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Fantasy Football Impact: Buffalo Bills 2013 Draft

Having decided it was time to part ways with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo was clearly in need of a quarterback coming into this draft. Though they greatly overpaid for him at No. 16 overall the Bills got their man in E.J. Manuel from FSU. Buffalo also build great depth around Steve Johnson at WR, adding Robert Woods (USC) and Marquise Goodwin (Texas). Both rookies will have a shot to earn real playing time and could be fantasy factors as early as 2013. On the defensive side of the ball, Buffalo added a big play linebacker with Kiko Alonso (Oregon) and solid depth at the safety position with Duke Williams (Nevada) and Johnathan Meeks (Clemson).

Fantasy Impact

Manuel is a mature and experienced player who will likely overcome many of the issues that rookie signal-caller normally struggle with and is surrounded by a number of enticing weapons. A recent minor knee procedure will keep Manuel out of the lineup on opening day, but it will not be long before he takes over for veteran Kevin Kolb. If an when he overtakes the role Manuel’s rushing ability presents us with QB2 upside on a week to week basis.

Robert Woods will be a very good pro and if someone at the quarterback position can get him the ball he will be productive immediately. Opponents simply must respect Buffalo’s run game and with Stevie Johnson attracting the secondary’s attention, Woods will have opportunity to work against one on one coverage out of the slot. Don’t go reaching for him, but this guy could be a steal in the later rounds and is a potential first-rounder in dynasty rookie drafts.

Like Woods, Marquise Goodwin could find himself being fantasy relevant. Goodwin is a straight burner who posted one of the top 40-times at combine. I do not see him consistently putting up solid fantasy numbers but he’ll be good for a few long catches and has the chance to develop into a nice complimentary option.

Expect Kiko Alonso to provide some big plays at the middle linebacker spot and he makes a solid late-round pick in IDP drafts. The Bills Defense should be better than it was last year, but I think everyone said the same thing a year ago.

Dustin Hopkins was drafted so you know he is going to be the kicker for Buffalo, and everyone needs a kicker right?

Draft Results

RoundPickPlayerPositionCollege
116E.J. ManuelQBFlorida State
241Robert WoodsWRSouthern California
246Kiko AlonsoLBOregon
378Marquise GoodwinWRTexas
4105Duke WilliamsFSNevada
5143Johnathan MeeksSClemson
6177Dustin HopkinsPKFlorida State
7222Chris GraggTEArkansas

 

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