Buffalo Bills NFL Draft Big Board: Rounds 2-3
By DJ Eberle
A look at five players the Buffalo Bills could be targeting on Day 2 of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Love it or hate it, the Buffalo Bills changed the shape of their franchise when they took Josh Allen and Trumaine Edmunds Thursday night.
While it cost both of their second-round selections and one of their third-rounders, the Bills selected two of the players with the highest ceilings in the entire draft class. Not to mention, Allen and Edmunds filled Buffalo’s biggest needs heading into the draft.
Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott have been known for making bold moves throughout their time in Buffalo, and taking Allen over Josh Rosen, and even Lamar Jackson, will be a career-defining decision. Only time will tell if it was the right one or not.
Here are five players the Bills could be targeting Friday night.
No. 5 Royce Freeman
While the Bills might not be thinking running back this early, they still need a successor to LeSean McCoy.
If they bring in a rookie, he’ll come in as the third running back on the depth chart behind McCoy and Chris Ivory and won’t asked to be the bellcow early on. That could be a nice scenario for Oregon running back Royce Freeman.
The former Duck was extremely productive in college and brings good vision and a big, strong frame to the NFL.
He isn’t a scat back which could pair nicely with McCoy from the get go, and by season’s end, he’d likely pass Ivory on the depth chart.
"“I think he might be better than people are going to give him credit for. He was hurt all of last year and they (Oregon) changed up the run scheme which kept him between the tackles.,” an AFC personnel director told NFL.com. “With better blocking in front of him, I’m not so sure that he’s not still that same kid we saw as a sophomore.”"
If Freeman can get back to his pre-knee injury self, he could be a steal for the Bills late in the third round.
No. 4 Chukwuma Okorafor
After the losses of Cordy Glenn, Richie Incognito and Eric Wood during the offseason, Buffalo has to consider upgrading its offensive line.
The Bills are probably better off at center and guard than most think. Ryan Groy is solid, they still have Vlad Ducasse and John Miller and added Russell Bodine in the offseason. But they could use an upgrade at offensive tackle.
If the Bills want to continue swinging for the fences, Western Michigan offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor could be the pick here.
At 6-foot-6, Okorafor has the size teams are looking for with their offensive tackles. He’s a project but does a nice job handling speed rushers and is good in the run game.
"“He got started in football a little late but I still think he should have some of these issues cleaned up by now,” an NFC team executive told NFL.com. “He’s big and he has talent so he’s probably going to play early on.”"
Okorafor wouldn’t be forced to start immediately, but he could eventually take over Jordan Mills.
No. 3 M.J. Stewart
Despite popular belief, Buffalo’s secondary is pretty set. The one missing link is a slot corner.
This is where North Carolina cornerback M.J. Stewart comes in.
Stewart is tough and has a great football IQ. He could come in and start in the slot day one. That would help solidify an improving Bills defense.
An interesting note: NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein’s pro comparison for Stewart is Micah Hyde. With strong tackling ability, he’d be able to make an impact in both the passing and running game.
No. 2 Deon Cain
Josh Allen could use a couple of toys when he gets to Buffalo.
Wide receiver is still a big need for the Bills. Clemson speedster Deon Cain could be an option late in the third round.
Cain would provide Buffalo will a deep threat it currently doesn’t have. While Cain under-performed at Clemson, he could turn into a No. 2 wideout one day.
Cain’s combination of size and speed could make him a real threat at the next level. He’d fit in nicely in Buffalo.
No.1 James Washington
Oklahoma State wide receiver James Washington still being on the board at No. 96 is a bit of a pipe dream, but you could say the same about of the handful of guys still available in the second round.
While Washington doesn’t have great speed or size, and may stay as a slot receiver, he just finds ways to get open.
He dominated the competition at both Oklahoma State and the Senior Bowl.
Like Deon Cain, Washington has the ability to take the top off of a defense and has great ball-tracking skills. He greatly fits what Buffalo is looking for.
Next: Bills: Grades after the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft
If he’s still available when it’s Buffalo’s turn in the third round, the card will be handed in rather quickly.