Well it’s that time of
year again! The night in which NFL teams try (and in the Bills case usually
fail) at adding to their teams the stars of tomorrow. Draft night has become
one of the most anticipated and well covered nights in sports. The draft is of
vital importance for teams whether they are a perennial bottom feeder looking
to find that player who can turn around their franchise (think Bills, Browns).
Where teams on the cusp of becoming playoff or Super bowl contenders look to
add the few pieces they need to get over the hump. There is no lack of coverage
on the NFL draft. News organizations provide the public practically 24/7
coverage of the draft. You can find countless mock drafts whether they are on
ESPN, NFL.com, Bleacher report, the list seemingly goes on forever. For my
preview I will try to go in depth on what I feel the Bills biggest needs are
from a fan’s perspective. Needless to say there are many for a team that hasn’t
made the playoffs in over a decade.
Biggest
Needs:
Quarterback
Why it’s a need: Ever
since the retirement of Jim Kelly the bills have been looking for a franchise
qb to replace him. The list of quarterbacks they have tried is long and frankly
horrifying. It includes Doug Flutie, Rob Johnson, Drew Bledsoe, J.P Losman,
Kelly Holcomb, Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Fitzpatrick’s Harvard
degree (ICYMI Ryan Fitzpatrick went to Harvard). This isn’t even the entire
list. I simply had to stop or risk throwing my laptop out the window. In
today’s pass happy NFL a good quarterback is required to even sniff the
playoffs let alone compete for the Lombardi trophy. With Fitzpatrick cut in the
offseason the Bills found themselves with Tavaris Jackosn and the immortal
Aaron Corp as the sole quarterbacks on the roster. The signing of Kevin Kolb,
an interesting player who I believe has potential if he can get the stink of
his Cardinal tenure off him, alleviates the need somewhat.
Still Bills fans are
clamoring for a rookie quarterback with franchise potential. Unfortunately the Bills passed on drafting a
quarterback last year in a draft that seems to have 3 pro-bowl caliber
quarterbacks coming out of it. This is a top two need for the Bills in this
draft.
Potential fits:
1. Geno Smith (West
Virginia): The sole quarterback projected to go in the first round Geno Smith
is certainly a possibility for the bills with the eighth pick if he falls
there. A pocket-passer who is capable of extending plays with his speed Smith
is coming off of a stellar year season at West Virginia in which he threw 42
touchdowns with only 6 interceptions and a completion percentage of over 70
percent. He may not fall to the Bills however because the Jaguars (no. 2),
Eagles (no. 4), and the Browns (no. 6) are all in need of a quarterback.
2. Ryan Nassib
(Syracuse)
A popular choice among
both fans and the media it is easy to see Nassib ending up a Bill. Both his
head coach and offense coordinator from Syracuse now have those respective
positions with the Bills. Starting in 38
games for Marrone over his 4 year college career and leading the orange to two
bowl game wins during his three years as a starter. Known for being both
mentally and physically tough Nassib has all the skills needed to be a viable
NFL quarterback. Good arm strength, decent accuracy and an ability to run a
fast paced, pro-style offense which he did under offense coordinator Nathaniel
Hackett at Syracuse. Nassib would be a good fit for the Bills though I don’t
think it would be good value to pick him at 8. I would much rather see the
Bills wait and hope he makes it into the second round, or to trade back later
into the first round to pick up additional draft picks.
3. Matt Barkley (USC)
After having an
underwhelming senior season at USC many speculated that Barkley would fall out
of the first round completely. Recent reports
have Barkley in serious play for the Bills at the eighth pick. As with Nassib I
think it is would be quite a reach to take Barkley with the eighth pick in the
draft. There are also concerns that his arm strength, average at best, would
not do well in Buffalo where inclement weather can be such an issue. What
Barkley does bring to the table is good accuracy accompanied by great
intangibles. He seems to be seriously in play for the Bills with the eighth
pick.
Guard
Why it’s a need: The
departure of Andy Levitre to the Titans leaves a big hole in the interior of
the offense line. In a draft rife with offensive and defensive lineman the
bills could look to fill this need immediately by taking one of the best guards
available with the eighth pick. Some would question whether it’s a good value
to take a guard this high in the draft but if it fills a major need and
solidifies an already pretty good offensive line I think it must be considered.
Especially since the bills will probably be looking to utilize C.J Spiller and
Fred Jackson more in a more run heavy offense.
Potential Fits
1. Chance Warmack
(Alabama)
One of the most
important cogs on a run favoring Alabama team Warmack is considered to one of
the best two guards in this draft along with North Carolina’s Jonathan Cooper
who we’ll get too soon. Started all 40 games in his last 3 seasons with Alabama
and was a unanimous All-American selection for the 2012 season. Warmack was
also penalized on only 2 of the 805 snaps he played during his senior season
which I find quite remarkable. He also has an amazing name.
But this is perhaps the
weakest of my arguments. Warmack should certainly be in play for the Bills with
the eighth pick.
2. Jonathan Cooper
(North Carolina)
The other elite guard
in this draft with a less awesome name then his compatriot Cooper comes with
more versatility then Warmack because he is capable of lining up at center. He
is a freak athlete who can make plays up the field. Honestly I think the bills
could not go wrong drafting either him or Warmack with the eighth pick. They both
seem to be like elite talents who will be rocks for whatever offense line they
happen to be playing on in the fall of 2013.
Wide
Receiver
Why it’s a need: The
departures of Donald Jones and David Nelson in free agency leave the Bills need
of another solid wide receiver that can play across Stevie Johnson. But to be
fair, this still would probably have been the case even if the Bills had signed
both Jones and Nelson in the off-season (Take that Donald Jones and David
Nelson!). T.J Graham, the Bills 3rd round pick last year is
currently in this role but I see him more as a slot/vertical threat. The Bills
could look to add a receiver with their first few picks in the draft to further
help out whoever is starting for the Bills at quarterback on opening day.
Potential Fits
1. Tavon Austin (West
Virginia)
Coming off a stellar season
where he caught 114 passes for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns Austin is an
explosive play-maker both as a receiver and a returner. Kind of reminds me of
Desean Jackson in his big play making ability. He has ridiculous speed and
footwork as made clearly evident in this awesome highlights montage.
Did that give you a football boner? It should have. The Bills would have to use their eight pick
if they wanted any chance of picking up this play-maker. There is no way he gets
out of the first round.
2. Keenan Allen
(California)
A more traditional wide
receiver Allen would be a solid pick up to pair with Stevie Johnson. Keenan
Allen is an attractive target because there is a strong likelihood that he will
be available when the Bills pick in the second round. This would leave the
Bills open to address needs at quarterback or guard with their first round
pick. He has only average speed but is a good route runner with decent hands.
He is also a tough player who isn't afraid of going over the middle and taking
a hit. A slight injury concern since he missed the last 3 games last year with
a mild PCL tear.
Thanks for reading my
Bills draft preview. Hopefully they won’t totally fuck it up this time. Be sure
to watch the draft at 8 P.M eastern on either ESPN or the NFL Network.
Stay based, my friends
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