I worked on a mock.
Mock Draft Version 1.0 – April 5th 2013
With the draft a little less than three weeks away; the build up and smoke-screens are flying. Now while I think the Buffalo Bills may be better suited to trade back from pick eight in the first round and/or up from pick 41 in the second, for purposes of this mock I will be projecting picks based on current selections. With glaring needs all over the roster, Buffalo needs to hit on pick eight and get lucky at pick 41.
If Buffalo were to trade I would estimate it being trading down from (8) to the 13-15 range, Tampa Bay, Carolina and the New Orleans all pick consecutively, all have a need for DT. Per draft value charts by moving down a few spots it should garner a late second/early third. I’d be more comfortable taking a QB here such as EJ Manuel as I don’t believe Geno Smith makes it to 13.
The ultimate dream scenario (don’t wake me up) would be to trade down to 13-15, draft best player available. Make another trade of pick 41 and that extra third to move up to the 32-35 range to guarantee you a QB ahead of the flock of teams who need one.
Round 1: Pick 8 overall
Cordarrelle Patterson – WR Tennessee 6’2, 216 LBS
It might be a small reach and not the best player available but Patterson fills a big need for the Bills. Patterson is a big strong physical WR with great speed. This off-season brought news that Stevie Johnson will play more in the slot to take advantage of 3rd corners and take elite corners off the edge with his excellent route running with the way he torques his body. The Bills have no real other outside threats. Stevie doesn’t have the downfield capabilities like Patterson. TJ Graham is only 6’0 180 pounds and more of a bubble screen, slot, and deep threat. The Bills only have 3 more WR’s on the roster currently. Marcus Easley a former 4th round pick who has yet to stay healthy, possesses great size but route running and hands still need work. The others are Kevin Elliot and Chris Hogan both big WR’s battling for a roster spot and special teams.
Patterson is a former JUCO transfer who set records at a community college in Kansas, Was one of the most sot ought transfers in the Nation. Patterson decided to declare after a very strong junior year.
Patterson returned kicks and ran for 308 yards as well. Great open field runner who played in the West Coast system at Tennessee. Can stretch the defense vertically and gain separation. Is tough to bring down, and a dangerous on reverses. Great red-zone leaping ability something the Bills have lacked having to use Scott Chandler in such situations. His 4.33 40 yard dash and size make him a great fit for the Bills WR corps. Out muscles defensive backs for balls, very strong when the ball is in hands. Former coaches have raved about his football intelligence and competitive nature. Likes to fight off defenders and box them out.
A bit raw in his route running ability but has consistently got better. Buffalo has been looking for an explosive WR forever and would be a great fit with Stevie, Graham and CJ coming out of the back field. Nix and Whaley have praised the Bengals technique of a few years prior drafting AJ Green and Dalton. Nix has stated publicly he doesn’t like the QB’s in this class and with the Bills signing Kevin Kolb to a two year stop gap; it seems more likely that the Bills were to hope a QB falls to them at 41 or go get him. With Scott Chandler still hurt and Fred Davis not signing, the Bills have limited weapons in the passing game. This will bolster that and hopefully the QB of the future.
Other Possibilities:
EJ Manuel QB FSU- I think he is a surprise first round pick; like Ponder and Locker in years past, I think he could go within the first 15 picks, maybe even to the Bills.
Lane Johnson OT- Oklahoma, big OT, can move Glenn to RT and have franchise potential all-pro for years to come. Marrone played offensive line and that’s where it all starts.
Jonathan Cooper OG- North Carolina - one of the best overall players in the draft wouldn’t rub most fans the right way letting go a solid guard in free agency to draft replacement in the first round. Cooper is better than Warmack at pulling and would be a better fit with CJ Spiller.
Barkevicious Mingo – OLB while I don’t think the Bills go D, he would be a former DE turned OLB pass rush specialist to attack the QB. He’d be more of a Pettine pick here.
