The Buffalo Bills remain patient in the first but in the second make a jump and swing a trade with the Seattle Seahawks to move up seven spots which costs them a fourth and sixth round pick to draft their future starting middle linebacker.
The Buffalo Bills lost Tremaine Edmunds this offseason in free agency after he was the starter for the past five seasons. The front office has done a good job of creating competition with A.J. Klein, Tyrel Dodson, Terrel Bernard and Baylon Spector but none possess the upside of Drew Sanders out of the University of Arkansas.
He had only one season as a starter after playing the previous two years with the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Buffalo Bills may need to be patient as Sanders learns the position more but have given themselves that luxury with the depth they already have on the roster.
However, the ceiling is very evident from what he showed last year with the Razorbacks, especially with how he was able to pressure the quarterback. One thing that does stand out about Sanders, and is comparable to Edmunds, is his size as he is 6’4″ and 235 pounds while Edmunds was 6’5″ and 250 pounds.
A linebacker of Sanders’ size creates problems for opposing offenses, particularly in the passing game as they have to try and throw over him which can result in throws being off-target or high. While it did cost two picks to move up to select Drew Sanders, the Buffalo Bills have addressed two key needs early in this mock draft.