The 2024 NFL Draft is finally underway. There weren't many shockers early with quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Jaylen Daniels, and Drake Maye going one, two, and three. The "Big 3" among the receivers went early as well, with Marvin Harrison Jr, Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze going between picks four and nine. A lot of Bills fans were hoping that Brandon Beane would pull off a massive trade into the top ten for one of those, but the cost was too much.
For the first time in NFL history, we had five quarterbacks go in the first ten picks, ending with six in the first 12. The Falcons taking Michael Penix Jr. was a surprise and the Minnesota Vikings executed a trade with the New York Jets and used that to select J.J. McCarthy. Another first happened with the first 14 picks on the offensive side of the ball. I think that indicates where the league has gone over recent years. Today's rules make it more and more difficult on the defenses, making offense the way to go.
With every non-wide receiver pick, the hope grew that Brian Thomas Jr. might fall into a range where the Bills could move up and add to their receiver room. Instead, the Bills traded back with the Chiefs, picking up a third-round selection. Buffalo moved back to the 32nd pick, only to trade back again with the Panthers. This time adding another fifth-round pick, while moving back to the 33rd pick. With the first round in the books, round two is brimming with potential stars who can make an impact right away. Let's look at some guys the Bills could target in round two.
In the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select.....
Ladd McConkey - Wide Receiver, Georgia
I'm going to continue standing on this hill until his name is called. The Bills own the 33rd and 60th picks in the second round and Ladd McConkey is a strong possibility. You could also make a case for Adonai Mitchell here. However, I like McConkey a great deal with the 33rd pick. He's one of the top route runners in this draft class and recorded an official 40-time of 4.39 at the NFL Combine. I think he would be an outstanding addition to the Bills receiver room. Beane talks all the time about versatility and McConkey is a player that can be moved all over the formation.
Chris Braswell - Edge, Alabama
I don't think Bills Mafia is interested in Brandon Beane taking an edge defender in the second round, but Chris Braswell is a solid player and Buffalo needs to add some depth here. Between Von Miller, Gregory Rousseau, and A.J. Epenesa there are questions and concerns. With Miller, it's about health and age. With Rousseau and Epenesa, it's about taking that next step in production and consistency. After those three though, who is left?
Braswell is 6'3" and weighs 251 pounds. He recorded eight sacks last season, and 42 total tackles. Per Pro Football Focus, he had 56 total pressures. At the NFL Combine, he had an official 40-time of 4.6 seconds, with a ten-yard split of 1.59. He has the measurables to be a solid pass rusher, but can he be elite? Time will tell, but he's certainly in play for the Buffalo Bills in the second round.
Troy Franklin, Wide Receiver, Oregon
If Franklin is available at pick 60, the Bills should be running the card up to the podium. He had a solid performance at the NFL Combine and put up an official 40-time of 4.41 seconds. He had a crazy productive season at Oregon too. He has the production, the traits, and the experience to potentially become a star at the NFL level. He is the prototypical X receiver that many covet.
Can he become that guy for the Bills? That is the question and some fans have their doubts, but he has the tools to translate to the league. I've talked about him at length in the past, and my one concern remains that his 1.61 10-yard split at the combine is a very average time. Still, it's hard to argue the production, and sometimes guys are just football players and get it done. Franklin might be that guy.
Adisa Isaac - Edge, Penn State
If the Bills don't go with a wide receiver in the second round, I believe the pick will be an edge defender. Adisa Isaac would be a solid pick, but like McConkey, Beane would probably need to trade up for him. He's 6'4" 254 pounds and brings excellent length off the edge. He recorded 7.5 sacks last season and 37 total tackles. Isasc is Pro Football Focus's fourth-ranked edge defender and would be a solid addition to the Bills in the second round.
The Bills need to add some depth, with the potential to become an impact starter down the road. Isaac has the skill set to become a solid player and could have an impact as a rookie in Coach McDermott's rotation up front. The opportunity for these young pass rushers to learn from Miller would be ideal. The Bills could choose to go another direction that's not edge or wide receiver. Let's get to those options now.
Kris Jenkins - Defensive Tackle, Michigan
Buffalo has a need in the middle of the defensive line, despite having Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones locked into the starting roles. They have decent depth as well, with Austin Johnson and DeShawn Williams. Still, Jones isn't getting younger and has had injury issues the last two seasons. Jenkins could fill that one-technique role at 6'3" and 305 pounds.
In 2024, he recorded 37 total tackles and added 2.5 sacks, but he's not a pass-rush Oliver type. He's going to eat up blocks and occupy those double teams, which frees up Oliver and the Bills linebackers to play sideline to sideline. I would be happy to see Jenkins with the Bills; however, this draft is loaded with solid interior defensive talent, and Buffalo could wait on this position until the later rounds.
Cole Bishop - Safety, Utah
In most mock drafts I've seen, Bishop is available in the third and even fourth rounds. Mel Kiper has him listed as his 61st overall player. If the Bills have him with a second or third-round grade, they could make the move here. Bishop would be a really good option regardless and could be the Bills' long-term answer at a position that is still somewhat in flux.
Buffalo re-signed Taylor Rapp and signed Mike Edwards from the Chiefs to a free agent deal. Neither instills a ton of confidence within many Bills Mafia. Bishop could come in and compete right away for a starting role. Bishop brings size to the position too, at 6'2" and 207 pounds, and recorded a 40-time of 4.45 at the NFL Combine. Next Gen stats scored his athleticism with an 80 grade, ranking him third among all safeties at the combine.