There’s a foreign and refreshing feeling complementing the brisk mid-December air in Western New York – there are two weeks remaining on the NFL calendar, and fans of the Buffalo Bills have meaningful football to look forward to past the new year.
There’s postseason football ahead for the ever-passionate members of Bills Mafia. The 2020 NFL Draft is likely the last thing on their minds.
ESPN writer Todd McShay feels as though the Bills will add to their receiving corps on the first night of the NFL Draft, as he released his first mock draft before the upcoming draft.
Arizona State wideout Brandon Aiyuk heads to the Bills in McShay’s first mock draft.
Here’s how the analyst explains the pick:
23. Buffalo Bills
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Yes, John Brown and Cole Beasley have been a big part of the Bills’ offense in quarterback Josh Allen’s second season, but that doesn’t mean the team doesn’t need more help on that side of the ball. Aiyuk improves Buffalo’s receiving corps with his versatility and speed. But don’t be surprised if the Bills consider an edge rusher or cornerback here.
Aiyuk would add youth to a Buffalo receiving corps that’s largely anchored by veterans. John Brown and Cole Beasley, who together account for 58 percent of quarterback Josh Allen’s 2,876 passing yards, will be 30 and 31 years of age, respectively, when the 2020 NFL season commences. Though neither player has shown signs of slowing down, adding youth to an aging position group is never a bad idea.
Aiyuk also fits the mold of what the Bills look for in a wide receiver. Buffalo seems to value speed and agility over size in its receivers, and though the 6-foot-1 Aiyuk would immediately become the third-tallest wideout on the roster, physicality isn’t really part of his game.
The Sun Devil instead creates space with his speed and shiftiness off the line of scrimmage. As McShay noted, he’s quite versatile, as well, as Arizona State lined him up in both the slot and on the boundary throughout his collegiate career.
He’s coming off a career year in Tempe, as he reeled in 65 passes for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior season. Arizona State also utilized his agility on kick and punt returns, as he returned 54 total kicks for 1,078 yards and one score throughout his collegiate career.
Simply put, Aiyuk is a weapon – an ever-present deep threat who can also pick up cheap yardage on screen passes thanks to his agility. Though it’s too early to identify which positions groups Buffalo will look to address early in the 2020 draft, Aiyuk certainly wouldn’t be a bad selection.
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