2011 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills Round by Round Mock Draft

The Buffalo Bills missed the playoffs for the 11th consecutive season in 2010 and the franchise still can't see the light at the end of the tunnel.

As a small-market team, they lack the ability to acquire high-priced free agents, which places a huge burden on the front office to draft well. Several different regimes have failed to do so over the past decade leaving one of the greatest fan bases in the NFL to mutter “maybe next year.”

Round 1 (3rd Overall): Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers reacts during their game against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by C

Ryan Fitzpatrick wasn't terrible for the Bills in 2010, passing for 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns in 13 games, but he is not a franchise quarterback. He will likely get the starting nod again in 2011 even if the Bills draft Cam Newton because Newton will not have enough time to learn the offense following the lockout.

Brian Brohm has never been able to rediscover the success he had at Louisville in the NFL, throwing five interceptions and no touchdowns in three career games. Levi Brown was drafted in the seventh round last season but looked completely overmatched in limited preseason snaps.

His character issues being what they may, Newton is a rare talent. His accuracy needs work and his attitude needs a slight adjustment, but he has the highest ceiling of any player in the draft. He could turn around the fortunes of the Bills in the blink of an eye if he could put it all together.

The reason the Bills may be hesitant to pull the trigger on Newton is that he is far from a sure thing. Whatever team selects Newton will obviously be taking a big risk, and the Bills' past failures in the first round are well documented.

The list includes Erik Flowers (2000), Mike Williams (2002), J.P. Losman (2004), John McCargo (2006), Aaron Maybin (2009) and although it is way to early to call C.J. Spiller a bust, he will need to learn to run between the tackles before he becomes an impact player.

Newton is the best pick for the Bills here, but I'm not convinced they'll make the right decision because they rarely do.

Round 2 (34th Overall): Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame

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SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 03: Kyle Rudolph #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs after making a catch against the Washington Huskies on October 3, 2009 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Washington 37-30 in overtime. (Pho

The Bills haven't had a capable NFL tight end since Jay Riemersma in the late 1990s, but adding a release valve for Cam Newton will be of the utmost importance.

Here are some of the names that took the field at tight end for the Bills last season: David Martin, Jonathan Stupar and Scott Chandler. The tight end position is not a deep one in the NFL, but the Bills could have the worst group in the entire league.

Kyle Rudolph is athletic at 6'6" and 265 pounds and would immediately become the best tight end of the Bills roster. He would need to work on his blocking to become a three-down player, but his route running and ball skills both appear to be good enough to play a key role on passing downs right away.

If either Gabe Carimi or Nate Solder slip out of the first round, the Bills would more likely take one of those two offensive tackle prospects to step right into the lineup at right tackle. That isn't likely, however, as offensive line is one position where most teams could use an upgrade.

Round 3 (67th Overall): Joseph Barksdale, RT, LSU

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Joseph Barksdale #78 of the LSU Tigers holds the trophy while celebrating a 41-24 win against the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martin

Offensive line problems have plagued the Bills for a long time, but they are moving in the right direction. The interior three of left guard Andy Levitre, center Geoff Hangartner and right guard Eric Wood played well last season while Demetrius Bell made great strides after a brutal 2009.

Joseph Barksdale will need to improve his run blocking, but is already a capable pass blocker and could take the right tackle job away from Mansfield Wrotto in training camp (assuming that exists this season).

Coming out of the SEC you know he has gone up against elite talents all season, so the transition to the NFL should be a quick one.

The other option at this slot would be an outside linebacker such as Chris Carter, Dontay Moch or Sam Acho.

Round 4 (100th Overall): Dontay Moch, OLB, Nevada

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Defensive lineman Dontay Moch of Nevada runs a drill during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

I am not sure if Dontay Moch will slide down to the fourth round, but if he is there the Bills should take him in a heartbeat. Most mock drafts have Moch going either late in the third round or early in the fourth round, but his recent disappointing pro day could help him slide to the fourth.

A lot like Cam Newton, Moch is a freak of an athlete but is a raw talent when it comes to playing football. That would worry a lot of Bills fans because the same thing was said about Aaron Maybin who has been a major bust for Buffalo.

If Moch is off the board, I still think the Bills would go outside linebacker and select Bruce Miller out of UCF.

Round 4 (122nd Overall): Cedric Thornton, DE, Southern Arkansas

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The Bills defensive front seven hasn't generated nearly enough pressure over the past few seasons, and with a lack of elite pass rushers in this draft they will be left to selecting depth players.

Cedric Thornton is slowly creeping up draft boards after impressing in workouts. Unfortunately he played at Southern Arkansas, so nobody knows what he'll be able to do when the opposing talent level skyrockets.

He won't be a big sack guy, but he has the talent to get into the backfield and blow up plays. He is another project, but with the Bills lacking talent throughout the organization, they have a lot of time to let him grow into a productive player.

Round 5 (133rd Overall): Shareece Wright, CB, USC

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Portrait of Shareece Wright #24 of the USC Trojans during warm up before the game against the California Golden Bears at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 16, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Gett

It wouldn't be an NFL draft unless the Bills took at least one corner.

Shareece Wright would be a nice depth addition to an already serviceable secondary. He would be a good dime corner and could contribute on special teams. He doesn't have ideal speed and is a little bit on the short side, but he had a good showing at the Senior Bowl.

Most reports say he is a hard worker and you can never have enough of those on your team.

Round 6 (169th Overall): Da'Norris Searcy, SS, UNC

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 22: Da'Norris Searcy #21 of the North Carolina Tar Heels runs on the field during the game the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Kenan Stadium on November 22, 2008 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty I

Donte Whitner appears to be on his way out of Buffalo (and, in my opinion, heading to Cleveland), leaving a safety spot open for the taking. Bryan Scott and George Wilson will likely compete to start alongside Jairus Byrd in 2011, but the Bills will need a depth safety that can also play special teams.

Da'Norris Searcy had a solid career at UNC, where he did play some linebacker as well, and should fill the depth safety role nicely.

Another option could be Davonte Shannon who had the most productive safety career at the University at Buffalo with 452 tackles, including three seasons with at least 120 tackles. The Bills usually don't draft local players, but following James Starks' success for the Packers in 2010, maybe they should change their ways.

Round 7 (206th Overall): Kyle Hix, RT, Texas

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AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 19: Tackle Kyle Hix #64 of the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

As discussed earlier, the Bills right tackle position could use an upgrade. Hix was a consistent performer at Texas and could provide some nice depth for Buffalo.

His combine was less than impressive, but he has good size and is worth a shot this late in the draft.

Other options include Rob McGill from Louisiana Tech and Butch Lewis from USC.

Round 7 (237th Overall): Kendall Smith, ILB, Florida State

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RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 28: Kendall Smith #29 of the Florida State Seminoles celebrates after a fumble recovery against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on October 28, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by

The Bills finish up their draft with an inside linebacker. Kendall Smith would have to bulk up considerably before becoming a full-time defensive player, but he provides solid special teams depth.

Other options include linebackers Brian Duncan and Nick Bellore.