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Buffalo Bills: How the team can still get to the top of the draft

By Stephen McCarthy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: USC quarterback Sam Darnold talks with Ken Zampese of the Cleveland Browns during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: USC quarterback Sam Darnold talks with Ken Zampese of the Cleveland Browns during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Fellow BuffaLowDown contributor Justin Baumann and I have done a mock draft 1.0 and mock draft 2.0 and are currently working on mock draft 3.0. Justin and I alternate picks, with him taking odds and I take evens. In this scenario, I am predicting my top 10 without any additional trades.

  1. Cleveland Browns – Sam Darnold/QB/USC
  • It is time for the Browns to finally take their franchise quarterback. Darnold is clean off the field and other than turnovers and an elongated throwing motion; he is clean on the field too. Some believe he has the best long-term potential, and I think the Browns believe that too.
  1. New York Giants – Saquon Barkley/RB/Penn State
  • With the Giants seemingly being in “win-now” mode, they will elect to take the best talent in the draft class. I don’t think taking a running back at two overall is the best idea, but I do think the Giants want to add to a team that can win right now and Barkley can help bring the offense back to what it was. Adding a prolific talent like Barkley to Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, Evan Engram, and Sterling Shepard should be enough to make the Giants offense competitive again.
  1. New York Jets – Josh Allen/QB/Wyoming
  • My personal opinion is that the Jets want Josh Allen. Josh Rosen seems to be the most NFL-ready quarterback, so why would the Jets sign Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater both to one-year deals if they want to take a pro-ready quarterback? I believe Allen’s potential has captivated the Jets and he is their guy.
  1. Cleveland Browns – Bradley Chubb/DE/NC State
  • I have seen this in several places, and the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. The offense seems to be taken care of with their offseason additions, and adding Sam Darnold finally addresses the QB need. Pass rushing is a position that you can never have enough of. Pairing Chubb with Myles Garrett would create a devastating defensive front for the Browns that would help shut down opposing quarterbacks.
  1. Denver Broncos – Josh Rosen/QB/UCLA
  • This is a tough call between Rosen and Baker Mayfield, but I give Rosen the edge. He is my favorite quarterback in the class (Baker is right on his heels) and the most pro-ready. John Elway desperately needs to fix his QB position and Rosen can help a team that is ready to win now.
  1. Indianapolis Colts – Quenton Nelson/OG/Notre Dame
  • Nelson is a monster and can step in and play right now. Getting Andrew Luck, or whoever the quarterback is next season is, help is priority number one. Adding Nelson could be adding a Pro-Bowler and All-Pro for years to come and an anchor along that offensive line.
  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Derwin James/DB/Florida State
  • James is similar to fellow former Florida State DB Jalen Ramsey in terms of size and playmaking ability. However James is a better fit at safety, but he is extremely talented back there. The Bucs need help on the back-end and James could be that immediate help.
  1. Chicago Bears – Tremaine Edwards/LB/Virginia Tech
  • Edwards is a fast riser in the draft. He has size, speed, and playmaking ability. The offensive side of the ball has been addressed in free agency for the Bears, now focusing on the defense and building talent there can help the team become winners again.
  1. San Francisco 49ers – Minkah Fitzpatrick/DB/Alabama
  • Eric Reid isn’t expected to resign in San Fran and they need help in the secondary. They added Richard Sherman and have three first-round picks on the defensive line, so adding Fitzpatrick who is an elite talent in this draft, will help the 49ers become stronger on the defensive side of the ball.
  1. Oakland Raiders – Roquan Smith/LB/Georgia
  • What a natural fit this would be. Smith is arguably the best linebacker in this class and the Raiders are in desperate need of playmakers on that side of the ball. Smith could step in right away and be the heart of that linebacking group.

With our assets in a line and projections for the top 10 of the draft, we can now take a look at trade partners, trade packages, and who the Bills could take.

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