Buffalo Bills Mock Draft: Final 7-Round Picks for the Bills

The Buffalo Bills have 10 chances to improve their roster, and though not all 10 of their picks in the 2012 NFL draft will even make the team, the ones that do will have to make an impact.

Over the years, the Bills have drafted for need, but this year, they should look to put value over need and take players that fit their system at slots that make sense; the Bills as a team have enough needs that ranking one over another may not necessarily do them any good.

With that, here is my final seven-round mock draft for the Bills.

First Round, Pick 10: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

I was torn on Kuechly with the No. 10 overall pick for awhile, but then I read this from NFL Films guru Greg Cosell in his mock draft, where he projected Kuechly at No. 11 to the Chiefs:

"

I’m tired of hearing about Kuechly’s average athleticism. I watched game after game after game and he played fast with urgent reaction speed. He played with his eyes better than any linebacker I can remember evaluating. His so-called inability to play physically? Watch the NFL as extensively as I do, and you’ll know that very few linebackers take on blocks. That’s a time-worn cliché that really has little practical application.

"

Fans might be clamoring for a top-rated wide receiver here, but the Bills can get good value in the second round. Here, they get a leader for the second level of their defense for the next five to 10 years.

By adding Kuechly, the Bills come within a couple of cornerbacks of a completely revamped and vastly improved defense across the board.

Second Round, Pick 41: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

The Bills would be incredibly lucky if Randle fell to them at the No. 41 pick. Most mock drafts at this point have projected him to be a late-first to early second-round pick; the Bills, however, have the luxury of some extra picks, and though I don't project trades, they could certainly use one of their 10 picks to move up a bit if necessary.

Randle is a savvy route-runner with all the tangibles the Bills are looking for—the height (6'3"), weight (210 pounds) and speed (4.55 second 40-yard dash)—to give the Bills another great weapon in the offense. He may only have one solid season under his belt, but his ridiculous career average of 16.8 yards per reception is evidence to his explosive capabilities at receiver.

Third Round, Pick 71: Ron Brooks, CB, LSU

Talent in the secondary should be near the top of the Bills' priority list, and they have a great opportunity to nab Ron Brooks, a very talented cornerback with all the speed you could want. He ran a 4.37 second 40-yard dash, and as a cover corner for the SEC Champions, he's plenty experienced covering receivers with top-end speed.

He's not the exact build you might look for in a shutdown corner on the outside, but he could play inside on a team's smaller receiver.

Fourth Round, Pick 105: Malik Jackson, DE, Tennessee

The Jets may have just spent big money on two free-agent defensive ends, but taking a flier on a rather athletic ball of clay like Jackson hardly qualifies as an investment.

Malik Jackson is a player that's moving up boards because of his raw athleticism.

His technique needs to develop, and he's not as quick as you might like to see out of a 4-3 defensive end, but if he can work on his fundamentals and develop a few more pass-rush moves along the way, he could be a solid piece to add to the defensive front.

Fourth Round, Pick 124: Brandon Mosley, OT, Auburn

Mosley is developmental, having only played tackle since joining Auburn, but has shown the ability to play at a high level at tackle in his short time at the position.

The Bills could use an upgrade at right tackle, and though Mosley isn't quite ready to take on the full-time role, he can come in when called upon as he learns the ropes.

Fifth Round, Pick 144: Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa

Double dipping at cornerback wouldn't be a bad idea; if nothing else, the Bills could sorely use talented depth in the secondary. With Prater, they'll be getting a developmental prospect, but he could give the Bills a good fit as a slot cornerback with his ability to play the run and to play both man and zone coverage.

Fifth Round, Pick 147: Derek Wolfe, DT, Cincinnati

Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus are a force on the inside of the Bills defensive line, but they can't do it alone. Alex Carrington is expected to have an increased role, but more depth on the defensive line never hurt.

Wolfe's size makes him a tough NFL fit, but his athleticism makes him a must-have on the defensive line. He's drawn comparisons to Derek Landri from B/R NFL editor Michael Schottey. Wolfe's explosion off the snap makes him ideal in a rotational interior pass-rushing role. The Bills have devoted their offseason to revamping the defense and can add solid depth with a fifth-round pick.

Sixth Round, Pick 178: Desmond Wynn, G, Rutgers

Outside and inside, the Bills need depth on the offensive line. Although his rap sheet injury history should be a worry, Wynn started 24 games for Rutgers and has the talent to fight for a roster spot. 

Seventh Round, Pick 217:  Garrett Celek, TE, Michigan State

Celek may not have had a very productive college career, but neither did his brother, and it's safe to say things turned out okay for him. His collegiate production edged his brother by a sizable margin, but Garrett has tight end in his blood and loves the game of football. 

Seventh Round, Pick 251: Davin Meggett, RB, Maryland

One of the final three picks in the draft, Meggett has football in his blood, and his father Dave actually played running back for the Patriots and the Jets. He didn't put up big numbers, but he's a physical back with the physical tools to succeed as a goal-line back in the NFL.

Follow @ErikFrenz