Bills trade up to draft Alabama LB Ragland with 41st pick

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Bills traded up eight spots in the second round to select Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland with the 41st pick in the NFL draft on Friday night.

The Bills acquired the selection from the Chicago Bears, and gave up their first of two fourth-round picks (117th overall) this year, and a fourth-round pick next year.

Ragland is listed at 6-foot-1 and 247 pounds and was the SEC's defensive player of the year last season.

In selecting Ragland, the Bills continued filling needs in revamping what had been an under-performing defense last year.

Buffalo opened the draft by selecting Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson with the 19th pick on Thursday. The Bills already have him listed as a linebacker.

Buffalo has five selections left, including a third-rounder, 80th overall.

---

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL