Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - We have finally made it, everyone! Draft Day is here, and the Buffalo Bills are set to pick with the 30th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay.
This year is a bit different compared to last, as the Bills have a number of directions they could go not just with their first pick, but also their picks in the second round on Friday.
Here are my thoughts on some of the players I’d like to see the Bills walk away with in the first two rounds:
TIER I: Best player available/Not the biggest need
Luther Burden - WR - Missouri
Burden was an elite playmaker out of Missouri, and was thought to be a lock as a top-10 pick a year ago. However, a real dip in production and less than stellar route running have seen Burden’s stock drop. There's a chance he even drops out of the first round.
Wide receiver is not an immediate need, but the Bills did meet with a number of wideouts who could be available later on. If someone like Burden falls, could that be enticing enough for the Bills to add a weapon on the offense with their first pick three years in-a-row?
Malaki Starks - S - Georgia
A three-year starter on one of the best defenses in the country in Georgia, and a two-time All-American.
Starks, like Burden, could be considered a “luxury” pick, especially after the Bills drafted Cole Bishop just last year in the second round. I don’t believe a pick like this would hurt Bishop, rather I would see this as the Bills seeing a playmaker who, based off tape and production, should be a top-15 pick.
But a bad testing period ultimately has seen Starks likely fall into the 20s range of Round 1. The Bills could have their safety duo for the foreseeable future with a Bishop/Starks duo.
Much like Baltimore a few years ago, safety was not the biggest need, but when Kyle Hamilton was there at the 14th pick, they took him and have never looked back.
TIER II: Best player available/More pressing need
Kenneth Grant - DT - Michigan
I have never been shy about being a Grant guy. He played Robin to Mason Graham’s Batman while at Michigan, but the 21-year-old maybe has some of the best potential at his position.
At 6-foot-4 and 331 pounds, Grant is a massive human being who will become an immediate starter for the Bills on the interior of their defense. The Bills need to get bigger, and Grant does that in spades. He would also become the space eater the Bills are dying to add that could see the likes of Ed Oilver blossom back into the 9.5 sack defensive tacke he was just two seasons ago.
Grant will have to add more to his pass rush game, but as a rookie, should be able to contribute in the run game, and will help get the most out of the rest of the line.
Tyleik Williams - DT - Ohio State
I’ve come to really like this idea in Round 1 for the Bills. Less of a blue chip prospect and more great at the one thing he does well.
Another massive man, 6-foot-3 and 334 pounds, but an even better run defender then Grant. Williams won the National Title with Ohio State this year, and has been a part of that defense for all four years of his collegiate career. This also included 12 games played as a freshman with the Buckeyes.
Not a sexy pick, but is probably a more immediate fix to the Bills defense, where Grant may start hitting his stride late into his rookie year, or into Year 2.
Trey Amos - CB - Ole Miss
Amos is an interesting prospect, especially following Buffalo's reunion with veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White. If it isn’t the Bills picking Amos at 30th overall, he will likely not be a first-round selection.
If the Bills believe CB2 is still their biggest need, then the addition makes sense. But many fans will feel the fear that this will be Kaiir Elam all over again, who was picked in the late first round in 2022 as the Bills had a massive need at both CB spots. They ultimately added Christian Benford in the sixth round, and that worked out much better for Buffalo.
I don’t love going cornerback late in the first round, but I would not hate this pick by any means. They have to add there eventually.
Maxwell Hairston - CB - Kentucky
The same idea with Amos, but I'd almost prefer Hairston due to the simple fact that he’s a better athlete. Bills head coach Sean McDermott regularly finds gems in the secondary, and I love the idea of giving him a special athlete and seeing what he can do.
The addition of White and Dane Jackson also gives Hairston room to grow, and doesn't force the Bills to immediately be thrown to the wolves. But his 4.28 40-yard speed and lengthy frame could be a serious get for the Bills.
TIER III: Will be there at 30/Should be looked at in Round 2
Alfred Collins - DT - Texas
Collins fits the same build as Grant and Williams, but as a second-round talent. Another big body who will help in the run game, but struggled in the pass rush.
Would be a bit thrown if they took him in Round 1, but if they haven’t added here until Day 2 and he’s there, I’m running the card up to the podium.
Derrick Harmon - DT - Oregon
I am not as high as some on the Oregon product, but he would still absolutely fill a need for a big man in the middle of the defense.
At 6-foot-5 and 313 pounds, Harmon is another massive human, but his best spot looks to be as a 3-tech defensive tackle. I believe the Bills are more looking for a 1-tech (3-tech, simply is between the guard and tackle while 1-tech is between guard and center).
Shavon Revel - CB - East Carolina
I absolutely love Revel out of ECU, and I would be happy to see the Bills take him at 30. But health continues to be his biggest red flag. Revel suffered a torn ACL early in the college season after many had him as one of the top cornerbacks, if not the top prospect at the position in the draft.
If he’s healthy, this is an amazing get for the Bills. If he’s not, they could be waiting, and injuries have already hurt development on defense for the Bills (Cole Bishop last year). White and Jackson give you some room to operate here, but Revel could be had in a potential trade up in Round 2.
Jalen Royals - WR - Utah State
Royals might actually be my favorite prospect available in the first two rounds.
At 6-foot and 205 pounds, he ran a 4.42 40-yard dasg on a less than 100% broken foot. Royals is the kind of wide receiver the Bills will really like. If it weren’t for that broken foot he suffered this year, I could see him being someone who climbed their way into Round 1, as he was on pace for over 1,300 yards and 90-plus catches on a bad Utah State team.
Royals is a smooth operator that never looks like he is struggling in his route running, and also has the YAC ability and downfield threat the Bills are constantly looking for. Like with Burden, wide receiver is not the biggest need, but if he is available at either 56 or 62, I will have a hard time not slamming the table for him.
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The Bills can take a number of different paths, so while this maybe isn’t the sexiest of drafts, I still think this will be a fun two nights heading into the weekend.
But one thing is for certain: My biggest want in the first round is for the Bills to add a new player and not leave us waiting until Friday night to make their first pick.
WGR’s draft coverage starts at 7 p.m. on Thursday with Nate Geary, Derek Kramer and myself. We’ll also be live throughout the entirety of the NFL Draft on Friday and Saturday.