The Buffalo Bills missed the playoffs again under head coach Rex Ryan and now enter a transition phase with new head coach Sean McDermott. Buffalo enters the 2017 season with plenty of questions thanks to limited cap space and players like Stephon Gilmore and Tyrod Taylor. Those questions make picks in the draft even more crucial for the Bills. Here's who they should be looking to draft with the tenth overall pick.
1. S Malik Hooker (Ohio State)
The Bills have a glaring need at safety, especially if Aaron Williams chooses to retire after taking a brutal hit from Jarvis Landry.
Even if he doesn't retire, Buffalo desperately needs to add depth at a position that killed them last season. Hooker is the best safety in the draft and has good size and excellent speed. It would be foolish for the Bills to not consider drafting a player of Hooker's caliber if he fell to the 10th overall pick.
2. WR Mike Williams (Clemson)
Williams increased his draft stock tremendously with an unbelievable performance in the national title game. The Clemson wide receiver is a huge target with decent speed who could easily fit across from Sammy Watkins. Williams has unbelievable body control and caught 11 touchdown passes in his last season. The prolific target would add another dimension to a Bills offense that mainly relies on LeSean McCoy and the run.
3. LB Jabrill Peppers (Michigan)
Peppers was one of the most impactful players in college football throughout the season. At linebacker, Peppers was a Heisman finalist and routinely praised as one of the best players in the country. Jabrill is seen as one of the best athletes in the draft and could potentially change to the safety position, something that the Bills could use and will likely target in the draft.
4. QB DeShaun Watson (Clemson)
I personally don't think the Bills need to replace starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor, but Doug Whaley seems committed. If that is the case, it would make sense for the Bills to draft a quarterback like Watson from Clemson. They've already shown a tendency to prefer tall quarterbacks who can run in their picks of Cardale Jones and E.J.
Manuel. I don't support the drafting of a quarterback and would prefer to see the Bills address a position of need, but the front office's actions make me believe that it won't happen.
5. OT Cam Robinson (Alabama)
The Buffalo Bills have a hole at right tackle that needs to be filled in the draft, regardless of the quarterback. Seantrel Henderson has too many issues to consistently stay on the field and perform at a high level and both Jordan Mills and Cyrus Kouandjio are not good enough to get it done at the tackle position. Enter Robinson, an Alabama tackle who has only improved since the Alabama offensive line allowed just 16 sacks in his freshman year. Cam Robinson would likely be able to step in immediately and play for a Bills offensive line that could definitely use the help.
