The 2020 NFL Draft is just two weeks away and the Buffalo Bills are preparing to pick without a first round pick for the first time in five years. Buffalo's first pick comes in the second round at 54th overall after sending their first round pick to the Minnesota Vikings as part of the Stefon Diggs trade.
The last time the Bills were without a first round pick was because of a similar blockbuster trade back in 2014. That year saw Buffalo send their top pick in 2015 to the Cleveland Browns during the 2014 NFL Draft in order to move up to draft wide receiver Sammy Watkins.
With less picks and a lineup pretty set in stone for the 2020 season on both sides of the ball, what will be the organization's approach to the draft?
Let's try to figure it out, answering questions from the fans in our latest Bills mailbag:
How much stock in the mock?
One player who isn't being mocked to the Bills that you would like to see them take and one player who has been mocked to the Bills a ton who you do not want to take?
— Nathan Bonner (@NateB422) April 8, 2020An interesting question here about the national and local perception of the Bills' draft approach through mock drafts.
One player that has been mocked to the Bills a number of times in the second round that might not be the most ideal selection is Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor. Devin Singletary showed no reason he can't be trusted as the starting running back moving forward. Even after taking on the workhorse role down the stretch, he still remained one of the most efficient backs in the league as a rookie.
Taylor is a good prospect that can contribute right away, but there is too much talent that will still be available at 54 to pick a backup running back. Take Alabama running back Najee Harris or Boston College running back A.J. Dillon later on and be better for it.
As for a prospect that isn't mocked to the Bills a lot, but would be a great fit? Tennessee defensive end Darrell Taylor.
There aren't many edge rushers with the upside of Taylor. He has one of the most explosive get offs in this class and his bend is ridiculous. 16.5 sacks over the last two years shows the potential star Taylor could be if he stays healthy. Let him develop behind Mario Addison and Jerry Hughes as a rotational defensive end. It would be a great fit in Buffalo.
Draft competition for Matt Barkley?
Should the Bills consider upgrading the backup QB position? Can that be in the draft?I'll hang up and listen.
— Chris Owen (@FiddleSabre) April 8, 2020The organization seems to like Barkley. They should still most definitely bring in competition. If Josh Allen were to get injured, are you confident Barkley could pull off a Nick Foles, Case Keenum, or Teddy Bridgewater and keep this win-now roster in contention?
A late-round rookie likely wouldn't be a much better option, but without many holes on the roster, they have the flexibility to take one if they please.
Add more safeties behind Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer?
Any inkling if the Bills are looking to draft at safety with perhaps a later pick? Could the case be made to add one based on the draft grades of the safety group? Thanks...go bills.
— Logan (@LogansRun81) April 8, 2020This safety class has some really intriguing prospects early and later on. The Bills have one of the best safety tandems in Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. They are both in their primes, so safety isn't an immediate need. However, modern day defenses, including Sean McDermott's, don't use three linebackers as often as they have in the past. In such a pass-heavy league, defenses have five or six defensive backs on the field the majority of the time.
Buffalo should add a third safety at some point, and it could be as early as their first pick. The idea of Lenoir-Rhyne's Kyle Dugger is so intriguing. Dugger can flat out fly, getting sideline-to-sideline as a single-high safety with ease. His combination of speed and size coming down hill is such a problem in the run game as well. He could be a great fit in a linebacker/safety hybrid role while developing his all-around game behind Hyde and Poyer.
If they wait, keep an eye on names like Clemson's K'Von Wallace, Alabama's Shyiem Carter, or Utah's Terrell Burgess. Very versatile pieces you can find later on who won't need a lot of development.
Is there a missing piece?
What is the missing piece to get the bills back to the super bowl?
— SKar (@SKareff) April 8, 2020It is no secret that the Bills believe they are legitimate title contenders in 2020. They went out and traded a first round pick for a star wide receiver. They signed proven veteran defensive lineman to improve an already elite defense. So is there really a glaring piece missing to the puzzle that the draft could find? It doesn't really look like it.
Picks at almost every position will be for depth and future need.
So what's the missing piece that the Bills need before we can talk about the Super Bowl? It's a big leap from Allen. If they get that, there might only be a few teams in the AFC that have the talent Buffalo has across both the offense and defense.
Early individual predictions
Who do you think will have a breakout year? Unexpected comeback player? MVP?
— Michael L. (@MiggsSD1964) April 8, 2020Alright, not a draft question but I'll bite. Let's run through these three predictions for the Bills, and the entire league.
The Bills predictions go as follows:
- MVP: QB - Josh Allen
Again, if this team is going to make the leap, they need their quarterback to do the same.
- Breakout player: TE - Dawson Knox
If Knox can shake the drops, he showed he can make catches only a few tight ends can make across the league.
- Comeback player: DE - Jerry Hughes
Hughes hasn't been the same since the Mario Williams days, but he did have seven sacks just two seasons ago. The additions of Mario Addison, Quinton Jefferson, and the expected leap in Year 2 for Ed Oliver should help take the attention away from Hughes in a big way this season.
Let's do the same thing with the entire NFL:
MVP: Carson Wentz - QB - Philadelphia Eagles
Breakout player: Teddy Bridgewater - QB - Carolina Panthers
Comeback player: QB - Cam Newton
Got more questions about the Bills as the NFL Draft rounds the corner? Follow us on Twitter: @WGR550
