OT Jack Conklin Made A Pre-Draft Visit To The Bills

OT Jack Conklin made a pre-draft visit to the Bills. The offensive tackle from Michigan State is 6’5″ and 308 pounds according to NFL.com. He was a three-year starter for the Spartans. He is projected to go in the top 20 picks by most experts and many see him going to the Chicago Bears at number 11.

NFL.com’s Chad Reuter ranked Conklin as the #1 risk averse player in the draft based on his “thick body” and that he is a “bull with better athleticism”. It’s strange that he would be considered the most risk averse player considering that he sprained his left knee in 2015 and missed two games. He has also struggled in the past with defensive players who possess elite speed which there are many of in the NFL.

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Conklin was a late bloomer and did not get much attention from scouts in high school. He walked on at Michigan State and worked his way up to being one of the top prospects in this year’s draft. He was voted first-team All-American by both the Sporting News and USA Today. He excels at run blocking which could make him a great fit for Buffalo with Greg Roman as the offensive coordinator.

It was not likely that Conklin was going to fall to the Bills just two weeks ago. However, with both trades to move up to the number 1 and 2 slots in the 1st round that happened recently, it means that quarterbacks are almost guaranteed to go with the first two picks. That leads to Paxton Lynch having a higher likelihood of being drafted ahead of where the Bills pick rather than after they pick as was previously expected.

This means that there could be one extra non-quarterback available for the Bills to draft and if they are fortunate enough that player could be Conklin. The Bills need to draft a quarterback at some point in this year’s draft but the first round is not the appropriate place to do it based on the other needs that they have and the fact that Wentz and Goff are almost definitely going #1 and #2.

More bills: Buffalo Bills Positional Needs Heading Into The Draft

If Conklin falls to Buffalo they should waste no time drafting either him or Taylor Decker. Whoever, they evaluate as the better tackle for Greg Roman’s run-heavy system. Offensive tackle talent drops off after the two of these players and the first round is the place to shore up the right side of their line if either of those them are available.

For more on Jack Conklin check out these two videos.

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