ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Bills selecting LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with the 28th overall pick in his most recent two-round mock draft.
This is a wise selection for Buffalo.
“Thomas was an incredible vertical threat for [LSU quarterback] Jayden Daniels last season, leading the country in touchdown catches with 17, 10 of which came on go routes or fades,” Kiper stated. “At the combine, he ran an amazing 40 in 4.33 seconds. Josh Allen, the quarterback, needs a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver, and he may be it.”
At receiver, the Bills lack size. They recently traded Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowler. Gabe Davis, who inked a three-year, $39 million contract, was second on the team in touchdown catches (seven in 17 games) the previous season.
Buffalo added wide receivers Mack Hollins and Curtis Samuel in the offseason, but in 2023, none of them achieved 1,000 receiving yards. The Bills ought to definitely consider a gifted wide receiver like Thomas. Daniel Jeremiah, a draft expert for NFL.com, ranks the 21-year-old as the fifth-best wide receiver in 2017 draft class.
Because of his height (6 feet 3 inches, 209 pounds), jumping ability, and ball skills, he possesses an extremely wide catch radius. He has some wiggle to make defenders miss after the catch and possesses impressive home run speed, according to Jeremiah. “Overall, Thomas is a big-play machine and has the upside to develop into a No. 1 receiver for his drafting team.”
The Jacksonville Jaguars will select Thomas with the 17th overall pick, according to Tankathon forecasts. But the Bills ought to think about selecting him by trading up in the draft.
Following the Diggs trade, Buffalo’s Super Bowl window might closing. In order to avoid that, the Bills need to get a young wide receiver who can perform well alongside Allen.
