Before this draft I have three main goals:
1) get a playmaker on offense
2) get a RT to protect EJ Manuel
3) add to the defense to make it elite
Bills trade their #9 pick to the Cowboys for the #16 pick and 2nd rounder
1) Kyle Fuller CB from Virginia Tech
The Bills trade back to get an elite CB prospect to go with Gilmore. Very good reactions and studies receivers which shows a desire to be great. Good size and speed for a corner and is able to play press coverage and be physical. He tens to have mental errors and is prone to freelance. Fuller will give the Bills three very good starting corners and allow McKelvin to move into the nickel role where is better suited. With the NFL moving towards a pass league and teams running more three WR sets, having two or more good corners is necessary, especially against good teams like the Broncos or Patriots whose QBs can make any mistake be costly.
2nd) Troy Niklas TE from Notre Dame
The Bills use their 1st 2nd round pick to get the stud complete tight end that has always been on their radar. Troy “Hercules” Niklas stands at 6’6 270 and looks very much like Gronk from the Pats. He is a very good blocker and a very good red zone throat as he is able to use his size to box out defenders. He can start out as a #2 TE as he learns the routes and becomes better as a receiver then in 2015 he can become the dominant #1.
2a) Donte Moncrief WR from Ole Miss
The Bills finish the 2nd round and get a playmaker in the receiving corp in Donte Moncrief. Moncrief stands at 6’2 226 and ran a 4.4 40 at the Combine. He is very explosive out of his routes and is able to make plays happen. He is still working on his route running and his hands, but he is not even 21 yet which means the potential is there. Moncrief would give the Bills that “big” WR that they lack as well as a very good compliment to promising young receiver Robert Woods. He would give EJ Manuel another valuable weapon that will be very important in his development and give him a guy who can turn any play into a TD, which the Bills lack at the moment.
3rd) Cameron Fleming OT from Stanford
Bills address the RT position and get a big 6’5 323 stud to help the run game and keep Manuel upright. Fleming is the big mauling type of tackle Marrone prefers and the only reason he is not a 2nd round pick is because he played RT in college and that position is not worth a high pick in the NFL. However he will do a great job with the run game and pass block which will only help the offense.
4th) Preston Brown LB from Louisville
Bills use their next pick to give the linebacking corp some depth. Brown is an inside linebacker who is very good against the run. He stands at 6’2 260 and while very good against the run and being a thumper, he is equally as bad in coverage. With Spikes on a one year deal, Brown gives them a player that can be groomed to be the heir apparent if Spikes is not resigned.
5th) Josh Mauro DE from Stanford
Big end at 6’6 270 that can play end or defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme. This is considered a depth pick as along with Jerry Hughes creates a very good rotation at DE opposite Mario Williams. Still developing as a pass rusher but has the ability to improve and be a more complete end.
7th) James Wilder Jr RB from FSU
Fredex and Spiller are set to be free agents after the year and a replacement is needed to be groomed. Wilder is the definition of a power back as he runs with authority and shows no mercy. Where he struggles is picking up on pass blocks which is why his playing time dipped his junior year. However with Hackett wanting a power running game, Wilder is perfect for the role as he is impossible to bring down.
After the draft I feel like I addressed the big goals. Moncrief is a playmaker at the receiver position and Niklas gives the Bills a potential Gronk at TE. Fleming also gives the Bills a solid RT that will only help the running and passing game. I also got a solid #1 corner as well as valuable depth on the defense. Overall this draft along with the young guys taking the next step means the bills are in play for the #2 spot in the AFC East.
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