2011 NFL Mock Draft: Buffalo Bills Seven-Round Mock, Version 3.0

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Exactly one week from the 2011 NFL Draft, things are finally coming into focus. Even with all the smokescreens, we as fans can now make some sense out of what our beloved teams are thinking.

Who might the Buffalo Bills be looking at throughout the draft? Who will they end up taking? 

This seven-round mock will take you through the entire draft for the Bills.

Be sure to leave your thoughts, concerns and comments!

Round 1, Pick 3: Von Miller, Texas A&M 3-4 OLB

For the record, I have Cam Newton and Marcell Dareus going first and second overall, respectively.

The Bills desperately need help rushing the passer. They also need to stop the run. Von Miller provides the Bills with a dynamic pass-rushing threat as well as a solid run defender.

It's been fairly obvious that the Bills have had their eyes on Miller for quite some time. The only thing that could prevent Miller from wearing a Bills jersey next season is Marcell Dareus somehow slipping by the Denver Broncos.

Round 2, Pick 34: Christian Ponder, Florida State QB

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Chan Gailey and Buddy Nix have stated that they'll need to draft a quarterback at some point. This guy will provide depth and be groomed into the eventual starter.

Now, whether or not Ponder is their guy is up for debate, but Andre Reed has provided a bit of information that points to Buffalo really liking the Senior Bowl MVP.

The link can be found here.

Ponder has a decent arm, but he excels in the accuracy department. He can put the ball into tight holes and has mobility that allows him to escape a collapsing pocket.

Round 3, Pick 68: Jarvis Jenkins, Clemson 3-4 DE

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I'm actually doubting this pick; it could easily be a tackle like James Brewer or James Carpenter.

Nonetheless, it's no secret that the Bills are looking for help in the front seven. Just about every player they brought in for a workout was a defensive lineman or a linebacker.

Jenkins is a huge presence up front (6'4", 310 pounds) and fits what the Bills have been looking for in their linemen: versatility. He can play tackle in the four-man fronts or kick out and play the five-technique on three-man sets.

Round 4, Pick 99: Kelvin Sheppard, LSU ILB

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The Bills have pretty much telegraphed that they will take Sheppard at some point in the draft. Where that will be, I'm not so sure. They "reached" for Torrell Troup in the second round last year, so they could conceivably take Sheppard in the third if they like him enough.

Regardless, Andra Davis was a bit of a disappointment after coming over from Denver. His best days look to be behind him.

Additionally, Poz is currently without a contract. Kelvin Sheppard is the run-stuffing linebacker Buffalo needs in their rotation.

Round 4, Pick 122 (from Seattle): Johnny Patrick, Louisville CB

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With Drayton Florance likely leaving via free agency, the Bills will look to fill the void sometime between rounds one and four.

Johnny Patrick is a decent sized corner at 5'11", and has some return ability—not that the Bills need another returner. He would be competing with Ashton Youboty for the nickel corner spot as well as the eventual starting role when Terrence McGee goes down with another injury.

Round 5, Pick 133: Deunta Williams, North Carolina S

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If it weren't for the leg fracture in January, Williams would likely be a third or fourth round pick. Nonetheless, he suffered a "bad" break and his stock has dropped a bit. 

Williams was one of the better safeties in college football, but the need for safeties is fairly low this year and he had to serve a suspension at the beginning of the 2010 season.

He will come in to help replace Donte Whitner.

Round 6, Pick 169: Mario Harvey, Marshall ILB

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I love Mario Harvey. He has the size (6'0", 255 pounds) to break through the line and is a great tackler.

However, he doesn't get much recognition because he went to Marshall. Whichever team drafts Harvey is getting one of the bigger steals in this draft, in my eyes.

He'll help shore up the Bills' inside linebacker core along with Poz, Davis and Sheppard.

Round 7, Pick 206: Ryan Bartholomew, Syracuse C

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At 6'1", 300 pounds, you wouldn't expect to see Bartholomew move as well as he does.

He's a solid athlete and the Bills have worked out a couple center/guard prospects over the past couple months.

Round 7, Pick 245: Mario Butler, Georgia Tech CB

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Nothing more than a depth pick. Butler went to Georgia Tech so Chan Gailey might be familiar with him.

He projects as a potential nickel corner, but would probably end up as a special teams gunner for the Bills.