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Buffalo Bills’ 2017 Opponents: Who did they draft?

Ryan Brennan
Ryan Brennan

BuffaLowDown

Nov 12, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) celebrates his touchdown in the first quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

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Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. buffalo bills Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Taking a look at the season ahead, BuffaLowDown goes through all of the rookies that the Buffalo Bills will see next season.

The Buffalo Bills had a solid draft this season, bringing in three potential starters and three players that will provide valuable depth. They weren’t the only team that drafted well and some of the teams that graded well are on the Bills’ 2017 schedule.

While the team prepares for workout and camps, which begin next week, it would be smart to prepare yourself for some of the rookies they will be playing against this season. I must say, it’s a talented group of rookies and some will even be contenders for rookie of the year (offensive and defensive).

Before we dive into the rookies, let’s get a quick look at the schedule ahead:

Week 1: vs. New York Jets

Week 2: @ Carolina Panthers

Week 3: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 4: @ Atlanta Falcons

Week 5: @ Cincinnati Bengals

Week 6: BYE WEEK

Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 8: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week 9: @ New York Jets

Week 10: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 11: @ Los Angeles Chargers

Week 12: @ Kansas City Chiefs

Week 13: vs. New England Patriots

Week 14: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Week 15: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 16: @ New England Patriots

Week 17: @ Miami Dolphins

Four of the Buffalo Bills‘ final five games will be against the AFC East — Miami and New England. A tough way to close out the season, but it will be that much sweeter if the Bills make it to the playoffs. Either way, those four games will be crucial to the whole division.

Let’s get to those rookies now. I’ll start with Week 1 and work my way up.

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Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jamal Adams (LSU) is selected as the number 6 overall pick to the New York Jets in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets drafted a total of nine players in the 2017 NFL Draft and made five trades.

The New York Jets addressed needs at safety and their receiving group in the 2017 draft. In the first five rounds, they drafted a strong safety, full safety, two wide receivers and a vertical threat tight end.

In addition to that, they had a good end to the draft, selecting a linebacker, running back and two cornerbacks in the fifth and sixth rounds.

With that being said, when the Buffalo Bills square up with the New York Jets, the Bills’ new defensive backs will be tested, as well as the new receiving core. That also puts pressure on Tyrod Taylor, who will need to have a good start to the season if he wants to remain the starter all year long.

Here’s a look at the trades that went down for the New York Jets:

  • The Jets traded their third round (70) to the Vikings for a third round (79) and fifth round (160).
  • The Jets traded their third round (107) to the Bucs for fourth round (125) and sixth round (204).
  • The Jets traded their fourth round (125) to the Rams for a fourth round (141) and sixth round (197).
  • The Jets traded their fifth round (160) and seventh round (224) to the Browns for a fifth round (181) and sixth round (188).
  • The Jets traded their sixth round (191) to the Cowboys for a 2018 fifth-round.

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Now getting to their selections in the draft:

  • Round 1 (6): Jamal Adams, SS, LSU
  • Round 2 (39): Marcus Maye, FS, Florida
  • Round 3 (79): ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama
  • Round 4 (141): Chad Hansen, WR, California
  • Round 5 (150): Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson
  • Round 5 (181): Dylan Donahue, OLB, West Georgia
  • Round 6 (188): Elijah McGuire, RB, UL Lafayette
  • Round 6 (197): Jeremy Clark, CB, Michigan
  • Round 6 (204): Derrick Jones, CB, Ole Miss

Who are you most scared to face off against in Week 1 and Week 9? Let us know in the comments below! I say watch out for Jamal Adams and Chad Hansen — maybe even Jordan Leggett.

Moving on to Week 2, we have Sean McDermott’s former team — Carolina.

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Dec 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Curtis Samuel (4) back of his helmet covered in Buckeye leaf stickers prior to the game against the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Panthers drafted a total of 7 players in the 2017 NFL Draft and made just one trade.

