It feels like we've been talking about this draft for years. But we are finally nearing the end, with just one day remaining; however, the Bills still have seven picks to go between rounds four through seven. There are a few players I have my eyes on, but before we get there, let's review the Bills picks, beginning with their first selection, wide receiver Keon Coleman. Of course, Coleman was taken until round two, after the Bills traded back twice, out of the first round.
Coleman is the big, physical receiver fans wanted, but maybe not the one most fans wanted. He didn't run a good 40-time at the combine, recording an official time of 4.61, but his 10-yard split was an excellent 1.54. This stat measures how quickly a player covers the first ten yards of the 40-yard dash, which is far more valuable in football. With the Bills 60th pick, they selected Utah safety Cole Bishop. This is an excellent pick and Bishop is someone that could push for a starting role right away.
In the third round, the Bills selected DeWayne Carter, defensive tackle out of Duke with the 95th pick. This is a solid pick, and should be able to take the backup role behind Ed Oliver as the teams 3-technicque tackle. This gives the Bills a very good defensive rotation between Oliver, Jones, and Austin Johnson.
Here are the top sleepers the Buffalo Bills could target on Day Three.
Khistian Boyd - Defensive Tackle, Northern Iowa
Khristian Boyd has been one of my favorites since I started getting into the draft process. He brings excellent size at 6'2" and 329 pounds and can play that 1-technique role, currently occupied by DaQuan Jones. Jones isn't getting younger and has missed some time the last two seasons. Buffalo filled in some depth with the additions of Austin Johnson and DeShawn Williams, but Boyd could factor into their defensive line rotations, and be the future after Jones.
Boyd made a name for himself at the Shrine Bowl, and scouts started taking notice. He has a non-stop motor, size, and impressive strength. He recorded 38 reps on the bench, and the Bills have already shown interest, as he was one of their top 30 visits. In most mocks I've seen, you can get Boyd in the sixth, but the way this draft has been going, I'm thinking fifth at the latest.
Troy Franklin - Wide Receiver, Oregon
I'm shocked that Troy Franklin is still on the board after the third round, but if the Bills can find a way to get him, that would be a huge move. I don't have an explanation as to why he's falling in the draft. He had a solid combine performance with a 40-time of 4.41, but his ten-yard split was a very average 1.61. I can't imagine that is the sole reason he is falling in this draft though. He had tremendous production in Oregon, and that has to count for something.
Brenden Rice - Wide Receiver, USC
I haven't talked much about Rice throughout the draft process but when the son of the greatest receiver in history is available, I think you have to take a shot. Normally, I would have put Luke McCaffrey here, but he was taken with the last pick of the third round. Despite that, with Franklin and Rice still on the table, the Bills could do themselves a favor and double up at the position with either of these guys. Javon Baker is still an option too, but my vote is for either Franklin or Rice. Rice is 6'2" and weighs 208 pounds, so he has size as well.
Sataoa Laumea - Guard, Utah
If the Bills wanted to continue to build their Utah roots, they could look no further than Utah guard Sataoa Laumea. He is 6'4" and weighs 319 pounds and has the power to match. Buffalo has their starting five in place, but I think it's always a good plan to continue to draft offensive linemen each year and Laumea could be a solid addition. He would provide excellent depth and possibly push David Edwards for a starting role.
Mohamed Kamara - Edge, Colorado State
Buffalo didn't take an edge defender in the first three rounds, which feels like they do every year. It's still a need though. We've talked about this many times. With the questions around Von Miller, and the inconsistencies of A.J. Epenesa and Gregory Rousseau, the Bills need to add more bodies. Maybe Kamara becomes something more, but he could at least add some depth, as this falls off after the three I just mentioned. He is 6'1" and weighs 248 pounds. According to ESPN, he's the 15th-best edge defender in the draft but has the upside to be more.