Tag: buffalo bills draft

Bills Wire 4-round mock-draft 2.0, post-free agency

Buffalo Bills four-round mock draft from the Bills Wire staff following NFL free agency.

The transactions over the initial weeks of the NFL’s new year have shifted the landscape of the league quite a bit. Major names have been traded and significant free agents shifted their homes. This has an impact on many teams with their choices at the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills among them. 

The Bills Wire staff now takes a look at how the Bills’ moves will impact their draft selections. The most glaring change in this version is that Buffalo does not have a first-round pick, as that draft slot was traded to the Minnesota Vikings. The Bills will need to be judicious with their remaining picks, finding value with the loss of a high-profile pick. 

Editor Nick Wojton, along with staff writers Justin DiLoro, McKenna Middlebrook, Kyle Silagyi, and Matt Johnson, make their predictions for Buffalo’s picks in this edition of The Bills Wire staff four-round mock draft. 

Here’s a look at each of their four-round mock drafts for the Bills, following the start of the league year and free agency:

Round 2 | Pick No. 54

Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver KJ Hamler. Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Nick’s Pick: DE Julian Okwara | Notre Dame

The Bills saw Devin Singletary take the NFL by storm last year and they shouldn’t forget one thing: he was a third-round pick. The Bills don’t need to reach here for a bak.

Buffalo’s best value in Round 2 might be an edge defender with some pass rush potential. The Bill have Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison already over 30. Trent Murphy, on the final year of his contract, is 29 himself. Julian Okwara could be a given a redshirt type of season, while still seeing a nice chunk of playing time in the defensive line rotation that the Bills run.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 who plays with a high motor, something the Bills will covet.

Since 2018, Okwara’s 19.1 QB pressure percent led college football, per Pro Football Focus, and 33 percent of his career tackles went for loss. Run defense is where Okwara will likely need to prove his worth at the pro level, but that’s where a less-pressured rookie seasons comes into play.

Justin’s Pick: CB Damon Arnette | Ohio State

As is the case with no first-round pick, the Bills might not find a player that addresses a short-term need. So we’ll have the Bills address the player who will start opposite Tre’Davious White in 2021 instead. Damon Arnette was solid across the way from consensus top-cornerback prospect Jeff Okudah. Arnette can play both inside and out on the boundary. This flexibility will make him a very good support player in the secondary for Buffalo this year. 

Arnette is a physical cornerback. He is aggressive in man-to-man coverage and thrives in press coverage. While he is not a burner (4.56 unofficial 40-yard dash time, according to NFL.com), he is an intelligent player who makes the right decision most of the time on the field. He needs refinement within zone coverage schemes. However, the Bills have had a great deal of success with developing secondary players under Sean McDermott, and the same would most likely happen for Arnette. 

Kyle’s Pick: WR K.J. Hamler | Penn State

Though the Bills’ receiving corps is arguably among the league’s best after the acquisition of Stefon Diggs, the position group gets thin at the bottom of the depth chart. Robert Foster, Isaiah McKenzie, and Duke Williams certainly bring unique aspects to the team’s receiver room, but if Buffalo has the opportunity to add youth and big-play ability to the unit through a day-two selection, it should take advantage of it. 

Enter K.J. Hamler. The speedy wideout out of Penn State is an ever-present home-run threat, a slot wideout who consistently creates separation with speed. Though he’s a bit undersized at 5-foot-9, 178-pounds, winning with size is not necessarily part of his game. He wins with agility off the line of scrimmage and sub-4.40 speed. 

He’d be a rotational receiver in Buffalo’s offense straight away, a gadget player who could spell Cole Beasley from time to time. His immediate production would likely be far from earth-shattering, but long-term, Hamler could develop into a multi-use wideout – a burner who would also be useful in the short-to-intermediate passing game. By 2022, he could be a focal point of the team’s offense.

McKenna’s Pick: RB Clyde Edwards-Helarie | LSU 

This pick may ruffle some of my colleagues’ feathers, but going into the draft the Bills still need playmakers. During Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s three-year career at LSU he ran for 2,103 yards, and 23 touchdowns. He became a household name during his final year, where he helped lead LSU to a title. While he ran the ball well, he was also effective as a pass-catcher, in his junior year he caught 43 passes for 453 yards and one touchdown. LSU’s offense had him lineup in the backfield and out wide to catch passes, where he showed off slick route running to create separation from linebackers and defensive backs. 