In the 2017 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers saw the Buffalo Bills trade up right before them not once, but twice to grab some good prospects — Dion Dawkins and Zay Jones. As a result, the team was left to go with other options.

Overall, the team addressed their offense in the first two rounds with three potential starters and then went defense in rounds 3, 5 and 6. They were also one of the teams to select a kicker, which addressed another need for the Panthers.

Looking at their draft haul, the Buffalo Bills will need to watch out for the Panthers’ defensive line, which added two versatile defensive ends. They will also have to avoid allowing any big plays, knowing that they added Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel.

Let’s take a look at their one trade on draft day:

  • The Panthers traded their third round (98) and fourth round (115) to the Cardinals for a third round (77).

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Now for their picks:

  • Round 1 (8): Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
  • Round 2 (40): Curtis Samuel, WR, Ohio State
  • Round 2 (64): Taylor Moton, OT, Western Michigan
  • Round 3 (77): Daeshon Hall, DE, Texas A&M
  • Round 5 (152): Corn Elder, CB, Miami (Fla.)
  • Round 6 (192): Alex Armah, DE, West Georgia
  • Round 7 (233): Harrison Butker, K, Georgia Tech

Who are you most concerned with this season? Let us know in the comments section below! I would go with Christian McCaffrey or Daeshon Hall.

Next up is the Denver Broncos! Ahem ahem, Chad Kelly.

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Nov 5, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) drops back to pass against Georgia Southern Eagles during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos drafted a total of 8 players in the 2017 NFL Draft and made three draft day trades.

As evidence by the picture above, the Denver Broncos did indeed draft Chad Kelly. In fact, they even made him Mr. Irrelevant by selecting him with the final pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. A majority of their draft focused on offensive players, with only two of their picks addressing the defense.

Denver got one of the better offensive tackles in this draft, who will come in and start Day 1. They also got a pass rusher, a cornerback that needs to prove himself, two receivers that will look to be their third receiver, a tight end that could breakout, a running back for depth and a developmental quarterback.

It was a pretty good draft that could see a lot of production this season. The Bills’ defensive line will have to get past the 25-year-old rookie OT, but I am more concerned about their rookie defensive end, who should cause some problems for the Bills’ offensive line. Luckily, Buffalo has one of the better lines in the league.

Let’s take a look at the trades that went down for Denver:

  • Denver trades their fourth round (126) and seventh round (252) to the Browns for a fourth round (145) and fifth round (175).
  • Denver trades their fifth round (175) and seventh round (238) to the Packers for a fifth round (172).
  • Denver trades their RB Kapri Bibbs and a fifth round (177) to the 49ers for a 2018 fourth round draft pick.

MUST READ: 7 best free agent signings in franchise history

Now, the selections they made this year:

  • Round 1 (20): Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
  • Round 2 (51): DeMarcus Walker, DE, Florida State
  • Round 3 (82): Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech
  • Round 3 (101): Brendan Langley, CB, Lamar
  • Round 5 (145): Jake Butt, TE, Michigan
  • Round 5 (172): Isaiah McKenzie, WR, Georgia
  • Round 6 (203): De’Angelo Henderson, RB, Coastal Carolina
  • Round 7 (253): Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss

Believe it  or not, there is a chance the Buffalo Bills see Chad Kelly Week 3. That chance is very, very low, but it exists.

Which Broncos’ rookie are you most concerned about playing this season? Leave your thoughts below in the comments section!

The next opponent on the list is the team that lost in last year’s Super Bowl — to our rival.

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Oct 31, 2015; Fort Collins, CO, USA; San Diego State Aztecs defensive back Damontae Kazee (23) calls out towards the student section of the Colorado State Rams in the fourth quarter at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium. The Aztecs defeated the Rams 41-17. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons drafted a total of 6 players in the 2017 NFL Draft and made two draft day trades.

The Atlanta Falcons made some needed improvements to their linebacker core in the first three rounds, which even included a trade with the Buffalo Bills. They also found some great value in the fifth round, adding a talented cornerback and impressive tight end.

