FanPost

Our Mock 3.5.2

Going back to my first post, I indicated if a position has more support over a player with the majority vote, we will address the position first. This has happened in the fifth round voting. Despite TE Michael Egnew receiving 25% of the vote, the corner-back position received more support with Cliff Harris and Josh Robinson receiving 17% and 13% of the vote respectively.

While I know some people may complain about this, it is clear people perceive corner-back as the more important position to address. But thanks to a compensatory pick from Seattle with the Marshawn Lynch trade, the Bills essentially have back-back fifth round selections. For all those Egnew supporters, that means you have a second shot to put him on the Bills draft board. I am also leaving up most of the players from the previous ballot. Here's the mock so far.

1. DE Quinton Coples – North Carolina
2. DE Vinny Curry – Marshall
3. WR Nick Toon – Wisconsin
4. QB Brock Osweiler – Arizona State
4. LB Emmanuel Acho – Texas
5. CB Cliff Harris – Oregon

Needs/wants that could still be addressed include linebacker depth (outside and inside), a second corner-back, another wide receiver, a tight end, offensive tackle and possibly an interior lineman or safety for depth.

As a side note, I know there are some players that I include that either may go earlier or may not go until later. The further we go along in this mock the more this will happen. To be frank I try to include a player or two that may fall into the Bills hand (as they do draft relatively high in the pecking order). We always see players that may fall or inexplicably rise the day of the draft as well. I do try to balance several draft sites in choosing players that may be available.

I specifically use CFB Stats for collegiate statistics, while I use CBSSports for player notes and measurements. I also looked at Walterfootball and Drafttek for input as well. As always leave comments for supporting the player/need of your choice, and let me know if there are any names you’d like to see in the next full mock draft. Also, note that with the scrimmage coming up soon, I will make changes based on performance for the next draft.

OT Tom Compton – South Dakota [6-5, 314, 5.17]
With LT Demetrius Bell a free agent, the Bills will at the least be looking for a backup switch tackle assumingChris Hairston starts. Compton, a FCS left/right tackle helped South Dakota to have the second best run game and third best passing game this past season. Very athletic for sure, but it’s anyone’s guess how Compton can transit to the NFL.

OT Markus Zusevics – Iowa [6-5, 296, 5.08]
Zusevics was a solid tackle on the right side of Riley Reiff but he has potential to be a switch tackle as well. Zusevics is definitely a solid run blocker and is a fair pass blocker. He does have to work on his body movement and work on his strength, but again played very well opposite Reiff over the past few years.

OG Ryan Miller – Colorado [6-7, 326, 5.32]
As both starting right guards Kraig Urbik and Chad Rinehart are restricted free agents, the Bills may be looking for a immediate backup should one of them go. Though he has played mostly right tackle at Colorado, Miller has a strong punch aiding in run blocking and taking pass rushers head on. He needs to work on his upper body movement. Miller could also play backup right tackle as well given his size and speed.

TE Michael Egnew – Missouri [6-5, 251, 4.60]
With Scott Chandler a free agent and GM Buddy Nix wanting him back at the "right price" the Bills may need to look for a new TE with starting potential. Last year, Egnew should have declared early after a great junior season, but stuck around and hurt his stock. Although he has great speed, Egnew was more limited in the passing game this year around. Egnew also needs to be a better blocker. In the last two seasons Egnew has caught 140 passes for 1,285 yards and 8 TDs.

TE Rhett Ellison – USC [6-5, 250, 4.76]
The Bills could also look for another tight end as a backup given their high turnover rate over the last few years at this position. Ellison is a fullback/tight end hybrid with a good build but is not as prolific of a receiver as Egnew is. Over the last two seasons Egnew has only caught 42 passes for 362 yards and 5 touchdowns. He has shown better skill sets with blocking though.

WR Marquis Maze – Alabama [5-8, 184, 4.49]
Marquis Maze could have had more production over the years except for the fact that Alabama has relied on two of the top running backs (Mark Ingram & Trent Richardson) in that span. Maze is a good slot receiver having decent speed. In the last two years, Maze has made 94 receptions for 1,184 yards and 4 touchdowns.

WR Jairus Wright – Arkansas [5-10, 176, 4.34]
Wright was outshone by Joe Adams over the last few months, but that does not take away the skill set he can bring. One of the few speedsters of the draft, Wright runs a 4.34 40 yard dash and has been a starter for the better part of three years. He has also been very productive with 108 receptions for 1,905 yards and 17 touchdowns in the last two years alone.

OLB Tank Carder – TCU [6-2, 236, 4.67]
Firstly I know we just mocked an OLB to the Bills. But given that no one really seems to fit that area precisely, I would not be surprised if the Bills drafted two OLBs this year. Carder is seen as a SLB prospect or a 3-4 ILB. In the last two seasons Carder has had 131 tackles (14 for loss), 3.5 sacks, 8 passes defended and 3 interceptions. Carder has good vision and can do well in pass coverage, but can be overly aggressive in defending the run.

MLB James-Michael Johnson – Nevada [6-1, 249, 4.68]
A productive inside linebacker, Johnson has been fairly strong in run defense. In the last two seasons, Johnson has made 188 tackles (14.5 for loss), 4 sacks,4 forced fumbles and 3 passes defended. Johnson needs to improve pass coverage skills and needs better vision.

MLB Mychal Kendricks – California [5-11, 240, 4.72]
Kendricks may be a little lacking in the height department, but has been a top PAC-12 linebacker in the past few seasons. Over the last two years Kendricks has made 170 tackles (28.5 for loss), 9.5 sacks and 3 picks. Kendricks has been a big playmaker for Cal but did have thumb surgery this past year (playing with a cast for half the games).

CB Josh Robinson – Central Florida [5-11, 195, 4.49]
Robinson is a proven starter and also has special teams experience. Robinson has been one of the best Conf USA pass defenders. In the last two seasons, Robinson made 107 tackles, 4 interceptions and an incredible 28 passes defended while averaging over 15 yards per punt return.

FS Eddie Whitley – Virginia Tech [6-1, 184, 4.56]
Currently the Bills do not have a set backup free safety and with SS Bryan Scott moving to OLB or leaving, may opt to secure a backup option. Whitley has been a starter over the last two seasons and has displayed good awareness. In the last two seasons Whitley made 163 tackles, 10 passes defended and 4 interceptions.

Go Bills!!

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