With the 2025 NFL Draft only three short weeks away, the Buffalo Bills will have their sights set on the plethora of young prospects looking to make it as a pro. With hundreds of mock drafts to choose from, this one has an angle; Year One Contributors. The Bills need players at several positions, despite having a solid roster.
The hope for this mock draft 1.0 is to find those players for Buffalo who can compete for a significant role early, and play a notable snap count for 2025. We'll be looking for at least one player at each major need to make an impact as a rookie.
The Buffalo Bills' needs are as follows:
- Cornerback
- Defensive Tackle
- Wide Receiver
- Defensive End
- Safety
- Linebacker
With no true option set across from Christian Benford, that cornerback spot is glaring and must be addressed. Buffalo hasn't had an answer on the interior defensive line for a long time, and it's bringing down the rest of the unit.
Their wide receiver room was surprising last season, but there is much to be done to elevate the rest of this 2025 unit. They have some good players at the defensive end spot but with Michael Hoecht missing six games to start the year, and the limited snap count we can expect from Joey Bosa, they will need more.
Safety was inconsistent last season, and the linebacker spots were often-injured. Both positions need contributors to round out the roster.
Round 1, Pick 30 - CB Trey Amos
The Buffalo Bills address their biggest need with their greatest capital, selecting Mississippi cornerback Trey Amos at the end of the first round. The Bills have already had a Top-30 meeting with Amos, and he's start-capable right out of training camp.
The 6'1, 195lb corner is an athletic freak, running a 4.33 40-yard dash. His phenomenal ball skills were on display at Ole Miss, but so was his physicality. Amos drills through screens like few others in this class, and knows how to use his body in every area of the field. Of the likely available players, Trey Amos offers the most immediate on-field value.
Round 2, Pick 50 - DT Tyleik Williams
The Bills trade with the Seattle Seahawks, giving up one of their extra fifth-round selections (173) in exchange for a six-spot jump. Moving from the 56th pick to the 50th, they acquire a solid player in Tyleik Williams. At 6'3 and 334lbs, the Ohio State product is the ideal man-eater. Massively strong, and able to eat two blockers on almost every snap, Tyleik can initiate a remarkable bull rush to collapse the pocket. His gap integrity is solid, making him an asset when defending the run.
Playing both the anchor and the interior rusher roles, he's the ideal versatile candidate. His unique figure carves out a role on the team immediately, but his skillset makes him into a plus contributor directly out of the draft. Whether eating space or creating pressure, he'd be an invaluable addition to the Buffalo Bills defensive line.
Round 2, Pick 62 - DE Princely Umanmielen
For the second time in only 33 selections, the Buffalo Bills take a plus starter from Ole Miss. Defensive end Princely Umanmielen was a stud in his final collegiate season, and projects as a pass-rush specialist in the NFL. His 6'4, 264lb frame is impressive, and he leverages great strength with surprising speed. His move set is deep, and lends credit to his ranged success at breaking down the quarterback. As a run-stopper, he's adequate, but as an immediate contributor he's capable enough.
Round 4, Pick 109 - WR Tory Horton
Though there are other prospects available as a better long-term investment for the Bills, such as developmental prospect Savion Williams out of TCU, Tory Horton of Colorado State has the year-one impact we're looking for in this mock draft. At 6'3 and 196lbs, Horton is a physically dominating player.
A natural athlete with great speed who is physical at the catch is a must in the Buffalo Bills offense. With the loss of Mack Hollins, Horton brings solid blocking and great work as a special teams gunner/returner to deepen his value. His game is unrefined, but he has the skills needed to contribute immediately.
Round 4, Pick 114 - S Lathan Ransom
With few positions left to contribute to, and high-level talent fading fast, moves must be made. We're trading the Bills' next two picks, a fourth (132) and a fifth (169), to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the 114th overall pick.
With that selection, Buffalo takes Lathan Ransom, another Ohio State prospect. At 6'1 and 210lbs, he brings the physical attributes necessary to be an enforcer against the run. At this point, no high-level free safeties with great coverage skills will be on the board, but Buffalo can add a bruiser with a nose for the ball. An extremely physical tackler who excels against the run, and takes risks on the ball that can lead to turnovers, is a player who can carve out a role in year one.
Round 5, Pick 148 - LB Smael Mondon Jr.
Similarly to their last move, the Buffalo Bills have to jump for the limited available talent. A swap with the Chicago Bears lands them pick number 148, costing them a fifth (170) and a sixth (206). As a result, they snag Smael Mondon Jr, linebacker from Georgia.
At 6'2, 220lbs, he's a capable and fluid linebacker with the coverage skills needed to carry tight ends downfield. His good instinccts in zone coverage and physical abilty to handle man-to-man responsibilities lead to consistent success. He stays clean in traffic with good vision and the tackling prowess to manage most ball-carriers.
Round 6, Pick 177 - WR Pat Bryant
With their final remaining pick, the Bills select Pat Bryant of Illinois. Simply put, Pat is a possession receiver, capable of carving out a spot on the roster in training camp. At a point with no obvious starters remaining, Bryant offers the Bills a 6'2. 208lb target with great eyes for the defense and natural body control. His ball skills and solid blocking make him a plausible year-one contributor.