In addition to all that, the Falcons added some development pieces at running back and offensive guard.

Overall, the Buffalo Bills will likely run into some issues with the two linebackers added in this year’s draft — one of them is a big-time edge-rusher and the other is a speed rusher. As for the cornerback, he has 15 interceptions in the past two seasons so that will be something to look at. Lastly, their new tight end that is a valuable slot receiver.

Let’s take a look at the Falcons’ draft day trades:

  • Falcons trade their first round (31), third round (95) and seventh round (249) to the Seahawks for their first round (26).
  • Falcons trade their second round (63) to the Bills for their third round (75) and two fifth rounds (149, 156).

MUST READ: Doug Marrone Opens Up About Leaving Buffalo

And now to look at their picks this year:

  • Round 1 (26): Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA
  • Round 3 (75): Duke Riley, OLB, LSU
  • Round 4 (136): Sean Harlow, OG, Oregon State
  • Round 5 (149): Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State
  • Round 5 (156): Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming
  • Round 5 (174): Eric Saubert, TE, Drake

Overall, I would mainly watch out for McKinley and Kazee, who could see valuable time this season.

Which players are you most concerned with in Week 4? Leave your thoughts below!

Moving on to Week 5, let’s take a look at the Cincinnati Bengals draft haul.

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Oct 22, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) gets ready to receive the opening kick off against the Oregon State Beavers during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 41-17. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted a total of 11 players in the 2017 NFL Draft and made two draft day trades.

The Bengals turned in a pretty impressive draft day, addressing needs all over the place. With 11 selections, about half of them will look to produce right out the gate — whether it be a starting role or depth role.

Much like the Buffalo Bills, the Bengals drafted a top-rated wide receiver this year to line up opposite their star receiver. Obviously, the Bills now have Zay Jones and Sammy Watkins, but new cornerback Tre’Davious White will likely be lining up against rookie WR John Ross — who will take some pressure off A.J. Green.

That combo will be lethal.

Also, the Bengals drafted a tight end out of Buffalo in the 7th round, two picks away from being Mr. Irrelevant (which Chad Kelly went home with).

Let’s take a look at the two trades that went down on draft day:

  • The Bengals traded their second round (41) to the Vikings for a second round (48) and fourth round (128).
  • The Bengals traded their sixth round (217) and seventh round (227) to the Titans for a sixth round (207).

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Next, let’s see who these 11 rookies are:

  • Round 1 (9): John Ross, WR, Washington
  • Round 2 (48): Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma
  • Round 3 (73): Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State
  • Round 4 (116): Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn
  • Round 4 (128): Josh Malone, WR, Tennessee
  • Round 4 (138): Ryan Glasgow, DT, Michigan
  • Round 5 (153): Jake Elliott, K, Memphis
  • Round 5 (176): J.J. Dielman, OT, Utah
  • Round 6 (193): Jordan Evans, OLB, Oklahoma
  • Round 6 (207): Brandon Wilson, CB, Houston
  • Round 7 (251): Mason Schreck, TE, Buffalo

Most of their picks came in Round 4-6, but they did a good job of drafting quality depth players. The kicker in the fifth round, was that they drafted a kicker in the fifth round. It was a questionable move, but they clearly liked what they saw.

I have a feeling Mason Schreck will surprise people this year, so we could see him on the field when Week 5 rolls around.

Who are you most concerned about seeing this season? John Ross brings a lot of speed and Mixon brings a lot of talent. Not to mention the additions to their defensive line..

Moving on to Week 6 — just kidding! Week 6 is a bye week, so we will skip that one and head to Week 7 — a home game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) makes a touchdown catch against Clemson Tigers safety Van Smith (23) during the third quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted a total of 16 players in the 2017 NFL Draft and made two draft day trades.

Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just drafted one of my favorite players in the draft — O.J. Howard. Not only am I a little salty over that, but the fact that the Buffalo Bills will have to play him Week 7 just kills me.

