ESPN NFL Draft gurus Mel Kiper Jr., and Todd McShay actually agree on one thing in regard to their first two-round mock drafts each released. They both see the Buffalo Bills selecting a player from Notre Dame.
But the duo have two very different players.
After McShay sent the Bills wide receiver Chase Claypool two weeks ago, Kiper give Buffalo defensive end Julian Okwara in his latest mock draft which was released on Tuesday.
Here’s how Kiper breaks down the pick:
Okwara, who broke his leg in November and didn’t work out at the combine, has some versatility as a defensive end in a 4-3 defense or an outside linebacker in a 3-4. He’d be an end in Buffalo. The Bills added veteran Mario Addison to take over for Shaq Lawson, who left in free agency, but there are plenty of reps in the rotation for Okwara.
While the Bills added Mario Addison to their defensive end spot this offseason, he’s 32 while Jerry Hughes is 31. While still plenty left in the tank for those two, Buffalo lacks a long-term prospect at the position. That’s why an edge defender of some sort is very much in play for Buffalo in Round 2 of the upcoming draft.
At 6-foot-4, 252 pounds, Okwara has the makings of an NFL defensive end. Okwara sat out the recent combine due to injury, but he’s flashed as a strong pass rusher at Notre Dame who plays with a high motor, something the Bills will covet. Run defense is where Okwara will likely need to prove his worth at the pro level.
Okwara finished his career at Notre Dame with 15.5 sacks, but had his best season in 2019 with five sacks, seven tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
Highest pressure rate since 2018 (@PFF)
1. Julian Okwara, Notre Dame – 19.1%
2. Curtis Weaver, Boise St – 18.2%
3. Chase Young, Ohio St – 17.6%Some team is going to steal Okwara in the 2020 draft. pic.twitter.com/ItXiowkDGu
— Anthony Treash (@PFF_Anthony) January 30, 2020
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