The Bills have had a busy two weeks with free agent and draft prospect visitors and Monday was no different. Buffalo played host to three draft prospects at One Bills Drive to start the week, including a couple of players expected to come off the board in the first two rounds.
LSU LB Barkevious Mingo, Tennessee WR Justin Hunter and Washington State QB Jeff Tuel were all visiting the team facility Monday.
Mingo (6'4" 241) is a gifted athlete that lined up at defensive end for the Tigers, but is projected to be more of an outside linebacker at the NFL level. With a track background, Mingo took advantage of his elite speed (4.53 40-time at Combine) to terrorize opposing quarterbacks off the edge.
"I think my speed separates me from every other guy in this draft," said Mingo. "I'm a fast guy and I've got a quick first step and I like getting to the quarterback."
Though Mingo is viewed as a prospect with a high ceiling, he is still young in the game. He only began playing football his junior year in high school.
Still, with long arms and a prototype frame to add bulk Mingo is forecast as a first round pick.
Hunter (6'4" 196) is a player that the Bills have spent a lot of time around. The Tennessee wideout appears to fit the profile of the tall, outside speed receiver that Bills GM Buddy Nix might be looking for to help stretch the field.
Clocking a 4.36 in the 40 at the NFL Combine, Hunter proved he can get downfield in a hurry and make plays after the catch. Known as a sharp route runner, the Volunteers coaching staff lined him up all over the field.
"I can go out there and make large catches. I'm a deep-ball threat," said Hunter. "I don't want to be just that. I want to be more than that. I want to be a complete receiver, so I can run short routes, take the big hit when I need to, going across the middle. I just want to be the best receiver."
Last year he was one of only four receivers in the SEC to post a 1,000-yard receiving season. He's been forecast as a second-round prospect.
Tuel (6'3" 221) is a Washington State product that is garnering closer looks as the NFL draft closes in. The quarterback's career with the Cougars got off to a great start as he earned the starting job as a true freshman, but injuries curtailed his productivity followed by a coaching change.
There also wasn't a ton of talent around Tuel, who still completed better than 63.5 percent of his passes last season, but had eight touchdowns against eight interceptions with just over 2,000 passing yards.
Tuel has good mobility and possesses the intelligence to run a huddle. He's been widely projected as a developmental type quarterback, who is expected to be a day three pick.