I was really pulling for the Bills to jump on him at No. 10, but I am also happy with the addition of Tre’Davious White — and that first round pick next year. Not drafting O.J. Howard showed that Sean McDermott was running the Bills’ draft, not Doug Whaley. The firing of Doug Whaley confirmed that.

I think Howard will do well with Winston throwing him the ball. Getting him with the 19th overall pick was a steal and he will provide instant production. In addition to that, the Bucs added a talented safety, wide receiver, inside linebacker, defensive tackle and an excellent running back that led the FBS in all-purpose touchdowns in 2016 (53).

Let’s see those two trades that were made on draft day:

  • The Bucs trade their fourth round (125) and sixth round (204) to the Jets for a third round (107).
  • The Bucs trade their seventh round (237) and 2018 seventh round to the Dolphins for a seventh round (223).

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And the players the Bucs drafted:

  • Round 1 (19): O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
  • Round 2 (50): Justin Evans, SS, Texas A&M
  • Round 3 (84): Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State
  • Round 3 (107): Kendell Beckwith, ILB, LSU
  • Round 5 (162): Jeremy McNichols, RB, Boise State
  • Round 7 (223): Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, DT, Southern California

Out of the bunch, I say watch out for Howard and McNichols — both can turn any play into a big play. Godwin could also fit into that category, meaning the Bucs will have a strong offense when they travel to New Era Field.

Who are you most worried about seeing vs. the Bucs?

Let’s move on to Week 8 when the Raiders also make the journey out to Buffalo.

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Oct 15, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Ohio State won 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Raiders drafted a total of 9 players in the 2017 NFL Draft and made just one draft day trade.

The Oakland Raiders took some risks on draft day this year, but they are risks that could have a very high reward in the end. Gareon Conley was accused of rape right before the draft, but says it is untrue — which it could be. Many people thought he would fall one or two rounds, but the Raiders took him with their first round (24).

In addition to that, they drafted a strong safety that has a lot of talent, but is a raw prospect. In the third round, they drafted a defensive tackle that has struggled with injury and his weight — but he has lost 40 pounds and is ready to get serious. In the fourth round, they drafted an offensive tackle that is almost blind in his right eye.

I think the Raiders risk-taking will pay off and by Week 8 when they visit the Buffalo Bills, we will see some of those rookies contributing in big ways. This might scare you if you recall what happened between the Raiders and Bills last season (the 29-point blown lead).

With an improved defense through the draft, the Raiders will make it difficult for the Buffalo Bills to even get a 29-point lead to begin with.

Let’s take a look at the one trade they made:

  • The Raiders trade their sixth round (208) to the Cardinals for two seventh rounds (221, 231).

MUST READ: Don’t forget about Kolby Listenbee this season

Now to look at their nine draft picks:

  • Round 1 (24): Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
  • Round 2 (56): Obi Melifonwu, SS, Connecticut
  • Round 3 (88): Eddie Vanderdoes, DT, UCLA
  • Round 4 (129): David Sharpe, OT, Florida
  • Round 5 (168): Marquel Lee, OLB, Wake Forest
  • Round 7 (221): Shalom Luani, SS, Washington State
  • Round 7 (231): Jylan Ware, OT, Alabama State
  • Round 7 (242): Elijah Hood, RB, North Carolina
  • Round 7 (244): Treyvon Hester, DT, Toledo

That’s right, four draft picks in the seventh round. Of those four, Ware and Hester should see some contribution this season as depth players, while Lee, Sharpe, Vanderdoes, Melifonwu and Conley could win the coaching staff over early.

Expect a tough Raiders’ team mid-way through the season.

Let’s go ahead and skip Week 9 since we already covered the New York Jets (to view their draft results click here). Moving on to Week 10 when the Bills return home vs. the Saints!

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Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Marshon Lattimore poses after being selected as the number 11 overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints drafted a total of 7 players in the 2017 NFL Draft and made just one draft day trade.

