2018 NFL Draft Rumors: Bills Hosting Sam Darnold for Private Workout

Buffalo Bills coaches and evaluators will reportedly fly to Los Angeles on Friday to conduct a private workout with USC quarterback Sam Darnold, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The Bills hold the Nos. 12 and 22 picks in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. Darnold is widely expected to be one of the first three players taken, so Buffalo would have to move up to select him.

The Bills signed AJ McCarron earlier this offseason but gave him no guarantees about being the long-term starter. His two-year deal is largely seen as a bridge before Buffalo brings in what it hopes can be a franchise signal-caller.

"Whether they're going to draft somebody or not, I just think it's a great opportunity to be able to compete and really showcase, day in and day out, what you're able to do," McCarron told reporters. "I try not to waste any mental thought on it. It's something I can't control, so there's no reason for me to put any thought into it. It creates mental clutter for my process day in and day out to be the best player I need to be."

The Bills will have to move up if they want to draft a top quarterback this year unless they're willing to settle for the third or fourth player on their board.

The Cleveland Browns will almost certainly take Darnold or Josh Allen with the No. 1 pick. The New York Jets have moved up to No. 3, ostensibly with the goal of taking a quarterback. The New York Giants are likely deciding between Eli Manning's replacement under center and running back Saquon Barkley.

The Giants are the most likely team in the top three to budge from their spot. Moving back to No. 12 would take them out of the running for Barkley and the top quarterbacks but could put them in position to take LSU's Derrius Guice, who some believe is a better runner than Barkley.

Jumping up 10 spots would in all likelihood cost Buffalo its two firsts this year, its top pick in 2019 and more compensation in the middle rounds. If the Browns zero in on Allen and Darnold impresses Friday, this could be something to monitor in the coming weeks.