Here is our first round mock draft. Who will the Buffalo Bills select at #19? Read on and find out.
When doing this mock draft we tried to take into consideration the overall talent of the players available and each teams needs. We were hoping in this exercise to get a clearer picture of the potential players the Buffalo Bills might have available to them at #19 overall. So here goes…
1. Tennessee Titans – Laremy Tunsil – OT – Mississippi
The Tennessee Titans gave up the most sacks in the league in 2015. They drafted tackle Taylor Lewan in 2014 but they still need another tackle to fortify their offensive line and to provide protection for quarterback Marcus Mariota. Laremy Tunsil could easily slot in as a starting left or right tackle for any team with his 6’5″, 310 pound frame. He’s the smart pick for the Titans.
2. Cleveland Browns – Carson Wentz – QB – North Dakota State
It’s no secret that the Cleveland Browns have needed a quarterback for quite some time. Things did not work out with the Browns and their former first round selection Johnny Manziel. Carson Wentz has ideal size for an NFL starter at 6’5″ and 237 pounds. Right now Josh McCown is the best QB on their roster and that is why the Browns will use this pick to take the best quarterback on the board Carson Wentz.
3. San Diego Chargers – Joey Bosa – DE – Ohio State
The Chargers need help on both their offensive and defensive lines. There are some decent offensive tackle options still in the draft but with Laremy Tunsil off the board, they would be crazy to ignore the talent of Joey Bosa. Bosa is 6’5″ and 269 pounds. He was a phenomenal edge rusher in college and some scouts believe that he is the most talented player in the entire draft.
4. Dallas Cowboys – Jalen Ramsey – CB – Florida State
You might think that cornerback would be the last position that the Cowboys would want to use a first round pick on considering they drafted Morris Claiborne in the 1st round in 2012 and Byron Jones last year. The Cowboys recently re-signed Claiborne but only to a one-year deal and some think that Jones would be better off as a safety. In the pass-happy NFL, you can never have enough cornerbacks so taking 6’1″, 209 pound Jalen Ramsey with the fourth pick is the right fit for the Cowboys.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Myles Jack – LB – UCLA
The Jacksonville Jaguars could use some additional players to add to their front seven on defense. While there are a lot of great defensive ends and tackles available in the draft, Myles Jack is impossible to ignore at #5. He is 6’1″ and 245 pounds. Some scouts believe that he might be the best overall talent in the draft. Current Jaguars linebacker, and former Buffalo Bill, Paul Posluzny is getting older and the Jaguars need to replenish their linebacker corps by adding some younger players. Selecting Myles Jack at #5 overall would be a great way to begin that process.
6. Baltimore Ravens – Ronnie Stanley – OT – Notre Dame
The Baltimore Ravens struggled last year on the offensive line. Losing Kelechi Osemele to the Oakland Raiders this offseason did nothing to help out that situation. The Ravens need to stockpile talent on both the interior and the exterior of the offensive line. Drafting Ronnie Stanley who is 6’6″, 312 pounds and letting him compete immediately for the starting right or left tackle job would help improve their line tremendously.
Next: See Picks 7 - 12
7. San Francisco 49ers – Jared Goff – QB – California
Colin Kaepernick’s people have leaked reports to the media that he would like to be traded from the 49ers. With Blaine Gabbert as their next best option at quarterback, it would be wise for the 49ers to draft a QB in the first or second round. San Francisco should use the #7 pick on a quarterback because one of the top two quarterbacks (Wentz or Goff) in the draft should still be on the board at seven. With Wentz already off the board at #2 to the Browns, the 49ers will select 6’4″, 215 pound Jared Goff with the 7th overall pick.
