Throughout this pandemic that the world is facing, who knows what the future will hold. While we all continue to fight this crisis together, there is one thing to finally look forward to in the football universe, the NFL draft. The Buffalo Bills should not be expected to participate on the first night after trading away the 22nd overall pick in the Stefon Diggs trade.
The Bills will have seven picks to start the draft. Listed below is where they are picking:
- Round 2 (#54th pick)
- Round 3 (#86th pick)
- Round 4 (#128th pick)
- Round 5 (#167th pick)
- Round 6 (#188th pick)
- Round 6 (#207th pick)
- Round 7 (#239th pick)
In this mock draft, there were no trades involved so the picks will be made based on their original draft picks.
Round 2 (#54 overall): Brandon Aiyuk, WR/Arizona State
Take a receiver even after acquiring Diggs? Absolutely. If Aiyuk is still available by the time the Bills are on the clock in the second round, why not add another weapon for Josh Allen? With this being such a deep receiving class, this could be considered a reach but Aiyuk is arguably a first round talent so if he falls near the bottom of the second round, consider this a steal for the Bills.
Aiyuk knows how to convert in crucial moments to move the chains. He can create an open window for a quarterback which leads to big time plays, and Allen is the guy to make or break a big play. Also, put into consideration who Aiyuk has, to learn from. Guys like John Brown and Cole Beasley are perfect role models for any young receiver.
Round 3 (#86 overall): Bradlee Anae, DE/Utah
The Bills are getting old at defensive end with Jerry Hughes and Trent Murphy. Second year player Darryl Johnson showed promise during the preseason last year, but is still a work in progress. Anae is a sneaky prospect who brings a coachable attitude to any team in the NFL. Anae is someone who can explode in his first step while being able to stay upright against a block.
With Hughes and Murphy seeing the near-future end of the tenure with the Bills, Anae can learn the defensive scheme ran by Sean McDermott and develop into a consistent run stopper with his consistent containment play.
Round 4 (#128 overall): Logan Stenberg, G/Kentucky
The Bills solidified their guard position last season on both sides of the line in Quinton Spain and Jon Feliciano. Now it is time to bring in reliable backups who can step in when called upon. Stenberg is a raw type of talent, but his strongest attribute is pass blocking.
Not only does he perform well against a pass rush, he keeps his feet going even against a pass rush who tries to do a spin move off the block. Maybe he can develop into future starter, Stenberg has a lot to learn and the Bills are a perfect match.
Round 5 (#167 overall): AJ Dillon, RB/Boston College
If Dillon lasts this long in the draft, the Bills will have the chance to get their 1-2 punch with Devin Singletary. I said it before, Dillon looks like LeGarrette Blount when he runs in between the tackles. With running backs being so devalued as each season happens, do not be surprised to see Dillon last this long on the third day.
The Eagles of Boston College did not have a ton of success, but Dillon exceeded expectations that were put on him. Dillon would come into the Bills offense as the running mauler to pick up extra yardage on third downs and in the red zone.
Round 6 (#188 overall): Harrison Hand, CB/Temple
The Bills biggest hole on their roster is their number two corner spot and that will be settled between Levi Wallace and Josh Norman. Now they need to bring in depth in the secondary. He has great size for the backfield and fits the the scheme of McDermott’s defense in coverage.
Players coming out of Temple have a reputation to be aggressive no matter where they are on the field. Hand fits the description and it is a match in McDermott’s defense with aggression. The Bills get depth and aggression in this pick. Although, he may see the field more on special teams.
Round 6 (#207 overall): Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms, G/Missouri
Two guards in the same draft class for the Bills? No one will ever say that having too much beef is not great. Wallace-Simms is a big man who can fill in if an injury comes in. Even though he will need to compete to earn a roster spot, the Bills can bring in another big guy to add to the trenches.
While he would be considered a long shot, big time players can be found in any round. Wallace-Simms has a good chance to earn a spot on any team as a backup and valuable camp body.
Round 7 (#239 overall): Alohi Gilman, FS/Notre Dame
Another aggression type player that the Bills get in the seventh. Gilman produced in college as a safety which gets him drafted but not until the last day, late in the draft. Like the Bills secondary, Gilman is an inconsistent tackler on the ball carrier and lets the play control him rather than the other way around.
Gilman is known for his talents on special teams, a unit that is emphasized by McDermott. Plus, he will get to learn from arguably the best safety duo in the league with Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer.
-Brandon Ray is a the Managing Editor for @FPC_Bills for Full Press Coverage. Make sure to follow Brandon on Twitter at @brandon_ray79.