No one is in worse shape heading into the 2014 NFL Draft than the Buffalo Bills. They’ve actually done a great plugging up some weaknesses, but with no first round pick thanks to a bad trade to nab Sammy Watkins last season, they’re out of the money round with most of the best prospects. Not only that, but they’ve also shipped out their fourth round pick, giving them just two picks on the draft’s first two days. In all, the Bills have just six picks, the fewest of any team this season, so they need to make them count.
Rex Ryan is in his first season with a team that already had a good enough roster to finish 9-7 last season. Since he took over, they’ve also made multiple blockbuster trades and free agent moves, turning their team into a legitimate contender seemingly overnight. They may not be able to add a star in this draft, but I think they can add a couple of starters.
Here we go.
Second round, No. 50
Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado State
2014: 64.3 completion percentage, 4,006 yards, 32 touchdowns, seven interceptions
At 50, the four quarterbacks ranked ahead of Grayson will already be gone, but he’s hardly a consolation prize. Grayson has above-average accuracy and an NFL arm. The Bills can’t afford to go into this season with some long-term hope at quarterback and Grayson will be worth the second-round pick. Matt Cassell is a good short-term answer and E.J. Manuel will never be better than a back-up, so rolling the dice with Grayson is a smart move.
Third round, No. 81
Paul Dawson, ILB, TCU
2014: 136 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss, six sacks, four interceptions, nine passes defended, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles
Dawson had a disappointing combine, but the tape doesn’t lie and neither do his stats. Dawson is going to be a monster pro inside linebacker who can do everything the position requires in a 3-4 system.
Fifth round, No. 155
Clayton Geathers, S, UCF
2014: 97 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, one interception, 10 passes defended, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble
Geathers is a prototype NFL safety at 6-foot-2, 218 pounds and his 4.55 40-yard dash time didn’t hurt his stock. He was a playmaking machine for UCF last season and can play deep or close to the line of scrimmage. If you’re looking to land your Kam Chancellor in this draft, he just might be your guy.
Sixth round, No. 188
Jordan Richards, S, Stanford
2014: 79 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, three interceptions, eight passes defended, three forced fumbles
Richards is a smart player with good range and size at 5-foot-11, 211 pounds. Richards put down a 4.59 40-yard dash at his Pro Day and that forced fumbles number means one of two things. He hits hard or he chases guys down and makes plays after getting beaten. Either way he’s a player.
Sixth round, No. 194
Jake Ryan, OLB, Michigan
2014: 112 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, two sacks, one interceptions, three passes defended, two forced fumbles
Ryan was Michigan’s team leader in solo and combined tackles and lived behind the line of scrimmage, adding five quarterback hurries to that already impressive total. At 6-foot-2, 240 pounds with a 4.65 40-yard dash time, Ryan can play in space on tight ends and running backs or rush the passer on the outside.
Seventh round, No. 234
J.J. Nelson, WR, UAB
2014: 35 catches, 655 yards, four touchdowns
Nelson put down a blistering 4.28 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, the fastest of 2015. He doesn’t have the stats, but he has the experience and speed you can’t coach. At 5-10, 156 pounds he’s light and will need to put on some NFL weight, but as a kick returner and future slot receiver, he could end up a steal as a seventh-rounder.
