Buffalo Bills Mock Draft: Best and Worst Case for Every Round

Can 10 draft picks make a roster? It's possible, but it's not likely.

The Buffalo Bills have a chance to find out.

With so many picks, there are an infinite number of possibilities. So what should the Bills do? What could they do? What will they do?

I can't answer the last one, but I can do my best to try and guess at the first two. So here's a seven-round mock draft with best- and worst-case scenarios for every pick.

First Round, Pick 10

Best-Case Scenario: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The book is out on Floyd as the Bills' most popular first-round selection in mock drafts, and it's clear that the Bills have a need for a player with Floyd's skill set as a downfield threat and outside-the-numbers playmaker.

Floyd's presence alone would force the defense to respect a big threat, thus opening up windows for Ryan Fitzpatrick to make good reads without having to throw a risky ball. Of course, it helps to occasionally throw the deep ball to Floyd and try for a big play.

That's what Floyd could add to the Bills' offense. 

Worst-Case Scenario: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Wes Bunting of National Football Post selected Reiff to go to the Bills in his most recent mock draft.

My thoughts:

"

There are mixed reviews about Reiff.

While some, including ESPN's Todd McShay, wonder whether he will ever develop into an elite tackle, others, including Russ Lande of Sporting News, have even reported that teams aren't as high on Reiff as the media is. 

"

If there's another tackle they like more as a fit than Reiff, they might look elsewhere with this pick. If their favorite prospects are off the board, though, Reiff would be a solid addition to an offensive line sorely in need of depth.

Second Round, Pick 41

Best-Case Scenario: Jeff Allen, OT, Illinois

Jeff Allen is every bit the offensive tackle the Bills need right now. He's versatile, having lined up at both left tackle and right tackle for the Fighting Illini, and he has a great deal of experience, having started 47 games in college.

He isn't the greatest run blocker, lacking the strength to do so effectively, but his physical tools are perfect for pass protection with his size, agility and quick feet. 

Worst-Case Scenario: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The one major flaw in Sanu's game is his lack of elite long speed. He ran a 4.62-second 40-yard dash at the combine, but the scouts at CBS Sports haven't counted out his ability to "challenge a defense vertically."

He didn't, however, show that big-play ability at Rutgers, averaging 10.8 yards per catch in his three seasons with the team while totaling 12 touchdowns—seven, however, came in his senior season.

Two things he does have, though, are a massive frame and soft hands. Also, as a result of his lack of speed, he's had to become quite the savvy route runner. If he can harness those skills, he can become a solid No. 2 wide receiver.

Third Round, Pick 71

Best-Case Scenario: Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma

The Bills won't be getting a shut down cornerback in drafting Fleming, but he could turn out to be a solid No. 2. According to Dan Kadar of Mocking the Draft, Fleming is a solid man cover corner in short distance situations, but his long speed may not be able to match up with the elite receivers in the NFL.

Barring a sudden discovery of talented man corners, the Bills will likely be running mostly zone coverage in the back end anyway, so Fleming won't be too out of place. 

Worst-Case Scenario: Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt

Hayward has played at a high level in the SEC, earning second-team all-SEC honors in 2010. With 15 career interceptions, Hayward proved he can make big plays. The problem is that he might be more suited to play safety in the NFL, where his lack of ability in man coverage won't be exposed as easily.

With that said, the Bills already have two very talented safeties, but Hayward could make a solid nickel defensive back or third safety. He's tough enough to hold up and contribute against the run, but his technique could use improvement in that area.

Fourth Round, Pick 105

Best-Case Scenario: Josh Kaddu, OLB, Oregon

Kaddu may not be the strongest outside linebacker in the draft, but he is quick and fast, and we know that's what Bills defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt is looking for—linebackers that can defend sideline-to-sideline.

Kaddu can do that and more, but he needs to work on staying disciplined at the NFL level. If the defensive line's primary job is going to be to get after the quarterback and disrupt the backfield, it will be up to the linebackers to maintain gap integrity. 

Worst-Case Scenario: Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri

At 6'5" and 252 pounds, Egnew is a catch-first tight end who has the big frame to shed tacklers at the second level. The Bills already have Scott Chandler, who is in a similar mold to Egnew, but the question is where his upside truly lies as a blocker.

