It's that time of year again. The formulation of mock drafts by the so called draftniks is underway. Below 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. We'll provide updated versions of the Mock Draft Watch in the coming weeks and months.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 –Todd McShay, ESPN.com (Insider access required)
#10 OT Riley Reiff – IowaMcShay's take: The Bills have had a pressing need at left tackle for years, and haven't drafted one since they missed on Mike Williams at No. 4 overall in 2002. Reiff isn't a finished product but has good natural feet for his size, and he projects as a very good starting left tackle if developed properly. And despite the money Buffalo recently committed to Ryan Fitzpatrick, I think a quarterback would have to be in play here, as well. But the Bills wouldn't be likely to take Oklahoma's Landry Jones at this point
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 – Wes Bunting, National Football Post#10 OT Riley Reiff – IowaBunting's take: Reiff is an athletic tackle with good range off the edge, natural change of direction skills and has the ability to sit into his stance on contact. He needs to get stronger and fill out a bit more. However, this former tight end recruit has the type of athleticism and demeanor to mature into the kind of blind side protector the Bills are looking for.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 – Peter Schrager, FOX Sports#10 DT Devon Still – Penn StateSchrager's take: The Bills got very little out of their defensive line this year. Even when the Bills were winning, the team had only four sacks in its first six games of the season. Marcell Dareus was a fine start to the rebuilding of the Buffalo defense, but it's not enough. Still — one of the only bright spots in what was an awful year for Penn State football — was a terror at defensive tackle. Buffalo gets a healthy Kyle Williams back next year, too. A 6-foot-5, 310-pound stuffer, Still isn't a flashy pick, but he makes a whole lot of sense.
Sunday, January 8, 2012 – Rob Rang, CBS Sports#10 DE Quinton Coples – North CarolinaRang's take – The Bills began the 2011 season as a 3-4 team but ran more of new defensive coordinator Dave Wannestadt's preferred 4-3 scheme. Coples is gamble on greatness but pairing his talent with defensive tackles Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams and the Bills could enter 2012 with the scariest front in the AFC East.
Monday, January 9, 2012 – Dane Brugler, CBS Sports#10 DE Quinton Coples – North CarolinaBrugler take – The Bills utilized 4-3 and 3-4 defensive formations this season, but neither was overly effective creating pressure in the pocket as Buffalo desperately needs to add a pass rusher. Coples didn't have the senior season to warrant a top-10 selection, but his upside will force NFL teams to consider him this high. Coples is a versatile player who will be able to fit in whichever defense the Bills and new coordinator Dave Wannstedt choose to run.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 – Andrew Perloff, SI.com#10 DE Quinton Coples – North CarolinaPerloff's take: Coples disappointed some scouts this season, but the Bills need more pressure up front and he has a lot of natural talent. The big question with Coples is attitude. He'll have to prove he wants it in pre-draft interviews
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 – Russ Lande, Sporting News#10 OT Jonathan Martin – StanfordLande's take: Proof that stats lie: The Bills allowed 29 sacks in 2011, tied for third-fewest in the NFL, but sources in Buffalo say the team's tackles "are a major concern." Martin is an elite athlete with the talent to be a top tackle. He would be an immediate upgrade on the left side.
