2014 Buffalo Bills Mock Draft – Round 1
By Nate Gerst
Sep 1, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio (71) on the line of scrimmage during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Cowboys Stadium. Alabama beat Michigan 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Earlier this week I put up an article that took at look at five guys Buffalo may target with the 9th overall pick in the 2014 draft. As I was watching the voting it occurred to me, why not do a BuffaLowDown mock draft? Here’s how it’s going to work, each week I put together a list of some potential players Buffalo may target in each round of the draft. At the bottom of each article there will be a poll for you to place your vote on who the Bills should draft.
So let’s get this thing started, with the 9th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select…
Sammy Watkins – WR – Clemson
Sammy Watkins is a speed receiver who can torch any secondary. This guy is often compared to Percy Harvin and may just be the wide receiver Buffalo is looking for. Watkins would certainly fit the fast pace offense Doug Marrone wants and he would also help stretch the field. He is only 6’0” which doesn’t help Buffalo in the size department but what he lacks in height he certainly makes up for in speed. His speed would only make this offense faster and EJ Manuel would benefit from a good receiver like Watkins.
Mike Evans – WR – Texas A&M
Mike Evans was the early favorite in one of my previous articles. Evans comes in at 6’5” and was a stud at Texas A&M. He is a slower receiver due to his size, however, he can certainly go up for the ball. He can catch in traffic and he has shown he can play against some of the best talent in the country. This draft pick would certainly help EJ Manuel and would help some of the issues Buffalo faced when in the red zone. Evans is one of my favorite draft picks for Buffalo now but it’s still very early.
Eric Ebron – TE – North Carolina
Ebron is the best tight end in the country and is a huge mismatch, coming in at 6’4” and 245 lbs. Even at that size Ebron is quick and can fly by defenders. Buffalo might lose Scott Chandler to free agency this season and Ebron would definitely be an upgrade and a great replacement. However, even if Chandler is back, Ebron would be a huge asset and Buffalo would have two great mismatches at tight end. He could be the next big tight end to enter the NFL and Buffalo could truly use a weapon like him.
Jace Amaro – TE – Texas Tech
Amaro is much like Ebron when it comes to being a mismatch. Like Ebron, Amaro is a big guy who is a good route runner and moves smoothly for his size. Amaro broke the NCAA record for receiving yards in a single season with 1,352 yards, and that should tell you that teams have a hard time stopping him. The only true question I see surrounding this guy is his attitude issue but I am sure Marrone and company would keep him in line. Amaro would be a great draft pick for Buffalo and would help a struggling pass offense.
Zach Martin – OG – Notre Dame
Martin mostly played a left tackle throughout college but in the NFL this guy is going to be a guard. Buffalo had some issues at guard this past season and Martin would be a nice addition to sure up the line. Martin is a quick off the whistle and is nasty. He is a better run blocker than a pass blocker but with some help he will be a very good offensive guard in the NFL. This might be to early to take a guy like Martin but if Buffalo likes what they see why not go and get the guy you want.
Cyrus Kouandjio – OT – Alabama
Kouandjio is your typical beast at offensive tackle. He is light on his feet which is surprising for a 6’5” 310 lbs. man. He is so quick that during his time at Alabama he use to pull and be a lead blocker for the running backs. Buffalo had some issues at right tackle this year and Kouandjio is projected to be a left tackle so if Buffalo would choose him I would imagine Cordy Glenn would get moved to right tackle. This pick would ensure Buffalo two great offensive tackles to protect their franchise quarterback.
Taylor Lewan – OT – Michgan
Lewan comes in at 6’7” and 315 lbs. Lewan is more of your typical right tackle in the NFL and Buffalo needs to find an answer for this position to help keep Manuel upright. Lewan is a guy who can do just that, he has the height and the length to keep pass rushers away from the quarterback. He has quick feet, plays with an attitude and comes from a great university of offensive tackles. If Buffalo would pick him they would have two good offensive tackles.
Khalil Mack – LB – Buffalo
Mack is in Buffalo’s backyard and is one of the best in the nation. Buffalo could use a guy like him. They were horrible against the run and Mack is a sure tackler who would help solidify the run defense. The only downside is he hasn’t played the best competition every week but he has shown he can handle playing with the big dogs. Mack will be a high draft pick and he may not be leaving the Buffalo area anytime soon.
Anthony Barr – OLB – UCLA
Barr is explosive and if you watch his highlights you will see he hits hard and can dislodge the ball. Barr is a great player who can pass rush extremely well and doesn’t take a play off. He uses his speed and size to beat pass rushers and could be the next Von Miller. Barr would be a great addition in Buffalo and would only help an already great pass rushing defense.
C.J. Mosely – LB – Alabama
Mosely is one of the best linebackers in the nation. He keeps his eye the ball and is able to shed blockers easily to get to the ball carrier. He is an extremely smart linebacker who doesn’t make many mistakes. Paired up with Kiko Alonso, Buffalo would have a great young linebacker group. Two downsides to Mosely are he doesn’t always use the best tackling techniques and he has had a history of injury issues. However, Mosely shouldn’t be overlooked and could be on the rise after the combine.
Darqueze Dennard – CB – Michgan State
Dennard is the top ranked cornerback in the league. This guy has been a shutdown corner and has stopped some of the best wide receivers in the nation. Buffalo’s secondary was decent this year but with Dennard and Gilmore you would imagine Buffalo’s secondary would be a lot better. This kid is a stud and could be the next best cornerback in the NFL.
Justin Gilbert – CB – Oklahoma State
Giblert was a stand out at Oklahoma State. He was a great cornerback and a great returner. He has great speed and he always seems to get his hand on the ball. Gilbert would be a nice asset to have on the opposite side of Gilmore but this might be a little high to draft Gilbert with the 9th pick.
Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix – S – Alabama
Clinton-Dix is the best safety in this draft and with the Bills most likely losing Jairus Byrd to free agency they may want a replacement. He accelerates very well and is great at making breaks on the ball. He is a safety who anticipates the run well and attacks the line of scrimmage. Clinton-Dix is a very intriguing draft pick for Buffalo.
Check Out: 2014 Buffalo Bills Mock Draft – Round 2