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NFL Mock Draft 7.0: Round 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft

By Ian Cummings

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: Leighton Vander Esch #38 of the Boise State Broncos celebrates with the trophy after the Broncos defeated the Oregon Ducks in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: Leighton Vander Esch #38 of the Boise State Broncos celebrates with the trophy after the Broncos defeated the Oregon Ducks in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Calvin Ridley #3 celebrates with Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide after making a seven yard touchdown catch during the fourth quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Calvin Ridley #3 celebrates with Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide after making a seven yard touchdown catch during the fourth quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Alabama. Calvin Ridley. 12. player. 16. . Wide Receiver

The Buffalo Bills could trade up from this spot. They have the draft capital to do so, and their new quarterback, A.J. McCarron, is far from a proven starter. But what if the Bills stay put? In this seven-round mock, we’ll take a look at that scenario instead.

The Bills bolstered their defense through free agency, signing Star Lotulelei, Kyle Williams, and Trent Murphy on the defensive line, while also bringing in former All-Pro cornerback Vontae Davis and free safety Rafael Bush.

For a time, it was believed that by strengthening their defense, the Bills were naturally loading up to trade up. But then the A.J. McCarron signing happened. And then the Jets trade up to No. 3 happened.

One has to wonder why the Jets settled for the No. 3 pick, and not No. 2, or even No. 1. Was it because neither the Giants or Browns were willing to budge from those spots? Were they asking for a king’s ransom, and then some? Will it be possible to leapfrog the Jets at all?

Whatever the case, the Bills could decide that, with a low-tier starter like A.J. McCarron in place (and unlike most, I’m not giving up on the Nathan Peterman project), they would rather build a stellar young core around him than lose a bevy of picks to add another arm to the quarterback room.

If the Bills are in the business of helping McCarron succeed, then the logical pick here is former Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Ridley is one of the most pro-ready receiver prospects to hit the NFL Draft in recent years. He’s a little old for a rookie, set to turn 24 years old in December, but with that age, he brings a more polished game than the average rookie. He runs crisp, precise routes, and in terms of reliability, he’s about as good as you can get in the NFL Draft.

Ridley didn’t have a great combine, but his play on the field speaks for itself. With a big body in Kelvin Benjamin and a contested catch warrior in Zay Jones, Ridley, a fast, consistent receiver with elite separation capability, would effectively complete the deadly trio for the Buffalo Bills’ offense, and he could be key to helping whoever starters at quarterback be more welcome.

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