The University of Alabama is a breeding ground for future Buffalo Bills players in Draft Wire‘s latest 2021 mock draft.
Using the latest Super Bowl odds as a draft order, the Bills pick two players from the Crimson Tide’s offense to bolster that side of the ball in Orchard Park. The two picks are a wide receiver and offensive lineman.
First, the Bills go receiver in Round 1:
19. Buffalo Bills
DeVonta Smith | WR | Alabama
With this selection, the Bills would certainly be looking toward the future. In 2020, the Bills have a very deep receiver room, headlined by Stefon Diggs. Behind him is John Brown and Cole Beasley.
In Smith, the Bills would add a potential strong complement for Diggs over the course of the next few seasons. Smith, a 6-foot-1 target, can stand to add size, but he’s a confident player in traffic with good hands. In 2019, Smith had 68 catches for 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns for Alabama.
While some top stats right there, Smith could shoot up draft boards in 2021 after two of his teammates, Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy, both moved onto the NFL via the 2020 draft. More targets for Smith could be en route.
But if Smith is added, the Bills might need to make room for him in the short term. Both Brown and Beasley are under contract again in 2021. Plus, the Bills did add Gabriel Davis and Isaiah Hodgins at the recent draft, so much of Smith’s potential to the Bills depends on how much those two show as rookies.
While perhaps you’d have to find a spot for Smith, in Round 2, the next player taken you wouldn’t need to, Deonte Brown:
51. Buffalo Bills
Deonte Brown | OL | Alabama
Brown missed the first four games of the 2019 season due to suspension, but after returning, the massive (6-4, 338 pounds) interior lineman settled in at right guard and helped the Tide’s offensive line finish the season ranked third nationally, allowing just .92 sacks per game while opening holes for an Alabama offense that ranked No. 2 nationally in scoring (47.2 ppg), third in passing (342.2 ypg) and sixth in total offense (510.8 ypg). Some consider Brown currently a late first-round pick next season, so Buffalo could be getting some potential value here.
In regard to the Bills’ current offensive line, the team is returning all of their starters from last season. However, Buffalo doesn’t have any promising prospects along their O-line. At the recent draft, Buffalo general manger Brandon Beane did not pick any lineman. However, he did later indicate that he tried to trade up for one. Because of this, the offensive line could certainly be in play for the Bills at the upcoming draft.
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