Buffalo Bills improve both sides of the line in latest FanSided mock draft
The Buffalo Bills could use some help on both the offensive and defensive lines in 2018. The latest FanSided mock draft addresses those two needs.
Mock draft season is in full force and the folks at FanSided never take a break.
Last week we wrote about the mock draft done by Brad Weiss at FanSided’s main page, and this week we are back to see what Conor Dorney thinks the Buffalo Bills will do in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
As I always say when writing about mock drafts, these don’t take trades into account. At least not yet, as folks like to have fun with it closer to the draft. So when you see these early mocks pegging the Bills to stay put in the first round, don’t think the author is ruling out a trade on draft day.
This week we see the Bills keeping it familiar at No. 21 overall, as Dorney sees the Bills taking Maurice Hurst, defensive tackle out of Michigan.
From the article:
"His lack of ideal size for the position will be the biggest knock to his draft stock going forward but when put in the right system, Hurst could make an immediate impact as a rotational interior pass rusher. After trading Marcell Dareus to Jacksonville midseason in 2017, the Bills would be thrilled to land an interior talent like Hurst’s with the 21st pick in the draft."
In the scope of this mock draft, this pick makes sense. But improving the defensive line in the first round could be pushed aside if the team wants to trade up for a quarterback. Especially when considering the other big need.
That would be the void at center after Eric Wood‘s retirement. Dorney solves that by projecting the Bills to take James Daniels, center out of Iowa, at No. 22 overall.
From the article:
"Daniels saw immediate playing time with the Hawkeyes as a freshman and has made his home at center for the past two seasons. His lack of bulk for the position could expose him susceptible to bull rushes and struggling at the point of attack at the pro level, but his sound technique could allow for him to hold his own."
Daniels has the highest grade of any center in NFL.com’s Draft Tracker, and it would make perfect sense for the Bills to replace Wood with a top prospect. I would assume that quarterback and center are the top two priorities this offseason, and it is highly likely both positions are addressed in the first round.
Next: Six prospects to watch for at the NFL Combine
What do you think about these two picks? Or are you set on the Bills trading up for a quarterback?