In a recent NFL Draft simulation, the Buffalo Bills increased their wide receiver and safety depth by selecting youngsters from Texas and Utah to replace Stefon Diggs and Jordan Poyer.
If they’re “drafting for need,” the projection is reasonable.
The Buffalo Bills lost key contributors at wide receiver and safety this offseason, and ESPN predicts the team will address both spots with its first two picks in the upcoming NFL draft.
Mel Kiper, a long-time draft expert, and Field Yates, an NFL reporter, collaborated on a three-round mock draft in which the two men took turns picking. Yates made both of the Bills’ selections, which remained at Nos. 28 and 60 overall.
First, the Bills identified a substitute for WR1 Stefon Diggs. Next, the Bills bolstered a safety corps that has lost Jordan Poyer to the Miami Dolphins and maybe Micah Hyde to retirement.
In this simulation, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. at No. 17 overall, thus the Bills settled for Texas pass-catcher Adonai Mitchell in Round 1.
“I’ve identified Buffalo as a squad that may move up. However, in this scenario, the Bills can stay at No. 28 and still land the quick Mitchell, who ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the combine and had only one drop in 2023,” said Yates in a written explanation of the decision.
Yates traded Utah safety Cole Bishop to the Bills with the 60th pick overall.
“The Bills have a few apparent needs entering the draft, and after selecting a wide receiver on Day 1, it’s time to focus on safety. Bishop, my number one ranked player at the position, combines versatility, high-end man-coverage abilities, and speed,” Yates added.
