With the NFL draft quickly approaching, the Bills' offseason moves have left them with a few different paths that they can take in the draft. Taking all of the signings, extensions and mock drafts into account, one thing is clear, the Bills have one of the most important drafts in their recent history coming up and they need to nail it.
After running countless mock drafts (without any trades), I feel that these picks are both realistic and ideal for Buffalo. Let’s take a look at where I believe the Bills should go with their first five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft:
Round 1 (30): CB Trey Amos
Defensively, the Bills have some holes to fill, and I feel like cornerback should be their top priority. Amos is a perfect fit for this Bills’ defense and would be a day one competitor for the CB2 spot opposite Christian Benford.
Along with his size (6-1, 195 pounds) and speed (4.43 in the 40), he has shown the ability to execute in both man and zone coverage. One of the major reasons why I feel that he should be the pick here is his ability to play physical press coverage.
The Bills have lacked that in the CB2 spot, and with both boundary corners possessing the physical traits to be a bit more aggressive, they can mix in some different looks next season and feel more comfortable with their secondary.
Round 2 (56): S Xavier Watts
Another addition to the secondary comes with their first pick of the second round. A former wide receiver turned safety, Watts exploded onto the scene and directly into the national spotlight. The two time All-American is the definition of a ball hawk.
In his last two years he totaled 13 interceptions, including a 100 yard pick-six against USC. Watts is an explosive talent and a nose for the football, but his tackling (12.6% missed tackle rate this season) and effectiveness in man coverage are areas that need serious improvement.
Round 2 (62): WR Isaiah Bond
Bond has been a player the Bills have had their eye on for a while and recently just brought him in for a top 30 visit. While his production numbers at Texas don’t jump off the page, Bond has shown a lot on tape that would be a great fit for the Bills. He has great route running ability, but more importantly, he has the ability to stretch the defense downfield.
Looking at the current wide receiver room in Buffalo, they are missing someone who can get open in the deeper areas of the field and unlock the defense over the top. Bond has the speed (although it was a bit slower than his prediction) and change of direction skills to be a dangerous addition for Josh Allen.
Round 4 (109): DE Kyle Kennard
This would be a massive steal for the Bills in this spot. I believe that Kennard is a player who can step in right away and have an impact on this defense. Kennard made himself known on the national scene last year, becoming the first South Carolina player to ever win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the best defensive player in college football.
He finished the season with 11.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss, earning him the the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and consensus All-American honors. At 6 '4, 248-pounds, he would be a valuable piece to improve the pass rush that they have worked to improve every offseason since Brandon Beane arrived.
Round 4 (132): DT Jordan Phillips
A high school wrestler and freak athlete, something that has always piqued the interest of Sean McDermott and the Bills in past drafts. Philips is a big body that has shown flashes in his two years at Maryland. What makes Phillips' future outlook intriguing is his combination of youth and raw physicality.
At 20 years old, he's already drawing comparisons to players like Daron Payne. He likely will be a bit of a project, but at that age, he is a big body with some runway to learn. Oh, and he can also squat 665 pounds.
Things are likely to change before and even during the draft, but I feel that these picks would help fill some immediate needs with game ready players while also adding some promising depth at key positions. Get excited Bills Mafia, this is a massive day for next year's Super Bowl chase.