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Buffalo Bills: Analytics picks right tackle in NFL.com first round mock draft

By Brandon Croce

STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 16: Offensive lineman Teven Jenkins #73 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys prepares for a snap against linebacker Azur Kamara #5 of the Kansas Jayhawks in the first quarter on November 16, 2019 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 31-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 16: Offensive lineman Teven Jenkins #73 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys prepares for a snap against linebacker Azur Kamara #5 of the Kansas Jayhawks in the first quarter on November 16, 2019 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 31-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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While the Buffalo Bills don’t have any pressing needs right now, how free agency plays out and what players they are able to retain, will be a big deciding factor on how they approach the 2021 NFL Draft. The first round in particular because even though they are picking late in the round, 30th overall, the hope is they would find an impact player who could contribute almost immediately.

Recently, Cynthia Frelund put together a mock draft on NFL.com based solely on analytics to give each team the best player that maximizes their win total for the coming season.

In this mock draft, Frelund mocked Teven Jenkins, offensive tackle from Oklahoma State. She wrote:

"When it comes to a great fit at right tackle, the Bills and Jenkins at 30 feels almost too good to be true. PFF counts only four total pressures allowed on 211 pass-blocking snaps. What he can do in the run game, though, is what makes this pairing work so well. Jenkins held his block and prevented pushback on rushing downs at the fourth-highest rate in the FBS over the past two seasons."

The right tackle position is one of the more pivotal positions for the Buffalo Bills this offseason, and what they do here, could have significant implications on how they address other positions. This past season, they got great production from Daryl Williams, who signed a one-year deal last offseason. He stepped in as the starter and really helped solidify that side of the line.

The issue is that there are not many good free agent right tackles this offseason and after his performance, he probably is going to get a big contract in the next few weeks. If the Bills are able to retain him, it could impact their ability to improve elsewhere.

Meanwhile, a player like Teven Jenkins who excels in run blocking could be a part of an improved line at a fraction of the cost. The Bills also reportedly have shown some interest in Teven Coleman as Justin Melo of The Draft Network tweeted the team had or will meet virtually with Jenkins.

Next. Which players in the 2021 NFL Draft could replace Jon Feliciano?. dark

The Buffalo Bills should have plenty of offensive tackles to pick from at 30th overall and Teven Jenkins makes sense for what they need.

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