We are just one sleep away from the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay. The Buffalo Bills are currently slated to pick at No. 30, which likely won’t be until after 11:00 p.m. However, the Bills may make a selection before that, or, like last year, don’t make a pick until round two. While it’s felt that way for a while now, general manager Brandon Beane’s comments in his scheduled media meeting yesterday at voluntary offseason workouts have only grown that ambition.
Beane confirmed to local reporters that the Bills don’t have 30 first-round grades on prospects this year. While it is smoke and mirrors season, he typically doesn’t lie about this and doesn’t give anything away by saying so. He said the same thing last year, and then we watched the Bills trade back twice and completely exit Round 1. Draft analyst Tony Pauline says his sources tell him the Buffalo Bills have just 12 players graded as “true first-round prospects.” While the Bills don’t let much of anything leave their building at all, it aligns with Beane’s comments.
The buzz about the draft, especially over the last two weeks, is that it’s not a top-end talent draft. There is tons of value though, with guys who will be reliable starters, but just like normally, those types of guys are day two guys. While the Bills at pick No. 30 is more like a second-rounder, trading back could net them even more value. In my final mock draft, I had the Bills trading down and picking up two top-end contributors with their first two selections.
Beane has proven to be aggressive in the draft; in his seven drafts at the helm for the Bills, he’s only used his own pick twice. The last time was in 2021 when they selected Gregory Rousseau. He’s also not afraid to trade down and loves to acquire capital, as value is very important in the way he operates. If you were putting money on it, a trade seems likely tomorrow night. However, let’s look at each way.
Value of trading up
With minimal first-round grades and a lot of capital, the Bills could easily move up. Knowing they need to improve their defense after falling short in the AFC Championship, going up to get a difference maker would make sense. The Pittsburgh Steelers at pick No. 21 makes a lot of sense.
They move back and get their young quarterback, while also picking up extra capital. If cornerback Will Johnson out of Michigan truly does slip like rumors are suggesting, don’t be surprised if the Bills go up and get him. The same could be said for Jahdae Barron out of Texas, or Michigan’s Kenneth Grant (a fan favorite). The Bills could go up and get a difference maker, and adhere to their value system.
Value of trading down
While I believe this is the more likely option, it also seems like the best option. The Bills could slide down, pick up an extra second and third-rounder, and really hammer out upgrading their defense. They would be able to select from the top of the barrel, second-tier guys.
Guys like Tyleik Williams, Darius Alexander, and Omarr Norman-Lott at defensive tackle make sense and upgrade their defensive line. Cornerback-wise, Trey Amos, Maxwell Hairston, Benjamin Morrison, and Azareye’h Thomas are the top second-tier prospects. Landon Jackson, Nick Scourton, Princely Umanmielen, and Bradyn Swinson are top second-tier edge rushers. If they want to address wide receiver, they could land talents like Jalen Royals, Jayden Higgins, Jack Bech, or Tre Harris.
By trading down, the Bills could get four guys ready to start or be a top contributor right away. They could upgrade every single position of need significantly in rounds two and three. Keep in mind they already have two second-round picks and the later round capital to be aggressive in rounds two and three.