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Buffalo Bills: Re-drafting every pick from the 2019 NFL Draft

By Kendall Mirsky

Buffalo Bills rookie Ed Oliver fights through a block to tackle Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay.Jg 112419 Bills 6
Buffalo Bills rookie Ed Oliver fights through a block to tackle Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay.Jg 112419 Bills 6 /
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Buffalo Bills
ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 08: Cody Ford #70 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates a field goal during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at New Era Field on December 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Baltimore defeats Buffalo 24-17. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Round 2 – Pick 38 overall

Original Selection: Cody Ford

Re-Draft Selection: Irv Smith Jr.

The 38th pick is an interesting one to look back on for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the Bills decided to draft Cody Ford with that pick and his tenure in Buffalo so far has been below average at best. Secondly, the Bills traded their 40th overall pick and a 5th rounder to trade up two spots to grab him.

In Ford’s two years with the Bills he has suited up at right tackle and both guard spots. In his rookie season, most of the year was spent figuring out which position he could play best in the NFL moving forward. The hope for this past season was that the Bills found a home for him at guard. Up until Ford’s season ending injury he appeared to be playing at an acceptable level to merit keeping his starting job position. With that being said, to keep his starting gig on this Bills roster meant being better than Ike Boettger and Brian Winters.

At the time of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Bills were very focused on solidifying the offensive line to give Josh Allen more protection in the pocket. In Allen’s rookie season the Bills offensive line was particularly poor, thus explaining the emphasis on improving the offensive line through free agency and the draft during the 2019 offseason.

When looking at who the Bills should’ve selected in round two for this re-draft, it seems like the Bills made the right decision by adding help on the offensive line. However, they did not need to trade up two spots when there were multiple offensive linemen available. Players like Elgton Jenkins, Dalton Risner, and Erik McCoy were all available at 40th overall.

Going into this draft, the Bills need for a new tight end was very real and with the free-agent money spent on bolstering the offensive line, it would be smartest to use this second round pick on a tight end. The best tight end available was Irv Smith Jr. out of Alabama, which would allow the Bills to draft a different position with the pick that was used on Dawson Knox.

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