The NFL Draft is quickly approaching. On Thursday, each NFL team will make their 1st round selection. Each team is hoping that player ends up a Hall of Famer by the end of their career. The Buffalo Bills have the 10th pick this year. In my opinion, if you have a top 10 pick, your selection better be an immediate starter and a game changer. (Or at least have the potential to be that guy.)
But who should they pick? Well, let's look at where the Bills need help. I have mentioned in a different post which needs are the most important. If you want to narrow down which positions are weakest, you're left with the following: QB, WR, OT, LB, and DB. Some experts seem to think the Bills will consider another pass-rusher to put opposite Mario Williams. I don't think this is likely. The Bills are pretty deep at DE already. As it is, newly acquired Mark Anderson will be fighting with Chris Kelsay and Shawne Merriman for playing time. There will likely be a rotation system for the Defensive Line, but 4 quality ends are enough. Picking another one in the 1st round simply isn't the right move.
So which position do I recommend? Well, let me narrow it down...
QB? No. I don't think Fitzpatrick is the long-term answer... But he just got a huge contract extension. If the Bills had a chance to get Andrew Luck or RG3, I'd certainly want them to pick them... But they don't. So there is no chance Buffalo goes after a QB.
LB? Maybe, but I wouldn't. Melvin Ingram would be a decent selection... IF he falls to the 10th pick. I don't think he'll fall that far... But even if he does, LB is not a major concern for the Bills. Their starters are pretty solid. Depth is an issue, but that should be addressed in later rounds.
DB? Again no. I really don't see a defensive back worth taking here. And, unlike many other fans, I think the Bills will be fine at DB. They just need to stay healthy. George Wilson and Jairus Byrd have looked good. No need for improvement. At CB: McGee, Florence, McKelvin, and Aaron Williams. Looks good to me. McGee and Florence are getting old and will need replacements soon, but the Bills can go another year without reaching for one in the 1st round. Aaron Williams looked great last year when he was healthy and the Bills coaches love him. He'll see more playing time and maybe even a starting role by season's end.
That leaves 2 positions: Wide Receiver and Offensive Tackle. Both are the best options for this 10th pick. The Bills are in desperate need of a WR to start opposite Stevie Johnson... At OT, the Bills are lacking a Left Tackle, the hardest position to play on the offensive line. Demetrius Bell, the starting Left Tackle last year, left in free agency this year. Luckily, the Bills were able to resign Chris Hairston. He has looked good on the field, but he is unproven and a huge risk to Fitzpatrick's health. Here's the problem I see... With each of those positions, I see 1 guy worth taking. At WR, Justin Blackmon. At OT, Matt Kalil. However, most experts believe (and I agree) that both of those guys will be gone before Buffalo is up with the 10th pick. Most experts have the Bills taking Riley Reiff, offensive tackle from Iowa. I think that would be the best option... IF they pick.
In all honesty, though, if the Bills are up to pick and both Blackmon and Kalil are gone, I don't select Reiff. I don't think he has the speed to take on the DeMarcus Wares and Jared Allens of the league. I trade down. The extra picks will be useful and the Bills can find a player of equal skill to Kalil down in the 20s of the 1st round. The skill level isn't there in the positions that the Bills need. Take the extra picks, Buffalo. You'll be glad you did.
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