Buffalo Bills: 2016 7-round NFL mock draft

7 of 9

Sep 3, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt (88) is tackled by Utah Utes defensive back Marcus Williams (20) and linebacker Jared Norris (41) during the first half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

While the Bills may have a primary need at inside linebacker heading into the 2016 NFL Draft, Buffalo may have to wait until the fifth round at selection No. 156 to get their guy by drafting Jared Norris out of Utah to fill that roster void.

Inside linebacker is a much more difficult find in this era of the NFL with offenses being more reliant on the pass than the run than ever before. 4-3 defensive schemes only use one inside linebacker and when a 3-4 Base goes into a nickel package, one of the inside linebackers is the first to go. It’s still an immensely valuable position, but especially on scarcity alone entering 2016.

What the Bills could be getting in Norris is the Utes’ top defensive player the last two years as Utah has finally emerged as a power in the Pac-12. Norris led the Utes in 116 tackles and 13 for a loss of yardage his senior season in Salt Lake City.

While top-end speed may end up hurting Norris’ draft stock, if put in the right defensive scheme with his football instincts and physicality, he could end up being a solid inside linebacker in the NFL. Given that Ryan is all about the defensive front seven, Norris could be a fit for the Bills in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Next: 192. Connor McGovern, Guard, Missouri

Home/Buffalo Bills