National Football League

Buffalo Bills draft preview: Plenty of solid options at No. 50

Published Apr. 23, 2015 11:09 a.m. ET

Ross Jones

The Buffalo Bills hold the No. 50 overall pick in the NFL Draft. In our 32-team preview series, FOXSports.com takes a look at their roster post-free agency and delivers a plan of attack for the last day in April.

Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley will experience the realities of mortgaging your future for a top-five pick.

While Whaley came away with wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who has superstar potential, the Bills will be without a first-round pick for the first time since 2005.

Despite going 9-7 in 2014, the Bills spent the offseason searching for a new coach amidst Doug Marrone's surprise resignation. Hiring their seventh coach since Wade Phillips was fired following the 2000 season, the Bills made quite the splash by hiring Rex Ryan.

Ryan and Whaley went on a spending spree during free agency, re-signing defensive end Jerry Hughes and then trading linebacker Kiko Alonso for running back LeSean McCoy. Then, they added speed and versatility to Greg Roman's offense by inking wide receiver Percy Harvin and tight end Charles Clay.

During Ryan's last five years in New York, the Jets drafted seven defensive backs. In fact, the Jets spent only one first-round pick on the offensive side of the ball during his tenure: quarterback Mark Sanchez.

The quarterback position in Buffalo is somewhat cloudy. Despite signing a two-year, $5 million deal, quarterback Kyle Orton retired after his first season. Orton, of course, took over for former first-round pick E.J. Manuel early into the season.

With Manuel still on the roster, the Bills signed veterans Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor. Ryan says the starter will be decided by an open competition. However this plays out will dictate Buffalo's level of success next season.

Positions of need: QB, OG, LB, DT, TE

Three options to consider at No. 50

Stephone Anthony, Clemson, LB: Aside from Ryan's obvious ties to the Clemson program, Anthony carries a 6-foot-3, 243-pound build and plays with great speed. Anthony has the ability to drop in coverage and has incredible instincts.

P.J. Williams, Florida State, CB: A DUI arrest and a hit-and-run incident could cause the former Seminole to slide down the board. While Williams is celebrated as one the best bump-and-run corners in this class, teams could question his character. The Bills could strike it rich with Williams.

Bryce Petty, Baylor, QB: Petty has been tied to the Bills quite frequently during the pre-draft process. Whaley recently went on local radio and announced his high regard for the former Baylor quarterback and his ability to come in and compete right away.