Buffalo enters the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine and draft process without a first-round pick. So the Bills—barring another stunning trade up the board—are set to make their first selection in the draft at No. 50 overall.
That second-round pick will have a lot riding on it, and there are many ways the Bills could use it. Buffalo’s defence put forth a strong 2014 campaign, leading the league in sacks and allowing just 18.1 points per game. Taking that into account, it would appear the focus for the Bills would be to upgrade on offence with their initial choice in the draft.
Everyone knows Buffalo needs to find a bonafide franchise quarterback, but beyond Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, who will be long gone by the time Buffalo is on the clock, there might not be a better passer in the draft than the Bills’ 2013 first-round choice, EJ Manuel.
“I’m not a big believer in investing in a position just because you think you have a need,” says NFL Draft analyst Mike Mayock. “It’s got to upgrade the existing position. I’m not sure you can do that at quarterback this year in the second or third round.”
Free agency could be the way Buffalo brings in competition at the quarterback spot. Josh McCown already has taken a visit to Western New York and the Bills admit they’re interested in him. And the Mark Sanchez-Rex Ryan connection is a storyline that just won’t go away, even though Ryan won’t comment on the man he traded up to select in the 2009 draft while with the Jets.
“I think this league’s proven that when you have a great quarterback it’s rare that you don’t go to the playoffs,” Ryan says. “So obviously that’s a priority, but it’s a lot easier said than done.”
If indeed Buffalo feels there isn’t a quarterback worth the 50th pick then building a strong group up front seems like the next logical step.
“We’re going to be looking at the guard position, the tackle position and overall that offensive line. That was something that we think that we can really add to our football team and make it a strength of our team,” Ryan says.
There will also likely be opportunity for the Bills to upgrade at a couple skill positions with the second-round pick. It appears C.J. Spiller is headed out the door in Buffalo and Fred Jackson turns 34 on Feb. 20. So a young running back would fill a need. Or they could opt for a dynamic, play-making tight end—something Buffalo hasn’t had in years.
And though offence seems to be the priority, it can’t be forgotten that Ryan will likely install his 3-4 defensive scheme in Buffalo. Therefore an outside linebacker who can be versatile and get after the passer—see Quinton Coples, who Ryan used a first-round pick to grab while in New York—could be in the plans.
With all that taken into consideration, here are two offensive linemen, running backs, tight ends and outside linebackers that Buffalo could be tracking closely through the Combine.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Laken Tomlinson, Duke
Tomlinson is a big, tough, smart o-line prospect.
Donovan Smith, Penn State
Plays with lots of power, something Ryan loves.
RUNNING BACKS
Jay Ajayi, Boise State
Ajayi is a physical specimen who runs hard with great balance.
T.J. Yeldon, Alabama
There are scouts who think Yeldon can be an even better pro back than he was with the Crimson Tide.
TIGHT ENDS
Maxx Williams, Minnesota
The Golden Gophers product possesses smooth speed to vertically stretch defences down the seam.
Devin Funchess, Michigan
Some NFL player personnel men view Funchess as a big receiver. Others think he could be a matchup nightmare as a tight end.
3-4-TYPE OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
Alvin “Bud” Dupree, Kentucky
Dupree is a thick, explosive player with lots of potential.
Hau’oli Kikaha, Washington
Ryan would love Kikaha’s non-stop motor on his defence.