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Buffalo Bills' 2016 draft class: Analysis, grades, best picks, highlights

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Bills capitalize on 2016 draft, deserve 'A' grade (1:24)

ESPN Bills reporter Mike Rodak wraps up Buffalo's 2016 draft by assigning them an 'A' grade for their selections of Shaq Lawson and Reggie Ragland, who were both projected to come off the board ahead of the Bills' first pick at No. 19. (1:24)

With the 2016 NFL draft now complete, every fan wants to review his or her team's draft. Where were the reaches? Was there enough value? Any potential busts?

ESPN Insider's NFL draft experts are here to provide a full recaps of every team.

For all 32 NFL teams, click here.

Buffalo Bills

Scouts Inc. on 2016 class

1 (19) Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson | Highlights

What he brings: Lawson has a great looking frame, a strong football-character makeup and plays with infectious energy. He is an excellent run defender with heavy hands and quality upper-body power. While he has some athletic limitations, he possesses a strong combination of quickness, power and relentlessness as a pass-rusher. He will provide an immediate physical edge to a front seven and should quickly develop into an impact edge defender. -- Kevin Weidl

How he fits: Lawson adds some youth on the edge and helps ease the loss of Mario Williams' departure in free agency. He also plays with a relentless motor and physical edge that head coach Rex Ryan covets on defense. Lawson does come with some durability concerns due to a shoulder injury, but should push for a starting spot opposite of Manny Lawson quickly if he remains healthy. -- Kevin Weidl


2 (41) Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama | Highlights

What he brings: The top run-stopping linebacker in this class, Ragland brings size, excellent point-of-attack skills and a strong understanding of geometry with pursuit angles to provide him with sideline-to-sideline range. He also brings a physical element to his game and is an impactful knock-back tackler. While he has some athletic limitations, he has better third-down value than people think, including an underrated pass-rushing presence. He also brings outstanding football character and is one of the more NFL-ready prospects who could step in on day one as a starter. -- Kevin Weidl

How he fits: The 18th-best player on our board and the best player available, Ragland is an excellent value at this point in Round 2. He represents an immediate upgrade over inside linebacker Preston Brown, who struggled last year, and Ragland is a powerful run-stopper who should help improve Buffalo's run defense, which finished 16th in rushing yards allowed per game in 2015. While he's not great in coverage, defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman could use him as a pass-rusher. -- Steve Muench


3 (80) Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State | Highlights

What he brings: Washington is a one-gap penetrator who is best fit as a 3-technique for a base 4-3 front. He doesn't have point-of-attack skills as a run defender, and he becomes far less effective when he plays with high pad level. Washington, however, has the first-step quickness and active hands to squeeze through gaps and create disruption, both as run defender and as a pass-rusher on the interior. -- Kevin Weidl

How he fits: DT Kyle Williams is 32 years old and missed 10 games with a knee injury last year, so Buffalo needed to add depth on the interior defensive line. The Bills continue to strengthen the front seven with Washington, who is a one-gap penetrator who provides interior pass rushing help. -- Kevin Weidl


4 (139) Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State | Highlights

What he brings: Jones has elite physical tools. He looked like an early-round pick during his first three starts at Ohio State -- wins in the Big Ten title game, Sugar Bowl and national championship game in the 2014 postseason. Instead of progressing, however, Jones regressed to the point that he didn't play in the final three games of the 2015 season. His accuracy and decision-making will have to improve dramatically if he wants to unlock his considerable potential. -- Steve Muench

How he fits: Jones has the size and arm strength that fits in the AFC East and in Buffalo to handle the inclement weather. He needs time to develop his touch, quicken his decision-making and continue to mature to handle the responsibilities required for the position. The good news is that he won't have to play right away and the starter Tyrod Taylor has an exceptional approach to the game and will be a solid mentor to help Jones develop. -- Kevin Weidl


5 (156) Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas | Highlights

What he brings: Williams missed the entire 2015 season after breaking his left ankle during a preseason scrimmage, so there are concerns about his health and long-term durability. He's a bigger back who has quick feet and shows good natural power on his 2014 tape. He only caught 26 passes at Arkansas, but he flashes good ball skills given the opportunity, and he shows good awareness in pass protection. He also has great football makeup, and he stayed heavily involved in the program despite not playing last season. -- Steve Muench


6 (192) Kolby Listenbee, WR, TCU | Highlights

What he brings: Listenbee is a vertical receiver who was also a sprinter on the school's track team. He is a quick starter who can eat up cushions to get behind defenders. He had the second-fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Listenbee shows an extra gear running down vertical throws and also shows very good focus tracking and completing the catch. He still needs to add polish to his game. There are also some durability issues for Listenbee because of a sports hernia injury. -- Kevin Weidl


6 (218) Kevon Seymour, CB, USC | Highlights

What he brings: The 2015 season didn't unfold as hoped for Seymour; a knee injury that caused him to miss two games hampered him early in the year and an ankle injury sidelined him for the Holiday Bowl. In addition, his technique needs work, and he wasn't a ball hawk at Southern Cal. Seymour, however, tested well at the combine, and he shows above-average cover skills on tape. He has the tools to provide quality depth early in his career and could develop into a starter. -- Steve Muench


Mel Kiper's Draft Grade: B

Kiper: This draft class is an impressive double-edged sword for Rex Ryan and brother Rob Ryan: it gives them some much-needed help on defense, and could also be the class the front office points to if the defense doesn't get better. It's "Here you go, Rex. This better work." Last year was bizarro football for a Rex Ryan-coached team -- it was the defense that kept Buffalo from the playoffs. Well, here comes some help. Shaq Lawson led college football in tackles for loss last season, and was my No. 12 prospect, so I like the value at No. 19. The concern: a number of teams believe he needs shoulder surgery, even if it can be delayed. I love the addition of Reggie Ragland at linebacker (even though the price was steep), a classic thumper who lacks elite range but can be a leader in the middle of the defense. Adolphus Washington provides solid value in Round 3 at another need position along the D-line; he can be a penetrator from the interior, and early in the season I wouldn't have suspected he'd be available this late. Cardale Jones is nowhere close to starting an NFL game, but he doesn't need to be, and the value is fine.


Todd McShay's favorite pick

Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama (No. 41 pick)

Ragland fell to the second round due to concerns over his cover skills, but he flies to the ball in the run game. Rex Ryan will love the way he practices and tackles. He was the only player I saw who was able to stop Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott dead in his tracks and drop him backward. This was a great value and a big upgrade for the Bills, who saw Preston Brown really struggle last season. I also love the Shaq Lawson pick at No. 19 overall. He plays with a junkyard-dog mentality that's tough to stifle for 60 minutes. Lawson and Ragland will bring immediate energy and toughness to the Bills' defense.