The Bills need weapons at wide receiver besides the oft-injured Sammy Watkins. College football aficionado Greg Vorse believes Buffalo will have first crack at wideout at No. 10. Here's how it shakes out:
- Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
- 49ers: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
- Bears: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
- Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
- Titans (via LA Rams): Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
- Jets: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
- Chargers: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
- Panthers: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
- Bengals: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
- Bills: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
- Saints: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
- Browns: Derek Barnett, DE,Tennessee
- Cardinals: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
- Eagles: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
- Colts: Jabrill Peppers, LB, Michigan
- Ravens: John Ross, WR, Washington
- Redskins: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
- Titans: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
- Buccaneers: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
- Broncos: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
- Lions: Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
- Dolphins: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
- Giants: David Njoku, TE, Miami
- Raiders: Budda Baker, S, Washington
- Texans: Pat Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
- Seahawks: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
- Chiefs: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
- Cowboys: Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
- Packers: Takkarist McKinley, OLB/DE, UCLA
- Steelers: Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
- Falcons: Chris Harris, DE, Missouri.
- Saints: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
Why: The Browns NEED everything still; however, the most important player after the QB is the guy who can get after the QB and with no sure-fire franchise changing QBs in this draft, I think the Browns go for the best D available and that is Garrett. A&M may have had what many considered a down year, but the junior did not, earning a unanimous All-American selection for the Aggies in 2016. The Browns will need Garrett to get after Roethlisberger, Flacco, and Dalton for many years ahead.
Why: Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have picked up a pair veteran stop-gap guys in Mark Barkley and Brian Hoyer. With that, they now go the 2nd best defensive player on my board in. Allen took home all the major defensive awards this year, including the Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Award, and SEC Defensive POY for 2016.
Why: The Bears could use a QB (Mike Glennon and Mark Sanchez aren’t the answer), but that defense needs lots of help too, especially when you are playing A-Rod and Matt Stafford twice a year. Adams has the speed and quickness to cover, but can also stuff the run. A guy who can do it all is what this Bears team needs in another high pick.
Why: For a dude that is 240, he looked great in the 40, I don’t care about his vertical. Fourtnette has been destined to play on Sunday’s since he was the No. 1 overall recruit in 2014 and nothing has changed in his three years as a Tiger. Fournette will instantly take over for the combination of Ivory and Yeldon. Fournette is that rare combination of speed and power and will be in the discussion for 2017 NFL offensive rookie of the year.
Why: Tennessee sees the fastest riser of the 2017 draft sitting there for them at No. 5 and they pounce on Thomas, who will give them a power edge rusher to help in a mediocre AFC South. The Titans defense has many holes as they gave up the 16th most points in the NFL last year. Enter Solomon who truly showed out in his biggest game as he helped Stanford knock of UNC in the Sun Bowl.
Why: Whatever you call what the Jets have been doing at QB since Favre left isn’t the answer. I think they take another stab at a fix in UNC’s Trubisky. The RS junior looks the part at 6’3” 220lbs and has numbers off the chart; 3,468 passing yards, 28TDs, 4INTs, and a 68.9 completion percentage in 2016.
Why: San Diego (LA) was 29th in the league in points allowed, including 20th against the pass, so defense is a must fix. Lattimore is the best guy to help in both spots left on the board. The RS sophomore for the Buckeyes was a 1st team All-Big Ten member and looked comfortable when asked to play on an island.
Why: The Panthers defense got really young in the secondary last year and it showed. Obviously Hooker is another rookie, but he is one that will help across the board as he a nose for the ball, raking in two picks in his first start at FS this season, and will make the impact tackle when needed. The RS sophomore was a first team all-American. Get as many dudes to slow Matt Ryan and Drew Brees as possible.
Why: The biggest riser on my board goes to Bolles, who now fills a position of need for the Bengals after losing their two best linemen this offseason. Bolles had a very impressive combine and did nothing short of reinforcing his stock during Utah’s pro day. This might be seen as a reach, but Cinci NEEDS to replenish its line.
Why: Since the Bills retained QB Tyrod Taylor that means they no longer need to select a QB here. That said, they do need to give TT weapons at WR outside of Sammy Watkins whose foot scares the hell out of me. Davis definitely has the size 6’2” 210lbs to be a productive starter across from Sammy from day one. What may be most important for the Bills and Tyrod is that his route running is fantastic. Meaning, when TT needs to throw to an open receiver, Davis will be in the right spot at the right time. That's something I think Taylor needs in a WR.
