Earlier this week, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay reported that he’s heard the Buffalo Bills are trying to trade up at least eight spots in the first round of Thursday night’s 2021 NFL Draft, targeting Clemson running back Travis Etienne.
The more I thought about the Bills’ needs now and long-term, the value of running backs and the depth at that position in this year’s draft, the more I’ve believed they won’t trade up for Etienne or any running back.
That doesn’t mean I don’t think they’d select Etienne with pick No. 30, nor that they won’t trade up, but I can’t see them trading up for that particular player or position.
But what if McShay is still right about the Bills trying to trade up? Who could be their potential targets, if not any running back?
It will be costly for the Bills to trade up 8-10 spots. I can’t see them being able to go beyond that, given how cost prohibitive it would become coupled with teams not wanting to drop that far. So for this exercise, I capped a Bills trade up scenario at 10 spots, to slot No. 20.
Here are the players I believe have, at least, a chance to still be available at pick No. 20, albeit still less likely in several cases, that fit the Bills' needs and would be enticing enough for them to make the move:
Willing to trade up to the 24-20 range if that player is available:
1.) Jaelen Phillips - EDGE - Miami
Phillips has been considered by many to be the best edge rusher in the entire draft and even a top-10 overall player. However, medical and even character concerns could cause him to fall. Some teams may even have him completely off their board, even the Bills, possibly. But if they don’t have him off their board, I believe he’s good enough, fits the need, and could play right away on the Bills defensive line. They certainly wouldn't get a more immediately impactful player at No. 30.
2.) Azeez Ojulari - EDGE - Georgia
While he isn’t a prototypical 4-3 defensive end, Ojulari is very versatile and such a good athlete, Leslie Frazier and Sean McDermott could use him in a lot of different ways and situations. He would mostly put his hand on the ground and rush the passer and set the edge, but also be able to stand up and play off the ball. He’d essentially be a Lorenzo Alexander-type player for them.
3.) Kwity Paye - EDGE - Michigan
While Ojulari isn’t the perfect scheme fit for the Bills, Paye is a bullseye for them in that area. He is a true 4-3 defensive end who can rush the passer, but also set the edge and even chase down plays in the run game maybe better than anyone in this draft class.
4.) Jaycee Horn - CB - South Carolina
Believe me, I know there isn't much of a chance for Horn to still be on he board at pick 20, but if Patrick Surtain II is taken, and some team is willing to take a Virginia Tech's Caleb Farley early enough, even given his injury concerns, it could push Horn down just enough. Horn would have chance to win the Bills' cornerback job opposite Tre'Davious White right away, especially because at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, he could match up with bigger wide receivers on the outside.
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Trade up to the 29-25 range if that player is available:
5.) Greg Newsome - CB - Northwestern
If there is one cornerback who is a slam-dunk scheme fit for the Bills, it’s Newsome. That’s because he can play in any scheme, and both outside and inside. We all know how much the Bills value versatility in all their players. There are some durability concerns with Newsome. He’s had several injuries that have kept him off the field, but none of them were of the incredibly serious nature that would impact him long-term. The Bills would probably feel good about keeping him healthy with their sports science and training plan, as well as the state-of-the-art training facility they have.
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Trade Down (pick early second round):
These are players I believe will be available when the Bills select at No. 30 who fit their schemes and needs, but they may not have valued highly enough to take in that spot, so therefore willing to trade back and grab with an early-to-middle second round pick:
- Eric Stokes - CB - Georgia
- Ifeatu Melinfonwu - CB - Syracuse
- Landon Dickerson - OL - Alabama
- Creed Humphrey - OL - Oklahoma
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