Day 3 is when teams win the draft. Rounds 4-7 have players that have the potential to be stars. The Buffalo Bills had five chances to find those players.
Day 3 is in the books and the Buffalo Bills made five draft picks. With a roster still riddled with holes, the Bills looked for diamonds in the rough.
No. 122 Overall Pick: (CB) Taron Johnson, Weber State
This pick was used to find a long-term solution for their slot corner position. Johnson comes from a lower level of competition (FCS) where he displayed the tenacity to be successful in the NFL. While at Weber State, he played angry and wasn’t afraid to come down and hit. I could argue that he would have been available in the fifth round, but when you want your guy, you go get him.
Grade: B
I think his ceiling is a starting slot corner. I do not believe he can consistently compete on the outside with the bigger, faster receivers in the NFL. He will make an impact on special teams from day one, so this pick’s value should show through early.
No. 154 Overall Pick: (S) Siran Neal, Jacksonville State
The Bills have clearly put an emphasis on physically gifted prospects. Taking guys like Allen, Edmunds, Phillips and now Neal shows the Bills put major stock on how athletes test at the combine. Each demonstrated highly athletic workouts and got the attention of the Buffalo Bills brass.
Neal played corner in college but was announced as a safety when the pick was made. Since the Bills have the dynamic duo of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, it is hard to see him getting reps with the starters in year one.
Grade: C+
He is an explosive athlete that was rated highly on their board. He will contribute on special teams and will have to wait for an injury to get playing time. The grade is lower because they continue to leave the offensive line unaddressed with quality players still on the board.
No. 166 Overall Pick: (G) Wyatt Teller, Virginia Tech
The Bills finally grab a guard to replace Richie Incognito in Teller. He has a gigantic frame (6-foot-5, 315 pounds) and is not afraid to throw people around. He was the best interior linemen left on the board and has the makings of a great pick for Beane and McDermott.
Grade: A++
THEY ADDRESSED THE OFFENSIVE LINE!!!!
I thought he was going to be picked in the 3rd-4th round range, so getting him at No. 166 overall is great value. He will compete immediately for a starting role as an interior lineman. He will be a fan favorite from the moment he steps on the field.
No. 187 Overall Pick: (WR/RB) Ray-Ray McCloud, Clemson
McCloud is an interesting prospect because he is a guy without a set position. He was used as a receiver and a running back at Clemson, running a lot of jet sweeps and gadget plays. He was announced as a receiver, but his size and speed may be more suited as a running back.
Grade: D
Taking a player like McCloud in the sixth round is a head scratcher. I don’t think he will be anything more than a punt returner. He did not show enough long speed to be an instant impact performer and I think he was a player that was going to go undrafted.
Not every pick should be expected to start. Having said that, there were better options on the board as a return man or receiver. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was on the practice squad for his first two years in the league.
No. 255 Overall Pick: (WR) Austin Proehl, North Carolina
With the second-to-last pick in the draft, the Buffalo Bills selected the son of former NFL receiver, Ricky Proehl. Beane and McDermott worked with Proehl in Carolina, so the connection was there. Was this a nice way to get a former colleagues son drafted? Did they just waste a pick that could have been used on a more talented player?
Grade: C
Yes, they wasted the pick. Since it was just a seventh-round choice, the lasting effects will not be as great. Although he does fill a need, there were far superior talents still available in Deontay Burnett and Trey Quinn. Both are better slot prospects than Proehl and McCloud.
Proehl has a chance to make the roster in 2018. As currently constructed, there is not much competition at the receiver position. If he does make the roster, look for Proehl to contribute on special teams.
Next: Bills: Grades after day two of the 2018 NFL Draft
Since he and McCloud are basically the same player, look for one of them to end up as the return guy this season. Proehl could blossom into a solid slot receiver in a couple of years.