TE Lance Kendricks To Bills In Both McShay And Kiper Mocks

by MattRichWarren on Apr 8, 2011 8:03 AM EDT in 2011 NFL Draft

We've been mainly focusing our draft coverage here at Buffalo Rumblings on the players at the top of the 2011 NFL Draft with our Baker's Dozen series of posts. For this post, we'll take a step back and look a little bit deeper into this April's draft at who two experts are saying the Buffalo Bills will select in the third round.

In separate three-round mock drafts released Wednesday, both Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay of ESPN have the Bills selecting Von Miller third overall. That should come as no surprise, as Miller has been a name tied to the Bills for months. What is surprising is that both Kiper and McShay settled on Wisconsin TE Lance Kendricks with Buffalo's third pick.

It's hard enough to get Kiper and McShay to agree on first-round picks and predictions. When their third-round pick matches for two teams, it could be a mixture of value and rumblings from sources that allows them both to slot Kendricks at No. 68 overall.

Dan Kadar's sixth-ranked tight end in this April's draft, Kendricks impressed the Mocking the Draft editor at the Senior Bowl as a member of the North team.

"Kendricks didn't necessarily have a great game receiving," said Kadar at the time. "But he showed on multiple occasions he can block. He took it to Miami's Allen Bailey on a few plays, which was impressive."

Kendricks replaced former Badger and current New York Giants TE Travis Beckum at Wisconsin. Beckum was my favorite second-tier tight end in the 2009 NFL Draft, and the scouting reports on the two are incredibly similar. They are both H-back type players who can create mismatches against linebackers in the passing game, but aren't the mauling type of sixth offensive lineman Chan Gailey seems to value in the tight end spot. At Wisconsin, he was asked to be an in-line blocker, but his major contribution was in the passing game. He'll need to add weight to become a more complete NFL tight end, but his future could be bright.

With the tight end position thin, it would be no shock for the Bills to add a tight end later this month at the draft. The Bills haven't had a consistent player at the position since Jay Riemersma.

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I’d rather have the top TE in the 2nd round than the 6th ranked one in the 3rd if we’re going to spend a day 2 pick on it.

With the 3rd pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select "Strap this on your sore Ass Blaine" Gabbert. (Poncho - Predator)

by Will G on Apr 8, 2011 8:31 AM EDT reply actions

That’s just one draftnik’s opinion. :-)

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by MattRichWarren on Apr 8, 2011 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions

True

I just see Rudolph as much better value in the 2nd than Kendricks in the 3rd.

With the 3rd pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select "Strap this on your sore Ass Blaine" Gabbert. (Poncho - Predator)

by Will G on Apr 8, 2011 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it’s more of both McShay and Kiper matching up a need with players that would go in that area. And if they both have TE as a secondary need for the Bills and there’s a relatively thin pool at that position it’s not that tough to have a match which is what I think happened here. I’d guess there’s no source here indicating Kendricks is a strong possibility to the Bills but who really knows.

To me, the value of a mock draft is to get a feel for what players will go in what range of the draft. Unless there’s a specific source I don’t think any more insight on the Bills than most of the people here. Looking at Kiper and McShay, there’s a fairly big discrepancy in a number of players after the first round. That’s the interesting part – the unpredictability after you get through the top 25 or so players. I’ve seen Ijalana anywhere from late first to end of the third for instance.

I think what we’re going to end up seeing is a real meat and potatoes draft early. I’d guess that of the top 5 picks (through 4 rounds) that three are front 7 players and one is an OT.

by Pistol on Apr 8, 2011 8:41 AM EDT reply actions

Coincidence

It’s just a random coincidence. Mock drafts past the first 16 picks or so are just about pointless. I can take 2 round mocks just for the sake of reference, but anything further than that is nothing but babble.

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by Port Royal on Apr 8, 2011 9:09 AM EDT reply actions

I think what we’re going to end up seeing is a real meat and potatoes draft early. I’d guess that of the top 5 picks (through 4 rounds) that three are front 7 players and one is an OT.

that,s what most of BB fans want Linemen, need to start winning the game in the trenches to start wining the battles

by Bufbills on Apr 8, 2011 9:14 AM EDT reply actions

Maybe

Our “next” LT project…

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by Jason from OH-IO on Apr 8, 2011 9:35 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t think it’s viable to draft projects in the 3rd round. This team doesn’t have that luxury.

by As Smart as I Look on Apr 8, 2011 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

He’s not that type of TE. Jason Peters was a beefer TE. This guy is a slender one. He’d be made into a FB before an OT.

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by MattRichWarren on Apr 8, 2011 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions

I was joking… At least half joking.

"Talk's cheap. We all know that. It's like I've always said: 'Don't tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby.' " ~ Buddy Nix

by Jason from OH-IO on Apr 8, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions

How would he compare to

Mike Causins and Scott Chandler. My only draw back on drafting a TE is the fact that we picked two up late last season. Why would this guy be different than those two late additions and the two or three others, Nelson, Stupar and Martin.

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by VanScottM on Apr 8, 2011 9:51 AM EDT reply actions

Mike Caussin was an UDFA so obviously the talent level is much different. He hasn’t shown anything to say he’s better than a potential third-rounder. Kendricks has better size and speed.

