There are mixed reviews on the potential of Iowa offensive tackle Riley Reiff. Some observers think he's a legit top-10 draft pick, while others say he could struggle as an offensive tackle at the next level.
Reiff is an interesting prospect for the AFC East. At the very least, he's on the radar of the Miami Dolphins (No. 8), Buffalo Bills (No. 10) and New York Jets (No. 16). All three teams need a starting left or right tackle. In ESPN.com's blogger mock draft, Reiff went No. 10 to the Bills.
ESPN draft expert Todd McShay weighed in on Reiff's potential and other top offensive tackles in his most recent conference call.
"It's interesting. There is a lot of depth in the first round. You've got one elite offensive tackle in [Matt] Kalil. Then there is a drop off. Then there are a group of different guys that can fit holes. I think Riley Reiff is never going to be elite, but he's always going to be solid coming out of Iowa. Cordy Glenn is a right tackle prospect. Jonathan Martin needs to get stronger and is maybe not ready to step in and be a good starter at left tackle now, but he has the potential to be."
McShay is not calling Reiff a future bust or a future Pro Bowler. But is "solid" enough for a top-eight or top-10 pick? That is the question the Dolphins and Bills would have to consider.
Miami doesn't need a left tackle. So I think chances are not great that the Dolphins will draft Reiff at No. 8 to play on the right side. But Buffalo, which needs a left tackle, is probably the strongest possibility for Reiff in the AFC East. The Jets would also consider Reiff as a potential replacement for starting right tackle Wayne Hunter if Reiff falls to No. 16.