Pick 41 overall – 2nd Round
Matt Barkley QB- USC
Here’s hoping to Matt Barkley falling to pick 41 or the Bills making it happen. Barkley is a perfect fit and leader for the Buffalo Bills West Coast Offense. Barkley is experienced accurate QB with a nice touch on the ball. Dominated Doug Marrone’s Syracuse team twice, would Marrone choose Barkley over his own? Much like other coaches have done before. Has a great work ethic, first one in the building attitude. Had a great junior season with 36 touchdowns and a down senior season because of a shoulder injury and inexperience on the offensive line. A great rhythm thrower that can move the offense down the field. He isn’t the read option type quarterback that the Bills may be looking for. He could go into the first round if someone decides to take him early or he can slide. He might be traded up for as well. I’d prefer Barkley over every quarterback in this class. 6’3 227 great completion percentage of 69% and 64% his past two seasons. Won’t wow you with throws but with his intelligence and leadership qualities could effectively lead the Bills offense. If Barkley doesn’t work out and next year’s class turns out to be the hype Buffalo could always use a first round selection then and cut ties with Kolb.
Other Possibilities:
Ryan Nassib QB Syracuse
Manti Teo’ Notre Dame
Zach Ertz TE Stanford
Arthur Brown OLB Kansas St
Bacarri Rambo S – Georgia
Pick 71 overall 3rd Round
Jamie Collins OLB – Southern Miss
A 6’3 255 pass rusher, A 41.5 vertical leap and was visiting One Bills Drive during the first week of April. Great at closing the gap and supporting the run. Strong enough and has enough length to shed blocks and support his middle linebackers. Needs help in pass coverage with double teams. Had 20 tackles for loss last season, Great potential as a third or fourth round pick. You can never have to many pass rushers or hybrid 3-4 guys in our new scheme.
Other Possibilities:
Matt Scott – QB Arizona
Kiko Alonso – ILB Oregon
Vance McDonald TE Rice
Pick 105 overall 4th Round
Tyrann Mathiew – CB LSU
I’m very happy the Bills decided to use one of their pre-draft visits on Mathiew. A huge risk reward pick but like Jenkins last year ended up being a steal for the Rams. Mathiew is a bit undersized but would be a perfect third slot corner. Justin Rogers can’t produce consistently. Mathiew makes plays on the ball, takes risks and always seems to be around. Experienced, durable, plays fast, can play both defensive back schemes zone and man. He is also valuable on special teams. His history of drug problems is a problem but worth the chance at this spot. He can blitz off the edge. At 5’9 186 lbs Mathiew would be more of a role player on third down and passing situations. Won’t be able to keep up with big TE’s but can cover and make plays on any slot-WR. I would be content taking him in the third even.
Other Possibilities:
Tyler Bray – QB Tennessee
Shamarko Thomas SS – Syracuse
Ryan Swope WR – Texas A&M
Pick 143 overall 5th Round
Alvin Bailey OG –Arkansas
I really like Alvin Bailey should he fall to the 5th round. A massive guard at Arkansas, known for his pulling ability something the Bills offense will do often with Eric Wood. At 6’3 315, Bailey can use his strength to knock down defenders or athleticism to get to the second level. Ran a 4.89 40 and had 27 reps on the bench.
Other Possibilities:
Kevin Reddick ILB UNC
Brandon McGee CB Miami
Tharold Simon CB LSU
Pick 177 overall 6th Round
Chris Gragg TE Arkansas
I’ve been dying for a legit ethic TE for some time. Now I know what you’re thinking (if you read this far) Dorin Dickerson is a brother. He’s a hybrid TE/FB Doesn’t count. From the days of Pete Metzelaers, Jay Riemersma,to the slop we have been trotting out the past ten years. Derek freaking Fine? Give me Chris Gragg, a former WR who ran a 4.46, 6’3 244 lbs. Quick and able to gain separation from LB’s and some safety’s, makes good yard after contact and tough of the middle and can stretch a zone. Not much of a blocker but we have 37 of those. He could gain a little more muscle mass.
Free Agents:
The Bills have brought in 3 SS’s in the past week which I find very interesting. All are projected un-drafted so the Bills must think highly of them to use precious pre-draft visits.
Jonathan Meeks – Clemson
Cooper Taylor – Richmond
Malcom Bronson – McNese State
And a WR Russell Shepard - LSU