A (Very Early) Seven-Round Mock Draft For the Bills

There’s a lot of great team sites in the Fansided NFL network, but one of the very best blogs on Fansided isn’t devoted to a single team at all. It’s NFL Mocks, a fantastic college scouting/NFL draft/fantasy football site that covers all NFL teams and college prospects. You should definitely check it out if you haven’t already.

As a bonus, the lead editor of NFL Mocks is Jesse Bartolis, a great football mind who also happened to grow up in the same dinky Upstate New York town as me. Jesse took the time to put together an (extremely early) look at who the Bills might be selecting in the 2012 Draft with his first Bills seven-round mock. I am also adding my thoughts in italics.

Let’s assume the Bills are picking around 20th. I’m also going to use Chris Ransom’s (NFLmocks writers) Top 200 big board to create a value for players

1st round pick: Brandon Jenkins, OLB, FSU

Sunday could be a real rough day for Bills fans if Aaron Maybin has any success at all vs the Bills it’ll just be salt on the wound for a player many Bills fans thought was the biggest bust in Bills history. Maybin did nothing with the Bills, but has been putting a good amount of pressure on the Quarterback this year.

In any case, Jenkins is a player that could be what the Bills hope they had with Aaron Maybin. I must admit though despite the fans belief that this position must be addressed, I’m not convinced that the Bills don’t believe that Danny Batten and Arthur Moats will be that kind of player. Are they right? Jenkins is the pick.

Brad’s take: I would love this pick. Jenkins is a high-effort, high-motor guy who would fit very nicely with what the Bills are trying to do. He’s not a complete player yet, but he can rush the passer and he’ll continue to get better all the way around. Batten and Moats aren’t bad, but the Bills need to keep adding talent on defense.

Round 2 Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson  (about 52nd overall)

This is a pure value pick based off my own big board. Scott Chandler is playing well, but he’s not Dwayne Allen. Allen is a nice combination of size and speed. He really holds his own as a blocker and a pass catcher. If he was added to the Bills offense it would make them even scarier. I think Steve Johnson is a legitimate NFL wide receiver, but I’m not in love with the other guys they have like David Nelson and Naaman Roosevelt, even if the Bills are. I was looking for more DL help here or an offensive tackle, but offense tackles and pass rushers are overvalued so I didn’t think the value would be availble here.

Brad’s take: I like Allen, but I just don’t see the Bills going tight end this early unless they really fall in love with this guy. Tight ends just aren’t important enough in the Chan Gailey offense to burn a pick this early. Allen can definitely play though.

Round 3 (around 84th overall) Casey Heyward, CB, Vanderbilt

Another value pick, but they play vs the Patriots every year. Drayton Florene has played all right this year, Leodis McKelvin is playing the best he’s played ever probably, and Aaron Williams might be a good cornerback in this league, but I’m not sold at the depth and they don’t have a lockdown number one cornerback. Terrance McGee can’t stay healthy so eventually he’ll have to be replaced.

Brad’s take: This wouldn’t shock me. Bills fans will groan about taking yet another CB early, but you can never have enough depth at corner. It might depend on how Aaron Williams and Justin Rodgers finish the year in Buffalo.

Round 4 (around 114th)-Chandler Harnish, QB, Northern Illinois

The Bills use their first second round pick to secure a developmental quarterback who can  backup Ryan Fitzpatrick for the foreseeable future but also develop into a potential starter.Obviously not a need pick, but they are enticed by Hanish’s upside.

Brad’s take: Interesting. I definitely can see the Bills taking a QB in this draft, but probably not this early and probably not Harnish. I could be wrong though, and he could be the kind of QB Gailey likes (decent size with some mobility.) I just think the Bills are okay with Tyler Thigpen as the backup QB right now, and won’t use a pick this high on a QB.

Round 4 (around 118th) Nick Perry, OLB, USC

Perry is a good athlete and a player that could transition to the 34 OLB as a rush linebacker at the N.F.L. level. Perry has already matched his tackles for loss and sack totals from a year ago and is really starting to come on for the Trojans. Perry is a good athlete and a high upside pick here. Even with the addition of Brandon Jenkins the Bills still have suspect talent at the linebacker spots.

Brad’s take: Very logical pick. The Bills are desperate for pass rushers and defensive talent, and Perry fits the bill.

Round 5 (around 148th) Jermaine Kearse, WR, Washington Huskies

The Bills here add a good size wide receiver prospect to add into the mix on offense. Once you get past the fourth round, you’re just looking to snatch up players who have a chance at making the roster. Chan Gailey’s simple offense allows players a chance to shine, but the WR talent for the Buffalo Bills is not great outside of Steve Johnson. Kearse will fight for playing time early.

Brad’s take: I’m much higher on the Bills’ receivers than you are (I might be a bit biased), but maybe the Bills bring in some more competition at WR. I like Kearse too, so he’d be a fit.

Round 6 (around 165-Seahawks) Winston Guy Jr. Safety, Kentucky

The Bills drafted Da’Norris Searcy this year and George Wilson is playing out of his mind, but Guy Jr. has a chance at making this roster and contributing, which is all you’re looking for once you get past the fourth round and especially once you get into the draft this deep.

Brad’s take: I can’t lie….I don’t know much about this guy. But the Bills load up on DBs every draft, so taking another safety is certainly in play.

Round 6 (around 180th)-Dan Hoch, OT, Missouri

I wanted to address the offensive tackle position much earlier in the draft, but just didn’t feel the value would be there in this hypothetical mock so I moved away from those positions. With the offensive system the Bills run, there is less pressure on the linemen to maintain blocks for a long period of time because of how quickly they get rid of the ball, still offensive tackle doesn’t hurt. Chris Hairston has been ok as a backup to Demetirus Bell, and played pretty well vs the Giants, but more offensive line help doesn’t hurt a lot. Be on the lookout for Michael Jasper who was drafted in the 7th round by the bill as a monster defensive tackle and is being converted to offensvie tackle on the practice squad.

Brad’s take: I’d be shocked if the Bills waited this long to get a little more help at tackle, but I’ve been saying that for the past decade. Anyway, Hoch would be a good fit with line. He’s a bit raw, but he plays with the mean streak the Bills value on the OL.

Round 7 Kaniela Tuipulotu DL Hawaii

Dwan Edwards has been serviceable for the Bills, but has a large contract and the Bills might try to continue to add young Defensive Line talent into the fold. They have drafted Marcell Dareus, Torell Troupe, and Alex Carrington early the past two drafts, so I’m not sure they attack this need early, but I imagine at some point they will draft a guy who can play in the 34. Enter Tuipulotu, the 300 pound DL for Hawaii.

Brad’s take: Another position I’d be a little surprised if the Bills waited so long to address. The Bills still have some oddly fitting pieces left over from the 4-3 era, so bringing in true 3-4 personnel will still be a goal.

A big thank you to Jesse for all his work. Again, definitely check out NFL Mocks as we continue to approach the NFL Draft. It’s never too early!

http://nflmocks.com/2011/11/04/2012-nfl-mock-draft-buffalo-bills-7th-rounder/