He doesn’t have the measurements of a traditional NFL running back, he stands at 5-foot-8 and weighs in at 209 pounds, but those sorts of measurements actually play to his strengths as a runner. Edwards-Helaire is a patient yet physical runner who makes would-be tacklers miss with jump cuts, spins, or simply lowering his shoulder. In both versatility and production, there may not be a better running back in the draft. 

Matt’s Pick: RB Cam Akers | Florida State

After a strong free agency period, one position that’s a little higher in demand for depth than others is at running back. In a draft that is QB, WR, and DL heavy, Buffalo could have their pick of the litter when it comes to the top RB prospects. 

Edwards-Helaire is an option, but Cam Akers of Florida State is the pick. Devin Singletary is the guy in Buffalo, but he needs his complement. Many of the better teams in the NFL have used talented RB duos and have found success. Buffalo can get a top-10 talent from this RB class in Round 2. Over three seasons, Akers gained 2,875 rushing yards, 27 rushing touchdowns, 486 receiving yards, and seven receiving scores. 

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2020 NFL Draft: 6 DEs for Bills to consider in second round

Here are six defensive end/edge rushers for Bills to consider in the second round of the NFL Draft.

The Buffalo Bills first scheduled draft selection won’t occur until Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft, as the team picks No. 54 overall.

Luckily, the Bills do not have a glaring need on their roster, making this year’s draft quite intriguing. Buffalo’s front office, led by general manager Brandon Beane, can go in a multitude of directions with the pick, leaving quite a bit of interest and uncertainty with whom the Bills could select.

This is the third piece in a series exploring realistic options who could be on the draft board when the Bills pick in the second round. 

Here are seven defensive ends who could be an option for the Bills in the second round of the draft:

Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Current roster

The Bills addressed this position by bringing in Mario Addison and the versatile Quinton Jefferson in free agency, who could play up and down their defensive line, perhaps more at the 3-tech defensive lineman spot.. However, the unit could benefit from an infusion of youth, particularly a player who can get after the quarterback. 

Buffalo’s defensive ends are getting a bit long in the tooth, with as Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison who are currently 31 and 32 years old, respectively.  In addition, Trent Murphy enters the final year of his contract this year, and he’s 29 himself.

Thus, it’s realistic that the team could use their first pick this year on an edge rusher in order to both prepare for the future along with adding another piece of talent in Buffalo’s rotation at the position. 

 

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Report: Bills have pre-draft meeting with John Simpson

Per Pewter Report, the Tampa Bay Bucs met with offensive lineman John Simpson. The outlet also specifics that he met with a few other teams, including the Bills:

On Thursday, Bills general manager Brandon Beane said when the ongoing coronavirus pandemic hit full scale, he was in South Carolina visiting Clemson.

Perhaps we have some insight into why, and it’s not just because of wide receiver Tee Higgins.

Per Pewter Report, the Tampa Bay Bucs met with offensive lineman John Simpson. The outlet also specifics that he met with a few other teams, including the Bills:

Simpson was a second-team All-American in 2019 for the Tigers. The 6-foot-5, 330 pound lineman also has a nugget in his background that Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott will appreciate: he was a high school wrestler as well.

The senior had an up-and-down Senior Bowl, but flexed his muscle, literally, at the combine, by putting up 34 bench press reps. That was the third-highest among all offensive linemen at the combine.

The Bills do have depth at their offensive line, and the unit is returning all five starters in 2020 after Quinton Spain re-signed with the team this offseason. But Buffalo could still stand to add a rookie prospect to groom for future starting consideration with one of their upcoming draft picks.

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2020 NFL Draft: 7 CBs for Bills to consider in second round

Here are seven cornerbacks players who could be on the board for the Bills at No. 54

The Buffalo Bills first scheduled draft selection won’t occur until Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft, as the team picks No. 54 overall.

Luckily, the Bills do not have a glaring need on their roster, making this year’s draft quite intriguing. Buffalo’s front office, led by general manager Brandon Beane, can go in a multitude of directions with the pick, leaving quite a bit of interest and uncertainty with whom the Bills could select. 

This position-by-position series will take a look at several realistic options of players who may be available for the team to select. 

Here are seven cornerbacks who could be an option for the Bills in the second round of the draft:

Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)

Current roster

The Bills have one of the best cornerbacks in the league in Tre’Davious White. They also have a solid slot cornerback in Taron Johnson. Levi Wallace has played fairly well opposite White as Buffalo’s No. 2 corner, although it seems that he may have a lower ceiling than some players in the draft. To compete with Wallace, the Bills also brought in Josh Norman and EJ Gaines via free agency. 

