The NFL Draft is right around the corner and this is one of the most exciting times of the offseason for fans. It’s a three-day event where teams and fans will learn which young talent will be bringing their talents to for 2025 and beyond. The Buffalo Bills have become a team in the league that finds themselves near the backend of the first round.
Since 2021, Buffalo has only been as a low as the mid-20s and as high up the board as No. 30 in the first round. Even though it’s a pain to sit there for awhile and see how the board plays out, the Bills would rather be one of those teams because it shows the success they are having during the season.
Buffalo is heading into this draft with ten picks to work with, which is a lot compared to what they have had in the past. So, it is very possible that the Bills may be considering a potential trade up if the right player for them is sliding down the board. Brandon Beane is not afraid to be aggressive and go get his guy.
He did in 2022 with Kaiir Elam, and he did it again the following draft with Dalton Kincaid. It’s also possible that maybe Buffalo will trade back, or even out of the first round again because of them being so far back. If there is a player that a team wants to get back in the first round to acquire, the Bills are in a prime position to trade back.
However, it’s always a fun time when we see the trade alert come up on the screen. Now, if that is the Bills in this year’s draft, there are four trade scenarios that Buffalo could see themselves part of as part of a trade up.
4 trade-up scenarios for Bills in Round 1 of NFL Draft
Bills acquire No. 24 pick from Minnesota Vikings
In this trade-up scenario, the Bills jump up six spots with the Minnesota Vikings to go up to the No. 24 overall pick. In addition, the Bills also acquire a 5th-round pick (No. 139). Buffalo sends No. 30 overall and a 4th-rounder (No. 109) to the Vikings.
Minnesota desperately needs picks. As of right now, they only have four picks to use. This trade-down would give them an early Day 3 pick but also still give them the chance to either still draft someone in the first round, or potentially even trade back again out of the first round and acquire more picks. This is a very cheap price for the Bills to pay to move up six spots.
Bills acquire No. 25 pick from Houston Texans
The Texans already have a 5th-round pick (No. 166) from the Bills from when they acquired wide receiver Stefon Diggs last offseason. In this trade-up scenario, Buffalo trades up with Houston to move up five spots, while sending the Texans the No. 30 overall pick and a 4th-round pick (No. 132).
Houston doesn’t have a 4th-round pick so this gives them an early Day 3 pick while still having the chance to make a selection in the first round for an even cheaper rookie contract.
Bills acquire No. 26 pick from Los Angeles Rams
Buffalo makes a deal with the Los Angeles Rams to move up four spots to No. 26 while also acquiring what would be their third 6th-round pick (No. 190). The Rams would move back four spots to No. 30 and also acquire a 5th-round pick (No. 169).
The Rams are heading into their second consecutive draft where they will actually have some valuable draft picks to utilize that isn’t on the third day of the draft. Now they jump up 21 spots on Day 3 with getting Buffalo’s 5th-round pick.
Bills acquire No. 28 pick from Detroit Lions
Buffalo moves up just two spots ahead and also acquires a 6th-round pick (No. 196) from the Detroit Lions in exchange for No. 30 and a 5th-round pick (No. 170). Essentially, the Lions jump up 26 spots on the third day and the Bills still have plenty of picks to utilize from. It’s a win-win.