The Bills hold a lot of cards going into the NFL Draft but college football aficionado Greg Vorse believes holding steady at No. 12 could become the smart play.
1. Cleveland Browns - Sam Darnold, QB, USC
While I believe the best player in the draft is Saquon Barkley, the Browns need a franchise QB and everything that has happened the last few weeks screams Cleveland is about to take Darnold. He has the highest floor of the “Big Four” quarterbacks and the upside to make him the Browns' signal caller for the next 15 years.
(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
2. New York Giants - Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
The Giants understand the importance of a franchise QB. Eli Manning can be the placeholder for a year while Rosen, who is the most polished passer, takes a season to get used to the NFL.
(AP Photo/Sam Craft)
3. New York Jets - Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The No. 1 boom or bust player in this draft goes to the Jets who traded up with Indy to get their guy. Allen has all the arm in the world, looks like your video game-created QB, but needs to be polished. The expectations aren’t high in NY right now, so this could be a great fit as they will give Allen the time needed to develop.
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
4. Cleveland Browns - Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
The Browns have so many holes and after taking their QB, they still get the best player available. Cleveland hopes Saquon Barkley can do for them what we saw recently in Dallas and Jacksonville with high picks. He has speed, size, agility, and some compare him to Barry Sanders – sign me up!
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
5. Denver Broncos - Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
Nelson could be looked at in 15 years the way Joe Thomas is right now; a decade and a half of dominance at his position and the anchor of an O-line. With the QB of now locked in in Case Keenum, the Broncos can afford to take a spot of need.
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
6. Indianapolis Colts - Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Colts have a lot of needs, and by trading back with the Jets they added three 2nd round picks and still get the best defensive player in the draft. Indy has its franchise QB and the decision to move back says they think Luck is healthy. Now they have a player with the physical traits you want in a DE and the motor to make him an instant impact performer.
(AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
Bucs would love to see Barkley or Chubb somehow fall to No. 7, but that isn't going to happen, so they fill another need and get the best defensive back in the draft in All-American Minkah Fitzpatrick.
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
8. Chicago Bears - Denzel Ward, DB, Ohio State
The Bears would also love to see Chubb fall down the draft board to them, but like the Bucs, they plug a hole by selecting another All-American corner in the Buckeyes' Denzel Ward.
(AP Photo/AJ Mast)
9. San Francisco 49ers - Derwin James, S, Florida State
James is a freak athlete that possesses the size and speed to cover WRs and TEs which is what today's safety has to be able to do. The All-American starts and stars from day one in SF.
(AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser, File)
10. Oakland Raiders - Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
The Raiders need LB help is the worst way and the best fix is Smith. He has the speed and athleticism to cover on 3rd downs and the size and strength to play the run. Put him in a lineup with Khalil Mack and watch the fireworks.
(AP Photo/David Stephenson)
11. Miami Dolphins - Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-San Antonio
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
12. Buffalo Bills - Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
The Bills need their QB of the future – CHECK! Despite his size Mayfield has the arm and accuracy to excel in the NFL. He can throw to all levels and hit on all routes. The Heisman winner also has some mobility which helps him keep plays away when his height may let him down. Mayfield also has that winning moxie and underdog edge that BillsMafia would love.
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
13. Washington Redskins - Will Hernandez, G, UTEP
(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
14. Green Bay Packers - Mike McGlinchey, T, Notre Dame
(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
15. Arizona Cardinals - Connor Williams, T, Texas
(AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
16. Baltimore Ravens - Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
(AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
17. Los Angeles Chargers - Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
18. Seattle Seahawks - Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
(AP Photo/John Raoux)
19. Dallas Cowboys - Josh Jackson, DB, Iowa
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
20. Detroit Lions - James Daniels, G/C, Iowa
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Chukwuma Okorafor, T, Western Michigan
(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
22. Buffalo Bills - James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
Washington is fast, explosive, has a great catch radius and reliable hands. That screams vertical threat and that is exactly what Oklahoma State's James Washington would bring to the Bills if they selected him. The Cowboys senior shined game in and game out and has the accolades to prove it. He's an All-American, finalist for the Biletnikoff award, first team all-conference and racked up over 1,500 yards on 74 catches for 13 scores. In short, he's the guy to blow the lid off the defense.
(AP Photo/John Raoux)
23. Los Angeles Rams - Arden Key, DL, LSU
(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
24. Carolina Panthers - Vita Vea, DL, Washington
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
25. Tennessee Titans - Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
26. Atlanta Falcons - Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
(AP Photo/Steve Helber)
27. New Orleans Saints - Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
28. Pittsburgh Steelers - Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
29. Jacksonville Jaguars - Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
30. Minnesota Vikings - Isaiah Wynn, OL, Georgia
(AP Photo/John Raoux)
31. New England Patriots - Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
(AP Photo/Daryl Wilson)
32. Philadelphia Eagles - Billy Price, OL, Ohio State
(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
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PUBLISHED April 3, 2018 @2:00 PM