Another well-known and highly respected NFL media member has published his final 2016 NFL mock draft of the year. This time, it's Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network, and in it, he's projecting Alabama defensive lineman Jarran Reed to the Buffalo Bills with the No. 19 overall pick.
In explaining his call, Jeremiah writes: "Could see the Bills take a linebacker here but Reed is too good to pass up." The pick is made with Darron Lee already off the board, but with Reggie Ragland still on it.
It may prove to be a prescient call, as Reed's name has been mentioned around the Bills at an increasing frequency as the first round of the draft has approached. Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News interviewed Reed earlier this week; read that once, and you'll probably come away with a favorable impression of both the player, and the Bills' perceived interest in him, as well.
Reed, 23, is considered the best run-defending lineman available in this draft class. He played both nose guard and defensive end in Alabama's 3-4 defense, and in Buffalo, he'd profile as the space-eating, technically-sound complement to the team's established, productive linemen in Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams. Reed would start right away in Buffalo, and he'd profile as a long-term replacement for Williams, as well.