Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Some final thoughts on the NFL Draft and Buffalo Bills not long before the Carolina Panthers are on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick...
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— As opposed to last year, when it was pretty clear the Bills would be targeting a cornerback early in the draft, they can go in so many different directions this year, it was really hard to narrow it down. Wide receiver? Tight end? Linebacker? Defensive line? It truly is a crapshoot. Then from there, the names are plentiful, as well.
— I had the Bills taking wide receiver Zay Flowers in my one and only mock. It’s actually hard for me to envision him being available to them at pick No. 27, but that’s how the exercise turned out. If he isn’t there and they do want to go the wide receiver route, Jordan Addison makes sense, as would Quentin Johnston.
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— Names that haven’t been discussed as much for the Bills I could see them selecting with their first pick: Defensive linemen Bryan Bresee and Mazi Smith, linebackers Drew Sanders and Trenton Simpson, and safety Brian Branch.
— My favorite idea for the Bills has always been to trade down. General manager Brandon Beane has stated they don’t have as many first-round graded players in the draft. So move down and get extra picks. They only have six and could use them. Plus, Beane would then be able to select players more aligned with their proper values.
— My least favorite idea has been to trade up. However, with the aforementioned first-round grades in mind, if Beane feels that’s the only way he’s going to get a first-round talent with a first-round pick, he may pull the trigger to do it.
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— If I were one of the teams who needed a quarterback, I would select Florida’s Anthony Richardson before anyone else. The size, speed and overall skill set is just hard to ignore in a league that showcases those traits more-and-more every year. He might need some polish, but he has the highest ceiling.
— If the Bills stay at 27, don’t expect it to be made until around 11:30 p.m. ET. Over the last three years, here’s what time that pick has been made: 11:34 p.m. ET, 11:32 p.m. ET, 11:05 p.m. ET.
— Acquiring picks for next year‘s draft would be nice for Beane, if he can do it. This year‘s draft isn’t as good, and scouts are already saying next year’s class is much better. We know the Bills are already in line to receive a third-round compensatory pick in next year‘s draft. Adding more to that would be a nice get for them.
— Don’t rule out tight end for the Bills in the first round, if Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer or Utah’s Dalton Kincaid are on the board. Mayer is much more well-rounded and probably the perfect fit for the Bills to run more 12 personnel (two tight ends). Kincaid is a terrific pass-catcher, mismatch, and athlete. He is not refined as a blocker, and needs to gain strength and learn more technique. However, the Bills have a lot of faith in their strength and conditioning program and coaches to be able to get him there while he works in the offense as a receiving tight end.
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