The Buffalo Bills finished 9-7 last season, but it wasn't enough for Doug Marrone to want to stick around. Rex Ryan is now in charge, and he'll bring a new attitude to the franchise. Several changes will take place, one of the largest being a switch to a 3-4 base defense. While most the pieces for the switch are in place, Ryan will likely add several players through free agency and the draft who are familiar with the scheme.
Round 2: Paul Dawson (OLB-TCU)
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Round 2: Paul Dawson (OLB-TCU)
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Without a first-round pick, the Bills need to make the most out of their Day 2 selections. Paul Dawson played an OLB role in TCU's 4-2-5 defense, but he projects inside in a 3-4. His performance at the Combine was one of the event's biggest disappointments, but if anyone's going to get the most out of Dawson, it's Rex Ryan. At his best, Dawson shows great awareness and closes on plays as aggressively as any linebacker in the draft.
Round 3: Cody Prewitt (FS-Ole Miss)
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Round 3: Cody Prewitt (FS-Ole Miss)
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Cody Prewitt is one of the few safeties in this class who can press at the line of scrimmage as well as play center field. Like Dawson, Prewitt closes on the ball very quickly. There's a chance he could win a starting role, but it's more likely he makes an immediate impact as a gunner on special teams. In a weak safety class, he's currently the No. 2 free safety on my board.
Round 5 (from Tampa Bay): Jeff Heuerman (TE-Ohio State)
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Round 5 (from Tampa Bay): Jeff Heuerman (TE-Ohio State)
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With Greg Roman coming over from the 49ers, expect the Bills to add multiple tight ends this offseason. The next Vernon Davis isn't in this draft, but Jeff Heuerman would be a solid addition. Other than Scott Chandler, the Bills don't have a proven TE on the roster. Heuerman's numbers dropped off in 2014, but J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones rarely looked his way. In order to gauge his ability as a receiver, teams will go back to his 2013 film.
Round 5: Robert Myers (G-Tennessee State)
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Round 5: Robert Myers (G-Tennessee State)
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Even after drafting three offensive linemen last year, the Bills still have needs on the line. Other than Cordy Glenn and Eric Wood, no one on the line should feel as if their job is secure. The team signed Richie Incognito, but more competition needs to be brought in. Robert Myers is a powerful guard who is technically sound. The biggest question mark is whether the jump in competition from the FCS to the NFL will exploit any weaknesses.
Round 6: Cody Fajardo (QB-Nevada)
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Round 6: Cody Fajardo (QB-Nevada)
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Even if the Bills sign a veteran QB, look for a rookie to be selected at some point. Cody Fajardo is a QB who can develop into a solid backup. He's been one of the most productive dual-threat quarterbacks over the last four years and has an NFL-caliber arm. He struggled down the stretch, completing just 44 percent of his passes over his final four games, including the East-West Shrine Game. Despite his declining stock, he should still be drafted.
Round 7: Connor Neighbors (FB-LSU)
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Round 7: Connor Neighbors (FB-LSU)
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Fullback is another position that needs to be addressed due to Rex Ryan's presence. Current FB MarQueis Gray is more of a receiver than a blocker. Connor Neighbors, on the other hand, consistently opens up running lanes. Just over the last two years, he's helped Jeremy Hill and Leonard Fournette each rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. There aren't many teams still utilizing a FB, but Buffalo would be a great landing spot for Neighbors.
Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
TMZ just released footage of the Philadelphia bar brawl that Buffalo Bills RB LeSean McCoy was reported to be involved in early on Sunday morning. Philadelphia police have been quoted as saying, "We believe the man in the red boxers who gets pulled into the ice bucket is LeSean McCoy.”
