Prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills were scheduled to have only one pick on Day 2 but after two trades in the first round they would end up with three, with two in the second round and a third round pick they acquired in the trade with the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round.
In the first two picks, the Bills addressed two key needs with the selection of wide receiver Keon Coleman with 33rd overall and then safety Cole Bishop with 60th overall. Both players should compete for playing time almost immediately in their rookie seasons and so should the player they selected 95th overall in defensive tackle DeWayne Carter out of Duke.
He would have four seasons at Duke with double digit games and finished his college career with 125 total tackles, 24.5 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks.
Instant grade for the Buffalo Bills selection of DeWayne Carter: B-
The Buffalo Bills were expected to add to defensive tackle at some point and DeWayne Carter looks to be a good fit for this defense. He is an active defensive tackle that is more of a three-tech than a one-tech.
Carter will do a good job pressuring the quarterback and when the Bills put him out on the field alongside Ed Oliver, it will be a challenge for opposing offenses to keep the pocket clean for their quarterback.
However, this pick feels like a reach when considering players like Troy Franklin, Payton Wilson, Javon Baker, or even Khristian Boyd were still available. He should be able to work his way into the rotation at defensive tackle and will be competing with Austin Johnson and DeShawn Williams for that final spot in the rotation.