NFL Draft Rumors: Bills Would Be Foolish to Draft Mark Barron at No. 10

The Buffalo Bills are reportedly enamored with Alabama safety Mark Barron, but they would be foolish to draft him with the No. 10 pick in the 2012 NFL draft. While Barron should become a fine pro, Buffalo has other needs, specifically at offensive tackle, that it needs to address.

Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550 radio is reporting that the Bills love the Alabama safety and are considering selecting him with the 10th pick in the draft.

Barron is the best safety in the 2012 draft class, and I believe he will end up being an excellent NFL player. However, the Bills desperately need to add an offensive tackle after spending this offseason addressing their defense.

Buffalo inked Mario Williams and Mark Anderson to big contracts in order to improve the defensive line—now it is time to focus on the other line.

Iowa's Riley Reiff is almost certain to be on the board at No. 10. If he is, the Bills must take him. He is the second-best offensive tackle in this year's draft and will be able to step in right away and be a big upgrade for the Bills. 

Reiff isn't the kind of guy who will blow you away on film like USC's Matt Kalil. However, after watching hours of tape on him, it's obvious that he is the most technically sound offensive lineman in this draft.

He is the ultimate solid guy who will be a difference-maker because he won't make mistakes. He is going to be a starter in the NFL for the next decade, and will probably find himself in a few Pro Bowls. 

That is the kind of player along the offensive line that the Bills just can't afford to pass up. Barron is nice, but he won't provide the same kind of upgrade that Reiff will.

Even if the Iowa tackle is gone, wide receiver is a bigger need for Buffalo than safety is, and Notre Dame's Michael Floyd will almost surely still be on the board. 

The Bills need to do what is smart here. That would be going with the solid, safe option and improving their woeful offensive line.