8. Philadelphia Eagles – Vernon Hargreaves – CB – Florida
The Philadelphia Eagles traded their best cornerback, Byron Maxwell, to the Miami Dolphins this offseason. They recently signed former Buffalo Bills cornerback/safety Leodis McKelvin but it’s unclear whether the Eagles plan on allowing him to move back to cornerback or if they want him to play safety. Either way, McKelvin is no spring chicken and his best days are likely behind him. With the NFL being a pass happy league, they should use this pick to draft 5’10”, 204 pound cornerback Vernon Hargreaves.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DeForest Buckner – DE – Oregon
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in need of help on the defensive line even with the signing of veteran Robert Ayers. DeForest Buckner has Mario Williams type size at 6’7″ and 291 pounds (Williams is 6’6″, 292). He’s a great edge rusher and also a good run stopper. He fits well in both a 3-4 and 4-3 defensive scheme. He’s an absolute steal for the Bucs at #9.
10. New York Giants – Shaq Lawson – DE – Clemson
The New York Giants need to restock their team with talent. The Super Bowl teams that they had recently both had great front sevens and the Giants would be smart to replenish theirs especially with the uncertainty around Jason Pierre-Paul. According to CBSSports.com, 6’3″, 269 pound Shaq Lawson led the NCAA in tackles for a loss last year with 25.5. He doesn’t have freakish size like you usually get from players this early in the draft but he knows how to play and is effective in both run and pass situations.
11. Chicago Bears – Jack Conklin – OT – Michigan State
The Chicago Bears are in desperate need of an offensive tackle. Last season Charles Leno did a decent job for the team at left tackle. The Bears switched their Pro Bowl right guard Kyle Long over to right tackle for the season due to their lack of depth. By selecting 6’6″, 308 pound Jack Conklin, Chicago could slide Long back over to guard where he had two Pro Bowl seasons and let Conklin solidify their line by handling either the right or left tackle position.
12. New Orleans Saints – Darron Lee – LB – Ohio State
The New Orleans Saints defense needs a major overhaul. They gave up the most points in the league last year and did poorly against both the run and the pass. That is part of the reason current Bills coach Rob Ryan is not with their organization anymore. They need to address their lack of talent on that side of the ball in the draft. Taking 6’1″, 232 pound Darron Lee with the #12 pick should be the first step in that process. Lee is a cerebral player with above average athleticism. He showed good tackling ability in college and can be effective at times rushing the passer. He’d be a good fit for the Saints at #12.
Next: See Picks 13 - 18
13. Miami Dolphins – Reggie Ragland – LB – Alabama
The Miami Dolphins can use help at inside linebacker. They did trade the Eagles for Kiko Alonso but he did not have a good year last season coming off an ACL injury in 2014 and battling knee issues throughout the year. The Dolphins cannot rely on him to be healthy or effective and that is why they should take 6’1″, 247 pound Reggie Ragland who is the top inside linebacker in the draft at #13.
14. Oakland Raiders – Eli Apple – CB – Ohio State
The Oakland Raiders gave up more passing yards last season than all but six teams which is why cornerback and safety are two of their biggest needs. The Raiders did sign Sean Smith this offseason who is solid but has never been spectacular. He will be 29 when the season starts which means any year now he is likely to start slowing down. 6’1″, 199 pound Eli Apple would be a great addition to their secondary.
15. Los Angeles Rams – Laquon Treadwell – WR – Mississippi
If the Rams want to impress their new fan base in Los Angeles and give them some decent football to watch they are going to have to put up more points in 2016 than they did in 2015. In 2015, the Rams scored the fourth-fewest points in the league. Having Nick Foles and Case Keenum at quarterback didn’t help. They could still use a quarterback but wide receiver is one of their other weakest positions and they can’t pass up on 6’2″, 221 pound Laquon Treadwell who is the best receiver prospect in the draft.
16. Detroit Lions – Ezekiel Elliott – RB – Ohio State
The Detroit Lions can use help at running back. Joique Bell is a free agent and their top two options at the position are Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick. Riddick was great in the passing game but neither player really stood out as a workhorse back. Taking Ezekiel Elliott, the 6’0″, 225 pound running back and the top player at his position could solidify the Lions backfield for years.
17. Atlanta Falcons – A’Shawn Robinson – DT – Alabama
The Atlanta Falcons could use some help at defensive end and also recently released their nose tackle Paul Soliai adding to their lack of depth on the line. Selecting 6’4″, 307 pound defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson would help them replenish their defensive line. He will be a three-down player in the NFL who is dynamic enough to play in several different roles on the line depending on the scheme. The Falcons shouldn’t hesitate to take him here.
