The NFL scouting combine and the first big wave of free agency is in the books. The next stop for the NFL is the draft.
While these prospects have been putting in the work throughout their college careers, having the combine to be able to look at how they perform compared to their peers both present and past helps NFL teams to plan better for their draft boards. In the case of the Buffalo Bills, there are some defensive tackles that they should have an eye on come April.
Tyleik Williams - Ohio State
Tyleik Williams is a larger prospect that doesn't necessarily fit the defensive prototype the Bills usually implement. But with how Williams plays the run, and the Bills defensive line rotation being what it is, he is definitely an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on.
If the Bills decide to shore up both their run defense and also keep their smaller matchup linebackers in Terrell Bernard and Matt Milano clean, Williams would certainly help. At No. 30, it seems a little rich, but if somehow he falls to one of the two Bills' picks in the 2nd round, that would be great value for him.
That all depends on if the Bills want to keep both of their 2nd rounders, or possibly package one of them in a trade to move up in the first or move back and get back into the 3rd round where they have none currently.
Kenneth Grant - Michigan
Kenneth Grant is the apple of most Bills' fans eyes, and for good reason. He not only is 330+lbs and can operate as a traditional nose tackle, but he has athleticism and an unbelievable pass-rush for days. This is the type of defensive tackle that the Bills covet. Mainly for the reason that he can rush the passer very well, but also he can clog up the middle and keep the second level of the defense clean.
It seems at this point like he will not fall to No. 30, but Brandon Beane does have a lot of draft picks he could package for a modest trade up to get him. Grant is the dream pick for the Bills, and if the Bills could get him somehow, some way, this could be one of the best 1st-round picks that Beane has made since drafting Josh Allen (of course, that is if Grant reaches his potential that is projected).
Joshua Farmer - Florida State
Farmer, although not a flashy nor a top prospect, looks to be a good fit for the Bills. The Bills' front office has shown quite a bit of interest, having talked to him a lot in this pre-draft process. Farmer, is not as big as both Grant and Williams, but he does have modest size (6'3", 318 pounds).
Farmer definitely fits the mold of a Bills player. He is a great locker room player and is a "blue collar" type of worker. Farmer also fits the role as a potential backup to Ed Oliver in the 3-technique role, but also might be able to play some 1-technique as well given he is larger than Oliver.
Farmer and Oliver together would be a great pair of pass-rushing defensive tackles. Look for Farmer more towards the end of the 2nd round. That is, if the Chiefs don't get to him first considering they also have been talking to Farmer a lot as well.
Alfred Collins - Texas
Alfred Collins is similar to Tyleik Williams, where he is more of a run stuffing defensive tackle, but there is more potential for Collins to play given he can rush the passer similar if not better than Williams. Just like last year, T'Vondre Sweat was a good run stuffing defensive tackle, and at the same school of Texas University. Unlike Sweat, Collins doesn't play the run as well, but he has more pass-rushing upside than Sweat.
Just what the Bills would need considering they could use a great big body in the middle to clog up run lanes. Also, to help Ed Oliver be more free to rush the passer as well. Collins could definitely make an impact. Getting Collins would either require using their 1st round pick, or potentially moving back into the early 2nd round. It feels like Collins will not last until either pick No. 56 or No. 62 for the Bills.
Derrick Harmon - Oregon
Derrick Harmon is probably the best choice at pick No. 30 for the Bills (if Grant doesn't last until then). Harmon can definitely rush the passer, but also is bigger than Oliver, so he can be a force in the run game. Harmon can be the succession plan for DaQuan Jones who is aging and on the last year of his deal.
That is actually the NFL comparison that Lance Zierlein had of Harmon was DaQuan Jones, so why not draft him to the team that already has his NFL comparison on the roster? Having Jones in the room to teach up Harmon who is in that same mold would be very beneficial to both Harmon and Buffalo.