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2017 NFL Draft Grades: Buffalo Bills Day 2 Picks

By Brenden Deeg

Oct 29, 2016; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Zay Jones (7) runs with the ball during the first quarter against Connecticut Huskies at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Zay Jones (7) runs with the ball during the first quarter against Connecticut Huskies at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Temple Owls offensive lineman Dion Dawkins speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Temple Owls offensive lineman Dion Dawkins speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 2, Pick 63: Dion Dawkins, OT – Temple

After solidifying their two biggest needs, the Bills moved back into the second round to select Dion Dawkins, an offensive tackle out of Temple.

Dion Dawkins is a 6-4, 314-pound offensive tackle who has plenty of upside. Dawkins started two games as a true freshman, which is almost unheard of with offensive lineman. He started at left tackle for Temple in his final season, and excelled. Dawkins is a true tackle, who has tremendous strength. He will join an already bruising Buffalo Bills offensive line who finished the season as the 11th ranked offensive line unit in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus.

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Dion Dawkins has all the tools to be an all pro tackle in this league, although he does have some concerns. In 2015, him and fellow Temple teammate Haason Reddick, who was drafted 13th overall by the Arizona Cardinals, were charged with assaulting a fellow Temple student. Both Reddick and Dawkins avoided trial by agreeing to a divisionary program. That does show some character flags for Dawkins. He’s is also a very raw player. He has been able to get away with pure agility and power in college. If the Bills can get him the right coaching, he can turn into a Pro Bowl tackle.

Buffalo definitely needed to address the tackle position. I didn’t think they would trade away two picks to move up and select one. However, it goes to show how much they like Dawkins and how thin the tackle class is in this draft. The Bills had some major issues on the right side of the line this past season, despite an overall solid showing. Right tackle Jordan Mills struggled mightily all season. He surrendered eight sacks, which is far too many in such a quarterback driven league. Taylor is a right-handed quarterback who likes to roll out of the pocket. The Bills must have a stable right side of the line for him to have success.

C+. . OT. Buffalo Bills. DION DAWKINS

Although I like the pick of Dawkins, I am not crazy with the trade up to get him. The Buffalo Bills had to send the Atlanta Falcons two fifth-round picks, plus their original third-round pick, to move up 12 spots to select Dawkins. It is a big haul to select a raw offensive lineman, especially with all the holes on the roster. If Dawkins can step into the right tackle position in his first or second year and hold down the starting spot, this will be a huge success for the Bills. If not, they will regret sending those additional fifth-round picks to Atlanta.

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