2018 NFL mock draft: Bills get a QB without having to trade up

The Buffalo Bills will have one of the most interesting draft weekends of any team in the NFL. Leading up to the draft, general manager Brandon Beane has made a series of trades, and now has five picks in the first two rounds.

This is a draft where the Bills can re-shape their roster, or make a big trade to move up on a franchise quarterback. Unfortunately in the the SB Nation NFL writers’ mock draft, we don’t allow the latter.

With that said, though, Matt Warren of Buffalo Rumblings was still able to get a quarterback with the No. 12 pick.

12. Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

Warren: When the Buffalo Bills traded Tyrod Taylor, most observers noted that with their two first-round picks they were likely to try and move up to get a top QB in 2018. When they traded Cordy Glenn to move from 21 to 12, it further solidified the thinking. Without a trade-up possibility in this mock, Buffalo had to sit and wait for the fourth QB to be drafted, but that doesn’t mean he’s the fourth QB on their board. Allen’s big arm and measurables make him an intriguing prospect, but he’s likely going to have to sit behind AJ McCarron in 2018. Beane has mentioned a preference for arm strength over accuracy and Allen is similar to Cam Newton, who was the Panthers’ top pick franchise quarterback when Beane was in Carolina as the assistant GM. By staying put at 12 and still coming away with a QB, the Bills now have five top-100 picks remaining to build their roster around Allen.

Analysis: Look, it’s understandable why a lot of fans don’t like Allen. He’s erratic, inaccurate passer who seems to be more tools and talent than skill. But it’s clear that people in the NFL like him. So much so that he’s heavily in the discussion for not only the top five, but the first pick overall. If you assume his development comes along and his skill matches his talent, he would turn out to be an excellent choice for the Bills.

Dan Kadar’s top five players remaining

• 7. Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
• 9. Vita Vea, DT, Washington
• 13. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
• 14. Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
• 15. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

Coming up at 11 a.m. ET is Ken Meringolo of Hogs Haven making the choice for Washington. Does he go with the non-obvious option of Vita Vea?