The 2025 NFL Draft week is here, and it sure is an exciting time for NFL fans, executives, and prospects. The mystery behind where these players land, and which round they end up in compared to where they land in the predictive big boards is the best part.
So, as many NFL front offices do their homework, the fans also do their mock drafts to see some of the more realistic outcomes, and some of the not-so realistic outcomes as well.
Bills NFL mock draft has Buffalo landing great defensive talent
(Trade-back with NYG) Round 2, Pick 34: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
This is one of the more surprising picks considering how much it seems that Kenneth Grant would not fall to even No. 30 to the Bills, much less to the 2nd round. However, the NFL world seems to have cooled off on Grant and have pushed up other prospects like Tyleik Williams and Derrick Harmon ahead of Grant. If the Bills manage a trade back to this spot, getting more Top 100 selections, and still get Grant, this is a huge win for the Bills.
With this trade, the Bills trade picks No. 30, No. 109, and No. 169 and receive picks No. 34 and No. 99 from the Giants. This gives the Bills a third second-round pick and a third-round pick (which they currently don't have).
Round 2, Pick 56: EDGE Landon Jackson, Arkansas
In addition to Grant's stock falling, Landon Jackson's also has as well. There is a little potential for Jackson to sneak into the first round come Thursday night, but most likely not. Jackson could go anywhere between No. 40 - No. 50, but the slides just a little more to the Bills at No. 56. I'm sure Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott would love to not have to trade up for a player of Jackson's value.
Round 2, Pick 62: CB Darien Porter, Iowa State
Darien Porter, like Jackson, could rise up some team's boards. Having him fall to the late 2nd round was a good thing, not just because of how well Porter has played and projects to the NFL, but because this is where the drop off usually is from higher end cornerbacks to middle-of-the-road prospects. Porter can be the Day starter opposite of Christian Benford with the amount of potential Porter possesses.
Round 3, Pick 99: DT Joshua Farmer, Florida State
The Bills have met with Joshua Farmer quite a bit during the pre-draft process just like Landon Jackson, and they seem to like him quite a bit. Farmer helps to solidify the defensive tackle room for years to come for Buffalo. He has the size to play both 1-technique and 3-technique, so he can spell either Ed Oliver or DaQuan Jones, and has both pass and run stopping ability.
Having Grant, Farmer, Ed Oliver, and DeWayne Carter for the next few years not only helps to stock the cupboards, but also, having 3 players out of 4 on rookie contracts for the next few years helps with the Bills' cap situation.
Round 4, Pick 132: S RJ Mickens, Clemson
The Bills could definitely use some safety help, but it probably isn't as pressing a need as some might say. RJ Mickens has big time potential as an athlete. Having Mickens and Cole Bishop in the same room could be the best pair of athletes that Sean McDermott has had at his disposal. Plus, Mickens is versatile in playing both a single high safety and closer to the line of scrimmage.
Round 5, Pick 170: TE Thomas Fidone, Nebraska
As of this writing, Quintin Morris is not on the Buffalo Bills roster. So with that being the case, the Bills could use another tight end to compete with Zach Davidson for the Bills' 3rd string spot.
Fidone may be a late draft pick, but once was highly recruited coming out of high school. Injuries have gotten in the way of Fidone reaching his true potential. If he can clear his physicals and stay relatively healthy, this could be one of Brandon Beane's better selections of this draft relative to where he was drafted.
Round 5, Pick 173: CB Caleb Ransaw, Tulane
The Bills could definitely benefit from getting another cornerback with some upside who can play mostly anywhere in the defensive backfield. Although Caleb Ransaw didn't face the best competition at Tulane, he is an excellent tackler and fills in the gaps in run support very well.
The Bills could definitely use another corner opposite of Christian Benford that can tackle very well. Given how well Sean McDermott can coach up defensive backs, this seems like a perfect pairing that could be a steal a few years after this draft.
Round 6, Pick 177: WR Arian Smith, Georgia
The board didn't fall the best way in terms of getting a wide receiver early. The Bills need a wideout with speed to help complement the current room to help create mismatches for the other pass catchers. Unfortunately, Arian Smith hasn't shown his best as a reliable catcher of the football, but hopefully can develop that area of his game.
Round 6, Pick 206: LB Shaun Dolac, Buffalo
It wouldn't be a proper Bills mock draft for 2025 without drafting Shaun Dolac out of Buffalo. Dolac recently worked out for the Bills at their local pro day, and he is a really intriguing prospect. Dolac just screams Bills DNA through and through, and not just because he played at the University of Buffalo. He has great instincts in pass coverage and can provide good run support. His two biggest knocks on him are that he played at UB, a smaller school, and he is a smaller linebacker as well.
Even with those knocks, Dolac should be drafted higher considering how well he played in college and his high football IQ. Having Dolac helps with the uncertainty of Baylon Spector and how often he is injured, and the uncertain future of Matt Milano. Bringing in Dolac can help not just on defense, but also special teams. Plus, a reunion with current LB Joe Andreessen and having 2 UB linebackers is a fun story.
Final thoughts
In summation, this is a pretty decent haul. The only thing that would have been different is possibly picking a running back between the 5th and 7th round. Mainly because of how James Cook's future of being a Bill is a question mark not just for next season, but possibly a trade before the 2025 season starts in September. Also, with this running back class is loaded with talent that it wouldn't be right to not have drafted one.