Buffalo Bills: Making case for quarterback Sean Mannion

The Buffalo Bills have a fresh outlook on the 2015 season. The hiring of head coach Rex Ryan appeared to have brightened a gloomy winter in Buffalo.

In the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft, the Bills will not have a first-round pick, as they traded away their pick this year to the Cleveland Browns. With no first-round pick, which was used to acquire wide receiver Sammy Watkins, the Bills will need to use their late-round picks well.

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Coming into the 2015 season, the Bills’ quarterback situation will be a total disaster. The Bills figure to have a quarterback battle between EJ Manuel and Matt Cassel. Manuel was a first-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, but so far hasn’t been very successful. The Bills will certainly hope that sitting most of last season will have a positive impact on Manuel.

After four starts in 2014, Manuel was benched for Kyle Orton as the Bills thought that Orton out of possible retirement would be better than the former first-round pick.

Cassel also isn’t the greatest option for the Bills going into the season, as although Cassel has had two good seasons in the NFL, for the most part he hasn’t been very good. Cassel famously filled in for Tom Brady in 2008 with a great season, which he turned into a big contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Cassel was only able to have one good season out of four in Kansas City, as he was a big disappointment.

While it will likely be Manuel or Cassel as the starter in Week 1, the Bills could use the draft to try and find another quarterback.

One option for the Bills in the late-rounds will be quarterback Sean Mannion from Oregon St. Mannion was a four-year starter for Oregon St., and like most starting freshman, he struggled. In 2011, Mannion totaled 3,328 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions.

In his sophomore year, Mannion would do a better job taking care of the football, but his stats didn’t overly impressive. In 2012, he would total 2,446 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.

With two years of starting experience under his belt, Mannion would have his most successful season in 2013. In his junior season, Mannion would total 4,662 passing yards, 37 passing touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.

Nov 29, 2014; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers quarterback Sean Mannion (4) throws the ball against the Oregon Ducks at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into his senior season, Mannion had some expectations after the great junior season.  In 2014, Mannion’s stats would drop, as he totaled 3,164 passing yards, 15 touchdown passes, and eight interceptions.

There is a lot to like about Mannion as a late-round prospect, as a four-year starter certainly has value. At Oregon St., Mannion was also in a pro-style offense, as the adjustment to the NFL shouldn’t be overly difficult for him to make. Mannion’s physical attributes are also impressive, as he is 6’6”, 230lbs.

Some downsides to Mannion’s game is that he struggles when there is pressure in the pocket, as despite being tall, he leaves the ball at a low point. As a possible game-manger type quarterback, Mannion is an intriguing option for the Bills. Mannion will likely never be a star in the NFL, but he could be of value for the Bills as a late-round pick.

Next: What was the best move made by the Bills this offseason?

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