E.J. Manuel to Bills: How Does QB Fit with Buffalo?

The Buffalo Bills made history on opening night of the 2013 NFL draft. 

Before E.J. Manuel was selected at No. 16 overall, the organization had never picked a quarterback with its first pick in any draft. 

Now that the initial surprise has settled, it's time to examine how Manuel fits in Buffalo.  

At 6'5'' and 237 pounds, the Florida State signal caller is blessed with an uniquely athletic skill set—he ran a 4.65 in the 40-yard dash and had a 34-inch vertical leap at the combine in February. 

Manuel is the prototypical guy to have under center in offensive coordinator Nate Hackett's uptempo offense that should feature some read-option wrinkles and the occasional deep ball. 

Although accuracy and decision making have been the knocks on this imposing quarterback's game, he did complete 68 percent of his passes with 23 touchdown and 10 interceptions at a respectable 8.8 yards per attempt in 2012.

In Hackett's hurry-up attack, Manuel will likely be asked to make quick reads and deliver the ball decisively on a variety of short to intermediate passes. 

While he undoubtedly has the arm to stretch any defense, at this juncture he's much more adept to run a West Coast-style of offense, especially to begin his career.

Manuel will be in a training camp quarterback competition against Kevin Kolb and Tarvaris Jackson prior to the 2013 season, and if the rookie is beaten out, the Bills will have no problem warehousing him on the sidelines so he is given ample time to learn the intricacies of playing the position. 

With proper coaching, he has the raw physical tools to slowly morph into a dynamic dual-threat quarterback in the new-age NFL.

For the Bills, a rebuilding club with a new head coach and offensive coordinator who refined Ryan Nassib at Syracuse, E.J. Manuel is a logical fit.

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