Round 3: Buffalo Bills | pick No. 86
Nick’s Pick:
DE Alton Robinson, Syracuse
The Bills are going to need to add a pass rusher with some promise at some point, just as they are going to need a receiver with the same. Right down the thruway is Robinson from Syracuse and he fits the Bills defense. He’s probably Syracuse’s best defensive prospect since Chandler Jones and he’s viewed as a bit of a raw player, but he displayed his skills at the combine. His 4.69 seconds in the 40-yard dash was the third-best among all defensive linemen. Robinson also posted 25 bench press reps and a 35.5-inch vertical jump. Sounds like a Day 2 pick you can mold.
Justin’s Pick:
OL Jonah Jackson, Ohio State
Jackson played four seasons at Rutgers prior to seeing the field with Ohio State as a graduate transfer. With Spain’s impending free agency status, it would behoove the Bills to find a player who can fill the gap Spain could leave behind. Obviously, if Spain signs, this pick will be different. For now, we’re going under the assumption that this spot will be open. His experience in multiple blocking systems puts him on the map for the Bills. Jackson was also a third-team All-American selection.
McKenna’s Pick:
WR Chase Claypool, Notre Dame
The Bills will draft another big-bodied receiver with Chase Claypool here. Claypool offers more versatility than Mims, who’s a more traditional wide receiver. Claypool is 6-foot-4, weighs 238 pounds, and ran a 4.43 at the 2020 NFL Combine. Due to his size, he can play at both the tight end and wide receiver position. This creates matchup problems on linebackers who can’t match his speed, and corners who can’t match his size. The addition of both Mims and Claypool gives the Bills receiving corp what it most desperately needs, balance.
Kyle’s Pick:
LB Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech
In the third round, Buffalo adds a player who can push Vosean Joseph for its starting weakside linebacker job in the form of Jordyn Brooks. A rangy sideline-to-sideline defender who is also aggressive at the line of scrimmage, Brooks would round out an athletic linebacker corps that also includes Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds. He’s a capable coverage defender who likes to get into the backfield, this made evident by his 20.0 tackles for loss in his senior season. This would be a low-risk, high-reward pick for the Bills, as even if he’s unable to supplant Joseph on the depth chart, Brooks would still serve as athletic depth and as a special-teamer.
Matt’s Pick:
CB Jaylon Johnson, Utah
Tre’Davious White is clearly the No. 1 cornerback on the team. Who lines up on the other side of him at cornerback last season was relatively contested, as the Bills coaching staff looks for the perfect complement to White’s talents. Johnson can definitely come in and compete for a starting spot alongside White, and at the least, push the competition at the position. Johnson had solid combine scores, has good size, and appropriate as a third-round selection, with 88 solo tackles, 14 assisted, seven interceptions and two pick-sixes to his credit over his collegiate career.