Round 1 Targets for the Buffalo Bills
The first and most notable prospect to talk about as a Feliciano replacement is Wyatt Davis. At 6’4 and 315 pounds, Davis is the highest-ranked offensive guard according to multiple draft websites. Perhaps the biggest concern about Davis’ game is his durability. Davis has had multiple leg injuries that caused him to miss game time on various occasions throughout the 2020 season. Outside of these mild durability concerns, there is virtually no weak part to Davis’ game when he’s active.
Davis is a polished pass protector from the guard position with a great understanding of technique, from hand placement to footwork. Additionally, Davis’ mix of size and agility will enable him to excel in the run game as a pulling guard or in a zone scheme. His ability to anchor, sustain, and position himself for blocks in both the run and pass game is something to marvel at.
Next on the list is the former University of Southern California offensive tackle Alijah Vera-Tucker. Although Vera-Tucker played offensive tackle for the Trojans in 2020, he projects best as an offensive guard in the NFL. At 6’4 and 315 pounds, Vera-Tucker’s best traits might be his positional flexibility paired with his consistency.
Without superior agility and athleticism, Vera-Tucker wins with a high football IQ and sound technique. His knowledge of how a defensive front is trying to attack consistently kept him in good positions.
The question for Vera-Tucker is what will happen if he’s one-on-one against a high intelligence athletic freak. Will he be able to hide his athletic shortcomings at the next level as he could at the collegiate level? However, as a high floor prospect that can play just about any position on the offensive line without allowing pressure, it’s hard to make a case for him slipping outside of the first round.
Alabama’s Alex Leatherwood is the second tackle to make this interior offensive lineman list. Similar to Vera-Tucker, Leatherwood played tackle in his 2020 season but projects best as an offensive guard in the NFL. His inability to hold down the edge against more athletic edge rushers is a major red flag in regards to his chances of playing offensive tackle at the next level.
However, at 6’6 and 314 pounds, his prowess in the run game is astounding and makes him a solid plug-and-play option at the offensive guard position in the NFL. Even at his size, he’s plenty nimble enough to explode off the snap to get to the second level of the defense. Once he’s at the second level it’s over because his wide frame coupled with his play strength and surprising agility makes it extremely difficult for opposing linebackers to get around or shed his block.