18. Indianapolis Colts – Taylor Decker – OT – Ohio State
The Indianapolis Colts underperformed last season. Quarterback Andrew Luck seemed to be lost at times when under pressure from other teams. Selecting the 6’7″, 310 pound offensive tackle Taylor Decker and slotting him in as the starting right tackle for the Colts would help protect the team’s prized possession Andrew Luck. It would certainly buy him some extra time to make better decisions and might make him less jittery in the pocket. The Colts should use this pick to invest in some protection for their quarterback in the form of Taylor Decker.
Next: At #19 The Buffalo Bills Select...
19. Buffalo Bills – Sheldon Rankins – DT – Louisville
The Buffalo Bills need to restock their defense after losing several players to other teams this offseason. Linebacker and defensive end are probably their top two positions of need but they could also use a defensive tackle and a safety.
Buffalo’s defense played poorly last year and was the major reason why the team did not make the playoffs. There were some disagreements as to what type of system the Bills should run between a few of the players and head coach Rex Ryan. Those players are mostly gone now and Ryan will have a chance to add several players to his defense since the Bills have eight draft picks. You can expect most of those picks to be on the defensive side and their #19 overall pick will be no different.
The Buffalo Bills should select 6’1″, 299 pound defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins from Louisville. Kyle Williams is coming off an injury and is 32 years old with his best days likely behind him. The Bills need to work on a backup plan to replace him. Rankins could play defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme or he could play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme which is the scheme that the Bills plan to use more often next season.
This offseason, the Bills cut defensive end Mario Williams, they did not tender a contract to defensive tackle Stefan Charles who signed with the Detroit Lions and they tendered restricted free agent defensive tackle Corbin Bryant but he can still sign with another team. Adding more depth to their defensive line is the way to go in the first round and the Bills could use a versatile three-down player like Sheldon Rankins.
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He has extremely quick feet for a man of his size which is part of the reason for his versatility. He is powerful and compact with a strong lower body. He can rush up the middle or he can use his quickness when rushing around the edge. He’s exactly the type of player a defense-obsessed coach like Rex Ryan would love to have on his team. If he’s on the board when the Bills pick at number #19 they should waste no time drafting Sheldon Rankins.
Some other players that we considered selecting at this position for the Bills include Leonard Floyd (LB), Robert Nkemdiche (DT), Vonn Bell (S), Jarran Reed (DT), Noah Spence (DE), and Andrew Billings (DT).
Next: See Picks 20 - 26
20. New York Jets – Paxton Lynch – QB – Memphis
The New York Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick will likely end up coming to a deal although the sides are still far apart in negotiations. It seems like the organization has moved past Geno Smith and Bryce Petty is still being developed. Quarterback is still a very uncertain position in the future for the Jets and that’s why they are going reach a bit but should select 6’7″, 244 pound Paxton Lynch with the 20th pick.
21.Washington Redskins – Leonard Floyd – LB – Georgia
The Washington Redskins could use more help at linebacker both on the inside and on the outside. Selecting 6’6″, 244 pound linebacker Leonard Floyd at #21 would be a tremendous value for the team. Floyd is a good edge rusher with good burst off of the edge and he has a relentless motor. He would be an asset to Washington’s pass rush next year.
22. Houston Texans – Robert Nkemdiche – DT – Mississippi
The Houston Texans have selected a defensive player with 11 out of their last 13 selections in the first round. This year will be no different as they cannot ignore the top 10 talent Robert Nkemdiche. The 6’3″, 294 pound defensive tackle would have been drafted much higher if it weren’t for some red flags in his past. This includes an incident where he fell 15 feet out of a window while intoxicated. Marijuana was found in the hotel room he was staying in that night as well. While he does have a lot of character concerns, some team will be unable to ignore his potential and will take him in the first round. That team should be the Houston Texans.
