Below is the latest edition of Mock Draft Watch – a rundown of the latest mock drafts compiled by Buffalobills.com via local and national NFL reporters …
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 – Yueh Ho, Bleacher Report#10 DE Nick Perry – USCHo's take: This Bills defense has potential going forward. With Kyle Williams on the defensive line and rookie Marcell Dareus turning some heads, these right pieces could help the Bills reach the next level and potentially even the postseason. Nick Perry could be the final piece to the D-line that the team needs. Perry is a very talented D-lineman who has seen relatively little action, but has played well whenever he has been healthy. He may be a bit of a risk, but his upside makes it worth it.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 – Peter Schrager, FOX Sports#10 DT Devon Still – Penn StateSchrager's take: **Marcell Dareus** had a strong rookie season and **Kyle Williams** was lost for the season early on because of injury, but there's not much else on that Buffalo defensive line. As a team, the Bills combined for just 29 sacks last season (third worst in the league) and gave up 139 rushing yards per game (fifth worst in the league). A 6-foot-5, 310-pound stuffer who can get to the quarterback, Still isn't a flashy pick, but he makes a whole lot of sense. The Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year, lining up with Wililams and Dareus, would give the Bills' nonexistent defensive line from 2011 a little bite in 2012.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 – Bucky Brooks, NFL.com#10 OT Jonathan Martin, StanfordBrooks' take: The departure of Jason Peters a few seasons ago has left a huge hole on the Bills' offensive line. Martin fills the void with his size, athleticism and skill, and becomes Ryan Fitzpatrick's best friend as his new backside protector.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 – Charles Davis, NFL.comNo. 10 DE Quinton Coples, UNCDavis' take: Add him to last year's first-round selection of Marcell Dareus, not to mention the underappreciated Kyle Williams, and the Bills are building themselves a defensive front.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 – Steve Wyche, NFL.comNo. 10 Zach Brown, UNCWyche's take: The Bills could go in a lot of directions but they have to add more of an edge presence.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 – Pat Kirwan, NFL.comNo. 10 Nick Perry, USCKirwan's take: Perry will fly up draft boards when the coaches get involved in the evaluation process and might take another jump when the combine comes.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 – Albert Breer, NFL.comNo. 10 LB Courtney Upshaw - Alabama
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 – Steve Mariucci, NFL.comNo. 10 DE Quinton Coples – UNCMariucci's take: Defense needs upgrades.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 – Mel Kiper, ESPN.com (Insider access required)
No. 10 LB Courtney UpshawKiper's take: Buffalo did well when it drafted Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus with its first pick last year, but the pass rush still needs a lot of help. Upshaw is currently the best 3-4 outside linebacker in the draft, and he should be able to apply a lot of pressure to opposing quarterbacks from the edge for whoever gets him for 2012. No Buffalo player had more than 5.5 sacks in 2011, and the Bills simply can't get enough pressure without bringing extra players. Upshaw is a part of the solution. This is a big-time talent, a player who already was making an impact at Alabama as a freshman. He'll follow a similar path as a pro.
