Joe Buscaglia's early mock draft

[TheBeaneBandit]

All I know is with the depth of defense lineman in this draft if we select a DT and he turns out to be another Terrell Troup.....bye bye Beane 

[Malazan]

8 hours ago, LEBills said:

First three picks are pretty solid.

 

Morrison is an excellent cornerback if his hip injury is cleared by the docs. Pegues being the only DT we select would be pretty disappointing especially since the 4th is early for him imo.

 

You expect to draft more than one DT? That seems like a lot. I'd think you'd go FA for any more than 1.

[LEBills]

59 minutes ago, Malazan said:

 

You expect to draft more than one DT? That seems like a lot. I'd think you'd go FA for any more than 1.

I think if you forgo the strength of this draft until day 3, you should at least take two chances on a DT. Preferably you draft one early and one later. We will probably sign some replacement level DT in free agency.

[billsfan89]

Not too high up on the individual prospects but seems like Joe B hit all the Bills major needs high up accurately assessing what positions need higher draft picks. 

[OldTimer1960]

This would be a nice year to trade down out of round 1 into early round 2 and hopefully nab an extra early 4th.  But with the dearth of viable QBs to trade up for I think it will be hard to find a trade partner.

[SoonerBillsFan]

5 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

This would be a nice year to trade down out of round 1 into early round 2 and hopefully nab an extra early 4th.  But with the dearth of viable QBs to trade up for I think it will be hard to find a trade partner.

No.  Use the pick to trade for somone or package to trade up.

[gonzo1105]

1 minute ago, OldTimer1960 said:

This would be a nice year to trade down out of round 1 into early round 2 and hopefully nab an extra early 4th.  But with the dearth of viable QBs to trade up for I think it will be hard to find a trade partner.

I could see them moving down from 62 into the 3rd just for aesthetics, gain another 5th then move around the board on the 4th and 5th to get players they covet but like I said last year, I believe the Bills will use at least 9 picks in this draft to continue infusing this team with youth 

[Beast]

7 hours ago, nosejob said:

What role is that?

Obviously a big body in the backfield on short yardage downs.

[BigAl2526]

I'm hearing that this draft has only a handful of blue chip round one prospects.  I'm inclined to believe that given the fact that there seems to be no consensus on how to value a number of players.  Case in point:  I've seen Tyliek Williams being mocked in the first half of round one and dropping out of round one altogether.  It is the same for a number of other players.  I've not seen Ezeiruaka mocked in the first round anywhere else.  I know Buffalo traded out of round one last year.  They might have to trade up a long way to get a really elite player, like twenty spots.  That would be very costly in terms of draft capital.  Beane will have to be really convinced about a prospect's ability to become a difference maker for the Bills considering the needs that Buffalo has on defense and at WR.  I think like last year the odds are greater for the Bills to trade down if they can find a deal they like.  Bean might find it tempting to trade #30 for something in the 5 to 10 range in round two and a pick in round 3. 

[T master]

22 hours ago, MikePJ76 said:

Bills 7-round mock draft: A new weapon for Josh Allen and filling big needs on defense

 

Round 1

The pick at No. 30 — Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

 

Round 2

The pick at No. 56 — Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State

 

The pick at No. 62 — Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

 

Round 4

The pick at No. 107 – J.J. Pegues, DT, Ole Miss

 

The pick at No. 130 — Billy Bowman Jr., S, Oklahoma

 

Round 5

The pick at No. 171 (projected compensatory pick) — Cody Simon, LB Ohio State

 

The pick at No. 174 (projected compensatory pick) — Jo’quavious “Woody” Marks, RB, USC

 

Round 6

The pick at No. 177 — G/T Jack Nelson, Wisconsin

 

The pick at No. 179 — Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana

 

The pick at No. 206 — James Burnip, P, Alabama

 

Here is what Dane Brugler had to say about Donovan Ezeiruaku

 

Ezeiruaku is more “dip and rip” than “force player” as a pass rusher, because of his natural feel for depth points and the different ways he uses jab steps and cross-chops to soften the corner. He ranked top three in the FBS this season in both sacks (16.5) and tackles for loss (20.5).

He can be overwhelmed at times versus the run but flashes the length to get into his opponent’s pads, lock out and stalemate the point of attack, especially on the move.

 

 

Brugler on Jalen Royals

 

Thanks in part to his basketball background, Royals has a controlled, fluid stride and natural body coordination to be a weapon before and after the catch (10 catches of 50-plus yards over the last two seasons, No. 1 in the FBS).

His tape showed heavy helpings of screens, hitches and go routes, and he is still learning the nuances of route running, but he already showed improvements during Senior Bowl practices.

 

Brugler on Benjamin Morrison

 

Regardless of the coverage, Morrison has terrific foot quickness, body fluidity and technique to mirror early and regain phase late, which allows him make plays on the football without panic. He shows a natural feel in coverage and understands play indicators, although play-strength and durability concerns will follow him to the next level.

As he's back from his second hip surgery, Morrison's medicals will be critical for his final grade.

 

 

I have to say I am not exactly a fan of that being the top 3.  I am sure it will change many many times before the draft.

 

Yah looking at what he has down for the Bills i'm not a huge fan ! Not real sure seeing as they have 4 QB's now why he would have them wasting a pick although it is a late pick on a QB . And why a punter ?? 

