year and was looking to break out of the shadow of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in Arizona.

Buffalo was Johnson's first visit and he expressed a strong desire to sign, knowing the chance to start opposite Lee Evans was a lock. While talks were ongoing, no deal was consummated, likely because of Buffalo's wariness of overpaying for Bryant while in re-negotiations with Evans on a deal that will pay him an average of $7 million to $8 million annually.

But were the Bills too wary?

Johnson signed with the 49ers for one year at $2 million. Hackett will average $1.75 million over two years with the Panthers. Those are certainly affordable contracts for veteran talent. A rookie isn't likely to have that big of an impact, particularly on a team with a second-year quarterback (Trent Edwards) and new coordinator (Turk Schonert).

Most draft analysts project the Bills taking Kelly 11th overall. The junior averaged 16.8 yards per reception last fall, and is the No. 23-rated player overall by NFLDraftScout.com.

"That would be a real good thing," Kelly said at the Combine of playing for Buffalo. "Especially (playing with Evans) would be a nice 1-2 punch. The funny thing is I don't have an interview with the Buffalo Bills. But I was talking to Jay Cutler, he's down (in Atlanta) training where I am. The Denver Broncos didn't interview him the year he got drafted, so you never know."

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