It could be an adventurous Thursday for the Buffalo Bills. With two first round picks, they have the ammunition to move up in the draft if they panic and fear the quarterbacks they’re targeting will be snatched away.
They could also play the long game, take whoever falls to them, and add multiple starters with six picks in the first three rounds. I know what I’d do and I’m making the Bills’ picks in this mock draft based on that.
Round 1, Pick 12: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
2017: 65.0 completion percentage, 4,904 yards, 37 touchdowns, nine interceptions, 10 rushing touchdowns (6-5, 230 pounds)
I’m not sold on Rudolph as a potential NFL starter, but plenty of teams are. He reminds me a lot of Sean Mannion, Jared Goff’s back up with the Los Angeles Rams. And while I like Mannion as a reserve and he’ll have a long NFL career, he certainly wasn’t a first round pick. That being said, unless the Bills really make a move for Baker Mayfield or Josh Rosen in a trade, this is who will fall to them. If you’ve been following along, you know Josh Allen is still on the board. I’m saying they go with Rudolph.
Round 1, Pick 22: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
6-9, 310 pounds
The Bills traded away starting left tackle Cordy Glenn and will need to draft his replacement. That’s why it’s so important the team just rolls with its current slate of picks. They did sign A.J. McCarron as a free agent quarterback, so they have time to develop Rudolph. What they don’t have time for is letting whoever they’re playing under center get smashed repeatedly with no blind side blocking.
Round 2, Pick 53: Marcell Ateman, WR, Oklahoma State
2017: 59 catches, 1,156 yards, eight touchdowns (6-4, 220 pounds)
In case you missed the TMZ alerts, Bills second-year receiver Zay Jones found himself in a little trouble back in March. Jones got into a naked (drunken or drugged?) fight with his brother Cayleb and was arrested. There’s been no more news about this, but you better believe the Bills are concerned. Even with Jones on the team along with Kelvin Benjamin, Buffalo needs a third receiver since letting Jordan Matthews walk. Ateman is used to playing second banana and finding ways to contribute. Plus, he and Rudolph already have a rapport.
Round 2, Pick 56: Braden Smith, OG, Auburn
6-6, 303 pounds
Like every mock I do, if we’re drafting a quarterback, we’re making sure we have the oxen up front to protect him. Smith is coming from an option system, which makes him a project, but he’s got the size and skillset to develop quickly. With the retirement of Richie Incognito, the Bills need to find a starter here.
Round 3, Pick 65: Bradley Bozeman, Center, Alabama
6-5, 316 pounds
Bozeman is coming form a more pro style offense and may be ready to slide into a starting guard position before Smith is ready.
Round 3, Pick 96: Tarvarius Moore, Safety, Southern Mississippi
2017: 87 tackles, three for a loss, three interceptions, 10 passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery (6-2, 190 pounds)
Safety isn’t a major need for Buffalo as they’ve spent some free agency money over the last couple of seasons to shore up the spot. What Moore brings is versatility, depth and the ability to play nickle or dime linebacker if called on.
Round 4, Pick 121: Jerome Baker, OLB, Ohio State
2017: 72 tackles, eight for a loss, 3.5 sacks, three passes defended, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, one returned for a touchdown (6-1, 225 pounds)
With the exception of Lorenzo Alexander, the Bills have major issues at linebacker. It’s time to start adding some bodies. They’ll need to work the free agency phones too.
Round 5, Pick 166: Kendrick Norton, DT, Miami
2017: 26 tackles, 6.5 for a loss, two sacks, one pass defensed (6-3, 312 pounds)
There’s no major need here with the Bills already rotating in Kyle Williams, Adolphis Washington and Star Lotulelei at defensive tackle. What Norton brings is extra depth and insurance in case any of those guys go down. Williams isn’t getting any younger, either.
Round 6, Pick 187: Isaac Yiadom, CB, Boston College
2017: 53 tackles, one for a loss, two interceptions, seven passes defended (6-1, 190 pounds)
As of right now, the Bills have just five corners on the roster. There’s no way they won’t add at least one more in the draft. Yiadom could have value on special teams as well.