The No. 54 pick would be a good spot for the Bills to find a high-ceiling player who could have a year to grow and develop. This would the player on track to make major contributions in 2021.

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Bills have pre-draft meeting with OL Damien Lewis

With plenty of late-round pick available, LSU’s Damien Lewis could fit that mold and he’s reportedly on Buffalo’s radar.

The Bills have plenty of potential starting pieces on their offensive line, and even some that will end up in depth slots. But Buffalo could still stand to add a youthful project piece at the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft.

With plenty of late-round picks in their pocket, LSU’s Damien Lewis could fit that mold and he’s reportedly on Buffalo’s radar. Per Draft Wire, the Bills were among teams to have a pre-draft meeting with Lewis:

Lewis could end up being as a high as a third-round pick, but some expect him to be a Day 3 selection. Draft analysts see a better run blocker in the 6-foot-2, 327-pound prospect than pass blocker, but in a situation with the Bills, he could be given time to develop that craft. Buffalo is returning their entire starting offensive line next season.

While perhaps a potential long-term option, there is some positive praise for Lewis’s outlook. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein predicts that Lewis “should outperform his draft slotting.”

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2020 NFL Draft: Bills land RB, CB in 3-round mock

In The Draft Network’s latest mock draft, The picks are Wisconsin’s rusher Jonathan Taylor and Virginia defensive back Bryce Hall. 

With two remaining picks in the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills can still do some damage with those selections.

Those two picks come at No. 54 overall and No. 86 in the second and third rounds, respectively. With those two selections, The Draft Network‘s latest mock draft has the Bills using that pair on a running back and cornerback.

The picks are Wisconsin’s rusher Jonathan Taylor and Virginia defensive back Bryce Hall.

In Taylor, the Bills would get their complementary running back to Devin Singletary. Taylor is a powerful back with some speed, while Singletary uses his shifty behavior to beat would-be tacklers. That would be the makings of a potential dynamic duo, and would address one of the very few “needs” left on the Bills roster following free agency. Taylor was used very much up the middle in Wisconsin’s offense and in the NFL will have to show some more versatility getting to the outside, something he could be more than capable of doing.

In Hall, the Bills might be drafting for anything other than best player on their board if he’s the pick. With the recent additions of EJ Gaines and Josh Norman to their cornerback room, one which already included Levi Wallace, Tre’Davious White and Taron Johnson, that crew would be a hard unit to crack for Hall.

But still, Hall, a 6-foot-1 cornerback with size, could be a smart pick because of durability questions with Norman and Gaines. The Bills wouldn’t feel good if both of those guys don’t make it out of training camp healthy.

 

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2020 NFL Draft: Bills select Josh Uche, Kyle Dugger in CBS Sports mock

In CBS Sports’ latest three-round mock draft, the Bills use those two picks to select defensive end Josh Uche and safety Kyle Dugger. 

The Bills no longer have pick No. 22 at the 2020 NFL Draft, but there’s still picks 54 and 86 to consider. Those two selections in the second and third rounds, respectively, could land the team some impact players.

In CBS Sports‘ latest three-round mock draft, the Bills use those to select defensive end Josh Uche and safety Kyle Dugger.

Here’s the breakdown on Uche:

The Bills lost Shaq Lawson in free agency and signed Mario Addison, but Uche provides even more edge rush presence for a talented defense.

And on Dugger:

Dugger is a small-schooler who brings versatility to the table, and he should fit in well on Sean McDermott’s defense.

Bills Wire previously reported that Uche met with the Bills at the recent Senior Bowl, so to some extent, there’s interest. Buffalo did add plenty to their defensive line via free agency with defensive end Mario Addison highlighting that overhaul. But Addison is 32 and Jerry Hughes in 31. Buffalo needs some youthful depth there so defensive end is certainly in play with their second-round pick.

In 12 games last season, Uche had 7.6 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss for the Wolverines. He also forced a fumble and had a pass defended with 33 total tackles.

At about 6-foot-2, Uche is a tad undersized for potentially playing as a defensive end in Buffalo’s 4-3 defensive scheme. According to Pro Football Focus, Uche did play 170 of his 470 defensive snaps this season off the ball, though. So he has experience with his hand on and off the ground.

