The Buffalo Bills have some needs to address in the draft and with only 6 picks, they need to strike big. Here is a 7-round mock draft to get you thinking..
It’s not going to be easy to strike gold in this year’s draft, but the Buffalo Bills will have no choice. This mock draft will help fill out the rest of the team’s roster.
The NFL draft is a big part of a teams success. Typically, the teams that draft well will be playoff teams and unfortunately, it has been hit and miss for the Bills.
The 2017 draft will be a big one for Buffalo, as it will be McDermott’s first as a head coach. As well with only 6 picks and tons of roster spots available, the Bills need a good draft.
Draft Needs: Wide Receiver, Cornerback, Linebacker, Quarterback
1st Round, Pick 10
Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
The Buffalo Bills have already lost Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin to free agency and need to find a No. 2 receiver opposite of Sammy Watkins. Mike Williams fits the bill perfectly, as he is a complete package receiver who — at 6’1″ 221 pounds — can play inside or out.
He has very good hands and is very tough. Last season in Clemson, Williams had 98 receptions for 1,361 yards and 11 touchdowns. Williams would be the Bills’ starting wide receiver opposite of Watkins.
2nd Round, Pick 44
Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA
After losing Stephon Gilmore to the Patriots via free agency, the Buffalo Bills have a need at cornerback. With only Ronald Darby and Kevon Seymour looking like the main starters, the Bills will need to address this via the draft.
Moreau adds size at 6’0″ and is a very good tackler. Moreau also excelled in man coverage in UCLA’s defense, but a knock on him is he only had 1 interception. On the bright side, he did have 8 passes defensed.
Moreau could slide into a starting role in Buffalo or perhaps a backup role — and play on special teams.
3rd Round, Pick 75
Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado
The Buffalo Bills go cornerback again, as McDermott is a defensive coach who will want a say on his defense. Versatility seems like something McDermott likes and that is exactly what Awuzie is.
Awuzie can play on the outside, inside and even some safety. Awuzie even rushed the quarterback a bit in Colorado, which can add another element to his game and the Bills defense.
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He can slide into a backup role or challenge Seymour for a starting job.
5th Round, Pick 156
Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas
Buffalo Bills Offensive Coordinator Rick Dennison often uses two tight ends in his offense. With only Charles Clay and Nick O’Leary on the roster, the Bills need to add another tight end and Sprinkle can be that player.
Sprinkle is a big man at 6’5″, 252 pounds and is a very good blocker, which the Bills will need as they are a run-heavy team. Sprinkle is an average pass catcher, who can add a reliable weapon to the Bills’ offense if Tyrod Taylor gets in trouble.
A knock on Sprinkle is his quickness, but it isn’t a major problem if the Bills use him mostly as a blocker.
5th Round, Pick 171
Blair Brown, LB, Ohio
Crossing off another position of need with the selection of Brown. Brown is a sleeper pick at linebacker and could contribute right away, but is a bit undersized at 5’11”.
Brown is a tackling machine, who ranked 3rd in run stop percentage and missed only 2 tackles all season. Brown can also rush the quarterback very effectively, who as a senior had 4.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss.
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Brown can add depth behind Ragland, Brown and Alexander as a backup linebacker and rotate in.
6th Round, Pick 195
Kenny Golladay, WR, Northern Illinois
With the Buffalo Bills final selection, they go back to the offense and draft another receiver in Golladay.
Golladay originally played at the University of North Dakota where he played two years, and had 99 receptions for 1313 yards and 9 touchdowns.
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He then transferred to Northern Illinois where as a senior had 87 receptions for 1156 yard and 8 touchdowns.
At 6’4″ 213 pounds Golladay can play in the middle and be a reliable 3rd down receiver. Golladay did show the ability to run vertical routes and perhaps could line outside as well. He is a very good route runner, and is much taller then most defensive back and can be a down the field option as well as an inside receiver.
His versatility could be a big reason for the Bills selection and could see the field this season as well as on special teams.
The Buffalo Bills would address many needs in receiver, cornerback and linebacker, but fail to draft a quarterback.
This draft isn’t quarterback heavy and the Bills have more pressing needs, especially if McDermott thinks Tyrod can be a very good starting quarterback.
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What does your mock draft for the Buffalo Bills look like? Leave your thoughts below!