Why the Buffalo Bills should use their first round pick on a defensive player
With the Buffalo Bills holding the number 10 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, there are different routes that they could go. Quarterback is one way; wide receiver is another and finally defense is the most important way to go.
Last season, Buffalo was ranked extremely low as an overall defense. Was it the lack of discipline? Not the right defensive scheme? That’s for you to decide. With this upcoming draft, expect to see Buffalo take the safest route and improve their defense from last year.
AROUND COVER32
2017 NFL Draft: Could Patrick Mahomes be a first-round target for the Buffalo Bills
What’s Trending: A.J. Hawk retires as a Green Bay Packer
NFL Weekly: Is it time for a change to the NFL offseason schedule
Around the NFL: Will the San Francisco 49ers take advantage of the Oakland Raiders move to Las Vegas
Bills News: Buffalo tight end draft prospect Jake Butt
Follow us on Twitter here
This Draft is Nothing but Defense
Myles Garrett, Solomon Thomas, Malik Hooker, Jamal Adams, Marshon Lattimore, Jonathan Allen, Reuben Foster and so much more all exist in this draft class. There is depth at each defensive position and all 32 teams should get at least one decent to excellent defensive player.
Buffalo could go with the linebacker position to replace Zach Brown. They could also go secondary to bring in help at any of their four positions. While bringing in players Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, and re-signing Lorenzo Alexander, Buffalo still needs to bring in depth on defense no matter the position.
Stats Don’t Lie
Last season, Buffalo was tied for 16th in points scored against them. Not necessarily terrible, but it’s not where they wanted to be. Out of 16 games, Buffalo scored 20-plus points in seven games and lost them all. You can’t blame those losses on Tyrod Taylor. While both offense and defense needs to help, the defense was responsible for more losses this year than the offense.
You can’t always rely on the offense to put up points every game after all. If Sean McDermott and Doug Whaley stick with defense, you can expect the defense to perform better than last year. The real question is who would they take? Does Jamal Adams fall to number 10 like predicted in some mocks? Do you get a steal in Reuben Foster aside from different off the field issues? It all depends on what they think is best for them at number 10.
McDermott is a Defensive Coach
When former Bills head coach Rex Ryan was in charge, he drafted defense early in the 2015 and 2016 draft. He went with cornerback Ronald Darby in 2015 and Shaq Lawson in 2016. Coaches like to draft players that fit either their offensive or defensive scheme. With McDermott running a 4-3 defense, you can expect him to find a prospect that fits into his defense.
Players that have played under McDermott include Carolina middle linebacker Luke Kuechly and the Washington cornerback Josh Norman. With the number 10 pick overall, be prepared to see Buffalo take someone who is going to come in, make an impact for the defense and help get the offense back onto the field to light up the scoreboard.
READ MORE: Three Bills that must make a splash in 2017
The post Why the Buffalo Bills should use their first round pick on a defensive player appeared first on Cover32.