[MikePJ76]

14 hours ago, Malazan said:

 

You expect to draft more than one DT? That seems like a lot. I'd think you'd go FA for any more than 1.

I expect them to draft two. 
 

Look at the roster.  They have 3 dt’s.   It’s a position of need.

[The Jokeman]

12 hours ago, gonzo1105 said:

I could see them moving down from 62 into the 3rd just for aesthetics, gain another 5th then move around the board on the 4th and 5th to get players they covet but like I said last year, I believe the Bills will use at least 9 picks in this draft to continue infusing this team with youth 

If/when we get two 5ths for compensation picks I doubt we'll need to trade down. Maybe move up in Round 4 with one of our extra Day 3 picks if a guy falls that we really like. 

[Homelander]

On 2/12/2025 at 9:45 AM, PromoTheRobot said:

Where's Shaun Dolac?

 

 

[Ayjent]

The Bills need size and some guys that have high ceilings not just safe calls for solid to good starters but not difference makers in big moments. 

[MasterStrategist]

With the DL talent and our major need to improve up front, I'm all for going DT/DE with all 3 of our picks early.

 

Cut Von and Daquon.  Restructure/new deal for Josh, restructure Ed/others....and go sign:

WR: Slayton, bring back Hollins

RB: bring back Ty

Dt/De: sign Calais

Cb: sign Murphy Jr

S: sign Holland

 

Plus our likely extension candidates (Benford, Shakir, Groot, Cook).  I think we can get to $35-40m in cap space, depending how many restructures/kicking of the proverbial can.  That's plenty to get these deals accomplished.

[DCofNC]

On 2/12/2025 at 11:16 AM, MikePJ76 said:

I personally think oliver/carter/groot/espenesa would all look great if they were the backing band to a great front line player on the line.  

 

How do you get a front line player on the line.  Have a top 10 ish pick, trade into the top 10 ish, Trade for a proven vet and torch your draft or hope someone you take turns out to be way better than their scouting reports/college tape and or where they are picked a la Christian Benford.

 

 

Man that’s funny because I think Oliver/Groot/ Epenesa would all look great in another uniform with their cap hit gone too.

[NastyNateSoldiers]

I don't trust McBeane to draft difference making talent at nearly every position and definitely not on Dline. 

[nosejob]

8 hours ago, MasterStrategist said:

With the DL talent and our major need to improve up front, I'm all for going DT/DE with all 3 of our picks early.

 

Cut Von and Daquon.  Restructure/new deal for Josh, restructure Ed/others....and go sign:

WR: Slayton, bring back Hollins

RB: bring back Ty

Dt/De: sign Calais

Cb: sign Murphy Jr

S: sign Holland

 

Plus our likely extension candidates (Benford, Shakir, Groot, Cook).  I think we can get to $35-40m in cap space, depending how many restructures/kicking of the proverbial can.  That's plenty to get these deals accomplished.

Cam Heyward

[finn]

On 2/12/2025 at 11:55 AM, Beast said:

I don’t see any way they waste a pick on a running back. They may already have the best trio in the league and I am betting Johnson comes back….then add Gore on the PS. They’ll sign an UDFA for that group.

 

And I don’t want a guy with hip issues at CB.

Maybe not, but Beane may be overly cautious about medicals. I really wanted him to draft Trey Smith a few years ago at guard, especially when he fell from the second to the third round, then fourth , fifth, sixth--and STILL Beane passed. Finally KC picked up him up late in the sixth round, and he's been an excellent starter since, with no problem with his "debilitating" injury. 

 

[Ralonzo]

30: Donovan Ezeiraku, EDGE, BC. Undersized but with long arms.

Even if Nolen, Grant and Tyliek are gone that means there's a higher-rated CB or EDGE here. Ezeiraku has to rise significantly in the process to not be a reach here, he's mid-late 2nd on most boards. Can't believe Mike Green, Shemar Stewart, Princely Umanmielen and Jack Sawyer are all gone at this point, not to mention the former DT's, and CBs Barron and Revel.

 

56: Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State. Fast yes, 4.38, but lack of length and blocking acumen brings questions to whether he can be an X.

Elic Ayomanor projects to an X

 

62: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame. This is a fine pick. In a tier below Revel and Barron, but right there with Thomas, Alexander and Amos.

 

107: JJ Pegues, DT, Ole Miss. Two schools of thought on the DL depth in the draft: get your choice at the top, or wait and see who's left. This is the latter, but no problem with the player for this spot. Could go Jordan Phillips too, or if you took the DT R1, David Walker.

 

130: Billy Bowman, S, Oklahoma. Lacks length but has the long speed. Bills can use that. This is fine.

 

171: Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State. Bills mold of fast, versatile, but slightly undersized LB. Still, toolsy and athletic.

 

174: Joquavious Marks, RB, USC. Dual-threat back for 3rd down chain moving, would be potentially replacing Ty Johnson.

 

177: Jack Nelson, T, Wisconsin. Has inside/outside position flex but seems the type Kromer likes more at T.

 

179: Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana. Because he's Canadian. Could just as well be Shough or Leonard I suppose.

 

206: James Burnip, P, Alabama. I like the idea of punter for salary cap reasons, but the knock on Burnip is he can be slow to get the kick off. Oh boy.