Buffalo Bills Go Offense in Cole Shelton’s Mock Draft 2.0
By Cole Shelton
Like mentioned in the previous mock draft, the Buffalo Bills only have 6 draft picks and need a very smart draft to stay competitive.
The Buffalo Bills have several draft needs. Sean McDermott and company need to build a contender through this year’s draft, which is something that hasn’t been done in previous years. This mock draft would help achieve that.
Many have tried to guess what the Bills will do, but I think this is a good one.
Let’s first point out what exactly the Bills need to address this year:
- Wide Receiver
- Cornerback
- Linebacker
- Offensive Tackle
- Quarterback
Alright, now let’s get to the pick selections.
1st Round, Pick 10
TE O.J. Howard, Alabama
The Buffalo Bills need to use their first selection on an offensive weapon for Tyrod Taylor and Howard looks to be a perfect fit. Scouts have said he plays like Greg Olson in college, which is a huge player comparison as Olson is one of — if not the best — tight end in the NFL.
Some may look at this pick and ask why tight end, because the Bills have Charles Clay. Well the reality is, who knows how much longer Clay will be with the Bills and Rick Dennison, the offensive coordinator, often uses two tight ends in his offense. Howard is a big-body receiver-like tight end who can take some coverage away from Sammy Watkins.
Howard at Alabama last season finished with 45 receptions good for 595 yards and 3 touchdowns.
However, if Jamal Adams somehow slips down to 10, the Buffalo Bills should pounce.
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2nd Round, Pick 44
CB Kevin King, Washington
The Bills need help in the secondary especially after losing Stephon Gilmore to the Patriots in free agency, along with cutting Corey Graham, Aaron Williams and Nickell Robey-Coleman. Currently, Ronald Darby and Kevon Seymour are projected as the starters and the Bills need to add competition and depth to the position.
King is 6’3″, 200 pounds and is an absolute speedster, as at the combine in the cone drill finished with the 2nd fastest time of all the cornerbacks. King at 6’3″ is projecting to be a very good NFL cornerback who thrives in zone coverage, and has some work to do in man coverage.
With his height, he can often disrupt the ball and have a ton of pass knockdowns. And the speed mentioned above can help King play some special teams if that is what the Buffalo Bills see in him.
3rd Round, Pick 75
WR Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M
Reynolds is a fast deep-threat receiver that the Bills can definitely use with the loss of Marquise Goodwin. He is terrific at tracking the ball in the air which makes him a good deep-ball receiver.
Reynolds uses his long arms at 6’3″ to catch the ball in traffic, making him a reliable red zone target as well.
A knock on Reynolds is many think he won’t be anything more than a deep threat receiver unless he improves on his route running. Reynolds does seem like a intriguing fit to add to the receiver depth chart.
5th Round, Pick 156
LB Blair Brown, Ohio
In the previous mock I had the Bills taking Brown in the 5th round, but at pick 171. Now he leaps up to pick 156. As in the past week or two there has been a lot of talk of Brown being a huge sleeper pick in the 5th, which has resulted in more interest in the linebacker.
Brown is a tackling machine who ranked 3rd in run-stop percentage and only missed 2 tackles all season. Brown can add much needed depth to the linebacker position that desperately needs it.
5th Round, Pick 171
OL Collin Buchanan, Miami (OH)
Buchanan is very flexible to play tackle or guard, and had 4 games this past year with zero pressures allowed. Buchanan can fill a void with the uncertainty of Seantrel Henderson and the Buffalo Bills need help on their offensive line.
Buchanan has tremendous footwork and has improved his pass protection every year — so who knows what his ceiling is.
A knock on Buchanan is that he loses balance from time to time and seems better off as a guard.
6th Round, Pick 195
WR Kenny Golladay, Northern Illinois
At 6’4″, 213 pounds, Golladay can play in the middle and be a reliable 3rd-down receiver. Golladay did show the ability to run vertical routes and perhaps could line outside as well.
He is a very good route runner, and is much taller then most defensive back and can be a down the field option as well as an inside receiver.
His versatility could be a big reason for the Bills selection and could see the field this season as well as on special teams.
Next: 5 Retired Bills' Players That Would Help Right Now
What changes would you make if you were the Buffalo Bills‘ GM? Leave your comments below!