The first round
With the Bills picking at No. 20 overall instead of No. 9, their draft class looks entirely different. The Steelers would likely pick linebacker Devin Bush at their new slot — whom they did select via trading up to No. 10. This means Ed Oliver potentially slips out of the top ten, but not for long.
Denver — in this scenario they still have No. 10 — likely doesn’t take Oliver, as they need help on offense. But who would they choose? Considering their big spending on the offensive tackle positions — both in free agency and the draft — recently, they probably skip on Jonah Williams too. Originally, the Broncos took tight end Noah Fant at the Steelers’ No. 20, so let’s stick to that. He’s a good pick anywhere in the first — aside from the top-eight.
With Fant going at No. 10, Oliver continues to fall, and it doesn’t stop until the Green Bay Packers are on the clock at No. 12. Green Bay made improving their defense a priority in the off-season, and Oliver does just that and is a considerable upgrade to Rashan Gary; whom they selected initially.
Miami then skips over Gary for the charismatic Christian Wilkins. The order of the draft remains the same until the New York Giants at No. 17. Instead of taking nose tackle Dexter Lawrence, Gary is available, and the G-Men take him in attempt to shore up their pass-rush. The next two picks remain the same, with the Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans drafting for need or BPA.
Now, the Bills sit at No. 20 with Dexter Lawrence available. Do they take him? No. Though both Lawrence and Oliver play the same position, the Bills don’t have a particular need at the interior defensive line; they took Oliver as he was the best player available. Instead, the team selects Andre Dillard; a mightily successful pass-protecting offensive tackle of Washington State. This changes everything.