1 - Ian Rapoport offers Bills draft day scenarios
NFL insider Ian Rapoport joined One Bills Live on Tuesday to discuss tomorrow's NFL draft with John Murphy and Steve Tasker. A lot of what Rapoport had to say involved the Bills possibly trading up Thursday.
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"It's possible and I don't know how many pre-draft calls need to be made between Brandon Beane and Dave Gettleman," said Rapoport. "They know each other pretty well. I wouldn't think there'd need to be a feeling out process. I think they know what each other wants and would do and I think they could do a deal pretty quickly. I just don't think the Giants want to go all the way back there. And if you're the Bills I would assume if they're willing to trade up they'd be willing to give up their second first-round pick, but to go from 12 to 2 it probably takes more than that. Do they want to trade next year's pick as well? I don't know. It seems like a lot and far to go. I'm not sure the Bills need to, so I just don't think it's happening."
Rapoport went on to acknowledge there are other options and scenarios that could lead to the Bills trading up, and he said the intentions would be QB related.
"I would be surprised if Darnold or Mayfield are available after four," said Rapoport. "As far as the others, they could be. Not saying they're going to be, but they could be. I could see scenarios where Josh Allen is available at five or six. I could see scenarios where Josh Rosen is available at 11. What if he's there at 10 and the Bills say, 'Rosen is our guy. We're going to go from 12 to 10 and jump the Dolphins and get our quarterback of the future.'"
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2 - NFL.com says Buffalo should trade up to fifth overall
The NFL draft is tomorrow. With all the speculation that has surrounded the Bills two first-round selections in this year's draft, the answers will all be known Thursday night.
NFL.com made a list of what all teams with multiple first round picks should do, and the answer for the Bills was to trade up. If it were up to Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks, the Bills and Broncos would make a deal to give the Bills the fifth-overall pick. This would mean both picks 12 and 22 would become property of the Denver Broncos.
In my opinion, the Bills don't really have a choice. They have to do whatever they can to get into the mix to select one of the top quarterback prospects. Fortunately, they are loaded with draft selections this year (they hold four of the first 65 picks) and they should be able to pull off a move without parting with any picks from future drafts. I can make a case for any of the top four quarterbacks being an upgrade for their roster, but the dream scenario would involve landing Darnold or Rosen. Since I have Darnold going to the Browns at No. 1 and Baker Mayfield going to the Jets at No. 3 in my most recent mock draft, I'll go with Rosen here as the third QB off the board. Rosen is the most polished passer in the draft and his skill set would fit in well with just about any offense. He would give the Bills an ideal centerpiece to build around, and I think the Broncos would be willing to make the move.
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3 - Who are the best cornerbacks available in the draft?**
Last year, the Bills hit the jackpot drafting Tre'Davious White at 27th overall. The cornerback out of LSU made such an impact in his rookie campaign that NFL.com ranked him the 10th best corner of the 2017 season.
The Bills' first-round pick proved to be a key piece in rebuilding Buffalo's secondary under the watch of first-year head coach Sean McDermott. Opposing quarterbacks registered a 68.5 passer rating when testing White in coverage, a top-10 mark among qualifying cornerbacks. White intercepted five percent of the targets sent his way, helping Buffalo rank sixth as a team with 18 picks. The Bills have their own budding shutdown corner in place as they look to give an encore to their long-awaited playoff return from this past season.
So, which cornerbacks in this year's draft pose the biggest threat to NFL quarterbacks? Bleacher Report ranked the top 50 CBs in the 2018 draft class. The top three are:
- Denzel Ward, Ohio State
He's fast, agile and aggressive. A little undersized at only 5-11, but with his athleticism and tackling ability that shouldn't keep Ward from a successful NFL rookie season.
Denzel Ward won't wow you with Patrick Peterson-like size, but he's so fast, fluid and instinctive that NFL scouts can't stay away from his tape. Ward is a lock to be the first cornerback drafted and has a chance to be a top-10 selection.
- Josh Jackson, Iowa
Jackson is a force and a big game performer. Whether he is using his size in the end zone or matching up near the line, Jackson will be able to make an impact in the NFL.
Josh Jackson might have been a top-12 pick before his average time at the combine. He still grades out as a top-20 player on film with his awareness, size and ball skills making him a likely starter as a rookie playing outside cornerback. He should still hear his name called somewhere in the second half of Round 1.
- Jaire Alexander, Louisville
Plagued with injuries in 2017, Alexander's stock fell making him a possible diamond in the late rough picks of the first round. Another shorter CB at only 5-10, Alexander is aggressive and strong. His instincts for the game make him a threat to picking off the NFL's best. As a bonus, he has experience as a punt returner.
Jaire Alexander's 2016 tape looks like that of a first-rounder and immediate starter, but there are questions over his ability to stay healthy. If he can get on the field and stay there, Alexander has the toughness and quickness to handle playing the slot against NFL talent.
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