Bills trade out of first round in Matt Parrino’s latest mock draft

Let me start by saying that I am a big fan of moving back in this draft. The 2024 draft class is a deep class, loaded with not just receiver talent, but there will be potential day-one starters throughout the draft, particularly in the first four or five rounds. Moving back makes sense for the Bills who need to look beyond the 2024 NFL season.

In this scenario, Matt Parrino trades out of the first round and picks up additional second and third-round picks. With those picks he selects Texas defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat at 36 and Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin at pick number 60. This addresses two huge needs right off the bat and builds a solid foundation for this potential draft. I'm not going to go into the full mock here but you can check out all the picks and his write up here.

I've seen a handful of mocks that have the Bills trading back but that hasn't been GM Brandon Beane's MO since he arrived in Buffalo. Nearly every year we've seen him do the exact opposite and trade up a few spots. Could that be in play again this year? Of course, but who would he be targeting? One popular name is LSU wide receiver Brain Thomas Jr. My issue with this though is that the draft is chick full of supremely talented wide receivers. Why move up, when you can move back, pick up more picks and still get someone like Troy Franklin or Xavier Legette?

Thoughts on these additions to the Buffalo Bills

In this particular scenario, I love the potential of Sweat. Having a massive human being in the Bills' interior defensive line brings back memories of Sam Adams and Ted Washington swallowing offensive linemen and collapsing pockets. Some fans seem to be concerned that he's too big and that isn't the NFL game anymore. I disagree, there will always be a need for large immovable humans. If Buffalo chose to forego Sweat early in the draft, I also like Northern Iowa's defensive tackle Khristian Boyd.

Troy Franklin has been a popular name among Bills fans too, but that was early in the draft process. It seems he has somewhat fallen out of favor and now guys like Brian Thomas Jr. are the one that fans are clamoring for. I like Franklin and he certainly addresses a need in the Bills receiving corps. Regardless of what Beane and the Bills do in next month's draft, there will be happy fans and those that won't be. Either way, this draft will be fun and I can't wait to see the new crop of Bills players that take the field on game days in September.