A huge talking point for the Buffalo Bills early this offseason is Jordan Poyer.
Through a 2023 NFL draft mock, CBS Sports gives us their guess as to what will happen.
In a recent prediction for the upcoming draft, the Bills take Texas A&M safety Antonio Johnson. While Poyer’s name is not in the analysis of why Buffalo takes him with their first-round pick at No. 27 overall, the writing is on the wall.
If the Bills make a move for a safety in Round 1, it’s because Poyer is gone, leaving a massive hole.
Here’s how CBS Sports describes the selection:
Some teams will look at Antonio Johnson and have no idea what position he plays. Others will look at him as a guy who can play anywhere. It’s an eye-of-the-beholder situation, as the Aggies played Johnson at safety, in the slot, and occasionally at linebacker. A good defensive coordinator can figure out all sorts of ways to use him.
While Johnson is not the first safety taken in CBS Sports’ mock,some do consider him the top safeties the draft. Pro Football Focus named him the top safety in college football heading into 2022 as well.
At 6-foot-3, Johnson has ideal size for a defensive back. Interestingly, as a first rounder, Johnson would get a good look at starting next to Micah Hyde in place of Poyer in 2023.
But as CBS Sports breaks down, Johnson is an extremely versatile defender. That’s more similar to Hyde’s skill set than Poyer’s.
Nonetheless, Johnson would get at least a year to work with Hyde as he still has one year remaining on his contract unlike Poyer who is a pending free agent.
What must be noted, this could all change. It might be a longshot, but free agency is before the upcoming draft. If Buffalo does keep Poyer around, Johnson would not be on the team’s radar in Round 1.
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