As opposed to 2015 Draft, the BILLS have a full compliment of 8 Picks for this year’s Draft. And it is very important that REX & WHALEY are on the same page and on their game. The BILLS have a solid scouting staff and it is time to use their info to upgrade this roster. A big hole just opened up at DE where REX sent SUPER MARIO packing for not wanting to play LB. Their LB group has slipped and requires serious new help. Their OL is big but not terribly athletic, and WHALEY says he wants a QB prospect somewhere in the process. So away we go.
Round 1, Pick 19 SHAQ LAWSON/DE/CLEMSON 6’3/269
Here is an elite pass-rusher who may be more amenable to standing up at times in their D for REX. LAWSON is a superb athlete and is pretty good at setting the edge, although his current weight may become an issue if asked to play that role constantly. He spent a lot of time in opponents backfields targeting both RB & QB. He’s a smaller version of QUINTON COPLES but a much more productive player out on the field. Immediate contributor on several levels for the RYAN boys. PP#19
Round 2, Pick 49 KAMALEI CORREA/OLB/BOISE STATE 6’3/243
Very similar to LAWSON in many ways, but much more likely to convert full time to standing up on the outside, even in their 4-3 base. CORREA has been winning over scouts with his FBI and nose for the ball. He’s a natural at finding the football and taking good lines of pursuit after it. His 4.71/40 is a bit disappointing, but he seems to play faster than that. He’s an explosive player who will find and chase the ball through the whistle. Seems like a RYAN kind of guy to me. PP#46
Round 3, Pick 80 LeRAVEN CLARK/OT/TEXAS TECH 6’5/316
The BILLS OT group is massive, but a bit lacking in athleticism. CLARK would change that in a hurry. He needs base technique work having very seldom taken a 3-point stance in the TECH Offense, but he showed at the Senior Bowl that transition may be pretty much seamless. In fact he got so low in his stance during drills that I worried he would tip over backward. No such issue. This is a true athlete and a massive man. His 36 1/4″ arms, combined with agile footwork make it almost impossible to beat him to the outside on a pass rush. He has future Pro Bowler written all over him. PP#84
Round 4, Pick 117 KENYON DRAKE/RB/ALABAMA 6’1/210
There aren’t too many RB to be found these days who display 4.38/40 speed and have his size. He played second fiddle to bruising DERRICK HENRY, but is a very versatile weapon for a pro offense. He can get to the edge as a runner, glide past LB and most S as a receiver, and is a first class Kick Returner. He has shown a tendency to get banged up and broken bones are a concern with him. But if used with a touch count in mind he should be able to break open a tight game with a big play or two. He would be a nice compliment to McCOY & WILLIAMS, who are more powerful and punishing. He could be the 95 mph fastball after three straight breaking balls, to defenders. PP#118
Round 4, Pick 139 DOMINIQUE ALEXANDER/ILB/OKLAHOMA 6’0/232
A high energy, active tackling machine who led the Sooners with 103 tackles in 2015. Doesn’t have the ideal size to play inside, but they said that about KWON ALEXANDER (NO RELATION) coming out of LSU last year. In the BILLS 4-3 scheme DAREUS & WILLIAMS would eat up a lot of blocks to allow him to flow to the ball. He does seem to have a knack for locating the football. Not a bad pick to replace early retiree TARPLEY. PP#144
Round 5, Pick 150 KEVIN HOGAN/QB/STANFORD 6’3/218
When I do my final rankings I doubt HOGAN would be available here. It seems like the recent film watching and interview process are elevating the Stanford QB. He has good size and has gotten better every season in college. His arm is slightly above average and he can move around enough to extend plays. Having played 4 years in a pro style offense will also play to his advantage. Shows good touch on his throws and scouts luv to see hands of over 10″, despite disclaimers that hand size doesn’t matter. Looked like an INT machine early in his career, but as a senior he threw for 27 TD and only 8 INT. Many say he’ll make a solid career back-up, but I think in the right system, with the right QB tutor he can fight for a starting job in a couple of years. I think GM WHALEY would be delighted to grab hold of HOGAN. PP#150
Round 6, Pick 192 MAX TUERK/OC/SOUTHERN CAL 6’5/298
Had he not missed the second half of the 2015 season with an ACL injury, chances are this versatile guy would have been a Top 100 prospect. Now his medical is more important than his tape. Is a flexible, knee bender who uses body flexibility and quickness to gain an edge on defenders. Has played just about everywhere along the OL and that may be his niche at least initially as a pro. If his knee is sound, and he can gain some weight and functional strength I’d look for him to fight for a starting job in a couple of years. And I’m not saying it will have to be at OC. PP#210
Round 7, Pick 218 VINCENT VALENTINE/DT/NEBRASKA 6’4/329
This big bodied kid came out early and it may have cost him. With his naturally big frame and bulk he might have gotten some real headlines back at Nebraska next year without MALIEK COLLINS playing alongside him. Has been slowed by arm & ankle injuries the past two seasons, but his best is still ahead of him when healthy. Needs to firm up his body a bit, but does show some natural strength. Is tough to move and will push the line-of-scrimmage. Given his lack of speed (5.19/40) he may get more interest from teams looking for someone to play the Nose for them but the RYAN boys will use him in multiple roles. Great value, with nice upside for Round 7. PP#217
The group above would plug some needs and offer a nice mix of ready to play guys along with potential upside guys. The BILLS roster took some hits this off-season and they need a Draft that plugs some holes and offers starting potential. This MOCK provides that IMO.
Pigskin
