2011 MCM Mock Draft - Pick #3

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

1. Carolina Panthers - A.J. Green, WR, UGA
2. Denver Broncos - Patrick Peterson, DB, LSU
3. Buffalo Bills - Nick Fairley, DT, AU
4. Cincinnati Bengals
5. Arizona Cardinals
6. Cleveland Browns
7. San Francisco 49ers
8. Tennessee Titans
9. Dallas Cowboys
10. Washington Redskins
11. Houston Texans
12. Minnesota Vikings
13. Detroit Lions
14. St. Louis Rams
15. Miami Dolphins
16. Jacksonville Jaguars
17. New England Patriots
18. San Diego Chargers
19. New York Giants
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
21. Kansas City Chiefs
22. Indianapolis Colts
23. Philadelphia Eagles
24. New Orleans Saints
25. Seattle Seahawks
26. Baltimore Ravens
27. Atlanta Falcons
28. New England Patriots
29. New York Jets
30. Chicago Bears
31. Green Bay Packers
32. Pittsburgh Steelers

GO TITANS!