ESPN’s NFL Draft guru in Mel Kiper Jr. has changed his mind a bit on the Buffalo Bills.
Releasing his second mock draft of the offseason, the move is Oklahoma State offensive tackle Teven Jenkins. In his first mock, the pick for the Bills was Alabama running back Najee Harris.
Here’s Kiper’s breakdown on the change:
This pick could depend on whether free-agent right tackle Daryl Williams returns and whether the Bills think former second-round pick Cody Ford could kick out to tackle. If they view him as a guard, tackle becomes an hole to fill. Jenkins played on both the left and right sides at Oklahoma State. I could see Buffalo targeting a cornerback if a guy the organization likes makes it to No. 30, and I think running back should be an option as well. This is a team that is close to being a Super Bowl contender.
As referenced, free agency will play a huge part here for Buffalo. Not only is Williams, their starting right tackle, a free agent, so is Jon Feliciano. The Bills’ offensive line could keep everyone or have a couple of holes to fill by the time the 2021 NFL Draft rolls around as free agency opens the month prior.
Jenkins could be a plug-and-play guy for right tackle, though. The Draft Network does suggest Jenkins, like Ford, could play on the inside of the offensive line, too. That versatility is something Buffalo has loved in their offensive lineman since head coach Sean McDermott took over.
Pro Football Focus also recently ranked Jenkins their No. 4 offensive tackle in the draft.
Cycling back around to running backs, Kiper also changes his tune on the entire position, not just for the Bills. Previously he had two of them being drafted in Round 1 (Travis Etienne), but now he predicts none are selected.
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