This or That: Comparing Buffalo Bills 2022 NFL Mock Draft Selections

Buffalo Bills’ This or That Round 2: Jalen Tolbert (WR) or Kenneth Walker III (HB)?

This one is a tough decision. The Buffalo Bills have two running backs that they could stick with given their age (Devin Singletary: 24; Zack Moss: 24), and since the Bills lost Cole Beasley this offseason, it’s uncertain if Jamison Crowder can be the slot receiver that the Buffalo Bills need in order to continue their offensive dominance.

It’s also possible that the Bills trade down from this pick or any of their picks, really, so this pick could genuinely not be around for the Bills to choose.

However, this article is under the assumption that no trades happen. That’s probably not going to be the case, but for the sake of this article, that’s the assumption.

Jalen Tolbert is one of those receivers that really perks up the ears of scouts. While he only ran a 4.49 40-yard dash, his game speed is up there in the top of the second or third-tier receiver in this draft.

In 2021, Jalen Tolbert made himself somewhat of a household name, as he hauled in 82 receptions off 129 targets for 1,474 yards and 8 touchdowns. Now, it was against some lower-level competition, but that shouldn’t negate what Tolbert brings to the table.

Now, Kenneth Walker III.

He’s in conversation as one of the top running backs in this draft, oftentimes behind Breece Hall. To be fully transparent, Breece Hall was still available in this mock, but pick No. 57 seems a little too low for Walker. So, Breece Hall could’ve hypothetically been taken with this pick, but it just doesn’t seem likely that he drops this far.

Kenneth Walker III stands 5’9″, weighing in at around 210 lbs, which makes him really well-sized for the running back he is. He could use a couple of inches in height, but outside that, he’s a rather ideal size for a running back.

Considering that Breece Hall– or even Kenneth Walker– could be taken in the first round or early into the second round, it’s not the most likely that both or even one of these running backs will be available at 57.

However, it’s more likely that Walker is available here. Breece Hall has gotten most of the running back hype prior to this draft, and he’s a really impressive prospect, so it’s for good reason.

That being said, Kenneth Walker III is no Regular Joe.

In 2021, Kenneth Walker carried the ball 262 times for 1,634 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns. In the passing game, Walker had only 13 receptions for 87 yards and one receiving touchdown.

So, while he’s rather invisible in the passing game, Kenneth Walker III is a very solid running back. He might not be the all-encompassing Christian McCaffrey type, but he’s a hard runner with a nose for the end zone.

If the Buffalo Bills prioritize a true running back, Kenneth Walker III wins this round. Otherwise, Jalen Tolbert might get the edge on this, especially with who was taken in the third round in both of these two mock drafts.