The Buffalo Bills went into the 2024 NFL Draft with some glaring needs, and they did a good job of addressing most of those. However, we all know it's very likely some of these guys may not make it in this league and some might not make the roster. The Bills could potentially lose some to other teams if they get plucked off the practice squad as we saw last season when the Houston Texans stole both of the Bills' final two picks from the 2023 Draft.
We have no idea how this draft class will perform, but that won't stop us from speculating about their outcomes. Brandon Beane has done well on Day Three in years past adding players such as Khalil Shakir, Matt Milano, and Christian Benford. All three of these guys have become full-time starters and in the case of Shakir and Benford, could become stars with breakout seasons in 2024. But what about this 2024 draft class?
Sure, I have a few draft prospects with breakout potential in the next few years. But remember, the NFL Draft is a gamble. Even the top pick is a mystery, just like Mr. Irrelevant. It doesn't matter what round they are selected in, no one knows how these guys will perform at the next level. In many cases, we won't know anything for sure, until a few years down the road. However, the more dart throws you get, the greater your odds of hitting a bullseye. The Bills had ten picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, and I have three guys in this class that I feel good about.
Buffalo Bills 2024 NFL Draft class sleeper picks
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Cole Bishop - Safety, Utah
The Bills may have drafted one of their starting safeties for the next decade, barring free agency, but Cole Bishop has all the tools to be a stud safety in the NFL. Maybe it's a bit of a stretch to call a second-rounder a sleeper, but I don't think many fans see him this way. Even with the Bills having signed Mike Edwards and re-signing Taylor Rapp, Bishop will give these guys a run for their money, and push for a starting role.
The Bills re-signed Taylor Rapp to a three-year deal, but Mike Edwards to only a one-year free agent deal. Bishop could be part of the rotation in a reserve role, with sights on 2025 to become the full-time starter. That said, don't be shocked if he's starting on day one. He has all the tools, and the Bills coaching staff has shown an ability to develop defensive backs. Turning players like Christian Benford, Dane Jackson, and former Bill Levi Wallace into starters on this defense. Now they have a guy with all the intangibles and traits in Bishop.
DeWayne Carter - Defensive Tackle, Duke
DeWayne Carter reminds me a lot of Kyle Williams. Very similar builds in both height and weight. Carter has Williams by an inch in height. Williams was a fifth-round pick and became one the greatest defensive tackles in Bills history, and I think Carter could become an excellent defensive tackle for the Bills. The one thing that stands out to me with Carter is his non-stop motor. He slots to fit in behind Ed Oliver as the team's number two 3-technique defensive tackle. He'll come in on day one and earn some early-season snaps.
He'll have to wait for an opportunity to become a full-time starter though, since he will be backing up Oliver unless he can show an ability to play the 1-technique role at a high level. He may not have the size to do that, but Oliver is under contract through the 2027 season, in which he'll turn 31. Buffalo might award him an extension between now and then, but Carter will give the Bills reason to reconsider that thought, or perhaps they would play them alongside each other.
Travis Carter - Offensive Tackel, International Pathways Program
I could be completely wrong and that is the most likely outcome too. These players don't often turn out to be NFL players, but it does happen. The best example is the Philadelphia Eagles' current starting left tackle, Jordan Mailata, who became the Eagles' starting left tackle in 2020, and was also a former rugby player. Can Travis Carter follow in Malata's footsteps? Time will tell but he possesses all the traits to be a dominant left tackle in this league. He is 6'7" and weighs over 300 pounds, with a 40-time of 4.79. He has impressive size and athleticism.
The problem is, he's never played a single down of American Football, let alone seen anything that remotely resembles an NFL playbook. When Malada first came into the league and was handed a playbook, he said it was like trying to learn a new language. Fortunately, for Carter and the Bills, the way the International Pathway Program is designed, allows teams to develop these players without having to protect them from being stolen from the practice squad or counting against their roster numbers.