The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft was completed on Thursday night and the Buffalo Bills added another playmaker for Josh Allen with the selection of Dalton Kincaid out of Utah. The Bills now have a second tight end to complement Dawson Knox but his role may be more than that based on some comments made by Brandon Beane, like this one tweeted by WGR550’s Sal Capaccio.
The Buffalo Bills now are scheduled to make two picks on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft with their original second and third round picks. With that in mind, these are 14 players that are still available that could make sense for general manager Brandon Beane to have very high on his draft board.
14 players the Buffalo Bills could target on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft
Linebackers
Targets: Drew Sanders, Trenton Simpson
The middle linebacker is one of the biggest glaring needs for the Buffalo Bills defense and Day 2 always seemed like the spot that they would address this need. The front office has added some competition this offseason in A.J. Klein and Tyrel Dodson to compete with Terrel Bernard. However, if Bernard were not to win the starting job, Klein and Dodson don’t appear to be long-term answers.
The best option still available would have to be Drew Sanders after Jack Campbell was drafted 18th overall by the Detroit Lions. Sanders has some development as he played only one season at middle linebacker but he is very athletic, has good size, and is an excellent pass rusher from that spot.
If Drew Sanders is drafted before their pick, the Buffalo Bills may wait until the third round with the idea to trade up if needed to select Trenton Simpson. The former Clemson linebacker isn’t a perfect fit but could make sense for this defense.
Interior Offensive Line
Targets: Joe Tippmann, Steve Avila, Luke Wypler
The Buffalo Bills should address the interior offensive line at some point with their remaining picks and there are still some of the best left at this position. The Bills have shown a desire to add athletic offensive linemen and the three players listed above certainly fit that mold.
The interesting point for all three is that they can play both guard or center, which could be a position of need after this season if the team decides to move on from Mitch Morse.
Joe Tippmann with Wisconsin and Luke Wypler with Ohio State were primarily centers in college that could play guard as a rookie. Meanwhile, Steve Avila played more guard at TCU but showed he can play center based on what he did at the Senior Bowl a few months ago.
If the Bills want to draft Tippmann or Avila, they will likely need to trade up in the second round, which could be challenging but would solidify that pivotal position on the offensive line for the future.
Defensive Ends
Targets: Byron Young, Keion White, Derick Hall
The addition of Aaron Rodgers shouldn’t change the Buffalo Bills draft strategy but it does make the need for a prominent pass rush that much more important. In addition to two games against Rodgers, the Bills have road games against Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts.
The Buffalo Bills are hoping that Von Miller can be ready to start the season, and it appears like it is a good chance that will happen, but even if he is available they should try to manage his workload early. In addition to Miller, the Bills have A.J. Epenesa entering the final year of his deal as well as Shaq Lawson playing on a one-year deal.
The defensive end position is something the front office has invested in over the years and they could use a pick on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft to once again add to it. The three players that make the most sense as potential targets would be Derick Hall and Keion White in the second round or Byron Young out of Tennessee in the third round.
Defensive Tackles
Targets: Gervon Dexter, Keeanu Benton, Zacch Pickens
The defensive tackle position is another position that has some concerns past this season with no defensive tackle under contract in 2024. The Buffalo Bills could look to extend some of those players or bring them back after the season, DaQuan Jones and Jordan Phillips seem like the best bet, but they could also want to add some youth to the position.
The Buffalo Bills could go either direction on Day 2 and try to add a one-tech, or run-stuffing defensive tackle, or a three-tech, who is expected more to penetrate and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. If the Bills want a replacement for Ed Oliver then Gervon Dexter from the Florida Gators would be a good fit as well as Zacch Pickens from South Carolina.
If the Buffalo Bills want to shore up their run defense though then Keeanu Benton would be a great fit as he is a massive defensive tackle 6’4″ and 315 pounds that is almost unmovable in the middle of the field that can clog running lanes.
Wide Receiver
Target: Josh Downs, Tyler Scott, Jalin Hyatt
The Buffalo Bills added another target for Josh Allen but they might not be done helping their quarterback with questions looming at wide receiver. Gabe Davis entering the final year of his contract and no clear replacement at slot receiver with the likely candidates being Khalil Shakir or Trent Sherfield.
While there was a big run right before the Buffalo Bills pick at the position, there is some good value on Day 2 at wide receiver. The three wide receivers that really stand out that are still available would be Josh Downs, Tyler Scott and Jalin Hyatt.
Josh Downs is almost exclusively a slot receiver and reliable pass catcher and he may not be as high on the team’s draft board after drafting Dalton Kincaid. However, Scott and Hyatt would be very interesting fits as both are big play threats that can get over the top of the defense that opens up more of the field for players like Stefon Diggs, Dawson Knox and the recently drafted Kincaid.