Buffalo Bills focus on offense early in the latest 7-round mock draft
4th Round
IOL Lecitus Smith, Virginia Tech
Measurables: 6-3, 315lbs
The Buffalo Bills really lack depth on the interior of the offensive line. While they added former All-Pro Rodger Saffold and brought back Ryan Bates, essentially locking up the starting 5, there are some severe uncertainties behind those five.
Lecitus Smith, unlike most linemen headed to the NFL, is a great pass blocker and really struggles in the run game. Smith has incredible balance and technique in pass protection. He can get his body into winning positions against quick defensive lineman and can withstand the strength of powerful ones.
Smith is aggressive and explosive but will get beat in the run game because he loses the hand battle. When Smith can gain control, he does well, but really good defensive tackles in the NFL will be able to neutralize Smith if he does not win at the point of attack.
Smith would be able to be a backup for the Buffalo Bills for a season or even two. What is nice about Smith is that if the Bills have injuries and he is forced into action, the offense will not sputter too much. Since the Bills primarily are still a passing offense, they actually play into Smith’s strengths, making it harder for teams to take advantage of the rookie.
An additional note is that the Bills met with Smith already and scouted Virginia Tech more than any other school this past college football season.
Also Available in the Fourth Round
WR Velus Jones Jr, Tennessee
Speed, Speed, Speed. Velus Jones Jr is an elite returner and is very fast. While he showed a little bit of route-running skills at the Senior Bowl, he is not super special as a receiver. His speed will win him matchups, and his returning skills could be valuable to the Bills. If Buffalo is satisfied with their receiver room, I wouldn’t be surprised if they added a guy with speed like Jones Jr.
IOL Cam Jurgens, Nebraska
Another interior offensive lineman who has met with the Buffalo Bills. Jurgens could be a three-position backup on the interior of the offensive line and comes from a storied offensive line school in Nebraska. Jurgens is quick and athletic, so he would likely project as a center if he were to start.