Do The Buffalo Bills Draft Offense Or Defense With The 19th Pick?

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Do The Buffalo Bills Draft Offense Or Defense With The 19th Overall Pick?

The Buffalo Bills draft history has been known to be very hit or miss since the beginning of the franchise. Often times they’d make a “reach” with their first round selection and would end up not reaping the rewards of their “reach”.

We’ve seen many promising talents walk across that stage at Radio City Music Hall (more recently Auditorium Theatre in Chicago)They had a goal of making it big in the league. They wanted to be the best and make their respective owners feel proud to have drafted them. Some succeed but many are drafted only to be released four years later. Four years after the facade was torn down and the faulty pieces of a once-promising athlete were exposed.

The Bills have been on that side of the aisle more times than I can count. Granted, we have had many different general managers and head coaches, each with their own playbook on how to draft “THEIR” type of guy. It would be fair to say that the lack of consistency within the front office has been the driving force behind the horrid multitude of picks made in past drafts.

Nonetheless, we again begin to give our own analysis on who we think the Bills should select and why we think they will do so. More often than not, we’re all wrong with our safe assumption. Goodell walks across the stage and meets a torrent of berating jeers with a grin only to announce someone unexpected has been selected by the Buffalo Bills.

Let’s delve into the question at hand for 2016, should the Buffalo Bills draft an offensive or defensive player with the 19th overall pick.

On one side, we have the sometimes “sexy”, athletic appeal of a player-maker who can change the game.

On the other side, we have a gritty, angry, defender who will protect the end zone and feed off of the energy of a packed Ralph on a Sunday.

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In order to make an educated decision on this, we first need to see what the Bills need.

Our main needs: offensive line, linebacker, wide receiver, defensive line, quarterback, safety, and kicker.

Now which two of those seem like the biggest needs.

In my opinion, I’d say that linebacker and offensive line stand out the most as areas of need. We’ve struggled to have a strong, solidified linebacking core but have struggled just as much to piece together a healthy, strong offensive line.

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After some careful evaluation, I feel as though our strongest need is at linebacker. We need a significant leader on defense who is smart enough to run the defense without confusion and has the will to become a leader on a defense full of veterans with young players sprinkled in.

It’s been some time that we’ve had a linebacker as the strong, decisive voice of the defense. The time is now more than ever for it.

I believe our best option is Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith.

Nov 14, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) celebrates in the second quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) celebrates in the second quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

He is a strong leader as well as a tough player. We’ve seen Notre Dame defenders, time and time again, carving a place out for themselves as hard-working leaders in the league.

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As Bills fans, we’re bred to be skeptical. We’ve been through so much that we have to take everything Bills related with a grain of salt. I’m still bitter about Mike Williams, the former 4th overall selection.

I believe that the skepticism about the knee injury is validated but not needed. We have seen many many players drafted with a previous serious injury pan out great in the NFL.

We will all be tuned in April 28th to see who they select after we had that opening night stress and excitement last year. My bet is on Smith.

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