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Buffalo Bills mock draft after second wave of free agency

By Kendall Mirsky

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Ed Oliver is drafted ninth overall by the Buffalo Bills on day 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Ed Oliver is drafted ninth overall by the Buffalo Bills on day 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 03: Ibrahim Kante #52 and Alim McNeill #29 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack react following a sack by McNeill against James Blackman of the Florida State Seminoles (not pictured) at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 03: Ibrahim Kante #52 and Alim McNeill #29 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack react following a sack by McNeill against James Blackman of the Florida State Seminoles (not pictured) at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

In the 2nd round of this mock draft, I had my eyes on a defensive lineman, specifically an edge rusher or a 1-technique defensive tackle. At the top of the board sat Alim McNeill from North Carolina State. Buffalo Bills fan favorite Tyler Shelvin from LSU was also available, but I elected to go with McNeill and I’ll tell you why.

With Star Lotulelei set to come back to the team in 2021, the Bills will be getting their 1-technique defensive tackle to stuff the run. However, it’s uncertain how many more years Lotulelei will remain with the Bills after 2021. Shelvin or McNeill would be perfect prospects to select in this draft to learn from Lotulelei and be the heir apparent to him at the 1-technique spot on the defensive line.

With all that being said, it would be nice to get more than just a run stuffing presence from this position. Shelvin is an outstanding run stuffer, but he doesn’t offer much from a pass rushing standpoint other than the ability to push the pocket into opposing quarterbacks. McNeill on the other hand is just about as good as Shelvin when it comes to run stuffing, but he offers a little bit more upside on the pass rushing front.

It would be nice for the Buffalo Bills to grab someone at this 1-technique position that can be more than just a space eater. McNeill can be that guy for the Bills, but it seems like his draft stock is rising and it may cost the Bills a trade up in the 2nd round. By the time the 2021 NFL Draft rolls around in late April, McNeill’s stock could elevate to the point that he’s a fringe 1st round pick.

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