Bills build for future on defense in latest 3-round 2025 NFL mock draft

No one is currently thinking about the draft for the Buffalo Bills, yet it still remains an important factor for Buffalo to keep stability and develop players while in a tight salary cap situation. The Bills are more focused on making a run at the No. 1 seed in the AFC after clinching the AFC East this past Sunday night after winning 35-10 against the San Francisco 49ers.

Brandon Beane is always looking for ways to improve the team, whether it’s through free agency or the NFL draft. While he has had his misses in the draft, he’s also had a ton of hits too. Recently, Beane has transitioned to offense with his first pick the last two years. He traded up for Dalton Kincaid in 2023 and then selected Keon Coleman after trading out of the first round and securing the first pick of the second round.

Again, the last thing that Bills fans and the Bills are focused on is the draft but it’s important to see the future talent that could become apart of the future in Buffalo.

Trevor Sikkema from Pro Football Focus has the Bills going heavy on defense in the first three rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft in his recent mock draft.

No. 30: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

Going defense is not a bad idea when you think about it, and getting a linebacker for the future wouldn’t be the worst pick. Sikkema made a great point about how Matt Milano has had two big-time injuries the last year or so and the 2025 season could honestly be his last season with the Bills, as the Bills could get out of his contract financially per Spotrac.

At just 20 years old, Jihaad Campbell has fantastic size for a linebacker and has had his best productive season with the Crimson Tide. The Bills already have a future star at linebacker in Terrel Bernard and they should have Milano for atleast one more season. Let’s not forget about Dorian Williams, but he more than likely won’t be a full-time starter anytime soon unless an injury occurs. Drafting Campbell helps provide a future in the middle of the defense and he would have the best mentors in Bernard and Milano.

No. 60 (via MIN, per HOU): DE Ashton Gillotte, Louisville

Let’s face it, Von Miller is gone after this season. The future Hall of Famer hasn’t had the best tenure in Buffalo, but he has been much better than last season. However, the Bills have a future edge rusher in Greg Rousseau who has been making a great impact this season for the Bills and A.J. Epenesa has been a fantastic rotational player.

The Bills also have an under-the-radar player in Javon Solomon but there is a reason why he was not a high draft pick for them this past year. Ashton Gillotte can play inside and outside on the line but Gillotte would more than likely get reps on the outside. He had his best season as a member of the Louisville Cardinals with 11 sacks in 2023.

Adding another pass-rusher should be no surprise to Bills fans.

No. 62: DT LT Overton, Alabama

Beane goes defensive line here once again and brings in LT Overton out of Alabama. Maybe this makes sense, but at the same time it doesn’t. Ed Oliver is your main starter and the Bills are looking to develop DeWayne Carter who they drafted in the third round this past offseason.

However, DaQuan Jones more than likely won’t be in Buffalo beyond 2025 and guys like Jordan Phillips and Quinton Jefferson are journeymen. Overton has explosiveness off the snap and can help take on double teams to allow the linebackers to fly in and make a play.

No. 94: CB Azareye’h Thoams, Florida State

The Bills are better off addressing the secondary earlier than the third round, but better late than never. Buffalo has a shutdown corner in Christian Benford and Rasul Douglas has once again been amazing for the Bills. The only problem is that Douglas is set to be a free agent after this season and Benford could be looking to get paid some big money because of how much production he has improved in.

Luckily for Bills fans, Sean McDermott has a good eye for defensive back talent and the secondary for Buffalo has always been solid. No matter who you add, they will always make a play somehow, someway.

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