5 reasons why the Buffalo Bills should not draft a WR in first round
By Joe Cook
Reason No. 2: Top tier defensive talent could land in the Bills' lap
The Buffalo Bills still have Sean McDermott as their head coach and he’s a defensive guru. Before it was the Josh Allen superstar show, the Bills defense was the ticket seller. It has been a top unit for years in the league but has faltered the last two years due to injuries and aging players.
The Bills are in a youth movement this offseason and a lot of that purging has come on the defensive side, letting guys like Jordan Poyer and Tre’ Davious White go. In a first round that’s supposed to be historically offensive-heavy, the Bills could have a premium defensive talent land right in their lap at 28. Similar to how Ed Oliver slid right to the Bills at number nine in 2019.
We may see five quarterbacks drafted in the first round this year, with three or four in the top 10. Now throw in three receivers in the Top 15 with the potential to have four in the Top 20. Also, factor in the surplus of offensive tackles, and supposed generational tight end Brock Bowers. Next thing you know, by the time pick number 28 rolls around, the Bills could snag a defensive talent that would be in the teens in a normal draft.
Going back to what was mentioned earlier, it would be unwise for the team to reach for a tier-two receiver here if a top-tiered defensive player is available. If someone like Laiatu Latu is there, it would be a home run pick at 28. The Bills could add a premier edge rusher for years to come to pair with Rousseau and Epenesa.
Or someone like Cooper DeJean who’s a shoo-in for McDermott’s system. Versatile, athletic, high character, and playmaker. It all depends on how the board falls but the Bills could land themselves a top-tier defensive player for the price of a late first-round pick, and still get a great receiver talent in round two.