23. Minnesota Vikings – Vonn Bell – S – Ohio State
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith graded out as the top overall safety in the league by Pro Football Focus. The issue for the Vikings is that they have been unable to find anyone to fill in admirably as their second safety. By using their #23 pick on 5’11”, 199 pound Vonn Bell, who is the best safety in the draft, it would assure that they don’t have to worry about either of their starting safeties for years to come.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Jarran Reed – DT – Alabama
Both defensive end and defensive tackle are needs for the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason. It’s weird to think that considering their defense has always been their strongest unit but they could use more talent and depth on the line. The Bengals get a steal at the #24 pick by selecting 6’3″, 307 pound defensive tackle Jarran Reed from Alabama.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers – Noah Spence – DE – Eastern Kentucky
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be keeping an eye towards the future when they select the 6’2″, 251 pound defensive end/linebacker Noah Spence with the 25th overall pick. Steelers linebacker James Harrison is 38 years old and not certain if he is going to play next year. Their former first-round draft pick Jarvis Jones is on the last year of his deal and is due for a hefty raise in the offseason. Adding Spence here would be a good way to shore up their linebacker position in case a year from now they no longer have Harrison and Jones on their roster.
26. Seattle Seahawks – Josh Doctson – WR – TCU
The Seattle Seahawks lack a true number one wide receiver. Sure, Doug Baldwin topped 1,000 yards receiving last year but that was the first time in his career that he has done that. Jermaine Kearse is also a decent receiver but not one that particularly worries other teams. Adding Josh Doctson, who is 6’2″, 202 pounds and the second-best receiver in the draft would be a good way to get Russell Wilson some better options to target in the passing game next year.
Next: See Picks 27 - 31
27. Green Bay Packers – Andrew Billings – DT – Baylor
Green Bay Packers 2009 first round draft pick and defensive tackle B.J. Raji recently surprised the team by retiring at the relatively young age of 30 years old. What better way to replace Raji than by selecting Andrew Billings, the 6’1″, 311 pound defensive tackle out of Baylor with the 27th overall pick.
28. Kansas City Chiefs – Mackensie Alexander – CB – Clemson
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith recently signed a contract with their division rivals the Oakland Raiders. Last year the Chiefs used their #18 overall pick to select cornerback Marcus Peters. He did not disappoint in his rookie campaign. He won the defensive rookie of the year award and was tied for the NFL lead in interceptions. With Smith gone the Chiefs don’t have much depth at the position. They should draft 5’10”, 190 pound Mackensie Alexander with the 28th overall pick. This would ensure that cornerback is not a position of need for their team for the foreseeable future.
29. Arizona Cardinals – Will Fuller – Notre Dame – WR
Larry Fitzgerald had a sensational year for the Arizona Cardinals last season. They also have two other talented wide receivers in John Brown and Michael Floyd. While Fitzgerald had a great season, most of his production was early on and he tailed off towards the end of the year. Over the last seven weeks of the season, he only tallied 379 yards or put another way an underwhelming 54 yards per game. They could use another starting receiver option to replace Fitzgerald who can’t possibly have that much left in the tank. 6’0″, 186 pound Will Fuller would make a lot of sense for the team to select if he’s available.
30. Carolina Panthers – Jason Spriggs – OT – Indiana
Cam Newton was sacked 33 times last season and it would have been even more if he wasn’t so athletic and elusive. The Carolina Panthers could use some help at offensive tackle. 6’6″, 301 pound Jason Spriggs out of Indiana could be a good option for them with the second to last pick of the first round. He would be an upgrade over either of their other options Mike Remmers or Daryl Williams. If he’s on the board when they select he will be tough for the team to pass up.
31. Denver Broncos – Connor Cook – QB – Michigan State
Brock Osweiler flew the coup and is now a Houston Texan. The Texans threw gobs of money at Osweiler and he would have been a fool to say no to it. The Broncos were smart not to overpay him but with Mark Sanchez as the best quarterback option currently on the roster the team is going to be desperate to draft the best QB that falls to them with the last pick of the first round. That quarterback is 6’4″, 217 pound Connor Cook from Michigan State. The Broncos can let Cook and Sanchez compete in camp for the starting job but they might be better off letting Sanchez start the season and giving Cook some time to get accustomed to the NFL as they did with Osweiler.