2012 NFL Mock Draft: Mock the Mocks Buffalo Bills

Everyone once in awhile instead of doing my own mock drafts, which I do frequently enough I like to look around the web at some other mock drafts and pinpoint certain teams to see what kind of trends are developing. Today the team I’ll be looking is the Buffalo Bills. The Bills started the season strong, but were unable to withstand injuries and struggled until the final month of the season where they beat the Broncos and played ok vs the Patriots. The major problems with the Bills to me are a lack of down field threats to spread the field on offense. A pass rusher. Offensive line talent (though it’s better than year’s past), and mostly an a sever need for depth at all positions. Franchise QB is also important.

The Bills will pick 10th in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Drafttek.com Selection: Iowa T, Riley Reiff

Reasoning:

Reiff declared for the draft this week, securing his spot as Kiper’s seventh-best prospect and second best lineman, agreeing with most mocksters. Jury’s still out on free-agent Demetrius Bell, who has had one injury-free season in four years, and last year’s 4th-rounder, Chris Hairston, who got toasted by DE Mark Anderson of the Pats in week 17. Bills fans swooned over Bryan Bulaga last year, and would welcome Bulaga’s successor at Iowa as a mainstay at LT. What impresses me about Reiff is his excellent use of hands, fast footwork, wide base and leverage, impressive balance, and a fight-to-the-finish ethic. The only thing that worries me with Reiff’s selection is the scarcity of top-shelf defensive pass rushers in this draft, and going OT in the first round effectively limits the Bills’ choice at a their #1 position of need. It defaults the Bills to finding their pass rusher in free agency (Mario Williams, anyone?). – Dean Kindig, Drafttek.com Bills Analyst

My thoughts:

I like the pick. And thinks it makes sense on a lot of levels. NFLmocks has Reiff as their second rated offensive tackle in this draft class and OT offer a ton of positional value. Bell was playing at a high level and I’ve met him personally for a brief time ( about an half an hour) and he’s extremely nice, but with that being said I’m ‘not sure he’s a franchise LT and even if he is Reiff can as the versatility to play RT as well. Like this pick a lot. At this point for the Bills I’d also consider Alshon Jeffery

Wes Buntin also makes this pick writing:

Reiff is an athletic tackle with good range off the edge, natural change of direction skills and has the ability to sit into his stance on contact. He needs to get stronger and fill out a bit more. However, this former tight end recruit has the type of athleticism and demeanor to mature into the kind of blind side protector the Bills are looking for.

Walterfootball’s Charlie Campbell Whitney Mercilus

Reasoning:

The Bills have to do something to address their pass rush and linebackers this offseason. Here they are able to get the most productive pass rusher in college football in 2011.

I definitely think Mercilus could rise this high and be this draft’s Aldon Smith. Mercilus was the most productive pass rusher in college football this year. He led the nation in sacks and forced fumbles with 16 and nine respectively. Mercilus also had 57 tackles and 22.5 tackles for a loss. He was relentless at getting to the quarterback.

Mercilus’ first step is very explosive and it quickly gets him up field. His speed and ability to cut to the inside are excellent. Against Ohio State’s Mike Adams, one of the best offensive tackles Mercilus played this season, he beat Adams for 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Mercilus was tough on Wisconsin and its powerful offensive line with a sack-fumble on a bull rush through massive right tackle Josh Oglesby. Routinely, Mercilus plays with ideal pad level and body lean.

For the next level, the junior (6-4, 265) looks like a legitimate pass-rushing 4-3 right defensive end, but he also has the speed athleticism to be a 3-4 outside linebacker. Mercilus rushed standing up at times for Illinois.

My Thoughts

This seems like a pick the Bills would make because it’s a terrible one. I disagree with the assement on Whitney whom I think is not an elite athlete and gets by with great pad level and hustle. I seriously question his abilities to adjust to playing 34 OLB. He was very productive this year and is a nice prospect, but I have his stock right now as a late 1st early second round pick and think the Bills would really being doing themselves a disservice with this pick.

Alternate Selection: I prefer Trent Richardson (Fred Jackson is a FA), Luke Kuechly, Riley Reiff, Nick Perry here as well or Melvin Ingram if they’re going to force a pass rusher at this spot. Coutney Upshaw. Not Whitney, not for the Bills.

Buffalobillsdraft.com

http://www.buffalobillsdraft.com/2012-nfl-mock-draft/

Pick: Vinny Curry, OLB, Marshall

Curry is a 34 OLB or 43 DE depending on who you talk to, with so much up in the air about the Bills defensive scheme this pick makes sense no matter which direction they go in

My thoughts:

Too much of a reach for me, but it makes sense and I can see the Bills pursuing this option.

CBS Rob Rang: Luke Kuechly (no explanation provided), Dane Brugler Melvin Ingram

Thoughts Bills fans who are you looking at?

I’m surprise that so far I haven’t seen the Bills mocked wide receives yet. I think where they are picking that is where the value might be at. Steve Johnson is a free agent and the Bills had a lot of difficulties stretching the field this season after teams took away the short slants and screen games.

Scouting reports for these players can be found on our scouting report page.

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