This is the first edition of Mock Draft Watch – a rundown of the latest mock drafts compiled by Buffalobills.com via local and national NFL reporters. Check back as the 2013 NFL Draft approaches to see the latest projections from draft prognosticators.
RELATED: Mock Draft Watch 2.0
December 12 – Todd McShay, ESPN.com (Insider access)No. 11 – LB Manti Te'o, Notre DameThe Bills could be in the market for a quarterback depending on how they feel about Ryan Fitzpatrick after this season, but there's no way Barkley has the arm to play in Buffalo in the winter. There is also no wide receiver worth taking this high to fill their need at that position. Te'o would give the team another young defensive leader up the middle with DTMarcell Dareus. He's a three-down linebacker who can handle the point of attack against the run and has shown plenty of ability in underneath coverage.
No. 8 – QB Tyler Wilson, ArkansasThe Bills are ready to move on from Ryan Fitzpatrick and would like to break in a new quarterback along with their new coach. It looks like Wilson or North Carolina State's Mike Glennon will be the third QB picked.
Monday, January 14 – Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.comNo. 8 – WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee
Tuesday, January 15 – Bucky Brooks, NFL.comNo. 8 – QB Mike Glennon, North Carolina State
Tuesday, January 15 – Charles Davis, NFL.comNo. 8 – QB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame
Tuesday, January 15 – Gil Brandt, NFL.comNo. 8 – LB Alec Ogletree, Georgia
No. 8 – LB Jarvis Jones, Georgia
Wednesday, January 16 – Mel Kiper, ESPN.com (Insider)No. 8 – LB Mani Te'o, Notre DameAnalysis: The Bills really need help at interior linebacker, where Kelvin Sheppard is a good player, but won't become a great one. Te'o doesn't have elite athleticism, but he has elite instincts, elite intangibles and will become the leader of a defense by the end of training camp. He makes the Buffalo run defense better immediately, and very quietly was second in the nation in INTs, showing great awareness in his drops (and good hands) against the pass. He may not end up this high, but I'm sold on him as a high-level NFL middle linebacker.
Tuesday, January 22 – Peter Schrager, FOX SportsNo. 8 – Ryan Nassib, SyracuseAnalysis: Shocked to see Nassib this high? Don't be. And no, this isn't just linking Nassib to the Bills because of the Doug Marrone connection (though that certainly doesn't hurt). When it's all said and done and it's draft weekend, Nassib is going to be a hot commodity. He's got the smarts, physical tools and in this case — he's played in cold weather. Are the Bills really going all in on Syracuse football? I know, it's not quite Alabama. But I like Nassib and I love the fit in Buffalo, a team I'm (still) convinced is just a few more young pieces away from being a contender.
Thursday, January 24 – Don Banks, SI.comNo. 8 – Mike Glennon, NC StateAnalysis: This pick doesn't reflect where Glennon's stock stands today, but where I think it's headed. Granted, Buffalo's need at quarterback is driving this projection of Glennon cracking the top 10. If the Bills don't find him intriguing, he very well may not make the first round. New Bills head coach Doug Marrone probably loves his collegiate QB, Syracuse's Ryan Nassib, but he's more likely to earn a second-to-mid-round grade. Just got a hunch that Glennon's size and arm strength will grow on NFL personnel men as the draft approaches.
