With The Tenth Pick In The 2012 Stampede Blue Community Mock Draft, The Buffalo Bills Select...

Courtney Upshaw - OLB/DE, Alabama

Pick made by BWhitecap:

This is one of those instances where team needs meets best available. Upshaw is an elite level pass rusher, which is exactly why he is perfect for the Bills. Buffalo managed only 29 sacks last year (tied for 27th), and their anemic pass rush allowed teams to jump out to big early leads or come back in games where Buffalo had the lead. Upshaw will also help Buffalo in their transition from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense.

He is fast off the edge, and could certainly fill in alongside Sheppard, Barnett and Kelsay as a blitzing OLB. In a 4-3, he has the versatility to play as strong side linebacker or DE given his size (6'2" 268). Ideally, he could step in right away when the team goes with 3-4 as a blitzing linebacker. If transition to the 4-3 scheme takes place right away, Upshaw could step in on 3rd downs right away as a DE or linebacker, allowing them to put Merriman out to pasture.

His lack of fluidity in coverage means that he couldn't be an every down 4-3 linebacker right away. At Alabama, he struggled against the run at times when coming out of the 3 point stance, so even as a DE he would probably be best served as a blitzing specialist right away. However, I think that he would be good enough to play more than only obvious passing downs next to Kyle Williams, who takes up enough space that Upshaw's problems against the run could be covered.

Hopefully, Upshaw can provide the spark that the Bills need to pressure the QB and hopefully take the Bills back to the playoffs.

Courtney Upshaw Scouting Report from Mocking the Draft

The Chiefs, and Ty46, are on the clock.