Buffalo Rumblings Mock Draft, V3.0

Kelly to Buffalo in Version 3 of our mock draft (Athlon Sports)

'Tis the season to be mocking, Bills fans, and tomorrow SB Nation begins doing just that. If you're looking to find the coolest mock draft anywhere, be sure to tune in to Mocking the Draft, SB Nation's NFL Draft blog, tomorrow morning for the start of the second annual SB Nation NFL Mock Draft. Last season, I was fortunate enough to represent the Buffalo Bills in the first edition of the mock draft and used the opportunity to draft LB Patrick Willis, RB Antonio Pittman (ouch) and LB Quincy Black for the Bills. Two out of three isn't awful, right? This year, we'll clearly be making the Bills' selections again; stay tuned over the next week for Buffalo's selection. We'll have much more on the SBN NFL Mock in the month leading up to the draft.

In the meantime, however, now is the time to unveil the third version of Buffalo Rumblings' Mock Draft. I've provided analysis for the first-round selections through Buffalo's pick, and you'll have two full rounds of mock draft goodness to analyze. As usual, feedback is appreciated, but this third-version mock also serves a dual purpose: this is your final chance to lay out for us exactly how you'd like the Bills to approach this draft. We're looking for as much community input into the Bills' pick as possible; feel free to leave first-round suggestions, draft strategies, and any other miscellaneous items in this thread. Enjoy your Sunday, and we'll see you tomorrow for both the launch of the SBN NFL Mock as well as our normal Bills coverage.

1. Miami Dolphins - Chris Long, DE, Virginia
- There's little doubt this will be a Long. This draft class is deep along the offensive line, and defensive ends usually go as high as they possibly can on draft day. With those two facts in mind, Chris Long is a pretty easy selection to make - a nice, safe first round selection for Bill Parcells.

2. St. Louis Rams - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
- Jake Long and Glenn Dorsey will be tempting, but the Rams have players at both of those positions. That's especially true at tackle, where Orlando Pace is expected to be fully healthy again next season. The Rams struggle rushing the passer, and Gholston has as much potential as any prospect in this draft.

3. Atlanta Falcons - Jake Long, OT, Michigan
- If Jake Long is here, this is an easy selection for the Falcons, who will likely add a lineman with this pick (and pass on Matt Ryan). If Long is gone, expect this pick to be Glenn Dorsey.

4. Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
- The two players that Oakland would like most - Jake Long and Gholston - are off the board. Dorsey will be a consideration, but the Raiders have players along their line. McFadden is simply too talented for Al Davis to pass up.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
- Clearly, the Chiefs need help along the offensive line. Ryan Clady is certainly an option here, but when a player like Dorsey falls into your lap - at a position that isn't a team strength - you don't pass on him. The Chiefs can get a left tackle in the second round.

6. New York Jets - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
- Two popular Jets picks, Gholston and McFadden, are off the board. The team added Kris Jenkins in March, but they'd like to replace Dewayne Robertson. Ellis gives them even more flexibility to do just that and is the best player available.

7. New England Patriots - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
- Sure, the Pats have added some veteran corners (Jason Webster, Fernando Bryant) after losing Asante Samuel to free agency. But Ellis Hobbs has always been a weak link, so DRC is the pick - he should start immediately. Derrick Harvey is a legitimate option as well.

8. Baltimore Ravens - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
- Baltimore would really like to add a defensive back here, as their cornerbacks are injury-riddled and aging. But Ryan is high on their list, and it's still not clear if Steve McNair can be a competent starter for them next season. They simply won't be able to pass on Ryan.

9. Cincinnati Bengals - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
- If Sedrick Ellis is available, he's the obvious choice here. He's off the board, however, so the Bengals boost their O-Line. The team needs to do a better job of keeping Carson Palmer upright, and Rudi Johnson could use some help as well. Clady helps out both players.

10. New Orleans Saints - Keith Rivers, LB, USC
- Cornerback is the popular choice here, but the Saints have signed Randall Gay and have a young player in Usama Young to groom. Rivers fills a huge need at outside linebacker and is obviously the best 'backer available this year.

11. Buffalo Bills - Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
- There are three excellent cornerbacks available, most prominent amongst them Leodis McKelvin, but the team's off-season moves have forced their hand: they have to go offense here. Kelly has question marks, but he's #1 on Buffalo's wideout board and had a nice private workout for them. I'd still prefer Devin Thomas, but if Kelly's the guy, I'm happy as long as we go offense.