The Bills have already shown significant interest in Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones. They went to dinner with him an five of his Buckeye cohorts, they reportedly had a private workout with him, and he'll also be making a pre-draft visit to One Bills Drive.
According to one report, their interest just kicked up a notch. Jason LaCanfora of CBSSports.com reported Friday afternoon that the Bills are "enamored with" Jones, and are seriously considering using a Day Two selection on the 6-foot-6, 250-pound passer. The report also said the Bills were showing the most interest in Jones, Penn State's Christian Hackenberg, and Stanford's Kevin Hogan of the quarterback prospects.
Jones, a one-time highly touted draft prospect, saw his stock stumble once he was replaced last season by backup quarterback J.T. Barrett. Since the season ended, Jones has performed quite well in his pre-draft workouts and has helped teams look at the potential of what he could become.
You can read the full report here.
Joe B.'s Take
There's no denying that the fit with the Buffalo Bills would be a great one for Cardale Jones. He wouldn't have to worry about starting this season with Tyrod Taylor in place, and the Bills even have a backup there for 2016 in EJ Manuel, which could make the upcoming season be totally about Jones and his development.
He would be able to work hands on, for a full year, with noted quarterbacks coach David Lee to help him reach the potential that many think he could have. Plus, Greg Roman has had as much success with quarterbacks in the NFL as any offensive coordinators in the league, often getting more out of the player (Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick, Taylor) than anyone else had in their careers.
It all depends on when the Bills are selecting him. If they believe that strongly in Jones, they may not be able to wait around until the third round to select him. You don't necessarily want to mess up the sanctity of your draft board as a general manager, but if there's a quarterback you believe in as strongly as the report above would indicate, then don't be afraid to get the guy you want.
This much we know -- the Bills are going to select a quarterback at some point from the second to sixth round in the 2016 NFL Draft. Jones' skill-set (big arm, mobility, size), the offense he ran at Ohio State, and the fact that he won't be forced into the lineup prematurely all points to one thing: a marriage between the two sides would make a lot of sense.
