The NFL Draft is fast approaching and as the first round starts on Thursday night a number of teams are looking at their final decisions on players and could surprise many with who they select as the cameras roll at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Since the draft is not stocked with superstars like RG3 and Andrew Luck from last year, the 2013 class is expected to give a few surprises, especially in the first 10 picks. Heading into the offseason many felt that West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith was the number one rated passer, but as time has gone on, many teams have been elevating Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib and it is getting more and more likely that he will be the first quarterback selected on Thursday. The most likely team to select him is the Buffalo Bills at number eight, as Nassib played for coach Doug Marrone at Syracuse, while the Arizona Cardinals could also go after him one pick before at seven.
Both the Cardinals and Bills added quarterbacks this offseason in Carson Palmer and Kevin Kolb, but that may not stop them from drafting a young star who they can develop behind the veteran. The Bills may need to trade up to number six to ensure themselves a chance at getting Nassib and that could be in the Cardinals' favor, as they could be bluffing at taking a quarterback and could go after Lane Johnson or Sharrif Floyd if he falls from the top five. Since the top is not filled with elite talent, the Bulls may feel it is best to get the player they want and overpay for Nassib, since they can sign him to a decent contract based on the new collective bargaining agreement.
Nassib leads a quarterback class that includes Smith, Matt Scott, Tyler Bray, Landry Jones, Tyler Wilson and Matt Barkley and after playing so well at Syracuse last year scouts have been raving about his arm strength and his ability inside the pocket. Nassib also can play from the pistol and shotgun formations, which is what the Bills may use this season under Marrone. Scouts like Nassib's size and he did very well in team interviews according to ESPN analyst Todd McShay.
Jon Gruden feels that Marrone will select Nassib in a similar way that Miami went after Ryan Tannehill since they had his old coach in Mike Sherman on the staff and it could be a simple transition under Marrone. The Bills have not had a franchise quarterback in years and Marrone may want to tie himself to someone he trust like Nassib, rather than a free agent like Kolb.
Other teams that could be in the market for Nassib include the Jaguars, Eagles as well as the Jets, who now have two first round picks after trading Darrelle Revis and could take a risk with one of them if Buffalo passes at eight.