Perfect Picks: Buffalo Bills
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.
Round 1 - Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The Bills watched Levi Wallace leave in free agency. For now the current incumbent starting cornerback is Dane Jackson. Therefore the position is likely on the radar within the first couple of days. Trent McDuffie’s measureables could see him drop to the tail of round 1 but his tape is as good as any corner in this draft. At worst, he will be a solid nickel but don’t put it past him to be starting on the outside come the start of the season.
Round 2 - Ed Ingram, OG, LSU
Solidity and reliability are the keys to success on the interior of an offensive line. Ed Ingram has both those traits. He won’t wow you with athletic ability but he can pull around the formation and when he locates his block, he can floor them with ease. The Bills have somewhat of a gap at left guard for now and Ingram would be a non-flashy solution.
Mid Round Gem - Brian Robinson, RB, Alabama
Devin Singletary enters the last year of his rookie deal and the Bills could look to restock the running back position in this draft cycle. Robinson offers a more physical style but his last season in Tuscaloosa showed he was more varied than a simple power back. He had to wait his turn for Alabama meaning he has the tread left to be a workhorse back in the NFL.
Late Round Sleeper - Olakunle Fatukasi, LB, Rutgers
It always seems easy to find good value, late-round depth pieces at linebacker. Matt Milano is on a long-term deal but Tremaine Edmunds is in a contract year, so adding bodies is key. Olakunle Fatukasi led Rutgers in tackles last year with 85 including 11 for a loss. He is comfortable tackling in space even though he is slightly undersized and lacks the power to take on offensive linemen. That limits his role but an NFL strength coach could help develop him more fully.
Draft In Full:
25. Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
57. Ed Ingram, OG, LSU
89. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky
130. Brian Robinson, RB, Alabama
168. Otito Ogbonnia, DT, UCLA
185. Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana
194. Vincent Gray, CB, Michigan
231. Olakunle Fatukasi, LB, Rutgers
