New Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan might be feeling a little deja vu at the moment. Like his time in the Big Apple, Ryan is coaching a team with an impressive defense. The Bills led the league in sacks last season with 54 and finished with the fourth overall ranked defense (312.2 yards allowed per game). However, the offense is another story. Buffalo finished 18th in passing yards (225.9) and 25th in rushing yards (92.6) last year. EJ Manuel was benched after just four games for Kyle Orton who retired earlier this offseason. That leaves Ryan and the Bills without a lot of options at quarterback.
Definitely starting to sound familiar, right?
As a result, ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. projects the Bills to select Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty with the 50th overall pick.
"This is one I really struggled with," Kiper wrote. "On one hand, I don't think Petty is ready to start NFL games in his first season. On the other hand, a couple of the biggest needs I have (guard, inside linebacker) are at positions at which you can find starters into Day 3. When Stephone Anthony went off the board at No. 49, I decided to roll the dice on Petty and add a developmental piece to a roster that is, outside of the giant question mark at QB, in decent shape."
Matt Cassel has proven serviceable under center in the past and he will likely begin the season as Buffalo's starter. The hope for the Bills is that the improved offensive talent (LeSean McCoy, Sammy Watkins, Percy Harvin, Charles Clay) will help to mask some of the quarterback deficiencies that are present. Petty will likely compete with Manuel for the primary back up gig.
Bills fans shouldn't expect to find their QB savior in this draft, especially without a first-round pick. Petty is a nice player, but there's a reason he is still available in the second-round in this mock draft.
