The 2025 Idiot Mock Award. Nominations Accepted Now

[BigAl2526]

Usually, I just do this on my own.  That is, I scan through the myriad mock drafts being generated on the internet, and pick out ones that really outdo themselves in terms of the sheer stupidity their picks for the Bills.  I thought maybe I could collect suggestions for stupid drafts on this thread.  Feel free to contribute.  Maybe I can pick a winner myself, or maybe I could do a poll.  We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.  

 

In any case, here is my first nominee:  DraftWire has a mock draft authored by Curt Popjoy.  It is a three round effort.  I admit the second round picks for Buffalo are decent.  Trey Amos at #56 seems like a fine pick   Kyle Kennard at #62 works as well.  It's the first round pick that makes my jaw drop - Gray Zabel offensive tackle from North Dakota State.

Really?  Granted, he's rated as a late first/early second round value and he's versatile, having experience at all spots on the offensive line, but he's short armed for an NFL tackle, and his athletic profile isn't terribly impressive.  He's elite in his vertical jump and excellent in his standing broad jump. but is otherwise pretty average or below.  He runs a 5.3 40.  Then, of course, he's from North friggin Dakota State.  The biggest issue is offensive line is the strongest position group on the whole team except for QB, and the depth might be better than the depth at QB.   Still available to Buffalo when they pick are DT Derrick Harmon, WRs Matthew Golden and Emeka Egbuka, CBs Azareye'h Thomas and Shavon Revel, and edge rusher Landon Jackson (whom the Bills reportedly love)  

 

Be alert and post your thoughts on terrible picks made for the Bills.

[transient]

Damn, I was checking in to see if I won an award for mocking an idiot and instead I find a thread about mock drafts... I wonder what DC Tom is up to these days.

[Richard Noggin]

I've generated some doozies in recent weeks. That being said, not sure I can (ironically) top drafting Zabel at 30 over Harmon, Golden, Thomas, and Revel. Zabel would come in and compete with Edwards at LG, I presume? Or he'd be a backup, which is not exactly what pick 30 is for. The Bills could instead find a future 2026 LG on day three, allowing Edwards to play out his current deal, and adding instead an impact player at 30. Does cutting Edwards now save significant cap? 

[GunnerBill]

Zabel is a guard at the NFL level I would think, possibly even a center. And the Bills do, beyond this season, have possible question marks about the interior offensive line with both McGovern and Edwards going into their contract years. So as a non-Bills expert looking in I don't think giving them a long term interior offensive linemen is necessarily a total fail. 

 

However, those of us who know how this regime operates know that despite some years where their oline was a significant problem they have never drafted an offensive lineman in round one. Fair, I think, to assume they'd only be willing to break that for a left tackle. Which is not a need and which Zabel wouldn't necessarily fill even if it were. Secondly, his arms are below the Bills minimum threshold at 32 inches. Of the nine offensive linemen that we all expect to make the Bills roster in 2025 only SVPG has below 33 inch arms. And he spent his entire rookie year as their third string center. Whether it is edge rusher, corner, or offensive line.... we know the Bills care about arm length. Can't ever imagine them drafting a first round offensive lineman who doesn't meet that physical profile.

[Ralonzo]

It’s not a perfect fit but there are upsides to Zabel in having multiple position flex, which the Bills value, and having shown out in the prospect games/practices despite some nagging injuries. It would help solve problems going forward after 2025 on the OL with expiring contracts.

 

That said, the Bills have acquired flex guys like Bates and Anderson for basically free, and the pick projects to have minimal impact for the 2025 season which the Bills really can’t afford from #30.

[BigAl2526]

Zabel is not a terrible lineman.  I don't disagree with any of the positive attributes suggested in the thread so far, but the fact remains that this is a first round pick.  Teams are going to at least find an immediate starter in the first round, if not a high impact player.  Zabel is not going to start for the Bills in 2025.  Maybe he would eventually.  He's certainly not a high impact player. for them.  I'm not sure he would be for anybody.

[nosejob]

I nominate a 4 rd. idiot mock on NFL.com by one Chad Reuter. This one's in the bag.

[RyanC883]

Here is one.  The first round pick is puzzling.  I get DE, but with DT Harmon on the board as well as WR Golden, I'm not sure you pass those guys up for a DE with potential character issues.  Round 2, they go with a 3T DT.  Also puzzling.  The CB pick in Rd. 2 is the only one that makes sense here.  

 

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-mock-draft-2025-7-rounds/1b40b70c0e02597982466b59

[YattaOkasan]

19 minutes ago, nosejob said:

I nominate a 4 rd. idiot mock on NFL.com by one Chad Reuter. This one's in the bag.

Pick 24 (trade our 2 4ths to Minnesota for pick 24): Azareye'h Thomas Florida State · CB · Junior

Pick 56: Kevin Winston Jr. Penn State · S · Junior

Pick 62: Xavier Restrepo Miami · WR · Senior

 

I agree thats pretty silly.  Thomas in the first aint too bad but at the cost of 2x 4th round picks to move up 6 spots thats silly.  Then nothing on the DL is clearly not understanding team needs.

17 minutes ago, RyanC883 said:

Here is one.  The first round pick is puzzling.  I get DE, but with DT Harmon on the board as well as WR Golden, I'm not sure you pass those guys up for a DE with potential character issues.  Round 2, they go with a 3T DT.  Also puzzling.  The CB pick in Rd. 2 is the only one that makes sense here.  

 

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-mock-draft-2025-7-rounds/1b40b70c0e02597982466b59

Lol thomas (who was projected to be worth pick 30 and 2 4th round picks) is available at pick 62.  I think by definition means Chad Reuter's is sillier

 

Lol dude is on a tear.  His previous 3 round had us moving up to pick 24 again for the same price but at least we get kenneth Graham in that one.  not a CB that very would almost certainly be available at 30 (unless hes rocketing up boards and i dont realize).

Edited 20 hours ago by YattaOkasan