Buffalo Bills Mock Draft: Two trades help bolster offensive talent
By Ryan Heckman
This is a big offseason for the Buffalo Bills.
The NFL’s salary cap rose by more than $16 million, but the team is still projected to be one of 14 teams over the cap.
Buffalo has a few key free agents that would hurt to lose, plus some major needs to fill if they’re going to make a Super Bowl run next season.
The 2023 NFL Draft will be pivotal for general manager Brandon Beane and in filling some of those needs.
In our latest 2023 mock draft, the Buffalo Bills begin by trading their first-round pick
To begin this mock, Buffalo acquires a more valuable pick by trading back just eight selections with Indianapolis. With their first selection coming at no. 35, they go right after addressing their need at wide receiver.
The Bills need to wave goodbye to slot receivers Cole Beasley and Jamison Crowder, while getting younger and more dynamic.
That’s exactly what they do here when drafting North Carolina’s Josh Downs. The Tar Heel product is an exceptional slot receiver with loads of production at the collegiate level. He comes into the NFL as a potentially game-breaking type of player out of the slot.
After the catch, Downs is lethal. His footwork is tremendous, allowing him to get open with ease. He knows how to find the soft spots in coverage and works them well.
Downs is an explosive athlete that looks to move the chains, and then some. He’s a bit undersized at just 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds. But, he brings the fire each and every down. He has the potential to truly change the offense and take some pressure off of Stefon Diggs, finally.
Last year, Downs caught 94 passes for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns at North Carolina.