Why: He’s the best defensive player on the board and NO needs D. The Saints should be ecstatic that Foster fell into their laps thanks in part to his issues with the medical staff at the combine, a weird red flag that he would have issues with doctors. Regardless, dude can play ball!
Why: Jamie Collins + Myles Garrett + Derek Barnett and the Dawg Pound finally has a defense that might be able to keep them in games with the AFC North.
Why: Cardinals pull the first big stunner of the draft as they go out and get Carson Palmer’s replacement with Watson making it to them at 13. Watson has some magic in him, he threw for 420 yards, three touchdowns, on 36 of 56 passing and added 21 carries for 43 yards and another score in the MVP performance of this year’s title tilt. Give him a year to learn then when Palmer moves on pat him on the back and say “go get’em kid.”
Why: The Eagles are still in search of a workhorse RB since they traded LeSean McCoy to the Bills and the often injured Mathews and aging Sproles aren’t the answer. Cook could be that guy in Philly.
Why: I’ve been bullish on Peppers from day one, but his combine freakishness just showed others what I already knew. The Colts need a lot of help on defense so why not grab a guy who can play a few different spots? Peppers could also spell Frank Gore at RB if you need a spark.
Why: I already had Ross going earlier than most before he smashed the clocks at the combine, and now the replacement for Steve Smith looks like an ever better fit after his 4.22 40-yard dash. The guy is a solid WR even when he isn’t burning rubber.
Why: The Skins struggled against the run all over the field, but big-time in the red zone. Taco is a guy with a high motor to help on the edges, plus isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty.
Why: After addressing the defense with the 5th pick it is time to get Marcus Mariota a little help at #18. O.J. Howard is a physical beast and could be Mariota’s version of Jimmy Graham when he did it all for Brees and the Saints. Note: don’t look at stats to evaluate Howard as Bama drastically underutilized the 6’5” athlete.
Why: The Bucs won’t have trouble scoring with their passing attack, but playing in the NFC South means you better lockdown the secondary. Hello Matt Ryan and Drew Brees!
Why: Protection for whatever QB and RB Denver settles on is a must as the Broncos will once again play a minimal mistake offense and rely on its already stout defense.
Why: Tabor had a poor combine which dropped him below teammate Wilson in my mock, but not too far…. I mean, again, read what I said about the Bucs, but substitute in Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford. Tabor will help a defense that gave up over 4000 passing yards in 2016.
Why: Value Value Value! A guy who some think goes top 5 I believe slides a bit and Miami once again benefits from a late fall. The national champion has an NFL frame at 6’4” 225lbs and put up NFL numbers with 98 receptions, 1,361 yards, and 11 touchdowns his RS junior campaign.
Why: The Giants move them some passing and Njoku is a rare combo at TE of size and speed. Hmmm, can you think of another Hurricane like that in the NFL?
Why: Oakland is in desperate need of playmakers on the back end and that is exactly what Baker was for the Huskies. Add him patrolling the secondary with Mack attacking the QB and Oakland is smiling at 24.
Why: Houston’s Bill O’Brien is a noted QB guru, but it didn’t workout with Osweiler….to say the least. Texans have everything they need to be successful, but the signal caller. They take the guy who could be most ready day one in Mahomes.
Why: Seattle would be stoked if a top-tier OT fell to them at 26 and Ramczyk is exactly that.
Why: McCaffrey showed at the combine what his tape already says and that is that he can do a bit of everything and that is how the Chiefs will use him. No more Jamaal Charles, enter Christian.
Why: Entering 2016 McDowell was a can’t miss top 5 pick, but injuries derailed his season. If healthy, the Cowboys could have themselves an All-American talent at #22.
Why: The Packers didn’t address edge rushers in FA, so they have no choice in the draft. McKinley is the best on the board and would step in and start right away.
Why: If Pittsburgh is going to crack the code that is Tom Brady and the Patriots they need more help in the secondary. White could be the latest stud from DB University aka LSU.
Why: The offense is just fine in the ATL, so continue to build on the D and add another big-time rusher in Harris who spend a lot of time in the backfield with Mizzou.
Why: Saints continue to address their defensive needs by taking everyone’s favorite small school darling. Reddick made his name with the Owls by being a disruptive force off the edge so he now tries to chase down Newton, Ryan, and Winston.
Some other names to watch for in the 1st Round:
- Forrest Lump, G, Western Kentucky
- Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
- Obi Melifonwu, S, Uconn
- DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
- Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
- Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
- Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
- Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
- Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA
- T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin