The 2016 NFL Draft is under a month away and the Buffalo Bills -- unlike last year -- have a first round selection to try and find themselves an impact starter. With a pair of selections on Day Two, the Bills could even two more starters to the roster.
General manager Doug Whaley has continued to say the Bills will look for the best player available and won't draft based on need, which makes them fairly unpredictable up until they make a selection on April 28. With so many positions that they could go after, the Bills have a great deal of names to keep an eye on -- as long as you know what you're looking for.
Leading up to the start of the draft, WKBW.com will be going through potential names that the Buffalo Bills could select in the 2016 NFL Draft:
DE Kevin Dodd, Clemson
What a pair these two were at Clemson. Same game, DE Kevin Dodd sacks the QB while still being blocked. My goodness pic.twitter.com/IIJMjyqqUi
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) January 20, 2016
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 277
Why he’s a fit
- In need of some more pass-rushing punch, Kevin Dodd would fit in with the Bills around the same role as Manny Lawson is ready to assume in 2016. It will likely end up being a defensive end/outside linebacker hybrid role, where many of the responsibilities will reside in edge contain, and out in the flat areas for coverage. Unlike Lawson, though, Dodd will conceivably add more in getting after the quarterback than the slotted starter, which would add a new dimension to Rex Ryan’s defense.
Why the Bills may shy away
- It’s less about the player, and more about the role. The Bills rave about Manny Lawson and how smart of a player he is, but in reality, Lawson —barring injury — will only be on the field for less than 50-percent of snaps. The NFL is going to more three-wide receiver sets, which brings out nickel packages over half the time. When that happens, Lawson gets replaced by a cornerback. So to draft Dodd, with Lawson already on the roster, and in a less than half-the-time role, the Bills may opt to draft elsewhere.
Joe B. Verdict
- There is little doubt that the Bills could use some additional help in pressure from the edge, and Dodd would help in those efforts. However, with all the other areas on defense that could be of higher impact in the upcoming season, the Bills could opt to go elsewhere with their first pick. One can’t rule out Dodd at 19th overall because of his potential, and the ability he flashed in his one season of starting.
