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Buffalo Bills: 4 players in 2021 NFL Draft worth trading up for in first round

By Matthew Hodowany

Buffalo Bills, 2023 NFL Draft (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills, 2023 NFL Draft (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 28: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions avoids the tackle of Kwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Michigan Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 28: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions avoids the tackle of Kwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Michigan Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Kwity Paye, Defensive Line, Michigan Wolverines

During the Super Bowl, Bills fans watched in discomfort as the Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s pass rush threw Patrick Mahomes entirely off his game. Seeing this had them wondering what the outcome would have been if the Buffalo Bills had gotten pressure on him in that AFC Championship game. As a result of that, Buffalo should have their eyes on moving up if any of these highly-touted pass rushers are available later in the first round.

Buffalo did their best to address this last draft with the selection of Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa, selecting him in the early stages of the second round. For both parties, the selection has yet to be beneficial. With Trent Murphy entering the season at the other starting defensive end position and an entire lack of preseason, Epenesa was not given many reps come the regular season.

Given his slow progression and Buffalo’s tight Super Bowl window, Michigan’s Kwity Paye would be a stellar addition to Buffalo’s defense if Epenesa is not yet ready.

Coming off a 6.5 sack 2019 season, Paye put up a pair of sacks and 16 total tackles in the Wolverines pandemic-shortened 2-4 season. While he only played in six games for the University, Paye cemented himself as one of the best pass rushers in the draft.

With Jerry Hughes rounding third base on what could be the final stretch of his NFL career, Paye would make an excellent replacement for him. Standing taller and heavier than Hughes, if Paye is sitting there in the middle of the first or into the 20s, this is a place the Buffalo Bills may consider a trade up for.

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