The Bills have certainly made a splash in free agency by locking up the best defensive player on the market in Mario Williams, but they still need to have a solid draft if they want to be in contention for the AFC East title.
Here is how I see that draft playing out for the Bills this year:
Round 1: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
The Bills could also look for an offensive tackle here, but Kuechly is a blue chip prospect that will be the last piece of this much-improved defense, particularly against the run. Kuechly can play on multiple positions at linebacker, so the Bills will have options in terms of deciding who he will replace.
Kuechly may not make a ton of highlight reel-worthy plays, but he is as solid of a football player as they come.
Round 2: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
Randle is a raw prospect in terms of his route running, but he has a lot of upside and will have a chance to compete for a starting job in a receiving corps that is in need of a solid number two threat opposite Stevie Johnson.
Round 3: Nate Potter, OT, Boise State
As of now, the raw but talented Chris Hairston is slated to start on Ryan FItzpatrick's blind side. Hairston may very well be the man for the job, but the Bills need to have some kind of insurance plan in case Hairston is not up for the task.
Round 4 (pick 1): Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin
Toon is not the most explosive receiver in the draft, but he makes tough catches in traffic and will add further depth an competition to the receiving corps.
Round 4 (pick 2): Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
Hosley had a terrific junior year, leading the nation in interceptions. But injuries lead to a bit of a down year in 2011. Hosley is best suited as a zone corner with great instincts and ball skills, and perhaps may be able to make a move to safety.
Round 5 (pick 1): Mike Martin, DT, Michigan
Martin is a powerful run defender that can contribute on a rotational basis to give Williams and Dareus a breather. He's not much of a pass rusher, but he is an incredibly powerful man as a former wrestler and can hold is own on running downs.
Round 5 (pick 2): Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin
A quarterback prospect who will be severely limited by his size, Wilson will make Bills fans reminiscent of the days of Doug Flutie. The Bills need some depth at quarterback, and Wilson will at least get a chance to prove doubters wrong.
Round 6: Jonathan Massaquoi, DE, Troy
The Bills seemed to have finally found a solution to their pass rush woes with the signing of Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, but depth is still an issue. Massaquoi is a small school prospect with some pass rush ability that will be able to develop behind the two veterans.
Round 7: James Brooks, OG, Virginia Tech
Brooks can provide some added depth to an interior line that has not had much luck with injuries in recent years.
