With the first two picks in the books, it is time to reveal the projected selection for the Buffalo Bills in this mock draft. Buffalo has so many needs that it might take more than one draft to fill them. However, if by chance the Bills and Cardinals had played, I'm pretty sure that the Bills would have somehow gotten away with a victory.
We don't have Mel Kiper, Todd McShay or Mike Mayock, but we do have our own panel of draft "experts." Today, Scott Howard picks for the Buffalo Bills. Here is his draft choice for the Bills:
Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
When selecting on behalf of the Buffalo Bills you have to ask yourself the age old question - what do you get for the team that has nothing? OK that isn't a common question but seriously, the Bills need everything.
Offensive line and the defensive front seven are high level requirements but for a team that has been twisting in the wind without a playoff berth since 1999 the top priority should be a franchise quarterback.
That's why with the third overall pick in the 2011 SB Nation Arizona Mock NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bill select Blaine Gabbert out of Missouri.
If you believe some of the reports out there Buffalo has a rather severe crush on Cam Newton but with the Auburn star off of our board, the Bills will turn their offense to the strong armed, flowing locked Mizzou star. If there are concerns about immediately pressing Gabbert into action Buffalo can re-sign above average veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to provide a bridge.
Adding Gabbert to a skill position core of Stevie Johnson and C.J. Spiller may actually give Bills fans something to look forward to besides scraping ice off of their windshields.
Marcell Darius and Nick Fairley will almost certainly be other considerations for the Bills but at the end of the day this is a team that should and probably will go the quarterback route.
For tomorrow...
Jess Root and the Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock.
2011 SBN AZ Mock Draft recap:
1- Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn (Jess Root)
2- Denver Broncos: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M (Cory Williams)
3- Buffalo Bills: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri (Scott Howard)