The 2024 NFL Draft is officially in the books and the NFL saw a number of players entering the league who could become superstars in short order. The Bills are going to hope players like Keon Coleman, Cole Bishop, and DeWayne Carter fall into that category.
While the Bills should feel good about their draft class, they should also be celebrating the fact that some players didn't end up in their division. They won't have to worry about game planning for these players twice every season as these five players seemed to be realistic options that were either not selected or picked right before their picks.
5 players the Buffalo Bills should be happy are not in the AFC East
Jayden Daniels
It seemed to be almost a certainty that the first three picks would be quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft. There wasn't much suspense about who would be the first overall pick as the Chicago Bears were going to select Caleb Williams.
However, it wasn't as clear what the Washington Commanders might do at number two as they could select either Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye, or even trade out of the spot. In the end, the Bills would select Daniels which is something that fans should celebrate.
Between the two, Daniels appears to not only have the higher ceiling but looks to be the most pro-ready while Maye might need some time to develop. For the Bills, who will be going for their fifth straight AFC East division title any extra time they have will certainly work in their favor.
Rome Odunze
The New York Jets were also drafting in the Top 10 but were the final pick at number 10. As the first round rolled on, it appeared they would have a chance at a few offensive playmakers that would have made Aaron Rodgers' job easier but also put pressure on the Bills' defense.
One of those players is wide receiver Rome Odunze out of Washington. He was one of three wide receivers who were considered the top of their draft class at the position, along with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers.
Odunze also was expected to be a target for the Buffalo Bills if they were going to trade all the way up into the Top 10. However, that never materialized and Odunze would end up staying out of the AFC East entirely as the Bears selected him with the ninth overall pick.
The Jets would end up trading back and instead of picking the next player, they went with Olu Fashanu out of Penn State.
Brock Bowers
As tough as Rome Odunze will be on opposing cornerbacks, Brock Bowers might have been the tougher matchup for the Buffalo Bills. He was the unquestioned top tight end in this year's class and one of the best prospects in recent memory.
The former Georgia tight end is an excellent receiver at the tight end position and with his size and athleticism, it makes it hard to determine who is best to cover him. There are a majority of linebackers that don't have the speed to stay with him while defensive backs don't have the size.
If the Jets were to add Bowers, it would have been tough as they also already have Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams at wide receiver with Breece Hall at running back. In the end, the Jets thought it made sense to give Rodgers more protection and improve the offensive line and that is why they would end up selecting Fashanu.
Byron Murphy II
The Miami Dolphins were picking later in the 2024 NFL Draft with the 20th overall and they had a clear need for their defensive line. In addition to releasing Emmanuel Ogbah, they also saw Christian Wilkins leave in free agency and sign a massive contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.
As the first round played out, it was primarily only offensive players and in fact the first 14 picks would be on offense. One player in particular that seemed like a great fit for the Dolphins, and bad news for the Bills, was Byron Murphy II out of Texas.
He is a disruptive defensive tackle that would have been a perfect replacement for Wilkins. Thankfully the Seattle Seahawks would pick him with the 16th overall pick and not let him fall down to the Dolphins. Murphy has the talent to have a major impact on the opposing offense, similar to Wilkins, and the Bills should be thankful that he is heading to the NFC West and not the AFC East.
Dallas Turner
Another player that the Miami Dolphins could have picked if he fell that would have been an issue for the Bills is pass rusher Dallas Turner out of Alabama. As mentioned previously, the Dolphins released Ogbah this offseason and could use help for Bradley Chubb, Shaquil Barrett, and Jaelan Phillips at the position.
The Dolphins would end up doing that by selecting Chop Robinson with their first-round pick but they would have probably much rather had Turner, who was considered at times to be a Top 10 pick. He was a big part of the Crimson Tide's defense with 22.5 sacks and 32.5 tackles for a loss over three seasons with Alabama.
In the AFC East, with Josh Allen and Aaron Rodgers it would make sense to try to improve the pass rush. There is no question this has a ripple effect through the rest of the defense and gives them a better chance of slowing down opposing offenses.
The Dolphins did improve their pass rush but it would have been even tougher with Turner instead of Chop Robinson.