Chandler is a blocker. He’s had a single NFL reception. He fits Gailey’s mold for what he’s looking for at the TE spot.

Why would this guy be different than those two late additions and the two or three others, Nelson, Stupar and Martin.

Because he hasn’t failed yet. :-)

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by MattRichWarren on Apr 8, 2011 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

good points

had to ask

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by VanScottM on Apr 8, 2011 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Chandler hasn't failed

He’s a guy with some potential, and management are high on him.

by perkispower on Apr 8, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Well he failed in Dallas. :-)

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by MattRichWarren on Apr 8, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

And not Buffalo <33

by perkispower on Apr 8, 2011 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Buffalo would be wise to stop counting on other team’s trash as their treasure. The players added last season from the waiver wire are fairly unlikely to ever be difference makers in the NFL- if they were, they wouldn’t have been on the streets in the middle of the season.

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by Port Royal on Apr 8, 2011 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2010/11/4/1793197/top-five-waiver-claims-in-buffalo-bills-history

:-)

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by MattRichWarren on Apr 8, 2011 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Good names and it’s telling that they all occurred more than 20 years ago…in an era where’s there’s not a lot of talent to go around due to over-expansion, and a market where free agency now exists rather than “Plan B”, the in-season waiver wire is the longest of long shots in finding useful parts.

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by Port Royal on Apr 8, 2011 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree. There are still examples, though. James Harrison was cut and cut and became a great player. Kurt Warner, Fred Jackson…. I’m not saying Chandler is that guy or anything.

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by MattRichWarren on Apr 8, 2011 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

thank you.

let’s turn over every stone….

gobills!

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by podunkowego on Apr 8, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

It's clear that Kiper and McShay don't know Chan Gailey

This is a good example of why draft guru’s aren’t worth much. Chan Gailey likes TE’s who can be solid in-line blockers and then slip out into pass routes. Kendricks is not big enough for that role, and so it is very unlikely that the Bills would use a third-round pick on him. Luke Stocker is the kind of TE that Gailey craves, but even so I’m not sure that the Bills consider TE enough of a priority to draft him. They are much more likely to use their third-rounder for an ILB.

by Macktruck on Apr 8, 2011 10:11 AM EDT reply actions

If Kendricks makes it to the third then he'd be a steal.

But I somehow doubt that he makes it out of the second. Would be a great pick though.

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by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 8, 2011 10:34 AM EDT reply actions

Sounds a little like Nelson.

by Pistol on Apr 8, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

I still think that Nelson is a good TE.

He’s just in Chan’s doghouse because of his “extra curricular activities.”

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by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 8, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

who'd they pick in the 2nd for bills?

just askin’…..

gobills!

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by podunkowego on Apr 8, 2011 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

Christian Ponder was McShay and Mel chose ILB Martez Wilson.

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by MattRichWarren on Apr 8, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

thanks.....

ponder….meh….

wilson…..doesn’t sound like a San Diego type LB atall…..although his cover skills would be coveted….

thanks again!

gobills!

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by podunkowego on Apr 8, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Wilson is entirely the wrong type of ILB for what the Bills need. I just don’t see how he makes any sense for us. I’d rather take a guy like Marecic in the 3rd or 4th.

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by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 8, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought Marecic was a FB.

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by WhyBillsWhy on Apr 8, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

He was a two-way player – ILB and FB.

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by Brian Galliford on Apr 8, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

He played both FB and ILB for Stanford this season.

And he was used in the exact capacity that a run stopping 3-4 ILB would be used for us. He also proved very good at penetrating the O-Line as an ILB. And while his official deffensive stats are unavailable (aka I have no clue how many tackles he had), he did rank up 3 INT’s and 4 sacks. So even if he is projected as an NFL FB, I’m pretty sure he could be a 2-way player in the NFL too.

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by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 8, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

or at worst

a FB, special teamer and deep depth LB – thats still handy.

With the 3rd pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select "Strap this on your sore Ass Blaine" Gabbert. (Poncho - Predator)

by Will G on Apr 8, 2011 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions

the TE position.....

gailey has me baffled…..his offense last year really underused the TE in my opinion. And by that I mean we coulda at least got 2, 5-10 yrd. easy comp. instead of one,
So, he teaches our TEs how to block and I thought they did pretty good if the match up was right. Stupar smaller players, martin bigger etc.
And then they start aquiring TEs and waiving others, which is what you want to see……
but what are they looking for? I think we can all agree they don’t want a TE who doesn’t want to block. So, is it an all around good blocker or an all-around good at everything TE?
This question is not as stupid as it sounds…..it is a resources thing….A real good TE is either going to be paid a lot or leave. So you have to use the TE a lot for it to make sense.
If the Bills go D-lineman with the first pick, rudolph (if he’s there) could be the best talent available in round two, but a round two pick is a resource. If this happens it’ll be interesting to see if they take him.
If they go Von Miller, I think it is because he really is the only player like him in the draft and then they can get a very good DE/DT in the second. Von Miller scares the bejibbaz outta me though…I am afraid that once an NFL tackle gets a hand on him he will be through…..

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by podunkowego on Apr 8, 2011 11:31 AM EDT reply actions