The New Orleans Saints picked at No. 11 — just one spot after the Buffalo Bills‘ original first round draft pick. With that pick, they drafted the best cornerback in the draft, while the Bills traded down to draft a cornerback with the 27th pick (also securing a 2018 first round pick).

The Saints then surprised everyone by selecting OT Ryan Ramczyk out of Wisconsin, which wasn’t really a need for them. The rest of the draft focused on defense as they added a full safety, outside linebacker and two defensive ends that will all provide quality depth.

They also signed a talented running back in the third round, but it didn’t make much sense since they signed Adrian Peterson. Mixed with the veteran leadership the Saints already have, this draft class should provide good production throughout the season.

You also have to remember that this will be Week 10, so these rookies will be broken in by then.

Let’s look at that one trade the Saints made this year:

  • The Saints traded their seventh round (229) and 2018 second round to the 49ers for a third round (67).

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And the seven players drafted:

  • Round 1 (11): Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
  • Round 1 (32): Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
  • Round 2 (42): Marcus Williams, FS, Utah
  • Round 3 (67): Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
  • Round 3 (76): Alex Anzalone, OLB, Florida
  • Round 3 (103): Trey Hendrickson, DE, Florida Atlantic
  • Round 6 (196): Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE, Miami (Fla.)

The Saints were definitely busy in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft, selecting six of their seven players in those rounds. They had just one pick after the third round, taking a risk on a player that has a lot of character issues and off-the-field problems.

Overall, I would watch out for Lattimore and Williams. I’m not sure how the Saints will use Ramczyk, but he could be another name to watch out for. Also, Alex Anzalone has a good chance at becoming a starter.

Let’s move on to Week 11 when the Bills travel to LA to take on the Chargers.

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Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Mike Williams (7) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Chargers drafted a total of 7 players in the 2017 NFL Draft and made no trades during the draft.

The Los Angeles Chargers gave Phillip Rivers a new target to throw to this season, but I don’t think it was the right fit for them. Either way, Mike Williams will come in and produce from day-one, which means he will be well-molded into the Chargers’ offense by Week 11 — when the Buffalo Bills travel.

Making no trades and having no prior trades, the Chargers had all 7 original draft picks and stayed put for each of them. After Williams, the Chargers drafted two very capable offensive guards, one of the better safeties (and a depth safety), an offensive tackle and a highly regarded defensive end.

All in all, the Chargers turned out a good draft that will see a lot of production right out the gate. Desmond King, Mike Williams, Isaac Rochell and Dan Feeney could all start (or have major roles) right away.

The Chargers might give teams trouble next season with their draft haul filling some much-needed holes.

MUST READ: Buffalo Bills’ entire 2013 draft class left this offseason

Let’s take a look at the seven players they drafted this year:

  • Round 1 (7): Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
  • Round 2 (38): Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky
  • Round 3 (71): Dan Feeney, OG, Indiana
  • Round 4 (113): Rayshawn Jenkins, FS, Miami (Fla.)
  • Round 5 (151): Desmond King, FS, Iowa
  • Round 6 (190): Sam Tevi, OT, Utah
  • Round 7 (225): Isaac Rochell, DE, Notre Dame

With the Buffalo Bills‘ experienced defensive line, I don’t see the Chargers’ offensive line being a problem. Mike Williams could be an issue and Desmond King could cause problems, but I would also look out for Rochell out of Notre Dame — super athletic.

Week 12 sees the Bills go on the road for the second straight game, this time against the Kansas City Chiefs — the team the Bills traded their first round draft pick to.

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Apr 28, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs number 10 pick Patrick Mahomes II poses for a photo with his mother Randi and father Pat during the press conference at Stram Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs drafted a total of 6 players in the 2017 NFL Draft and made four trades during the draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t draft players that are going to stand out day one, but will likely see it all pay off over time. The obvious is Pat Mahomes, who the Chiefs traded up to get with the Buffalo Bills. He won’t be a starter right away, but could be one of the next big quarterbacks.

