Chris Ransom grades the Buffalo Bills 2015 NFL Draft. The Bills were the only AFC Team without a first round pick.
50. Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State A Grade
I had Jalen Collins going 50th to Buffalo, but I like Ronald Darby as a cover corner lot better. Ronald Darby will make for an awesome #2 cornerback next to Stephon Gilmore. It's going to be a lot harder to throw on the Bills now. If this front 7 can adjust from the 4-3 to the 3-4, then this defense will have enough talent to defeat the Patriots.
81. John Miller, LG, Louisville A+ Grade
Richie Incognito played left guard in Miami, but is expected to start at right guard in Buffalo. The guy who will likely start at left guard is John Miller who was a 3-year starter at left guard for the Louisville Cardinals.
I had Miller going to this exact spot in my final 2015 NFL Mock Draft. That's why the Bills got an A+ grade.
155. Karlos Williams, RB, Florida State B Grade
Karlos Williams made a lot of progress in Bills rookie mini camp. Right now, he's projected to be a backup to LeSean McCoy.
188. Tony Steward, 3-4 MLB, Clemson D Grade
I don't understand this pick. Tony Steward was an undrafted prospect. The thing that kept this pick from being an F grade was that the Bills needed a 3-4 middle linebacker after dealing Kiko Alonso to the Eagles.
194. Nick O'Leary, TE, Florida State A Grade
Nick O'Leary may begin his career as a backup to Charles Clay. Once Clay gets injured, O'Leary will cease his opportunity to become the Bills' starting tight end.
The only weakness in O'Leary's game is the fact that he struggles to catch deep passes. This guy can run good routes and catch short and medium routes. Sitting behind Charles Clay will help him learn to excel in the deep passing game. When O'Leary gets the chance to start, we could see a tight end with Scott Chandler's blocking with the size and hands of Wayne Cherbet.
234. Dezmin Lewis, WR, Central Arkansas B+ Grade
Buffalo has a good receiving core with Sammy Watkins as a #1 receiver, Robert Woods as a #2 receiver, and Marques Goodwin as a slot receiver. Lewis can be a backup that steps in if any of those receivers gets injured. Buffalo dealt with a lot of injuries at wide receiver last year, and Lewis was one of the best players left in round 7. That's why this is great pick.
Buffalo Bills Team Grade: B+ Grade
Buffalo had a strong draft. They may have had the best draft in the entire AFC East when you consider this team had no first round picks.
The Bills could struggle at first this season. Once they get a quarterback and once this front 7 adjusts to a 3-4 defense, this team will emerge as a threat to the New England Patriots in the AFC East in a year from now in 2016 assuming they get a signal-caller by then. If Buffalo can win their first two games of the 2015 Regular Season against the Indianapolis Colts and the Patriots without Tom Brady, then the Bills have a good chance to make the playoffs as a wild card. Buffalo plays both the Colts and Patriots at home, so it's not impossible to win both of those games, but it's also very unlikely at the same time.
Buffalo Bills 2014 NFL Draft Grades
Posted By Chris Ransom on 5/12/2014
Chris Ransom breaks down the Bills 2014 NFL Draft grades.
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