Sorry for the delay in this series, I've been very busy with work the past week. In the third round, a lot Bills fans liked grabbing a wide receiver, but ultimately the player with the most votes was LB Shayne Skov (24%). In second was WR Cody Latimer (16%) while WR Donte Moncrief finished in third (15%). The Bills recently added veteran WR Mike Williams into the fold so it will be interesting if wide receiver still garners this much support. Here’s Our Mock 3 so far.
1. OT Taylor Lewan - Michigan
2. TE Jace Amaro - Texas Tech
With the fourth round of voting, I am going to add RB and FB to the list of needs – QB, WR, OL, DE, and FS. I try to keep my list of prospects up to date and to help your decision-making, have included blurbs containing their most recent stats, Combine measurements (official 40s now) and general info.
THE PROSPECTS
QB Aaron Murray – Georgia [6-1, 207, 4.70]
E.J. was okay in his first season, but knee injuries hindered his development. The Bills could go with a QB in the draft in case this becomes a reoccurring theme. Murray was a Day 2 prospect, but a late season ACL injury may impact his draft stock. Between that and Georgia playing without a handful of its best players hurt his stock, Murray still completed 225 of 347 passes (64.8%) for 3,075 yards, 26 TDs and 9 picks while rushing for 7 TDs.
RB Lache Seastrunk – Baylor [5-10, 201, 4.51]
Spiller and Jackson may be gone next season… so why not start prepping a talented guy in one of their places? Seastrunk is a pre-draft visitor and while he’ll need to work on his receiving ability, has a great burst of speed with good upside. At the Combine he had 15 bench press reps and a 41.5" vertical. In 2013 he ran 158 times for 1,177 yards (7.4 avg) and 11 TDs.
RB Charles Sims – West Virginia [6-0, 214, 4.48]
Sims is a jack of trades, like Fred Jackson, as he does it all. At the Combine he had a great 40, 17 bench press reps and a 37.5" vertical. This past season he ran 208 times for 1,095 yards (5.3 avg) and 11 TDs with 45 receptions for 401 yards and 3 TDs.
FB Jay Prosch – Auburn [6-1, 254, 4.72]
How Prosch did not receive a Combine invite is still beyond me. Given Millard’s injury concerns, Prosch is definitely the top fullback in the draft. If the Bills want a more consistent run game, bringing in a top FB could be a big boost. At his Pro-day Prosch notched 27 bench press reps. Prosch is most noted as a blocker, but also flashed some receiving ability with 5 catches for 95 yards (19.0 avg) and a TD in 2013.
WR Brandon Coleman – Rutgers [6-6, 225, 4.56]
Despite adding Mike Williams, the Bills lack a tall/#1 receiver (but have three #2 receivers currently). Coleman could fit well given he needs time to develop allowing the Bills to work their #2’s for this season. In 2013 Coleman caught 34 passes for 538 yards (15.8 avg) and 4 TDs.
WR Josh Huff – Oregon [5-11, 206, 4.47]
The Bills are bringing in some shorter receivers this off-season, so they could like Huff on the outside. Huff had a decent Pro-day with a 35.5" vertical and 15 bench reps. He played well for the Ducks this year with 62 catches for 1,140 yards (18.4 avg) and 12 TDs.
OG Anthony Steen – Alabama [6-3, 314, 5.30]
Despite signing Chris Williams to a big deal, he has struggled in the past and the Bills could be looking to bring in some depth with starting potential. Steen has been a part of a solid Alabama O-Line, but an injury has kept him from working out this off-season which has lowered his stock a bit.
DE James Gayle – Virginia Tech [6-4, 259, 4.66]
Gayle is a decent 4-3 DE with a good burst speed and power, but may be a one-trick pony. At the Combine he did well with a 37" vertical and 26 bench press reps. This season he had 44 tackles (10.5 for loss), 6 sacks, 21 hurries and a forced fumble.
DE Chris Smith – Arkansas [6-1, 266, 4.71]
The Bills could look to add a 4-3 DE to switch off with Jerry Hughes, who is a good rusher himself, but is not a three down defender. Smith is a bit on the shorter end, but between his Combine performance (28 bench reps and a 37" vertical) and a strong senior campaign, he should be a good contributor. In 2013 he posted 36 tackles (11.5 for loss), 8.5 sacks and 6 hurries.
FS Tre Boston – North Carolina [6-0, 204, 4.59]
Like Byrd, Boston was a corner/safety hybrid. Boston did have some problems against run defense due to his aggressiveness, but has decent coverage skills and high potential. In 2013, he made 94 tackles (4.5 for loss), 5 interceptions and 8 passes broken-up. At the Combine he posted 18 bench press reps and a 35" vertical.
FS Ahmad Dixon – Baylor [6-0, 212, 4.48]
Since the Bills (stupidly) opted to let Jairus Byrd go, they may need a definitive starter at free safety. Dixon is technically a strong safety, but often played deep for Baylor and is very aggressive. Dixon had 14 bench press reps and a 32" vertical in Indy. This year he had 81 tackles (2 for loss), a pick, a FF and 6 passes defended.
FS Antone Exum – Virginia Tech [6-0, 213, 4.58]
Exum is a corner/safety hybrid whose stock took a hit after sitting out most of this season with an injury and then some. Still he has great instincts and had 17 bench press reps and a 35" vertical in the Combine. In 2012 he did very well with 48 tackles (1.5 for loss), 5 picks, 16 passes defended and 2 FFs.
Go Bills!