Buffalo Bills reinforce their trenches in SB Nation mock 2018 NFL Draft

Now that the NFL season is more than half over, the focus is starting to shift, as it so often does, to the offseason and the upcoming 2018 NFL Draft. The draft is a year-round obsession for SB Nation’s own Dan Kadar and today he dropped his first 2018 mock draft since April 2017.

It’s often said that great football teams are built in the trenches and this mock ensures that the Buffalo Bills would exit the first round with two solid prospects on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Though Bills fans may be disappointed that Kadar didn’t choose a quarterback, he notes that, with five being drafted before the Bills initial pick, there were no longer any first round options on his board.

21. Buffalo Bills: Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford

Phillips is putting together an impressive season for a defensive tackle with 73 tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss. The Bills’ run defense has suffered since the Marcell Dareus trade, and a player like Phillips would help fix that problem.Grif’s take: Both players appear to be McDermott-type prospects. They’re experienced seniors who, although not overwhelming athletes, display a high-motor throughout the game and are both well-rounded. By all accounts they’re smart, blue-collar, upstanding citizens and reportedly possess a great work ethic. Phillips would fit as the heir-apparent to Kyle Williams, a penetrating 3-technique that can nonetheless stand up to double-teams. He’s equally as effective against the run as the pass. Hernandez, a second-team Midseason All-American, would most likely slide in as a starter at right guard, solidifying the position and allowing the Bills to move on from John Miller.

25. Buffalo Bills (via Kansas City Chiefs): Will Hernandez, G, UTEP

The Bills are another team that could be after a first-round quarterback, but in this mock draft there just isn’t one available. Instead, the Bills could shore up their offensive line with Hernandez, a player who will become more of a household name during the lead up to the draft.College football isn’t over, but as it stands, I agree with Kadar that none of the quarterbacks left on the board should be picked in the first round. If you’re a Bills fan that demands a first-round quarterback, this mock draft is your nightmare scenario.

Grif’s take:

Both players appear to be McDermott-type prospects. They’re experienced seniors who, although not overwhelming athletes, display a high-motor throughout the game and are both well-rounded. By all accounts they’re smart, blue-collar, upstanding citizens and reportedly possess a great work ethic.

Phillips would fit as the heir-apparent to Kyle Williams, a penetrating 3-technique that can nonetheless stand up to double-teams. He’s equally as effective against the run as the pass.

Hernandez, a second-team Midseason All-American, would most likely slide in as a starter at right guard, solidifying the position and allowing the Bills to move on from John Miller.

College football isn’t over, but as it stands, I agree with Kadar that none of the quarterbacks left on the board should be picked in the first round. If you’re a Bills fan that demands a first-round quarterback, this mock draft is your nightmare scenario, but also couldn’t use a trade up.