After Mahomes, the Chiefs drafted a defensive end and running back that will also provide more and more value over time. After that, things got a little questionable. The Chiefs drafted a wide receiver that needs a lot of development, a linebacker that probably would’ve gone undrafted and a full safety that needs some development.

Of all the rookies they drafted, I think Mahomes will be the best pick over time, with Tanoh Kpassagnon close behind him. Right away, I see Kareem Hunt making some big plays for the Chiefs.

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Who knows, maybe Mahomes is starting by Week 12.

Let’s look at the four trades made by the Chiefs, which included the Buffalo Bills:

  • Chiefs trade their first round (27), third round (91) and 2018 first round to the Bills for a first round (10).
  • Chiefs trade their third round (104), fourth round (132) and seventh round (245) to the Vikings for their third round (86).
  • Chiefs trade two fifth rounds (170, 180) to the Vikings for a fourth round (139).
  • Chiefs trade TE James O’Shaughnessy and a sixth round (216) to the Patriots for a fifth round (183).

And now the draft picks:

  • Round 1 (10): Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
  • Round 2 (59): Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova
  • Round 3 (86): Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo
  • Round 4 (139): Jehu Chesson, WR, Michigan
  • Round 5 (183): Ukeme Eligwe, OLB, Georgia Southern
  • Round 6 (218): Leon McQuay III, FS, Southern California

Week 13 starts a weird ending to the regular season, where the Buffalo Bills will play the Patriots twice and Dolphins twice in the final five games. Week 13 will be against the Patriots.

Let’s see what they did in this year’s draft — like anyone cares.

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Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Youngstown defensive end Derek Rivers speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots drafted a total of 4 players in the 2017 NFL Draft and made four trades during the draft.

Before the draft even started, the New England Patriots didn’t have a selection until the third round. That remained true as the draft went on, with the Patriots only finishing with two third-round picks, a fourth-round pick and a sixth round.

Ultimately, they didn’t get anyone that will come in and produce at a high rate right away, but they got some quality depth. Although their fourth round and sixth round pick likely won’t see a lot of time next season, their two third-round picks could.

Apparently, the Patriots didn’t need to draft a lot of players. Instead, they just steal all of the Buffalo Bills‘ players in the final year of their contract. They even drafted someone with the last name McDermott.

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Since it wasn’t that much of an eventful day, there’s not much to say. Let’s dive into the trades that the Patriots made on draft day:

  • Patriots trade their third round (72) and sixth round (200) to the Titans for a third round (83) and fourth-round (124).
  • Patriots trade their third-round (96) and a fourth round (144) to the Lions for a third-round (85).
  • Patriots trade their fifth round (183) to the Chiefs for TE James O’Shaughnessy and a sixth round (216).
  • Patriots trade their sixth round (216) and seventh round (239) to the Cowboys for a sixth round (211).

And now for their four draft picks:

  • Round 3 (83): Derek Rivers, DE, Youngstown State
  • Round 3 (85): Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy
  • Round 4 (131): Deatrich Wise Jr., DE, Arkansas
  • Round 6 (211): Conor McDermott, OT, UCLA

I say give Rivers a year and he will be a productive defensive end, give Garcia a year and he will likely be a starter and give McDermott a couple of years and he could be a starter. Wise could also come up in a few years if he can prove to be coachable.

Let’s move on to Week 14, the final non-divisional game of the season.

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December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts drafted a total of 8 players in the 2017 NFL Draft and made just one trade during the draft.

The Indianapolis Colts had themselves quite a good draft this year, bringing in 8 new rookies in the first five rounds. They didn’t have a single draft pick in the last two rounds, though.

If having to face his college teammates — Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore — wasn’t enough, the Buffalo Bills will also face Malik Hooker this year — one of the top safeties in the draft class. He’s a freak down the middle of the field and will make it tough for Tyrod Taylor and company.

