The 2023 NFL Draft is here, and the Buffalo Bills have an interesting night ahead of them.
General manager Brandon Beane enters the draft with a total of six picks, and we’ve heard everything from the team trading back to potentially trading up. So, expect the unexpected, as they say.
In the first round, the Bills own pick no. 27 overall. They have a couple of clear needs to address early on, but every year there are some big surprises. If Beane and the front office have fallen in love with one of these select prospects, they could surprise fans and make a pick that has Bills Mafia asking questions.
Surprise first-round options for the Buffalo Bills in the 2023 NFL Draft: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
The Bills definitely need to add a playmaker on offense, early, in this draft. Rumor had it that, if they were to move up, it were to be for an offensive lineman or an offensive skill player. One option the team might have for the latter, at no. 27, is North Carolina wideout Josh Downs.
Now, is Downs a bad pick, by any means? Not necessarily. However, he’s graded as a second-round pick by most outlets you’ll read, and he’s consistently stayed there for a couple of months.
Downs is one of those shifty types who is a bit undersized but makes a lot of sudden moves before and after the catch. He’s tough, sheds tackles well and provides a spark, sometimes, when you least expect it. He’s a good athlete, but isn’t elite at anything in particular, which is why he shouldn’t be a first rounder.
If the Bills fall in love with him, though, they wouldn’t have a shot at him late in the second round (at least, it wouldn’t be likely) and would have to pull the trigger in Round 1.
Surprise first-round options for the Buffalo Bills in the 2023 NFL Draft: Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
For the last couple of weeks, one of the biggest draft risers has been Wisconsin center Joe Tippmann. The mammoth of a man came into the draft process as a likely Day 2 pick, but has been rising and is now a consistent pick in the second round of the majority of mock drafts.
There have even been a few mocks to have him going late in the first round, although it would indeed be a surprise. However, if the Bills view finding a Mitch Morse replacement as that important, then Tippmann would be the most ideal candidate for the job.
The 6-foot-6 center is an aggressor. He’s very strong and bulldozes blockers with sheer size. But, what’s impressive about Tippmann is the fact that he moves better than anyone should at his height. He can get out in space, up to the second level, in an absolute hurry.
Buffalo’s need lies more at right guard, so Tippman would be a shocking pick for that reason, too. Again, he’s a sure fire second rounder. And, the Bills would use him as a Morse replacement. But, this early? It would be a surprise, that’s for sure.
Surprise first-round options for the Buffalo Bills in the 2023 NFL Draft: BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU
Another major need for this team is to find a pass rusher to line up with Gregory Rousseau for the time being, while Von Miller continues to recover. We’ve talked about this topic extensively, here, for a while now. Miller’s absence made a huge difference on this defense last year.
After he went out, this front seven wasn’t even close to as consistent getting to the quarterback. Rousseau was the only one who did it remotely consistent at times.
LSU edge rusher BJ Ojulari is another one of those guys who is a sure fire second-round pick. There’s no way he falls out of that round. However, if the Bills liked his traits enough, they could reach for him in the first. Again, like the other two, he wouldn’t necessarily be a “bad” pick. But, he would be a reach, and would have to perform at a high level, right away, to make fans feel less uneasy about the selection.
Ojulari is just 6-foot-2, 248 pounds so he’s somewhat undersized. But he’s a pass rusher, through and through. He’s not as good at stopping the run, which is one big reason why he shouldn’t be a first-round type of talent. However, if the Bills just want a pure pass rusher, he fits that mold.