Bills 2016 Mock Draft Round Up

by Steve

The draft is a week away FINALLY so let's see who all the 'experts' are picking for the Buffalo Bills at pick 19 and my superb insight follows each prediction:

Walterfootball
Reggie Ragland ILB Alabama
"The Bills generally did not have quality play from their linebacking corps this past season. Manny Lawson was just OK, while Nigel Bradham struggled in Rex Ryan's scheme. Bradham went on to sign with the Eagles this offseason, so a replacement is needed. Reggie Ragland, one of the top players available, projects well to Ryan's scheme."

Doug Whaley today said Ragland "could be" a three down LB not that he is.  Inside linebackers (unless elite side-to-side does everything Keuchly esque player) are interchangeable at low-ish impact on any one game.  Sure they rack up big tackle numbers but how good was Paul Posluszny?  This selection would be a let down despite filling a need.


WGR550
Laquon Treadwell WR Ole Miss
"Treadwell remains the top wide receiver on most boards, but his slower forty time (4.63) has teams in the top-20 looking for a number-one wideout shy away.  The Bills don’t need a number-one.  They need a number-two, and with the latest reports that Percy Harvin has decided not to play next season, Treadwell makes a lot of sense and is the perfect complement to Sammy Watkins for that role.  "

I'm torn on this pick.  At first glance it seems like a no brainer.  The Bills have no decent receiver behind Watkins and getting (possibly) the best WR in the draft at 19 would be fortuitous. Not to mention I loved this dude at Ole Miss despite that horrific injury he suffered a few seasons ago.  But, picking another wide out in the first round and using 3 first round picks on WRs in 3 years is preposterous.  It would seem to contradict Whaley's own decision to foolishly trade up for Watkins two years ago.  Not to mention the whole design of their offense is predicated on running the ball not throwing the ball (oh and Tyrod Taylor is the quarterback). Bottom line it would be ballsy but quite compelling. (maybe trade out if there is a lot of interest in Treadwell and he's available?)


Todd McShay
1st round
Reggie Ragland
2nd round
Jonathan Bullard DE Florida
3rd round 
Keivarae Russell CB Notre Dame

Defense defense defense? Yeah Rex Ryan isn't picking the players and our wives wanna have a three some.  Whilst I don't hate the picks they aren't inspiring or in tuned with today's NFL (seemingly).


Mel Kiper
Jan 1 Jonathan Allen DE Alabama
Feb 18 Kevin Dodd DE Clemson
Mar 8 Robert Nkemdiche DE Miss
Apr 6 Shaw Lawson DE Clemson

See a pattern here?  It seems like Kiper picks a new player every single mock draft just to throw every player out there and see which one sticks.  Then again he's the rich mock draft expert and my house is 1200 sq ft.  I'd like any of these dudes at 19 albeit they can't all be equal. Lawson would be my top selection, Nkemdiche has the pedigree but him being the #1 prospect since he was 15 might hurt his drive, inspiration etc AND him falling out of windows high on 'spice' raises a red flag.  Then again maybe that's why he's falling to 19 in the first place.


NFL.com
Reggie Ragland
"Ragland will provide the Bills with a physical presence in the middle of their defense."


WKBW
A'Shawn Robinson DL Alabama

"With both Darron Lee and Reggie Ragland off the board, some sort of defensive lineman could get an extended look by the Bills. Many have linked the Bills with Jarran Reed, but in a league that features base defenses less and less, I don't believe he's even the best fit from his own college defensive line. Reed is a two-down run-stuffer, which serves a purpose. However, with the potential and versatility that A'Shawn Robinson provides, he becomes someone to keep in the front of your mind as a potential Bills pick. Robinson can play five-technique defensive end in a 3-4, he can slide inside to nose tackle, he can be a defensive tackle in even-man fronts, too. Basically, with a combination of Robinson and Marcell Dareus, you can move both pieces all over the place along the defensive line. Plus, with Kyle Williams and Corbin Bryant both entering the final year of their contracts, it would be prudent for the Bills to act now on the defensive line."

The description sounds good to me.  With Rex calling the shots it is inevitable the Bills go defense at 19 and with no QB worth the pick, why not?  Buscaglia only has the Bills going Robinson here because both highly rated linebackers Lee and Ragland are off the board so does that mean the Bills might be caught flatfooted?  Is he better than Dodd and Nkemdiche?


Buffalo News
Noah Spence DE Eastern Kentucky
"The Bills’ willingness to give players a second chance has been well documented. Spence is in need of that after having been booted out of the Big Ten for failed drug tests. He seems to have gotten his life together during one season at Eastern Kentucky, during which he racked up 22.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks, earning All-American honors. The Bills need to add some more punch to their pass rush opposite Jerry Hughes, and Spence can really bring the heat off the edge. He’s also not a pushover in the run game. The NFL is all about rushing the opposing passer, and Spence is one of the best playmakers in the draft in that regard."

I don't like the pick. If you get booted from Ohio State and not even OSU but the entire conference?!  Then again I'm sure mister spice errr Spence faced some brutal competition in the Ohio Valley Conference. Another Rex bad boy!