Defense has been a main focus for Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott since arriving in Buffalo in 2017. Going back to the 2017 NFL Draft (before Beane was hired as the general manager), the Bills have drafted five defensive players in the first round. These players include Tre’Davious White, Tremaine Edmunds, Ed Oliver, Greg Rousseau and Kaiir Elam. The duo also drafted A.J. Epenesa in the second round of the 2020 draft.
Lately, the Bills have shifted their focus on offense early on. In 2018, they drafted the superstar that they had hoped for, Josh Allen. In 2023, the Bills traded up for tight end Dalton Kincaid. Then this past year, after the Bills traded out of the first round, they drafted current rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman. The offense has needed a new shift recently, but the defense might be the main focus after this season.
When you look at the state of their defense, players like Matt Milano, Rasul Douglas, DaQuan Jones, and Von Miller might have just one more year after 2024, if not less. Out of all four of these players, Von Miller is more than likely the first one to go (assuming Douglas gets extended to a new contract). The Bills signed Miller in 2022, bringing him to Buffalo to be the closer that they lacked. That signing hasn’t worked out whatsoever and it’s just a matter of time before the breakup happens.
Buffalo Bills draft Von Miller replacement in recent 2025 NFL mock draft
CBS Sports Writer Chris Trapasso published a shocking 2025 NFL mock draft that has Colorado’s own Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders going in the top two picks. However, that won’t have any impact on the Bills. In this mock draft, Trapasso has the Bills selecting Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson.
Standing at 6’7” and 280lbs, the Bills would be adding a complimentary player who can help support Greg Rousseau on the other side. Even though A.J. Epenesa has been solid for the Bills the last two seasons, he isn’t a long-term starter solution. Drafting Jackson means adding young talent at a very important position.
Rousseau is already looking for a massive contract extension so getting another pass-rusher on a cheap rookie contract would be in the best interest for Buffalo. Jackson has been solid for the Razorbacks, racking up 13 sacks the last two seasons and he can bat down passes from the line of scrimmage.
Von Miller’s time in Buffalo is coming to an end sooner than later. Drafting his future replacement should be no shock to Bills fans.