Perfect Picks 2024: Buffalo Bills
The Bills have the feel of a franchise approaching the wrong side of their Superbowl window. The inflated contracts and raft of upcoming free agents, mean they could find themselves on the outside looking in at a competitive AFC race. However, with Josh Allen at quarterback, you can never truly say that a Superbowl ring is out of the question. His level of play alone means they should always be in the conversation.
What GM Bradon Beane will need to do is nail his drafts. Bringing in cheap starters to surround Allen is imperative at this point and they certainly have the ammunition this year. With 10 picks there is ample opportunity to find future starters and depth alike. Here’s how I would attack the draft if I was in charge.
Round 1 - Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
Here’s a move to shake things up. Most mock drafts have the Bills taking a wide receiver and it’s clear why. The position is full of question marks, something we will get to later. However, the depth of this class means that waiting on a receiver is a legitimate option. Instead, the Bills add a new piece to their pass rush rotation.
They are set to lose substantial depth, Leonard Floyd and AJ Epenesa both becoming free agents. Add to that Von Miller hitting age 35 and it’s clear that edge rusher is a need. Penn State defender Chop Robinson would thrive learning at the hands of Miller. He has some of the same characteristics, the bend, speed and dip are all hallmarks of Robinson’s pass rush plan. He would really give the Bills some extra juice off the edge.
Round 2 - Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
If the Bills do go in a different direction in round 1 then it surely won’t be too long before they add a receiver. This is a draft laden with second tier pass catchers. The team look unlikely to re-sign Gabriel Davis and therefore will need to find a legitimate number 2 to pair with Stefon Diggs. Someone who could step in immediately is Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall.
Pearsall started his college career at Arizona State catching passes from Jayden Daniels, however, he had his most success this year in the Swamp. Pearsall had 963 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns in 2023. While he played the majority of his time in the slot, there was a shift to give him more outside snaps in 2023 and his production benefitted. The speed he displayed at the combine locked him in as a second-round pick.
Mid Round Gem - JD Bertrand, LB, Notre Dame
After losing Tremaine Edmunds in free agency last season, the injury to Matt Milano meant the Bills were stretched thin at the linebacker position last year. Terrel Bernard stepped in well and the hope will be that 3rd round pick Dorian Williams will also enjoy a developmental jump. However, it’s a position they will look to keep well stocked and Notre Dame’s JD Bertrand will have some appeal in the mid-rounds.
Bertrand received rave reviews from the Senior Bowl, mostly for the way he went about his business. High energy, excellent leadership and all-round group cheerleader were some of the compliments he received. Despite his smaller stature (6’1, 228lbs), Bertrand logged 76 tackles including 7.5 for loss for the Irish in 2023. His football intelligence jumps off the tape and he would learn a lot under Matt Milano’s tutelage.
Late Round Sleeper - Dominique Hampton, S, Washington
The Bills secondary is set to look a lot different in 2024. They ruthlessly deconstructed the group earlier this week, but after I had made my selections (or you may have seen more cornerback action!). Tre White, Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde are all starters who will leave this offseason. In particular the safety duo have been the heartbeat of this defense. Washington’s Dominique Hampton may not be an immediate replacement but he has future potential.
The Huskies’ defense was overshadowed on their deep College Football Playoff run by a high-octane offense. However, in the big games, players like Hampton took their chance to shine. He is an imposing 6’2, 220lbs but at the same time a smooth athlete who has had plenty of splash plays in coverage. Although there is plenty to work on, he represents great value at this point in the draft.
Draft in full
Round 1 – Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
Round 2 – Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
Round 3 – Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky
Round 4 – Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
Round 5 – JD Bertrand, LB, Notre Dame
Round 5 – Jordan Jefferson, DT, LSU
Round 6 – Tanor Bortolini, IOL, Wisconsin
Round 6 – Jordan Whittington, WR, Texas
Round 6 – Dominique Hampton, S, Washington
Round 7 – Gabe Hall, DT, Baylor
