2011 MCM Mock Draft - Pick #3

by gramsey712 on Jan 25, 2011 3:00 PM CST in MCM Mock Draft

With the third pick of the 2011 Music City Miracles Mock Draft, the Buffalo Bills (represented by DonFrancisco) select:

Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn University

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

From DonFrancisco:

This just in: the Bills haven't been good for a while, and so several positions need to filled or upgraded. That makes my job a lot easier since I can go after the best player available AND fill a need position.To be honest, I was not prepared for the draft to go in this direction. I was hoping Peterson or Green would be there to drastically improve two areas that could use an upgrade. However, pretty much the whole Bills defense, including the DL, is an area of need. The Bills ranked last in the NFL against the run and 3rd against the pass (b/c no one had to pass to beat the Bills). When you break the stats down Football Outsiders style, the Bills consistently rank in the lower third of the NFL on defense in just about every category. Therefore an upgrade of the DL with Nick Fairley can only help.

As mentioned on this site several times Fairley has been unFairley compared to Suh and Haynesworth. At his current size, strength, and speed, he compares more favorably with a Sapp(a positive comparison) or a Dorsey(not so positive comparison at least for a 3rd overall pick). For the Bills, he would most likely play DE in the 3-4 and occasionally shift over to play NT as well. He is a bit undersized for a 3-4 NT, but has skills to fill the position in certain situations. Fairley is a bit of a risk with issues like cheap shots and a history of taking plays off, but at times he has been dominant against high level competition. The Bills cannot afford to overlook his potential talent to upgrade their defense.

You will see several mock drafts that have the Bills taking a QB(specifically Gabbert). While the Bills need an upgrade at this position, Ryan Fitzpatrick is certainly serviceable and can hold down the position for another year or two. In addition, I am anything but sold on Gabbert as a NFL star. Others I did consider for this pick include Bowers, Dareus, and Amakumara.

Now on the clock: carlostable and the Cincinnati Bengals

Carolina Panthers - A.J. Green, WR, UGA
Denver Broncos - Patrick Peterson, DB, LSU
Buffalo Bills - Nick Fairley, DT, AU
Cincinnati Bengals
Arizona Cardinals
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Tennessee Titans
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Detroit Lions
St. Louis Rams
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Jacksonville Jaguars
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Kansas City Chiefs
Indianapolis Colts
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Atlanta Falcons
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Pittsburgh Steelers

GO TITANS!

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Comments

thought it would be Cam

by CJ2K shrine on Jan 25, 2011 3:16 PM CST via mobile reply actions

unFairley

ha! I see what you did there…brilliant!

by Ed R on Jan 25, 2011 3:25 PM CST reply actions

I missed my chance!!!

Oh well gram knows I can fill in if someone doesn’t respond again

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

by SouthTexasTitan on Jan 25, 2011 3:28 PM CST via mobile reply actions

sorry I hadnt updated my email. I have had a MCM account for too long.

I’m an early bird and a night owl. So I’m wise and I have worms.

BOOM! You've been pharmacisted!

by DonFrancisco on Jan 25, 2011 4:14 PM CST up reply actions

Don't we get 24 hours from when we receive the email?

Future ghostwriter of Jeff Fisher's autobiography, "Moustache Ride: A True Story of Love, Lies and Betrayal".

We've had five-game losing streaks for twelve years now...and in no way is that depressing.

by ronburgundy7427 on Jan 25, 2011 4:17 PM CST up reply actions

the email on my account did not work, b/c it has been inactive for maybe a 1 year+...I obviously didnt check it.

if they can’t contact you…they will move on. Luckily, I have friends in high places.

I’m an early bird and a night owl. So I’m wise and I have worms.

BOOM! You've been pharmacisted!

by DonFrancisco on Jan 25, 2011 4:24 PM CST up reply actions

Don is correct

EVERYONE UPDATE YOUR PROFILE EMAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111

Official MCM Hater!

JIMMY LOVES CAM NEWTON!!!!!!!!11

by gramsey712 on Jan 25, 2011 4:24 PM CST up reply actions

Good pick considering the first two.

He’s got the talent…it’s the brains that worry you (could be a Haynesworth headache potentially).

Future ghostwriter of Jeff Fisher's autobiography, "Moustache Ride: A True Story of Love, Lies and Betrayal".

We've had five-game losing streaks for twelve years now...and in no way is that depressing.

by ronburgundy7427 on Jan 25, 2011 3:32 PM CST reply actions

The irishman is now on the clock

I’m an early bird and a night owl. So I’m wise and I have worms.

