2018 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills 7-round mock
By Joe Romano
Round 2 – Pick 53
Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
After watching the quarterbacks fly off the board before they could grab one, Buffalo lands their quarterback late in round two.
The former Heisman trophy winner Lamar Jackson of Louisville would be an interesting pick for Buffalo. Tyrod Taylor was seemingly pushed out despite his record and playoff appearances. Would the Bills grab another dual-threat quarterback who’s an inconsistent passer?
Taylor and Jackson’s similarities are there but the former Cardinals quarterback is a much more dynamic passer than Taylor ever was. He also is a much better runner. Jackson has the skill sets purely as a passer to be a starter one day. If he can sure up his inconsistencies in intermediate routes, his upside is astronomical. The mental processing and accuracy both need to grow and will be the reason he reaches that upside or falls shot.
If this was the pick, Buffalo would be wise to grab a stop-gap quarterback in free agency like Case Keenum so Jackson can learn the ropes. He would also be able to come in the game in certain packages early in his career.
Round 2- Pick 56
D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
With quarterback out of the way Buffalo can focus on other areas. This time they grab wide receiver D.J. Moore from Maryland. A year ago the Bills took Zay Jones in the second round out of East Carolina. He was thrust into action due to injuries at the position and has the makings of a potential starter in the league.
The team also traded for Kelvin Benjamin mid-season. Benjamin and Jones are both solid players who have certain skills that will allow them to prosper. What neither is, however, is the dynamic player that Moore is.
Watching Moore at Maryland made me surprised he is not getting round one talk. He is a bit undersized at 5-foot-11 but that does not stop him from winning on contested catches. Once he hauls in those catches, he is a nightmare in the open field.
A trio of Benjamin, Moore and Jones would give whoever is under center a solid young trio of receivers. It also can help keep pressure off of LeSean McCoy, who is still one of the league’s best running backs.