Below is the fourth edition of Mock Draft Watch – a rundown of the latest mock drafts compiled by Buffalobills.com via local and national NFL reporters …
Thursday, February 9 – Chad Reuter, NFL.com
#10 DE Quinton Coples, UNC
Reuter’s take: The Bills have had to switch between the 3-4 and 4-3 defenses the past two years due to injuries and ineffectiveness. Coples could play in either system, using his strength to hold the point and offer some pass rush as a strong-side 4-3 end, or serving as a nice foil to fellow five-technique 
Thursday, February 9 – Russ Lande, Sporting News
#10 DE Quinton Coples, UNC
Lande’s take: With the Bills moving back to a 4-3 base defense, they must find players who can play defensive end in that scheme. Coples is a perfect fit in a 4-3 and shined at the Senior Bowl, showing all the tools to make an immediate impact.
Thursday, February 9 – Dane Brugler, USAToday.com
#10 LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
Brugler’s take: The Bills finished tied for 27th in the league in sacks. Upshaw can team with former Tide teammate Marcel Dareus to create pressure in the 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.
Monday, February 13 – Mark Gaughan, Buffalo News
#10 LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
Gaughan’s take: There's a chance Coples could last until No. 10. Upshaw isn't a blazing speed rusher, but he's a good football player.
Wednesday, February 15 – Joe Buscaglia, WGR 550
#10 DE Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
Buscaglia’s take: Here's what you've all been waiting for. The Bills are in need of a player that can be able to transform along with the defensive front. Ingram can do it all, and has done it all for South Carolina in his career. Even-front defensive end? Check. Even-front defensive tackle? Check. Odd-front outside linebacker? Check. Odd-front defensive end? Check. Ingram provides the versatility to do a lot of different things in defensive looks. Not to mention, I think he's the best overall defensive end/pass-rushing prospect in this draft. He may not have the desired height (just a shade below 6-foot-2), but I can see him being used a little bit of everywhere by the Bills and Dave Wannstedt.
#41 LB Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma
Buscaglia’s take: To me, Lewis can be best used as a 4-3 strongside linebacker that can get after the quarterback. With
Wednesday, February 15 – Wes Bunting, National Football Post
#10 DT Michael Brockers, LSU
Bunting’s take: Brockers is a talented defensive lineman capable of maturing into a real game changer up front. He’s got the ability to play all over the Bills D-line early and offers them a lot of 3-4 and 4-3 versatility.
Wednesday, February 15 – Charley Casserly, NFL.com
# 10 DE Whitney Mercilus, Illinois
Casserly’s take: With Buffalo transitioning to a 4-3 defense, Mercilus can fill a fresh void at defensive end.
Wednesday, February 15 – Mel Kiper, ESPN.com (Insider access required)
#10 LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
Kiper’s take: This is another pick that I'm staying with for now. The pass rush still needs a lot of help, and Upshaw is currently the best 3-4 outside linebacker in the draft. Even as Buffalo looks to shift that defense to a 4-3 (see Denver's draft strategy at No. 2 last year) Upshaw can still easily fit. Don't pass talent because of small scheme questions. He should be able to apply a lot of pressure to opposing quarterbacks from the edge for whoever gets him for 2012. Remember, nobody on the Bills managed more than 5.5 sacks in 2011, and as a team, they simply haven't been able to get pressure unless they bring numbers. This is an energetic talent, an edge linebacker in the mold of a more athletic LaMarr Woodley, a guy who has been well-coached and can start early.