BOOM! You've been pharmacisted!

by DonFrancisco on Jan 25, 2011 4:28 PM CST reply actions

intresting pick

"You are so dumb, you are really dumb... fo' real"

by MexicanTitanFreak on Jan 25, 2011 4:46 PM CST reply actions

the interior of that line looks good now

Fairley and Kyle Williams (HUGE snub from the Pro Bowl; literally and figuratively) would be unstoppable.

Get 'em.
"it ain't no sin in goin to da scrip club."
Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

by danielreese05 on Jan 25, 2011 4:53 PM CST reply actions

could he hold the point as a 3-4 end?

would be very interesting to see how they would use Fairly in a 3-4 D. he is light and quick with not elite, but good strength. they would have to employ a Wade Phillips 3-4 under style that would emphasize his pass rush abilities over his gap control. i dont question his effectiveness in a 43, but i dont know how he could hold up in a 34.

BTW, the comment on Dorsey really isnt true anymore. he was injured his rookie year and had to transition to a 34 end in his next, but ask Chiefs fans what they think of the young LSU duo at the ends and im sure youll get positive responses.

by MoonDog33 on Jan 25, 2011 5:42 PM CST reply actions

Dorsey is playing better

But would the chiefs still use the fifth pick of the draft on him? I doubt it.

Fairly is light for a 3-4 NT, but not for an end. He is the same size as tyson Jackson who was referenced later in these comments. He is not as big as a Ngata, but few are. Look at the rosters for the teams that run 3-4. The ends are all about the same size as Fairley.

I’m an early bird and a night owl. So I’m wise and I have worms.

BOOM! You've been pharmacisted!

by DonFrancisco on Jan 26, 2011 8:35 AM CST up reply actions

not just size that im worried about

im talking about strength at the point of attack. fairly was great at quick penetration and disruption, but i dont know how he would hold up as a traditional 34 end.

by MoonDog33 on Jan 26, 2011 9:34 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, I don't see Fairley as a 3-4 tackle or end

He seems the perfect fit for a 4-3 defense, so I’m not sure this is a good pick. I could actually see Marcel Dareus being selected in this spot instead. I think he would be a good fit as a 3-4 DE (similar to the Tyson Jackson pick couple of years ago for the Chiefs in this same spot).

by shawneriksmith on Jan 25, 2011 5:50 PM CST reply actions

fairley is the same size as dareus

fairley 6’5" 298
dareus 6’4" 305

I’m an early bird and a night owl. So I’m wise and I have worms.

BOOM! You've been pharmacisted!

by DonFrancisco on Jan 26, 2011 8:30 AM CST up reply actions

doesn't fairley look bloated in this pic?

Hey Look, a One line Signature.

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Jan 26, 2011 1:39 PM CST up reply actions

This is a great selection

The Bills need help on both lines, which makes that Spiller draft pick of last year all the more confusing. Hopefully they aren’t confused again, and if things play out this way, getting easily one of the top talents on the board.

by Jeff Fisher's Power Stache on Jan 25, 2011 5:55 PM CST reply actions

This is kind of a let down...

…As I am a Titans fanatic and want himt o fall to us. I do however agree with this pick for the Bills. They have to take the best available player and depending on which direction they want to take the team, be it offense or defense. He id definately the best player left on defense and they have needs everywhere. I do question why they would turn a perfect 4-3 guy into a 3-4 guy though. The transition is not always easy. Talent is talent though so we will see…

If I were any better, I'd be a lifetime .500 coach.

by NFL Jack on Jan 25, 2011 6:53 PM CST reply actions

should there be an acceleration of the on the clock for teams?

if we want to get 3 or 4 rounds in before the combine

MCM's 1st Fanboy of the Gabbert & Fig Newton Cam show

by nolesbroncos3456 on Jan 25, 2011 6:56 PM CST reply actions

doubt we will do 3-4...2 at best

2 picks a day is pretty good rate for this site and it’s previous mocks

I’m an early bird and a night owl. So I’m wise and I have worms.

BOOM! You've been pharmacisted!

by DonFrancisco on Jan 26, 2011 12:02 PM CST up reply actions

3 or 4 rounds is getting a little deep for a mock draft, anway, isnt it?

I mean, how many people (other than me) set up their own pesonal big board?

"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"

by TennesseeTyrants on Jan 26, 2011 2:39 PM CST up reply actions