I asked AI to give me a five-round mock draft a few weeks ago. The first pick was Xavier Legette, wide receiver from South Carolina and many other mock drafts have the Bills taking a wide receiver with their first-round pick. This draft is no different, but which receiver did I take here? I also believe that general manager Brandon Beane will focus on the defensive side while adding a few more offensive weapons for Josh Allen.
I know many Bills fans don't want to hear that, but the Bills have several holes on the defensive side that need to be addressed and while some of that might done through free agency, the defensive depth needs to be rebuilt and infused with youth. Buffalo has 21 pending free agents, 14 of which are defensive players. Including some big names like DaQuan Jones, Leonard Floyd, Tyrel Dodson, and A.J. Epenesa, just to name a few.
I've written about some free agents that Buffalo will probably lose and which ones I hope will return to the Bills for the 2024 season. However, I want the Bills to rebuild the defense through the draft and bring back a few veterans but lean on some rookies in 2024. There will be rookie mistakes, but accelerate the learning curve by getting them on the field early. The hope is that by the latter part of the season and the playoffs, these young players are ready. So, let's get into my seven-round mock draft.
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Troy Franklin has been mocked to the Buffalo Bills in the first round by several draft analysts and fans. Franklin has become a Bills fan favorite and we're still two months away from draft night. NFLDraftbuzz.com has Franklin ranked as the fifth-best wide receiver in this draft class and 24th overall prospect. He's reported to run a 4.35, 40-time and stands at 6'3", weighing 187 pounds. Pro Football Focus gave him an 84.9 grade in 2023, ranks him as the fifth-best receiver in the class, and 24th overall prospect.
In 2023, Franklin's final collegiate season, he had 81 receptions, 1,383 yards, and an outstanding 14 touchdowns. His average yards per reception were an amazing 17.1 yards, further proving his big-play capability. Franklin is considered one of the top deep-threat receivers in this class and shows outstanding route-running skills. Franklin brings versatility as well and can play outside or in the slot.
Calen Bullock addresses a huge need for the Buffalo Bills. With the likely retirement of Micah Hyde and the unknown of Jordan Poyer, Buffalo will need to find some answers at the safety position, maybe even two. Bullock offers excellent size at 6'3" and weighs 190 pounds. NFLDraftbuzz.com has him projected to go in the second round and will be a great addition to the Bills' defense. Pro Football Focus gave Bullock a 71.5 grade, ranked him the fourth-best safety in the class, and 60th overall prospect.
He has a reported 40-time of 4.55 and is one of the better man/press coverage safeties in the draft. He's a two-year starter with USC and played a total of 2,102 snaps. Last season, he recorded 54 tackles, ten assists, and two interceptions. In 2022, his first year as a full-time starter, he had 41 tackles, 12 assists and five interceptions. For the record, Kamren Kinchens is a popular name among Bills fans but Bullock is rated ahead of Kinchens on most draft boards.
Javon Solomon addresses another need for the Bills. Buffalo will need to find some answers along their defensive front, regardless if they can re-sign some of their pending free agents, Buffalo needs to get younger and bring in new talent to develop. That is where Solomon comes in. He had a tremendous 2023 season, recording 36 stops, 20 QB hurries, nine QB hits, and an astounding 16 sacks, totaling 45 pressures.
NFLDraftbuzz.com projects Solomon going in the fourth round; however, many other sites have him listed as a third-rounder. Pro Football Focus ranks him as their 13th-best edge defender and 93 overall prospect. Solomon brings outstanding speed to the position, reported having a 4.48, 40-time. I'll be watching at the NFL Combine to see if he proves this to be accurate or perhaps faster.
Maason Smith is a large human being, standing at 6'6" and weighing 315 pounds, he could be an excellent run-stuffer in the middle of the Bills defensive line and help occupy blocks for his teammates. Maason made Bruce Feldman's Freak List, ranking him number 12. Here is what Bruce said,
"The former five-star recruit is one of the most gifted players in college football. In the offseason, Smith hit 19.5 mph on the GPS and can touch 11 feet in his standing vertical jump."Bruce Feldman
NFLDraftbuzz.com has Maason listed as a third-rounder, ranking him 16th in his position. Pro Football Focus ranked him 13th and 133rd overall prospect. Maason brings versatility to the line as well, having played at multiple positions along the defensive line throughout his collegiate career.
Drake Nugent could be the long-term answer for Buffalo after Mitch Morse decides to call it a career if the team decides to move on from him after next season. Morse is entering the final year of his contract and at 31 years old, it is unknown if the Bills will elect to extend Morse. I think drafting a center in this draft is important, regardless of if Morse is on the roster beyond the 2024 season, I think Buffalo needs to begin developing the future at the position now. Nugent is 6'2" and weighs 302 pounds. In 2023 with Michigan, he did not allow a single sack.
James Williams is a physical safety, who's not afraid to get down in the box and hit someone. He has tremendous size for the position at 6'4" and weighing 230 pounds. He also has a reported 40-time of 4.46. I know we already have one safety selected in this mock draft, but I do believe the Bills should double up at the position. This is a solid safety class and Buffalo should take advantage of that and begin developing their future tandem now. We don't know how much longer Jordan Poyer will be around.
Zion Logue is a 6'5", 310-pound defensive tackle from Georgia. He recorded only two sacks throughout his collegiate career; however, pass-rushing is not his game. Run defense is Logue's forte and would provide solid depth in the middle of the Bills defensive line and be an asset in their rotation.
Frank Gore Jr. could be the Bills' number two back, depending on what happens with the Bills pending free agent backs, Ty Johnson, Latavious Murray, and Damien Harris. The team still has Nyheim Hines under contract but if the team chooses to release Hines, they could save nearly $5 million on the cap in 2024. In Gore's final season with the Golden Eagles, he totaled an impressive 1,119 yards, 4.9 yards per carry, and ten touchdowns. He also added 27 receptions for 224 yards.
Bru McCoy is a 6'3", 220-pound wide receiver. Pairing him and Troy Franklin in this draft adds size to a smallish receiver corps and is something the Bills certainly need. Coming out of high school, he was one of the highest-rated recruits in the country. He played in only 22 games, including only five games last season. Not only does he have excellent size but he has a reported 40-time of 4.46. With his limited experience but physical traits, he could be a diamond in the rough in a couple of seasons.
Trevin Wallace is projected as a seventh-rounder by some sites but it's possible he could go undrafted and sign as an undrafted rookie. He's 6'2" and weighs 241 pounds. In 2023, Wallace recorded 80 total tackles and 5.5 sacks. The Bills aren't necessarily in need at the linebacker position, but it doesn't hurt to add some depth to a position that was decimated by injuries last season.