Buffalo Bills trade up in the latest mock draft for 2021 NFL Draft

Day Three

Entering day three I have addressed the Bills’ needs at CB2, LB, and TE. This leaves a potential vacancy at the interior of the offensive line. Assuming the Bills decide to re-sign Daryl Williams and tender Ike Boettger for depth, they may not have the cap space to retain Jon Feliciano. If this is the case, the Bills would need more on the interior than just Mitch Morse, Cody Ford, and Boettger.

For this reason, I selected interior offensive lineman Kendrick Green from Illinois. At 6’4 and 315 pounds, Green is capable of playing both guard spots as well as flexing to center in a pinch with adequate collegiate reps at all three interior positions. Although he may not be the big-name Buffalo Bills fans who they want to fortify the offensive line, hopefully adding Green to the competition with Ford and Boettger will raise the level of play from all three linemen.

Moving forward to the fifth round, the Bills are slated at 162nd overall. This is the area of the draft I like to start attacking the offensive skill positions like running back and wide receiver. I decided to select North Carolina wide receiver Dazz Newsome.

Ideally, Newsome can be that 2-for-1 replacement of Andre Roberts and Isaiah McKenzie. Newsome spent most of his time at North Carolina operating out of the slot, but he also adds value as a return specialist. His mix of speed, shiftiness, and tackle-breaking ability makes him an intriguing candidate to be the offensive gadget guy and return man of the Bills’ future.

Last but not least is the Bills’ 6th round pick at 214th overall. For the most part I am against adding another running back in the draft, but rather focus on fortifying the offensive line to improve the run game. However, if there is a running back available that brings something to the room that Devin Singletary and Zack Moss don’t already bring to the group, I would be interested.

That being said, the Bills have reportedly met with Louisville running back Javian Hawkins virtually which signifies at least marginal interest. While Hawkins may need to add some size and physicality for most teams’ standards, he would be a perfect complement to what the Bills already in Moss and Singletary. Hawkins is a back with home-run potential on every touch with short-area quickness to match the straight-line speed.

Additionally, Hawkins is a sure-handed pass-catcher out of the backfield that could be used well in screen opportunities. He may be a liability in pass protection and between the tackles traditionally running, but it shouldn’t matter because of the way he rounds out the current running back room.

127th overall: Kendrick Green – Illinois (Interior Offensive Lineman)

162nd overall: Dazz Newsome – North Carolina (Wide Receiver)

214th overall: Javian Hawkins – Louisville (Running Back)