The NFL Draft is just one piece of the puzzle for the Buffalo Bills, but with such an importance placed on next season, they’ll need to get their first few picks right. The Bills want the postseason, badly, and making the right moves in late April could be the key to the playoffs.
Each week, 7 ABC Buffalo will go through and outline some of the players you should know in this year’s draft process. This week, if Tyrod Taylor is not *the* guy at quarterback, we’re taking a look at some of the quarterbacks the draft has to offer. At the very least, the Bills could use a new backup.
We’re halfway through the quarterback position, so let’s add four more names to the list of the quarterbacks the Bills could be considering in April:
[If you missed it earlier in the week, here is Part 1 and Part 2 of the quarterback series]
Paxton Lynch, Memphis
6’6”, 230 lbs.
What he’s all about: Putting himself on the map this season, it’s hard to ignore the potential player Paxton Lynch could become. His height draws your eyes to him immediately on the field, and his movement ability for a player his size is something hard to come by. The good part is this: Lynch doesn’t rely on the mobility to bail him out of the pocket and to run too often. He’ll use his nimble feet and speed to reset himself up when things break down around him, and keeps his eyes dow n the field. For that reason, he sees the field well when the defense wins at the line of scrimmage. When his footwork is consistent, his arm strength is something to be feared. However, it’s not always consistent, which leads to some cases in which the zip on his throws goes down a few notches. It also causes his accuracy to dip a little. Lynch comes from a spread, one-read system, so whichever team that drafts him will have to show some patience in helping him learn the NFL game. With Lynch’s attributes, it would be hard to think he’s anything other than a first-round talent from an on-the-field perspective.
How he would fit the Bills: Lynch has all the tools to be successful in the league, but he’s not ready to start just yet and shows some clear deficiencies in his game. There is a distinct possibility that he could be available at 19th overall, which might give the Bills some hesitation in pulling the trigger on an impact defender. If they did succumb to the temptation of Paxton Lynch, they would already have Taylor in place, and Lynch would be his immediate backup. At 19th overall, though, with the pressure the coaching staff is under in 2016, it might make more sense to wait on a quarterback.
It's hard to ignore all the potential that Memphis QB Paxton Lynch has. Size, mobility, arm strength: pic.twitter.com/KvwaF13T95
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) February 6, 2016
Vernon Adams, Jr., Oregon
5’11”, 195 lbs.
What he’s all about: A transfer from an FCS school, Vernon Adams, Jr. walked in the door and took over for Marcus Mariota this season. Nowhere near the prospect that Mariota was in 2015, Adams still brought an element of excitement to Eugene in his lone season of starting. For the draft, Adams will be picked apart quite a bit more than Mariota, mostly for his size, accuracy, and potential durability issues at the NFL level. However, the flashes of brilliance are there with Adams through both the air and on the ground. He’s an elusive player that keeps plays alive with his legs, possesses a strong, NFL-caliber arm, and can take over a game in that way. He has a ways to go, but, he’s an exciting quarterback prospect that can likely be had in the later rounds of the draft.
How he would fit the Bills: Although he has the tendency to bail out of the pocket too quickly, Adams has to be an intriguing prospect for the Bills. Adams is viewed as a Day Three selection and is ranked by most behind players like Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg and Indiana’s Nate Sudfeld, but for pure flashes of brilliance, the competitive nature of Adams, and how he fits the Bills scheme as a potential backup to Tyrod Taylor, that would be more than worth a fifth-round or later pick.
With Oregon QB Vernon Adams, Jr., you get flashes of brilliance like this one. How consistent can he be, though? pic.twitter.com/49Ei5NiRQZ
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) February 6, 2016
Brandon Allen, Arkansas
6’2”, 221 lbs.
What he’s all about: Brandon Allen took over at Arkansas and provided stability to the position. Even though he doesn’t jump off the film as a player with massive potential, he comes from a pro style system and possesses a better than average arm. He plays within himself, climbing the pocket and not being fearful of throwing into a tight window. However, the problem with Allen is that his ceiling is relatively low. His accuracy is lacking, and without any other big NFL level assets to his game, he looks destined to be a Day Three selection — but he’s absolutely worthy of being drafted to develop as a backup in the NFL.
How he would fit the Bills: Although he won’t throw it deep a ton, Allen is a long-range backup that could provide stability if he’s ever called upon, but he’s not ready for those responsibilities just yet. If Allen can come in, increase his arm strength and accuracy and build on his foundation of a pro-style offense, then he could be in business. If the Bills are in the seventh round and Allen is still on the board, it’s a quality pickup at that point of the event.
And then Arkansas QB Brandon Allen, you could do worse with a late round QB. Could develop into a solid backup pic.twitter.com/PQjIiQ2gph
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) February 6, 2016
Brandon Doughty, Western Kentucky
6’3”, 212 lbs.
What he’s all about: A three-year starter at Western Kentucky, Brandon Doughty is an efficient, spread quarterback that puts his players in position in the short areas of the field to gain more yardage within the confines of the offense. He put up big numbers in his time at Western Kentucky, and stands tough in the pocket against the defense. However, Doughty lacks in a lot of the measurable aspects scouts look for. He lacks ideal size, isn’t a mobile quarterback and can’t truly get away from pressure in the pocket. His arm strength is blatantly average, and has a bit of an elongated motion. He’s a Day Three pick that may fall out of the draft completely.
How he would fit the Bills: In the offense Greg Roman runs, Brandon Doughty really isn’t a fit due to his lack of athleticism. Without a discernible skill-set for the NFL level, he’s going to struggle to make the Bills roster outright.
Western Kentucky QB Brandon Doughty was the general of the offense, but he may have some trouble at the NFL level pic.twitter.com/zHbHhdpR5h
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) February 6, 2016