Luckily, the Bills have a variety of wide receiver talent, so they should be able to work around him.

In addition to Hooker, the Colts drafted a cornerback, defensive end, offensive guard, running back, defensive tackle and a linebacker –b all of them can see quality time as depth players. The Colts added a lot of depth, meaning this draft will also bode well for the future if some of these players can turn out to be more than that.

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Let’s take a look at the one trade they made on draft day:

  • Colts trade their fourth round (121) to the 49ers for a fourth round (143) and fifth round (161).

And for the 8 draft selections:

  • Round 1 (15): Malik Hooker, FS, Ohio State
  • Round 2 (46): Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
  • Round 3 (80): Tarell Basham, DE, Ohio
  • Round 4 (137): Zach Banner, OG, Southern California
  • Round 4 (143): Marlon Mack, RB, South Florida
  • Round 4 (144): Grover Stewart, DT, Albany State
  • Round 5 (158): Nate Hairston, CB, Temple
  • Round 5 (161): Anthony Walker Jr., ILB, Northwestern

Obviously Hooker is going to be a day-one starter, but I would also watch out for Wilson, Basham, Banner and Walker Jr., all of whom could surprise this year and move into big roles.

Let’s move on to the final draft preview I have — the Miami Dolphins. The Buffalo Bills will see them in Week 15 and Week 17.

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Oct 15, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA;Missouri Tigers defensive end Charles Harris (91) works out prior to the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins drafted a total of 7 players in the 2017 NFL Draft and made just two trades during the draft.

I hate to say it, but the Miami Dolphins had one of the better drafts this year, in my opinion. With their 7 picks (which came in all the rounds except the fourth), they cashed in on a bunch of players that will fill needs for them this season.

The Dolphins ultimately made improvements to their defensive line, linebacker core, cornerback group, offensive line and even added a valuable receiver.

CBS Sports loved grading their draft, giving them a B-, B, B+, A+, A+, A and A throughout the draft. They got a defensive end that can start day one, two defensive tackles that can eventually start, a wide receiver that can produce day-one, a linebacker that will start, a cornerback that will add depth and a guard that could come in and start.

Overall, I’d say it was as uccess for the Miami Dolphins team that will look to return to the playoffs this season. The Buffalo Bills won’t let that happen.

MUST READ: LeSean McCoy cracks PFF’s list of interesting fantasy stats

Let’s look at the two trades that took place:

  • Dolphins trade their fifth round (166) and fifth round (184) to the Eagles for a fifth round (164) and sixth round (194).
  • Dolphins trade their seventh round (223) to the Bucs for a seventh round (237) and a 2018 seventh round.

And for their 7 draft picks:

  • Round 1 (22): Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
  • Round 2 (54): Raekwon McMillan, ILB, Ohio State
  • Round 3 (97): Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson
  • Round 5 (164): Isaac Asiata, OG, Utah
  • Round 5 (178): Davon Godchaux, DT, LSU
  • Round 6 (194): Vincent Taylor, DT, Oklahoma State
  • Round 7 (237): Isaiah Ford, WR, Virginia Tech

That does it for the Buffalo Bills‘ 2017 opponents and who they drafted this year. Overall, we will see A TON of top rookies next season.

Bring it on!

Here’s another cool read. The Buffalo Bills have a bunch of players returning from injury this season. Staying healthy will be one of the main factors for the Bills this season.

Next: 14 players will be returning from injury this season

Which rookie are you most concerned about seeing this season? Leave your thoughts below!

Ryan Brennan

Ryan Brennan

My name is Ryan Matthew Brennan and I am 23 years old. Writing has been a passion of mine my entire life and I plan on continuing my travels within this industry. I was the editor for Fansided's BuffaLowDown -- a Buffalo Bills' blog -- in addition to Wake Up Mr. West -- a blog dedicated to Kanye West. After a short hiatus, I am now with Sabre Noise, continuing my love for all things Buffalo.