As we are now officially into the new NFL league year for 2025, the first big wave of free agency has passed us. The Buffalo Bills were quite busy, even before the tampering period opened they rewarded many of their key young players with contract extensions. In terms of outside help, they took a big swing in acquiring defensive end Joey Bosa, and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi. Clearly, they set out to improve a pass rush that has not been up to par the last few years.
The Bills also upgraded their rotational pieces by bringing in Michael Hoecht. The team went out and added another weapon for reigning MVP Josh Allen, in Joshua Palmer, giving him a downfield separator. They also brought back more of their own free agents, Ty Johnson, Damar Hamlin, and Reggie Gilliam.
Coming into the offseason I had cornerback labeled as the Bills' biggest need, which only grew when they dealt away former first-round cornerback Kaiir Elam to the Cowboys. The other blaring need is an upgrade at the one-technique defensive tackle position.
With the draft only a little over a month away, the Bills could opt to use their resources there. While Brandon Beane likes to go into a draft without big needs, right now it’s not set that way. We can expect veterans to be added there, but let’s take a look at a post-first wave of free agency mock draft.
Round 1 Pick 30: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
If we’re being honest, the Bills might be in another spot like last season where it benefits them more to trade back. The top players might be all gone, and drafting a guy here could be a reach. However, in this mock draft, there are no trades, so we’ll pick at 30. At No. 30, the Bills address their massive hole at cornerback with Trey Amos out of Ole Miss.
Amos has good size for a corner at 6’1” 195 lbs, nine-inch hands, and just north of 31-inch arms. The Louisiana native had a strong combine, running a 4.43 forty-yard dash, with a 32.5” vertical, and 10’ 6” broad jump. He can play both man and zone coverage, just like Bills rising star cornerback Christian Benford. With quick feet and good hands, he plays well in coverage and can play press as well. Last season at Ole Miss. he had a team-lead tie with three interceptions to go along with 13 pass breakups in 13 games.
Sean McDermott and the Buffalo Bills like cornerbacks who can tackle and Amos can get it done. Last season he had 50 tackles and four tackles for loss. With the Bills playing more man coverage in the back end of last season and possibly shifting to playing it more, Amos’ versatility would be a great fit for that. The First Team All-SEC and Second Team All-American would give the Bills a great cornerback duo with Benford.
Round 2 Pick 56: Alfred Collins, DT, Texas
While the Bills have tons of ammo to move up, Collins falls perfectly to them here. They continue to build a scary defensive line with their first of two second-round picks. Collins is a massive human at 6’6” 332 lbs, 10” hands, and almost 35 5/8” length arms.
The former Longhorn gives the Bills the size they’ve been missing along their defensive line for a few years now. He can play both one-tech and three-tech, but the Bills would use him as more of a one-tech. He can learn behind DaQuan Jones for a season and help their run defense while continuing to develop his pass-rush skills.
In 5 seasons with Texas, Collins appeared in 64 games, notching 141 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and 12 batted passes. The 2024 Second Team All-American is good at fighting double teams and is just what the Bills need on the interior. At just 23 he’s still young and could be the running mate with Ed Oliver for the foreseeable future.
Round 2 Pick 62: Jack Sawyer, DE, Ohio State
While Sawyer could potentially go earlier than this, in this mock he makes it to the Bills' second pick of the second round. With this pick, the Bills complete their defensive line overhaul and land a defensive end ready to contribute now, and in the future. He’s a high-motor and high-floor-level guy. While he may never be a premier pass rusher he projects as a solid one and could replace A.J. Epenesa, who is a free agent next season. Plus, he would come in and learn from Joey Bosa for a season.
At 6’4” and 260 lbs, Sawyer has good size for a defensive end in Buffalo’s system, who they ask to defend the run at a high level. Through his four seasons at Ohio State, he improved every year, and at just 22 years old, there’s no reason to think that trend will stop.
Sawyer totaled 144 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 23 sacks, 11 batted passes, and 6 forced fumbles in his college career. During Ohio State’s playoff run to their National Championship win, he posted 4.5 sacks and 6 pass breakups. Sawyer would round out the Bills defensive line nicely.