The Buffalo Bills' offseason has begun, and they already signed a new face to the roster, which happened before the Bills' divisional battle with the Chiefs, when they signed former Broncos wide receiver, K.J. Hamler to a futures deal. Hamler will have an opportunity to compete for a spot on the Bills' roster in 2024 but I have a feeling he's going to be battling several other receivers as well, including one that AI seems to believe the Bills will draft in round one of the 2024 NFL Draft in April.
After completing this five-round mock draft, courtesy of AI, it's clear to me that I'm not the only one, and many fans, that think the Bills need to make wide receiver a priority in this year's draft. However, what I found to be rather interesting was AI's picks in rounds two through five. If you're not about drafting defense, you won't like this mock at all, but the Bills certainly have several needs on that side of the ball.
The Bills currently have only one interior defensive lineman under contract for the 2024 season. As a result, getting DaQuan Jones resigned should be a priority but beyond that, Buffalo needs to look to get younger and better at the position. According to AI, this mock draft addresses immediate needs at the wide receiver position and interior of the defensive line, while adding depth and other potential starters at other positions. So, let's get into the player selections.
1st round: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
With the possibility of losing Gabe Davis to free agency, the Bills will be looking to add new blood to the wide receiver corps. At the end of the day, I think Buffalo needs to draft a receiver here regardless of whether Davis signs elsewhere or elects to remain with the Bills. Davis is a capable wideout, but the Bills need to look to the future, as far as Diggs' replacement and Legette could be that guy. Besides, Davis as the number four of five option in this offense, would be tremendous and a tough matchup for any defense. Here is what AI had to say about this selection.
"Legette's excellent route running and ability to win deep would complement Stefon Diggs perfectly."AI
Legette is out of South Carolina and put up some solid numbers this past season. Out of 97 targets, he was credited with only two drops, according to Pro Football Focus. He recorded 71 receptions for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns. He also possesses outstanding size at 6'3" and 227 pounds. Mel Kiper has Legette listed as his number eight wide receiver in this class.
2nd round: Leonard Taylor III, DL, Miami
As mentioned earlier, the Bills have only one interior defensive lineman under contract at the moment, that being Ed Oliver. I do think the Bills will resign DaQuan Jones but those behind Jones include Jordan Phillips who is contemplating retirement, Poona Ford, Tim Settle, and Linval Joseph. All three of whom are currently pending free agents. Will the Bills bring any of them back, possibly but I still think the interior defensive line should be a draft priority, just not sure round two is where I go but here is what AI said about this pick.
"Taylor's athleticism and versatility as an interior pass rusher strengthens the defensive front."AI
Taylor isn't big by defensive tackle standards but still brings decent size to the position. He's 6'3" and weighs 305 pounds. He received a pass rush grade from PFF of 82.1 but his 2022 numbers were better overall. Still, he recorded more hurries last season than the year before with two fewer games. The difference was in the sack numbers. In 2022 he had four sacks, with six QB hits, and last season, only one sack and three QB hits. Still, production isn't everything and Mel Kiper has him as the third-best interior lineman.
3rd Round: Beau Brade, S, Maryland
Here is AI's answer to the safety position. The Bills may need to draft more than one of these guys though, given the uncertainty of both Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer but we'll have to wait and see. The good news is, we'll know well in advance of the draft whether one or both of these guys retire. However, this is another position of need, whether the Bills retain one or both of Hyde and Poyer. Here is AI's breakdown of Brade.
"Micah Hyde's potential departure necessitates a young safety. Brade's tackling prowess and coverage range ensure a smooth transition alongside Jordan Poyer."AI
Notice the "alongside Jordan Poyer". Does AI know something we don't? I'm kidding of course but the importance of this position will be much greater if the Bills lose both of their starting safeties. Anyway, Brade brings some size at 6'1" and 210 pounds. He was credited with 19 run stops, according to PFF, which ranked him 31st among all safeties in the country last season. He also earned a run defense grade of 70.6. Having a guy in the safety position that can provide solid run support is huge. Mel Kiper ranks Brade as the tenth-best safety in the class.
4th round: Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
I found this selection to be odd but only in that I don't think Braswell will be available this deep into the draft but if he is, it could be the steal of the NFL Draft. Mel Kiper ranked Braswell as the fifth-best outside linebacker and he's considered more of an edge player, think Von Miller or Leonard Floyd. Not true linebackers but not traditional defensive ends. Like I said, if Braswell is there in the fourth round, the Bills better be making this selection. Here are AI's thoughts on this pick.
"Adding depth and future potential at edge rusher opposite Von Miller, Braswell's relentless motor and pass-rush moves fit the Bills' defensive scheme."AI
If you haven't already noticed, I love this pick but I simply don't think Braswell makes it to the fourth round. With Leonard Floyd unsigned as of right now and the uncertain future of Von Miller's health and production, the Bills need someone like Braswell. He's a 6'3", 255-pound menace. In 2023, Braswell recorded 13 sacks, ten QB hits, and 33 hurries. Again, don't get your hopes up for this pick, as I'd be shocked if he's around in the fourth round.
5th Round: Curtis Jacobs, LB, Penn State
The future is bright for the Bills projected starting linebackers with Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano. I strongly doubt A.J. Klein will return to not only the Bills but football in general. I don't see him returning. Dorian Williams looks like he might be a pretty good linebacker as he grows in experience and continues to develop, same with Baylon Spector. The worry with Spector is he doesn't seem capable of staying healthy. The other concern is whether Tyrel Dodson returns. He was PFF's third highest-graded linebacker in 2023 but with Milano and Bernard entrenched in the starting lineup, Dodson may want to go elsewhere to be a full-time starter. Hence AI's selection of Curtis Jacobs. Here is what AI said about Jacobs.
"Jacobs' physicality and coverage skills provide versatility and athleticism to the linebacker corps."AI
Jacobs is 6'1" and weighs 238 pounds. He recorded 49 total tackles last season, with 2.5 sacks and nine tackles for a loss. PFF wasn't very kind to Jacobs' coverage skills, giving him a 64.9, with a run defense grade of 55.8. He was solid in pass-rush though, scoring a grade of 77.1. I think Jacobs is definitely more of a developmental piece but with the Bills' current linebacking roster, I don't think he'd be called upon too often. Good opportunity to sit and learn from those in front of him.
5th Round: Kamal Hadden, CB, Tennessee
Kamal Hadden could be another steal but also a player who might be available at this spot in the fifth round. He's a 6'1", 197-pound corner. Hadden played in only seven games this past year but in that time, he recorded three picks and was targeted 33 times, allowing only 12 receptions. PFF loves his coverage skills, awarding him with a 90.4 grade. Here is AI's breakdown.
"Hadden's physicality and instincts add depth and competition at cornerback."AI
Over the last three seasons at Tennessee, Hadden has played on 1,131 snaps; however, the majority of those were at the outside corner spot, with only 25 snaps in the slot, so he doesn't bring a lot of versatility in that way, that the Bills coaching staff likes. If anything, I would like to see the Bills go with someone who is more suited to play the slot corner position. With Tre'Davious White returning next season, Rasul Douglas under contract, Christian Benford playing at a high level and the potential of Kaiir Elam after finally recovering from his ankle injury, I think the depth at corner is solid.