2017 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills Early-April 7-Round Mock Draft
By Tyler Olson
A new era starts for the Buffalo Bills with Sean McDermott taking over, making the 2017 NFL Draft quite important. A seven-round mock draft for the Bills.
Joining McDermott in turning around the Buffalo Bills’ organization is Doug Whaley who, surprisingly, outlasted former head coach Rex Ryan into the new regime with McDermott. That, however, might not last much longer.
A general manager’s job is to make a team better for the head coach. Bring the right group of players in to fit the coach’s need; if the GM and head coach are on different pages, it’ll be hard for the team to be successful. It sounds like Whaley isn’t even calling the shots heading into the 2017 NFL Draft but McDermott is. That’s a lot of pressure for a first-time head coach.
Regardless of where the shots are coming from, though, they need to hit their mark in the 2017 NFL Draft. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what they might do starting April 27 with this seven-roudn mock draft for the Buffalo Bills.
Round 1, Pick 10: Marshon Lattimore, CB – Ohio State
Gone are the days of Stephon Gilmore. Drafted 10th overall just five years ago, Whaley had no problem letting Buffalo’s most consistent playmaker in their secondary over the last half-decade walk right into the arms of the enemy.
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Whaley needs his replacement this season, otherwise the secondary will struggle with two new faces at safety and Kevon Seymore— a 2016 sixth-round draft choice—currently slated to play opposite Ronald Darby.
Buffalo has many options in the first round this year. Tyrod Taylor is back, but is no longer getting paid like a franchise quarterback, Robert Woods needs to be replaced with someone more reliable than Sammy Watkins, and, of course, cornerback. You can even throw tight end into that mix as well.
Cornerback depth is aplenty this year. Marshon Lattimore, however, is the cream of the crop in many draft circles. The former Ohio State Buckeye stands at 6-0, 192 pounds and primed to be successful at the next level.
The Bills have a history of drafting quality Buckeye corners and safeties. They selected Nate Clements in the 2001 NFL Draft and Donte Whitner as well as Ashton Youboty in the 2006 NFL Draft. If Lattimore falls to No. 10, he could be next.