2012 NFL Mock Draft: Buffalo Bills 7 round Mock draft

It’s not quite that time of year where everything has fallen into place, but it’s fast approaching. There are still a lot of players that could return to school, and a lot of players that are going to see meteoric rises during the pre-draft process, but even with that in mind I thought I’d take a stab at a few full team 7 round mock drafts over the next couple of weeks.

The Buffalo Bills have the standard  7 picks (one from each round) plus a conditional 6th round pick (Marshawn Lynch trade) and a 4th round pick (Lee Evans trade).

Let’s assume the Bills are picking around 20th. I’m also going to use Chris Ransom’s (NFLmocks writers) Top 200 big board to create a value for players

1st round pick: Brandon Jenkins, OLB, FSU

Sunday could be a real rough day for Bills fans if Aaron Maybin has any success at all vs the Bills it’ll just be salt on the wound for a player many Bills fans thought was the biggest bust in Bills history. Maybin did nothing with the Bills, but has been putting a good amount of pressure on the Quarterback this year.

In any case, Jenkins is a player that could be what the Bills hope they had with Aaron Maybin. I must admit though despite the fans belief that this position must be addressed, I’m not convinced that the Bills don’t believe that Danny Batten and Arthur Moats will be that kind of player. Are they right? Jenkins is the pick.

Round 2 Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson  (about 52nd overall)

This is a pure value pick based off my own big board. Scott Chandler is playing well, but he’s not Dwayne Allen. Allen is a nice combination of size and speed. He really holds his own as a blocker and a pass catcher. If he was added to the Bills offense it would make them even scarier. I think Steve Johnson is a legitimate NFL wide receiver, but I’m not in love with the other guys they have like David Nelson and Naaman Roosevelt, even if the Bills are. I was looking for more DL help here or an offensive tackle, but offense tackles and pass rushers are overvalued so I didn’t think the value would be availble here.

Round 3 (around 84th overall) Casey Heyward, CB, Vanderbilt

Another value pick, but they play vs the Patriots every year. Drayton Florene has played all right this year, Leodis McKelvin is playing the best he’s played ever probably, and Aaron Williams might be a good cornerback in this league, but I’m not sold at the depth and they don’t have a lockdown number one cornerback. Terrance Mcgee can’t stay healthy so eventually he’ll have to be replaced.

Round 4 (around 114th)-Chandler Harnish, QB, Norther Illinois

The Bills use their first second round pick to secure a developmental quarterback who can  backup Ryan Fitzpatrick for the foreseeable future but also develop into a potential starter.Obviously not a need pick, but they are enticed by Hanish’s upside.

Round 4 (around 118th) Nick Perry, OLB, USC

Perry is a good athlete and a player that could transition to the 34 OLB as a rush linebacker at the N.F.L. level. Perry has already matched his tackles for loss and sack totals from a year ago and is really starting to come on for the Trojans. Perry is a good athlete and a high upside pick here. Even with the addition of Brandon Jenkins the Bills still have suspect talent at the linebacker spots.

Round 5 (around 148th) Jermaine Kearse, WR, Washington Huskies

The Bills here add a good size wide receiver prospect to add into the mix on offense. Once you get past the fourth round, you’re just looking to snatch up players who have a chance at making the roster. Chan Gailey’s simple offense allows players a chance to shine, but the WR talent for the Buffalo Bills is not great outside of Steve Johnson. Kearse will fight for playing time early.

Round 6 (around 165-Seahawks) Winston Guy Jr. Safety, Kentucky

The Bills drafted Da’Norris Searcy this year and George Wilson is playing out of his mind, but Guy Jr. has a chance at making this roster and contributing, which is all you’re looking for once you get past the fourth round and especially once you get into the draft this deep.

Round 6 (around 180th)-Dan Hoch, OT, Missouri

I wanted to address the offensive tackle position much earlier in the draft, but just didn’t feel the value would be there in this hypothetical mock so I moved away from those positions. With the offensive system the Bills run, there is less pressure on the linemen to maintain blocks for a long period of time because of how quickly they get rid of the ball, still offensive tackle doesn’t hurt. Chris Hairston has been ok as a backup to Demetirus Bell, and played pretty well vs the Giants, but more offensive line help doesn’t hurt a lot. Be on the lookout for Michael Jasper who was drafted in the 7th round by the bill as a monster defensive tackle and is being converted to offensvie tackle on the practice squad.

Round 7 Kaniela Tuipulotu DL Hawaii

Dwan Edwards has been serviceable for the Bills, but has a large contract and the Bills might try to continue to add young Defensive Line talent into the fold. They have drafted Marcell Dareus, Torell Troupe, and Alex Carrington early the past two drafts, so I’m not sure they attack this need early, but I imagine at some point they will draft a guy who can play in the 34. Enter Tuipulotu, the 300 pound DL for Hawaii.

Thoughts?

This is in the very early stages obviously as their is still plenty of season to play and so many different payers could declare or return, but I just wanted to get out some feelers for what the Bills might be considering in the 2012 NFL draft.