The Bills also need a replacement for linebacker Lorenzo Alexander next season thanks to his retirement and PFF notes that “a move off-ball could be in his future.”

Dugger is a product of Lenoir-Rhyne, a DII program. With a name like that which you haven’t heard much of, Dugger would be very much a raw talent. But from the sounds of it, a hybrid linebacker-safety sounds much like Matt Milano. The current Bills linebacker is certainly a playmaker, but could Dugger also find his way to fill in for Lorenzo Alexander in a nickel-type role?

Regardless of whoever replaces Alexander, both Uche and Dugger being compared to Alexander would give the Bills versatility on defense, something the club covets all over their roster.

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Raequan Williams has pre-draft meeting with Bills

he Bills have reportedly had a pre-draft video chat meeting with Michigan State defensive lineman Raequan Williams.

While the Bills have added a hefty amount of depth to their defensive line already via free agency, could that continue to happen at the upcoming NFL Draft?

According to Draft Wire, it’s possible. The Bills have reportedly had a pre-draft video chat meeting with Michigan State defensive lineman Raequan Williams.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, many NFL teams are using technology to get to know potential prospects better. A different pre-draft process this year, certainly.

On Williams, NFL.com pegs him as a Day 3 project type pick. But with the mentioned depth added by the Bills on their D-line already, Williams wouldn’t have any pressure to come in and produce. Still, he has some things the Bills would like. He’s an upperclassman, something Sean McDermott covets in prospects, and he has a versatility to play in a few places along the defensive line.

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Bills have pre-draft meeting set with WR Lawrence Cager

According to Draft Wire, the Bills had a pre-draft meeting set with Georgia wideout Lawrence Cager. 

In at least one respect, the Bills are still considering adding some size to the wide receiver room even after adding Stefon Diggs.

According to Draft Wire, the Bills had or have a pre-draft meeting set with Georgia wideout Lawrence Cager.

Diggs is a fantastic route runner and makes contested catches look easy. Exactly what the Bills needed. But Diggs is just about 6-feet in height. He’s not overly large, not like the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Cager, at least.

For the Bills, such numbers likely stand right out, and apparently have, as they’ve had some sort of meeting with him following the combine. That could have been in-person, or perhaps just a video chat with the team with the ongoing pandemic, depending on when it was scheduled.

In Cager, the Bills would get a player that would likely fit into what they’re currently doing at the positional group. Diggs, 26, joins two 30-plus players in John Brown and Cole Beasley, a pair that could take any pressure off of Cager to come in and produce immediately.

Slated as a likely late pick at the 2020 NFL Draft, Cager has reliable hands and flashed improved speed during his college career, but due to a broken ankle, he did not partake in anything but interviews at the combine.

In 2019, the raw prospect in Cager played in nine of 14 games, with six starts and had 33 catches for 476 yards and four TDs.

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Bills have meeting with draft prospect WR Denzel Mims

Per Draft Wire, the Bills spoke to Baylor wideout Denzel Mims. 

After acquiring receiver Stefon Diggs, the Bills can feel a bit better about their wideout room. He’s the first undoubted No. 1 receiver prospect the team has had in years.

But the Bills shouldn’t stop scouting for prospects with the 2020 NFL Draft slowly approaching and it appears they are not. One name connected to the Bills recent is an intriguing one as well.

Per Draft Wire, the Bills spoke to Baylor wideout Denzel Mims.

Mims is a borderline first-round prospect as the April event approaches. At one point he was projected as a Day 2 player, but he followed a strong Senior Bowl with a 4.38 40-yard dash time and a 38.5-inch vertical jump. That, combined with his 6-foot-3 frame, makes him an eye-catching player.

Could the Bills be out of the running for him because of those numbers? The Bills now don’t pick until the No. 54 selection at the draft, thanks to their trade for Diggs. Buffalo sent the Vikings a slew of picks, including their first rounder. However, NYUP.com, the Bills maybe aren’t convinced Mims will be gone by the time they select because reportedly the conversation between Mims and Buffalo occurred after the blockbuster trade went down.

Then again, could the Bills be considering moving back into the first round of the draft via trade? While the Bills won’t have a pick until second round as things currently sit, perhaps consider watching the first round of the draft to see if Buffalo makes a move, or if Mims falls.

Even if the Bills don’t jump back into the first round, they’ve had a thing for moving up on Day 2 to make picks. Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane has done so for players such as Cody Ford and Zay Jones in recent years.

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