2014 DBN Mock Draft: Buffalo Bills Select TE Eric Ebron at No. 9

With the ninth pick in the 2014 Dawgs By Nature Community Mock Draft, the Buffalo Bills select...

Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina

This selection and write-up was made by Stigosaurus:

This was a difficult pick for me. The Bills could use an upgrade on the offensive line, but the only two prospects I’d take this early are gone. Some safety help would be beneficial, but I don’t have any rated quite this high. The top wide receivers in this draft are still available, but if I’m the Bills I want to see how Robert Woods, T.J. Graham, and Marquise Goodwin continue to develop, as well as if Mike Williams can return to the form he enjoyed in his first few years in the league. Not to mention Stevie Johnson, who remains a dangerous weapon.

Finally, I come to tight end. The Bills re-signed TE Scott Chandler, but have little else on the roster at the position. Eric Ebron looks to continue to develop into the big, fast, pass-catching tight end that is so popular in the NFL now. At 6'4" with a 4.6 40-yard-dash time he’s drawn comparisons to Vernon Davis. Ebron will need to improve his blocking and consistency at the next level and will have time to do so as he shares the field with Chandler. That said, he should instantly become a valuable threat in E.J. Manuel’s arsenal.

Adding another weapon ensures that Manuel has all the tools he needs to succeed in the NFL, and the depth and talent available at offensive line and wide receiver in this draft mean the Bills can still upgrade the line and consider adding another receiving prospect later.

The jury is still out on E.J. Manuel, but obviously, the Bills are going to want to surround him with some more playmakers on offense, considering how well the defense did last year. Whether it be a tight end or a wide receiver here, the Bills can afford to be pretty flexible with who they take at No. 9 overall.

The Detroit Lions are up next, led by tmptplayer.

2014 DBN Community Mock Draft Results (so far)