First Round Mock Draft Buffalo Bills Select…
By Dennis Moody
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