What the 19th Pick Means for the Bills

by Mario Granata
There has been a lot of speculation as to Who the Buffalo Bills will take with the 19th overall pick in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft. However, the focus should be on what position is taken with the 19th pick that the Bills decide to select that will truly tell the story where this team is headed.  Check out what the real meaning is for the positions that are selected at #19.

Offense:
Quarterback - Much of the talk has been for the Buffalo Bills to select a quarterback.  Now, depending on which player slides to them at 19, the story will be Tyrod Taylor and his longevity in Buffalo.  With the turmoil that his agent has caused, and the contract that Brock Osweiler signed in Houston, the Bills aren't ready (nor do they have the means) to shell out that kind of cash for Taylor.  Over the past few years, the Bills have been able to use their cap space in other places and pay very little to the quarterback position.  As a result they have the longest playoff drought in the NFL.  

Another note to mention is the status of Greg Roman.  IF the Bills make the playoffs, the smart money is that Roman will be offered some Head Coaching positions for the upcoming vacancies.  If they pass on a quarterback and fail to sign Taylor, it might be a tough sell to get an offensive coordinator to come to Buffalo.

Wide Receiver - There is just as much speculation that the Bills will select a receiver to complement Sammy Watkins.  With the retirement of Percy Harvin, Chris Hogan signing with New England and the erratic play of Robert Woods, the Bills could look to replace Woods as their #2.  However with the Bills being a 'ground and pound' team, and the cap number on attempts a game at 30, there aren't enough footballs to go around.  

Tackle - With the uncertainty of the Right Tackle position, the one year franchise tag on Cordy Glenn and the skill positions that will be taken early in the first round a decent selection could fall to the Bills at 19.  Glenn should be a priority during the 2017 offseason, so the Bills could handcuff themselves by taking a tackle as his replacement and save some cap room to use else ware.  

Guard - With the signing of Richie Incognito and their 2016 draft pick, they are pretty solid at this position, but as the Bills (and other teams) have done in the past the "best available" could be a guard.  Also, with some of the guards in the 2016 draft projected at both guard and center, they could be drafting a replacement (down the road) for Eric Wood.  Long shot, but if the Bills go guard at 19, they could be planning ahead.

Running Back - Ah, no.

Tight End - Ah, heck no.

Defense:
Safety - With the status of Aaron Williams in question and the less than smooth transition of Corey Graham the Bills could be looking for a young playmaker to get schooled by Ed Reed on the back end.  If Williams is good to go, and with another year for Graham to grasp the concepts, then Safety will not be the pick for the Bills.

Cornerback - As with the Tackle position and Cordy Glenn, the Bills could take a corner if they feel that they will be unable to sign Stephon Gilmore in the 2017 offseason.  Also, even if they are confident that they will be able to sign him, if there is anything that Rex Ryan loves its cornerbacks (no matter how much he says he loves feet).  With the NFL being a passing league, teams have to have the ability to cover the slot receiver and with the departure of McKelvin to Philadelphia, there is a need in that position...especially since the Bills have to face the Patriots twice on their road to the playoffs. 

Linebacker - While there is a need for the Bills at linebacker and a bevy of players at that position that Buffalo could take, Whaley has done well selecting players in the 3rd and 4th round that can come in a play and contribute.  That might be the formula that they adhere too in this draft as well to fill the second level.

Defensive Tackle - With the draft being very deep at this position and the upper age of Kyle Williams, the Bills might take a tackle to solidify the middle of their defense even more.  Having a top pick playing next to Marcell Dareus does seem like a sleek pick, however with the aforementioned number of players on the front seven, they could pick up another player later in the draft.  

Defensive End - The "departure" of Mario Williams to Miami the Bills are in need of a solid defensive end that can both rush the passer as well as play in covered when asked.  Many fans were upset with the Mario Williams situation, but if the history of Rex Ryan's defenses there doesn't need to be a bonafide edge rusher in his defensive scheme to make his defense successful.  Just can't be someone who can't set the edge when necessary.  

There you have it folks, the positions that the Bills could select with the 19th overall pick in the upcoming 2016 Draft.  Here are some possible future outcomes that will come with the Bills selecting these positions in this draft.  Now, the real question that is out there is "Will the Bills trade back out of the first round with a team that wants to have that special 5th-year option?" and "How much will they receive in return for #19?"  Well, I guess we will have to wait and see tomorrow what unfolds.