How Should the Bills Use Pick #19?
By Brad Hemmer
As we all know the Bills will have the 19th pick in the upcoming draft, but what we don’t know is how they will use it. It is no secret the Bills have plenty of needs, and not much cap room to address those needs in free agency. So, how should the Bills use their first selection?
The primary holes this team needs to fill before the 2016 NFL season are on both sides of the ball. On offense, the Bills need to find a way to make the right side of the line better. If Cordy Glenn leaves, which we all hope that will not happen, that would leave the Bills with a huge hole to fill at tackle.
If Cordy Glenn leaves for free agency, then the Bills will undoubtedly select a tackle with their first selection. However; it is likely the Bills find a way to keep Glenn, whether by franchise tag, or by signing him to a long-term deal.
Another need on offense is someone to line up opposite Sammy Watkins as the #2 receiver. Percy Harvin didn’t work out, and the Bills have moved on by voiding his contract. Although some seem to think this is a pressing need for the Bills, I do not.
Though it would be a flashy and exciting pick to have two great young receivers with Tyrod Taylor, there are more important holes to fill in the first round. Robert Woods has played well enough throughout his young career that the Bills do not absolutely need a big time rookie receiver.
On the defensive side of the ball there are a few more needs. The obvious one being a pass rusher, assuming the Bills cut Mario Williams. The Buffalo pass rush was awful last year, no matter who you choose to blame, they must bring in someone to help ignite that unit.
Another need, which has been overlooked by some experts is at linebacker. Preston Brown followed up a great rookie season with a terrible 2015. Sure, he was learning another new NFL system, and one of the more complicated ones, but he was awful. Surely the Bills will give him another year to prove he is the long term guy at middle linebacker.
Nigel Bradham is a free agent, so like tackle this need could become a lot more pressing if he does not return. Even if Bradham returns, Manny Lawson is a free agent after next season, leaving another question mark.
At this point the Bills should take a tackle in the first round of the upcoming draft. Tackle is a need for this team, and there are plenty of capable tackles that will be selected in the first round. The offensive line can always be improved, even if the selection moves inside to guard for some reason.