Draft Review: Buffalo Bills
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The Bills finished the season on a good note, eliminating the rival New York Jets, but for the most part their season was just average. They won eight games and lost the same amount, and their offense and defense finished the same way – middle of the pack. On offense they finished with per game averages of 360.9 yards (13th), where the running game was first in the NFL, but passing took a back seat at 28th. On defense, the Bills allowed 356.4 yards (19th); 108.1 yards (16th) on the ground, and 248.2 yards (19th) in the air.
Buffalo’s defensive line came up as a disappointment. They put three players into the Pro-Bowl in 2014 having none return in 2015. The players struggled to grasp the Rex Ryan defense, and the loss of Kyle Williams hurt. Going into the draft, they knew that Mario Williams was going to a new home, and they needed to find a replacement.
The linebackers struggled as well to be productive, and their stud Manny Lawson is just getting old. With Nigel Bradham leaving to Philadelphia, they needed replacements to fit Rex Ryan’s style of play. The defensive backfield needs some depth, but is in solid shape with the combination of Stephon Gilmore, Ronald Darby, and Aaron Williams.
Looking at their offense, they needed to fill depth spots in almost all areas; including quarterback, running back and wide receiver.
Round 1, Pick 19 – Shaq Lawson, DE/OLB, Clemson
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The Bills were elated when Shaq Lawson fell to them at the 19th pick. He will fill a hole for them as Mario Williams departed to Miami. Buffalo will be switching to a 3-4 defense, and Lawson will team up with Jerry Hughes. Lawson is a tackling machine and has the capabilities to get after the passer. He finished the season with 35 solo tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 24.5 tackles for loss. In the 3-4 he will be a disruptive force and will fill gaps against the run and can track the ball carrier. He has the speed to get to the runner and force double-teams, and is a five-technique defender with the skills to cause havoc on the quarterback. Unfortunately he has a shoulder issue that wasn’t supposed to require surgery, but now it does. At this point, he will be out for five-to-six months.
Round 2, Pick 41 – Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
Buffalo wanted Reggie Ragland enough to give up their No. 49 pick, along with No. 117 pick (fourth round) and a 2017 fourth-rounder to the Chicago Bears. More than likely, they would have given up more for someone that many predicted to be a first-round talent. He will be another gap filler for either Mario Williams or Nigel Bradham. Ragland, like Lawson, can play both the 4-3 and 3-4 defensive set, and is a run stopper. He can sift through the garbage to find the ball carrier and deliver big-time hits. Ragland also won’t let receivers flow through the zone without taking a shot. He can attack screens and get after the passer. Even though he has good skills getting after the play, he makes mistakes and will leave plays on the field. He also allows blockers to take him out of the play and may have difficulties making plays across the field. He is a solid two-down athlete that can play a special third down role. Ragland is solid in the zone, but will need assistance in man-to-man situations.
Round 3, Pick 80 – Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State
Washington can handle the double-team and can control blockers at the point of attack with his long arms. He has experience playing multiple techniques on the line of scrimmage. In Buffalo the Bills will most likely use him to rush the passer in sub packages. He totaled 10.5 sacks with 133 tackles for Ohio State from 2013-2015. Most importantly, he tracks the ball and not getting his head turned around on blocks. He will also need to learn how to shoot the gaps better. He needs to develop his skills in stopping the run and learning the game. General Manager Greg Whalen stated that he would be a starter right away.
Round 4, Pick 139 – Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State
Buffalo has been a disastrous landing zone for quarterbacks. Not since Drew Bledsoe in 2002, and just recently with Tyrod Taylor have the Bills felt comfortable at the helm. Cardale Jones now arrives and is something like a Taylor clone. He has a rocket launcher for an arm and can move around the pocket. He also is skilled enough to go through progressions. One of his biggest assets is his size. He is a load to take down. His main issue right now is that he had only 11 starts at Ohio State and he is extremely raw. Coaches have not come away convinced that he can take the job away from E.J. Manuel. He has been erratic all over the field outside of five yards. The main thing with Jones is that he could be a better Tyrod Taylor or you may never hear from again. He does fit in the offense well, but needs not to look like Colin Kaepernick when dropping back to pass.
Round 5, Pick 156 – Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas
The 5-foot-11 220-pound back rushed for 1,190 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014, unfortunately in 2015 he went down for the season due to foot surgery which caused him to drop in the draft. Williams is not a track burner, but more like a downhill machine who is going to cut through defenders. His maneuverability allows him to make the defenses miss, as he forced 44 missed tackles in 2013. Don’t look for Williams to catch many passes as he had only 26 receptions in college. He also lacks explosion off the line, but can get up to speed quickly. He will be part of committee in Buffalo with LeSean McCoy, Karlos Williams and Mike Gillislee. Also, his arrest for driving while intoxicated could cause a problem and affect his playing time; but with the suspension of Karlos Williams, Jonathan could be given a big opportunity to take over the backup role.
Round 6, Pick 192 – Kolby Listenbee, WR, TCU
Kolby Listenbee is lightning fast, running a 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds, but runs a limited route tree. His speed, quickness, and explosiveness are due to his track experience. Listenbee has great balance and excellent change of direction skills. He will use his body to shield defenders and easily outdistances himself after the catch. Listenbee only weighs 183 pounds and standing only at 6’1” means he has a thin frame. He is built more for the track than football which could make him more susceptible to injuries. Listenbee will also need to develop more routes to be a viable athlete who sees the field, and not one that is the fifth receiver. He could have more value as standard fantasy player if the Bills use his body in the red zone.
Round 6, Pick 218 – Kevon Seymour, DB, Southern Cal
One of the fastest players at the combine will work as a fifth defensive back or on special teams as a gunner. To get more playing time, Kevon Seymour will need to learn how to use his speed to crash down on receivers and not get burned on catch-and-throw opportunities.
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