The NFL season is now over and everyone can start looking forward to the draft, next big NFL event. Of course here in Buffalo we’ve been doing that for a while now, trying to scope out the team’s next franchise quarterback. However, this week’s Fansided mock draft has the team going a very different direction. Its a pick that certainly comes with an interesting story, one that Sports Illustrated detailed earlier this year.
Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad defensive lineman Ezekial Ansah of Brigham Young (47) prior to kickoff of a game against the Senior Bowl north squad at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
With the eighth overall pick in this week’s draft the Bills took BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah. The Accra, Ghana native has seen his draft stock rise as of late. Here’s what Fansided had to say about the pick.
"The Bills need a quarterback, but they won’t be reaching to get one. Unless Mike Glennon’s value shoots up between now and April –which it very well could– the Bills might want to opt for a pass rusher to compliment Mario Williams. Ansah is a guy who has seen his draft value skyrocket, and is now cracking the top 10 in most mocks. He’s got raw talent, is quick off the line and will be a menace when paired with Williams."
Ansah didn’t play American football until his sophomore year of college at BYU. Originally recruited by a Mormon missionary, Ansah walked onto the BYU football team and was kept on due to his outstanding physical attributes. He slowly learned the rules and nuances of the game, until this season when he was strong enough to become a legitimate starter on the defense. He recorded 62 tackles and one interception in 13 games for the Cougars.
If you’ve read my work before, you probably know I’m not the biggest fan of the Bills drafting a defensive end. I just don’t think they need one. Mario Williams came on in the second half of the season and I think Mark Anderson is good enough. There are too many other holes on this defense to plug more money into that position.
If the draft goes as this week’s mock draft projects, not a single quarterback would have been taken off the board before the Bills. I just can’t see this team passing that up. Even if none of the quarterbacks should be taken that high, one will be. This team knows they need to move forward, and adding another defensive lineman isn’t going to make them much better. If you’re going to go defensive, at least pick a linebacker or secondary player!
That all being said, Ansah would be an interesting addition to the Bills, simply because of his background. He has outstanding ability, but is still rather raw. Could he be an amazing compliment to Mario Williams? Sure. Is that this team’s biggest need right now? I don’t think so.
With the first pick in the draft the Kansas City Chiefs took Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel. Bjoern Werner went second overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars while Damontre Moore went third overall to the Oakland Raiders. Not a single quarterback was taken in the first round, a highly unlikely scenario.