Buffalo Bills: 4 Positions of concern following the 2021 NFL Draft
Wide Reciever
While the Buffalo Bills set and broke records in the prior 2020 campaign with Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs doing most of the work, 2021 does not promise to reap the same results. As John Brown sets new sails in Las Vegas with the Raiders and former New Orleans Saints, Emmanuel Sanders, comes in to replace him, wide receiver depth is still iffy.
Yes, the team has a returning cast of characters in Gabriel Davis, Cole Beasley, and Isaiah Mackenzie. This, while good, still may not be enough if injuries occur. With free agency ending months ago, the current depth at the position is what they have going into 2021.
Looking past this season and to the next is where the issue arises. Emmanuel Sanders, who is on a one-year deal with the team, will have completed his 13th NFL season. At 34-years old, it is safe to say that Sanders will not be a piece the Bills will look to lock up long term. If the Bills move on from him, that will leave the team with Diggs, Beasley, whose contract expires in 2023, and Davis.
The team has yet to find out what they have in 2020 draftee, Isaiah Hodgins, who was selected in the sixth round last year. While sixth round draft pick Marquez Stevenson is likely more of a returner than a player who could be relied upon at wide receiver.
With Diggs and Beasley headlining the Bills receiver core in 2021 and beyond, the team will have to make some decisions; do they draft or sign.
Entering the 2022 NFL Draft, the Bills don’t expect to be picking near the top. In fact, the lower they are the better as it means they have gotten back to, at least, the AFC Championship game. This means the team will be in the same position as this year where they can go next-best player available or address their needs; the receiver is shaping up to be one of them. Ohio State’s Garret Willson has already been one of the names mocked to the Buffalo Bills in 2022.
On the flip side in free agency, the Bills again may be up against the salary cap again. At a reported increase from $180 million to $200 million in 2022, the Bills will be near that number at a projected $191,352,954. This will leave them some room to sign free agents such as Zach Pascal, Mike Williams or Courtland Sutton.