If he can be taught proper technique, he could find a niche for the Bills. As it is, he plays a position that's already occupied, but he could still find ways to contribute in the passing game.

Fourth Round, Pick 124

Best-Case Scenario: Malik Jackson, DE, Tennessee

Yes, the Bills just invested a boatload of money at defensive end, but they could still add depth. Mark Anderson had 10 sacks last year, but every time he's been asked to take on a three-down role as a defensive end, he's struggled.

Enter Malik Jackson, a 6'5" 284-pound freak with 33.75" arms. He lined up at both tackle and end in a 4-3 in college, and though he may not be able to do so in the NFL, it points to his ability to hold up against the run as well as to get after the quarterback. 

Adding a player like Jackson in the fourth round would only make the Bills front seven even more versatile.

Worst-Case Scenario: Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa

The Bills got burned in the secondary time and time again last year. Much of their talent is marginal with question marks headed into this year and the future. Adding depth at cornerback should be a priority for the Bills in this draft.

Prater may not be the perfect prospect at cornerback, 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. The best available cornerback, whomever that may be, should be the Bills' worst-case scenario.

Fifth Round, Pick 144

Best-Case Scenario: DeQuan Menzie, CB, Alabama

Menzie could be a steal in the fifth round. He's not a great physical specimen, but he started 20 games in the past two seasons for the Crimson Tide. He's a football player with a nose for the ball, and he's never afraid to get his hands dirty against the run. The Bills could use a solid slot corner like Menzie for their defense. 

Worst-Case Scenario: Tank Carder, ILB, TCU

Carder has been a key cog for the Horned Frogs' run of defensive success over the past few years, utilizing his speed to disrupt plays in the backfield. His ability to run and cover would also allow him to fit well at the WILL linebacker spot in a 4-3. 

Fifth Round, Pick 147

Best-Case Scenario: Terrance Ganaway, RB, Baylor

The Bills have two big play backs in C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson, and could add a goal line back to their arsenal. Ganaway is a big boy at 6'0" and 239 pounds. Ganaway had a huge season, but it was his lone productive season out of three. He had shown potential before, but he was given the workload and carried it with ease, with 1,547 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. 

Worst-Case Scenario: Trevor Guyton, DE, California

Guyton is scheme versatile, but the Bills are pretty dead set on running the 4-3 in 2012. They'll need guys who can do multiple things, though, and Guyton could play inside or outside in the 4-3 front. He's more of a natural five-technique than a true rush end or penetrating tackle, but he could be a nice complement to Mark Anderson's skills as a pass-rusher.

Sixth Round, Pick 178

Best-Case Scenario: Quinton Saulsberry, OL, Mississippi State

The Bills may have just addressed their need for depth with the previous pick, but what Saulsberry brings is a ton of versatility. In 47 starts for Mississippi State, he started 13 games at left guard, six at center, 19 at right guard and 12 at right tackle.

He may be far from a finished product, but that kind of experience and versatility is worth a late-round flier at the very least. 

Worst-Case Scenario: Nick Foles, QB, Arizona

While Foles may not possess any elite skills, he's well rounded and consistently produced despite a lack of surrounding talent. At 6'5" and 243 pounds, he's certainly built like an NFL quarterback. He'll have a nice pressure-free situation in Buffalo to learn behind incumbent starter Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is also a well-rounded player without any elite skills.

Seventh Round, Pick 217

Best-Case Scenario: DeVier Posey, WR, Ohio State

Posey's skill set leaves a bit to be desired, but he has the speed to stretch a defense vertically and track the ball in the air. He might struggle against man coverage, but there are plenty of ways to utilize his skill set, and has shown the ability to win jump balls on occasion. 

Worst-Case Scenario: 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 

Best-Case Scenario: Quinton Richardson, FS, Washington

At this point in the draft, the goal should be to find a player who can fight for time on special teams. That's the best way a seventh-round pick would have a chance to earn a roster spot. According to CBS Sports, Richardson won a special teams player of the week award. He could scratch the bubble of the roster.  

Worst-Case Scenario: Chris Galippo, ILB, USC

Again, we look to a player who has experience on special teams. It just so happens Galippo has starting experience at inside linebacker as well. He lost his starting job at the end of the 2011 season, but he brings that experience and motivation with him to the professional level.

Pick info provided by NFL.com.

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