Below is the 10thand final edition of Mock Draft Watch – a rundown of the latest mock drafts compiled by Buffalobills.com via local and national NFL reporters …
Monday, April 23 – Greg Cosell, NFL Films
#10 WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
Cosell's take: The Bills select the second receiver in the top 10, Justin Blackmon.Blackmon fits very well in Chan Gailey's multiple formation passing game. Gailey runs a fast-break offense with Ryan Fitzpatrick getting the ball out quickly like a quarterback version of a point guard. Many will argue left tackle, and Matt Kalil is still available in my mock, but in Buffalo's offense, I believe a receiver like Blackmon, with his size, alignment versatility and excellent run-after-catch ability, is a more necessary component than a left tackle.
Tuesday, April 24 – Joe Buscaglia, WGR 550
#10 S Mark Barron, Alabama
Buscaglia's take: The way I understand things, a league source says the Bills are said to be very high on both Barron and Gilmore, with some continuing interest in Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly. However, at this point the tenth pick is thought to be between Barron and Gilmore. Not seen as their biggest area of need, there will be some trepidation from fans. But the Bills are apparently very high on what Barron can bring to the table over the long haul. Barron is thought of by some as a top-seven talent in this draft class as a whole. The source says the Bills believe Barron is a "playmaker" of a safety and a "day one starter." He would likely take over for George Wilson if he is indeed the pick. If this is the way the first nine picks play out, Barron is the likely pick at this point in time.
Wednesday, April 25 – Charley Casserly, NFL.com
#10 Jonathan Martin, Stanford
Casserly's take: A more athletic pass protector than Riley Reiff.
Wednesday, April 25 – Don Banks, SI.com
#10 Luke Kuechly, Boston College
Banks' take: With a three-down linebacker like Kuechly in hand, the Bills will have taken yet another significant step in building a defense to be reckoned with in the AFC East. The other name being connected to the Bills in the draft's final hours of buildup is Alabama safety Mark Barron.
Wednesday, April 25 – Chris Brown, Buffalobills.com
#10 Mark Barron, Alabama
Brown's take: Much like the Spiller pick in 2010, the Bills take the top player on the board and select the best safety to come out since Sean Taylor.
Wednesday, April 25 – Mike Mayock, NFL.com
#10 Luke Kuechly, Boston College
Mayock's take: Everybody is telling me offensive tackle, but remember what division the Bills play in. It's the New England Patriots' division, and they happen to have a couple of dangerous tight ends. You better have an answer.
Wednesday, April 25 – Mel Kiper, ESPN.com (Insider)
#10 WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
Kiper's take: There are plenty of draft boards that will have Floyd as the best overall WR in this class. The Bills could go a few ways here, but they really need another threat in the passing game, and Floyd gives them size and smarts. He'll grasp the route tree early, and can both stretch the field and work underneath.
Wednesday, April 25 – Todd McShay, ESPN.com (Insider)
#10 WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
Thursday, April 26 – Dan Pompei, Chicago Tribune
#10 S Mark Barron, Alabama
Pompei's take: He's the hottest name on the board and could go even higher. The Bills also could take Riley Reiff.
Thursday, April 26 – Nolan Nawrocki, Pro Football Weekly
#10 S Mark Barron, Alabama
Nawrocki's take: GM Buddy Nix fills a pressing need with another SEC standout, although moving up for Matt Kalil remains possible with demand high for the draft's only playmaking safety.
Thursday, April 26 – Mark Gaughan, Buffalo News
#10 CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina
Gaughan's take: The Bills addressed their colossal weakness (pass rusher) in free agency by signing Mario Williams and Mark Anderson. Good thing, too, because the answer to their edge-rush prayers would not have come at No. 10. This gives them a ton of flexibility. They have more faith than a lot of their fans in their incumbent wideouts. So in this scenario, the pick comes down to an elite defensive back (cornerback Stephon Gilmore or safety Mark Barron), a left tackle (Cordy Glenn) or the top linebacker (Luke Kuechly). Gilmore might not get past No. 7. But if he does, the Bills stick with their draft-board ranking.
