Although the Buffalo Bills were able to fill several team needs in free agency, there are still quite a few areas that could be improved upon, especially with the recent retirement announcement of Richie Incognito. Besides the obvious one at quarterback, there are noticeable holes at right tackle, interior offensive line, wide receiver, and linebacker. Unless the Bills trade away draft picks in an effort to secure a quarterback, having six draft picks in the first three rounds presents a golden opportunity to re-stock the team with talent,
The latest multi-round mock drafts from ESPN’s Todd McShay and Mel Kiper, Jr. have the team doing just that. Refusing to trade up has the team securing talented quarterbacks as well as a bevy of talent at multiple positions.
McShay’s Mock
Round 1 (12): Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Round 1 (22): Rashaan Evans, ILB, Alabama
Round 2 (53): Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn
Round 2 (56): Jordan Lasley, WR, UCLA
Round 3 (65): Nathan Sheperd, DT, Fort Hays State
Round 3 (96): Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State
Baker Mayfield falling to the 12th pick would be a coup for Buffalo. The team has visited with Mayfield multiple times so clearly there is a desire to seem in a Bills uniform. Doubts have been raised recently about Evans’ speed, but the tape shows a player ready to start at inside linebacker. Carlton Davis and Jordan Lasley are a bit over-drafted here, but they both carry great athletic upside at their positions. Nathan Shepherd has received rave reviews on his Combine performance and from his pro day. If he wasn’t older than the usual prospect, he would be a consideration for teams in the second round. Jones is appealing as a right tackle, he has the strength and ability to compete to start.
Kiper’s Mock
Round 1 (12): Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
Round 1 (22): Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
Round 2 (53): Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis
Round 2 (56): Billy Price, C/G, Ohio State
Round 3 (65): Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn
Round 3 (96): Daurice Fountain, WR, Northern Iowa
Edmunds is one of the most athletic linebackers to come out of the draft in some time and would give McDermott a leader in the middle of the field. It’s unclear if the Brian Daboll could, or would have a desire to, tailor an offense around Jackson’s strengths, but picking him at 22 isn’t that much of a gamble. Questions continue to be raised regarding Anthony Miller’s health and deep speed. A good player, but the 53rd pick is a bit too high for him. Both Billy Price and Carlton Davis would be steals at their respective positions. Price can play any interior line position. Another wide receiver with speed concerns, Fountain may be more predisposed to a role as a big slot receiver.