The Bills add a wide receiver in Bleacher Report‘s way-too-early 2021 NFL mock draft which was released just hours after the conclusion of this year’s draft.
Naturally such takes should be taken with a big grain of salt since the stock of these prospects will certainly change within the next year’s time. But hey, it’s still fun to consider.
That wide receiver the Bills pick in the mock is LSU’s Terrace Marshall Jr. at No. 23 overall. Here’s how B/R break it down:
Yep, LSU has even more playmakers at wide receiver. After seeing Justin Jefferson drafted in the first round with the 2020 class, the Tigers will watch Terrace Marshall Jr. join Ja’Marr Chase on Day 1 of the 2021 draft.
Marshall is poised for a breakout as he replaces the lost production of Jefferson, but unlike the newest member of the Minnesota Vikings, this LSU wideout has elite size at 6’4″ and 200 pounds. He’s a lot like 2020 prospect Tee Higgins with his length and ability to track the ball down the field—two qualities the Bills need opposite Stefon Diggs.
While wide receiver was the Bills’ biggest need this past offseason, it’d be interesting to see if that’s the case in a year. Plenty of this depends on John Brown and Cole Beasley. Both are over 30 years old, but still likely have plenty left in the tank. Of the two, Brown would be the most likely cut candidate next offseason to make room for a player like Marshall, his cap hit is $9.75 million and his dead cap hit would only be $1.6M, according to Spotrac. Having said that, it seems unlikely that the Bills would add a wide receiver because of a dip in Brown’s play.
Brown thrived during his first season in Buffalo, and now he won’t be covered as Buffalo’s No. 1 wideout. Stefon Diggs will. In fact, things are lined up for Brown to have an even better season. So unless 2020 draftee Gabriel Davis is completely terrible, there’s little chance the Bills take a first-round receiver. The more more likely options could be cornerback or tight end. Offensive line could also be in-play as well. All options also depend on how the upcoming season unfolds for the Bills and their roster.
Note: The No. 23 overall pick means B/R thinks the Bills will be a playoff team next season.
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