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Alright folks, we’re t-minus 5 days (for the Bills at least, barring a trade into round 1) from the start of one of my favorite times of the NFL year, the 2015 NFL Draft. I’m excited to see how the staff gels and if Rex and Doug can have a better relationship than Doug and Doug (allegedly) failed to have. So, for the first and last time of the 2015 pre-draft season I’m dropping a mock on here.
For my mock I’m not going to do trades to keep myself honest; In my bizarro draft world, the Bills would trade 50 for either a 1st in 2016 or a 2nd this year and next…but I’m a little more of a delayed gratification type of person when it comes to the draft. We all know the needs – OL, Y-TE, “Buddy Jump Ball” WR on offense / DL – S depth on defense. In terms of defense, I’m less inclined to attempt to draft (at least high) a S or ILB, because of the “slow playing” the Bills are doing with Brandon Spikes, Brad Smith (PUT DOWN THE PITCHFORKS) and Dawan Landry.
Also, because of the impending free agencies of Cordy Glenn, Nigel Bradham, Stephon Gilmore and Marcell Dareus, the “middle class” of the Bills’ roster will have to begin to be pushed out next year in favor of cheap labor (Doug Whaley’s words) in the form of draft picks, so I’m going to be mindful of that reality as well.
Finally, I realize that the QB is the elephant in the room, 15 years strong. Odds are, I probably won’t pick one for this reason: as much as I am a fan (I know, I’m nuts) of a Bryce Petty personally I have a logical issue with this pick. When the Bills drafted EJ, he was the first QB off the board that year (even with trade-down) allowing the Bills the pick of the litter. To do so this year means they’re willing to take a “lesser” talent tier wise just to say they have another QB. Unless that guy is someone they all (from ownership to the equipment guy) believe in, save the pick. Find that guy in 2016 and similarly to acquiring Watkins move heaven and earth to get your man. /rant
For each pick I’ll give some information on the pick, as well as other options that may be available at that point. And when possible an animated gif of the player in action – or vines if nothing is readily available.
This could all look like bunk in a few days, so if I have a guy go in the third that goes in the 1st or vice versa, feel free to call me out – but remember you got what you paid for! To aide me in this, I’m going to use the FanSpeak On The Clock Draft Simulator and using the CBS Sports Big Board. You can play with the simulator too here.
Round 2 (50th Overall): Nate Orchard, EDGE Utah.
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First, I know – a defender and a pass rusher at that?! But, bear with me. Under Rex Ryan, with the exception of trading up to get ‘the Sanchize’, a Rex-Ryan coached team has drafted defense first each year. With a five-year contract and the love of the owners, I am inclined to think that Rex will have more say (even if by virtue of seeing the roster similarly to his GM) than his predecessor. Orchard can become the understudy to Mario Williams and Jerry Hughes and prevent a dire situation should one or both have to miss time due to injury. Having the 6’3, 250 pounder as another toy for Rex, while bolstering the special team corps would be a win-win. During his 2014 season, Orchard had 18.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, 84 tackles, 3 PBU’s and 3 fumbles forced. Players Still Available: Maxx Williams (TE Minnesota), Quinten Rollins (DB Miami (OH)), Laken Tomlinson (OG Duke).
Round 3 (81st Overall): Ty Sambrailo, OT/G, Colorado State.
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Ty is a projection inside – most likely left guard, but can play right or right tackle in a pinch. Depending on how the competition across the line shapes up, Sambrailo is already used to a multiple-shift West Coast Offense:
Sambrailo is a nasty guy. He is prone to go through the echo of the whistle during plays, needling defensive players and attempting to enforce his will throughout the game.
He’ll need a little more strength to maximize his potential in the NFL, but the Bills’ strength and conditioning staff has done a solid job in this regard. The 6’6″, 311-pounder will also tug at Rex’s heart strings as a character reclamation project as well: Sambrailo was involved in a knife fight early in his career at Colorado State, followed by beating up (allegedly) four freshmen at a party three weeks later as well. Players Still Available: PJ Williams (DB, FSU), Clive Walford (TE, The ‘U’)
Round 5 (155 Overall): Chris Conley, WR Georgia.
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Not only is Conley a solid depth receiver with size (6’2″) and speed (4.35 forty), but the Georgia receiver is a great “glue guy” to have around a team – especially if you’re a fan of Star Wars. Conley is a good player to stick onto the 2015 Bills roster and serve as a special teamer out of the gate, that can push for time as the 4th wideout overall. In time, I think he can be a good redzone threat, but Greg Roman may want to consider using him from the +40 (the opponent’s 40) and in as well, to allow him to use his size, jumping ability and fearlessness over the middle to be put to good use. For the season, Conley had 36 receptions for 657 yards and 8 touchdowns. Players Still Available: Nick O’Leary (TE, FSU), Jalston Fowler (H-Back/FB, ‘Bama), Clayton Geathers (S, UCF)
Round 6 (188 Overall): Nick Boyle, TE Delaware.
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Tight End. Fullback. Long Snapper. Consider Nick the “throwback” of the 2015 draft class. What does the former Blue Hen do?
Over his career at Delaware, Boyle had 101 receptions for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns. While those are not by any means eye-popping numbers, for the Bills offense they don’t need a game breaker – that is what they have Clay for. Boyle, should he prove up to the task would be the on-the-line Y tight end, that can also move around a little bit himself. Playing *just* that role in the 2015 season would be a great asset for the Bills, who would like to use four tight ends in a game under Roman.
Players Still Available: Corey Robinson (OT South Carolina), Joey Mbu (NT, Houston)
Round 6 (194 Overall): Jeremiah Poutasi, OT/G Utah.
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Jeremiah is a road grader that has to move inside to guard, if only for his QB’s safety:
To Poutasi’s credit, he dropped his pressures in 2014 from 27 to 9.5, so don’t look at him as a lost cause. In the phone booth he’d be a Mike McGlynn – solid blocking the run, but a work in progress (at best) in pass protection. He needs to stay on his blocks a bit more – I see the aggressiveness, but too many times I’ll observe him not “looking for work” – that is to say, looking for another player to block once he’s accomplished his goal for the play. That can be taught – but it’ll take time. Much like Sambrailo, Poutasi may emerge over camp – but these are investments into players that can take the “long game” to develop and supplant Richie Incognito in 2016.
Getting him as a starter may not happen this year, but between Poutasi and Sambrailo the depth is going to be solid.
Round 7 (234 Overall): Davon Walls, NT Lincoln University.
WHO?! Well, I’ll give you the “Reader’s Digest” version of his story, but please read Matthew Fairburn’s awesome long-form article on the young man. Given Rex’s aforementioned love for helping players prove a mistake is in the past, throwing a 7th rounder out to get a former Syracuse player that’s had some troubles and is looking to start anew. The 6’5″, 301 pounder can play across the line, from Nose to End. Having a player like that learn on the roster, if only on the practice squad at first is quality usage of a 7th round pick. Take a look for yourself.
So, that’s what I’m working with. Am I crazy? Did this exercise in drafting lead to rage/angst/joy? Let me know @RDotDeuce. But make sure to keep in mind, this is just one Fan(n)’s opinion.
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