Final Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay 2018 NFL Mock Draft has Buffalo Bills getting quarterback

With the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft only a day away, ESPN’s Todd McShay and Mel Kiper have combined their powers to create a final mock draft for the 2018 offseason. Beginning with the first pick, Kiper and McShay alternated selections for the first three rounds. With no trades allowed, the pair has the Buffalo Bills missing out on a rush for quarterbacks, while scooping up players at other positions that fall down the board as a result.

12. Buffalo Bills (from Bengals)

McShay’s pick: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

This one is a tough sell to the Bills’ fan base, as we miss out on the top four QBs. Edmunds is a physical freak and only 19; I’d take him over reaching for a QB here.

22. Buffalo Bills (from Chiefs)

McShay’s pick: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

A young linebacker and a right tackle? Both are needs for Buffalo, but this is a tough first-round sell for the fan base.

53. Buffalo Bills

Kiper’s pick: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

Rudolph is QB No. 6 in this class, and I think he’s going to go somewhere in the second round. With no trades here, Buffalo couldn’t move up to take one in the top 10, so the Bills will have to pick from the second tier.

56. Buffalo Bills (from Rams)

McShay’s pick: Rasheem Green, DE, USC

Green has upside as a pass-rusher and will help fortify the D-line.

65. Buffalo Bills (from Browns)

Kiper’s pick: M.J. Stewart, CB, North Carolina

The Bills have to address the cornerback spot across from Tre’Davious White. Stewart was just OK at the Senior Bowl, and he didn’t run as fast as I thought he might at the combine.

96. Buffalo Bills (from Eagles)

McShay’s pick: Deon Cain, WR, Clemson

Cain has tremendous raw talent, but needs to be refined. Buffalo could use another wideout.

Grif’s take

It’s understandable that the team would be left with the fifth-best quarterback available at pick 12 in a scenario with no trades allowed. I fully support picking players at other positions of need rather than forcing a quarterback selection there. Having said that, it would be shocking to me if Mason Rudolph became the franchise quarterback the team desires. The other selections, especially Tremaine Edmunds, are mostly made up of prospects that carry high ceilings but need some development and polish before they’ll be able to fully tap into their potential. Edmunds is a 19-year-old player that needs more experience playing the middle linebacker position. Although labeled as a defensive end, Rasheem Green could add some muscle in order to secure a role as a defensive tackle. Deon Cain has the necessary athleticism for a starting wideout, but has been plagued by drops. Overall, if this mock draft were to come to fruition, the Bills would become a much more talented team, but hopes for an improvement over last season’s result would be quashed.