FanPost

Mock Draft Help?

Hi all, I’m not from around these parts, but please don’t run me off just yet…  I’m representing your Bills in a live mock of round one this Friday, so I’ve been trying to immerse myself in your team to the best of my ability.  That said, they’re your team and your passion, so I want to make sure that I’m doing them justice with the thoughts I’ve collected both from here and other draft sources.  Please correct me if I say anything untrue below, I’m certainly not arrogant enough to pretend I understand this team better than you guys do.

First things first, I can’t trade up or down, so I have to pick at 11 & 28. 

Assumptions:

1) Buffalo wants to position themselves to win in 2010; players who can contribute right away are a priority over ‘project’ guys.  I’m basing that on a few things; signing TO, Edwards entering what should be his prime, and the perception that Jauron may be on the hot seat if the team doesn’t take a big step forward.

2) This is about what they should do, not what we necessarily think they will do.  If the Bills are anything like the Seahawks, that makes a huge difference in the mock.

3) Positional needs are DE, OL, LB, and TE – OL is pretty self-explanatory after trading Peters, and it’s no secret that the Bills struggled to pressure QBs last season.  Adding a weapon at TE would help Edwards and take pressure off of him to force balls into TO when he’s double-teamed in the red zone. 

4) I’m also planning for the assumption that I’m not drafting with complete idiots, so I can’t plan on grabbing Curry or J. Smith at 11 or Monroe at 28 – nothing too silly like that.

5) I want to put together a 4 player wishlist (in order of priority) from players that at least have a decent chance to be on the board, as well as a 2-3 player emergency plan if those 4 all get sucked up ahead of my picks.  These lists are where I really want you to check my assumptions, both with who’s on them and in what order.

6) Thank you!

 

#11 pick options:

1)  Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas – I don’t expect him to be there, but if he slips like some mocks suggest he could, I have to have him to upgrade that DE spot instantly.

2)  Andre Smith, OT, Alabama – Lots of people don’t like him, but I see top-tier talent that slipped for non-football reasons.  He used to be a no-brainer top 3 pick, remember?  I also think he has something to prove and will be motivated. Likely also gone, but you never know…

3)  Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss – If Smith gets picked up, I think he’s a fine choice.

4)  Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State – Still a solid guy, he’d improve the pass rush immediately.

If all those guys are gone, is means offensive skill players are falling, but the Bills don’t need QB or WR help right now.  My emergency backup guys would be Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee (skilled dude, but not much track record) and Clay Matthews, OLB, USC ( I like this guy, but think he’s a reach here – I hope it doesn’t come to this), I like Pettigrew as much as the next guy, but I can’t bring myself to take him when I think he might be there in the 20s…

 

#28 pick options (much harder to guess who can be had here):

1)  Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma – Pretty sure he’s gone, but if not he’s the clear #1 TE in the draft.  Nothing wrong with that.

2)  Eben Britton, OT, Arizona – If I get a DE at 11, I think you can do a lot worse than this guy. 

3)  Everette Brown, DE, Florida State – Will he fall?  It’s possible.  And If I don’t get a DE at 11, that means I want him here.

4)  Brian Cushing, OLB, USC – One of the USC linebackers will slide, but who?

If those guys are gone, I’m tempted to go off the reservation and take the best guy on the board regardless of position – Could Beanie Wells fall?  Doubt it, but I’d be tempted to pull the trigger if he did.  Here’s my three back up plans – Larry English OLB; Chris Wells, RB; Alex Mack, C

Thoughts?  Criticisms?  Corrections?  Help?

 

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.