Draft chatter is picking up with amazing speed, and that means we’re further capable to understand teams’ plans.
In most cases, that means filling in holes left during free agency. For the Buffalo Bills, the number of holes dramatically reduced with the signing of Mario Williams.
Williams, an elite rusher, immediately transforms the identity of Buffalo’s defense, and allows new defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt to mix in a bevy of wrinkles with his secondary.
And while the Bills defense is far from perfect, on paper it looks better than the one that often impersonated a sieve down the stretch in 2011.
As for the offense, Buffalo hasn’t yet been able to come to terms with free agent LT Demetrius Bell. While Bell is no star, he was solid protecting Ryan Fitpatrick in 2011, and may soon find work elsewhere.
Alas, what direction do the Bills turn at pick 10? Glad you asked.
Who they will draft: Riley Reiff, offensive tackle, Iowa. Assuming the Bills don’t re-sign Bell, that leaves OT and WR as the primary offensive positions of need. Deciding between Reiff and Michael Floyd of Notre Dame sounds like a good problem to have in my eyes, and I think the Bills ultimately go with the blindside protector for Fitzpatrick.
Who they should draft: Reiff. Another Iowa tackle was considered at top 10 pick a couple of years ago, but Bryan Bulaga ultimately slid towards the bottom of round one and ended up in Green Bay. Reiff shouldn’t experience a similar fate, and I think he fits as a day one starter in Buffalo at a premium position. That counts.
Who they could draft: Floyd. Again, the Bills aren’t totally set at wide receiver, and if you’ve followed the start to this series, you’ll understand my affinity for Floyd. He’s explosive, tough, strong and physical. The Bills have done well to groom receivers in recent years, including Stevie Johnson, Donald Jones, and a host of others. Floyd could come in to an organization ready to take off and blossom.
Who they shouldn’t draft: Alshon Jeffrey, wide receiver, South Carolina. You’ll find some healthy debate about Jeffrey’s pro prospects, and here at NFL Spin Zone we’ve got a few people of a different mind on the former South Carolina Gamecock. He had some dazzling moments in college and impressed at a recent pro day, but even though he’s controlled his weight during the pre-draft process (which, by the way, is the most important four month process of his life, so of course he has), it doesn’t eliminate the fact that weight has been and may continue to be an issue. There’s only so much a team can control in its players at the NFL level, and monitoring every calorie they put in their body isn’t realistic. Jeffrey will still be a fine pro in my eyes, he just isn’t a top 10 pick.