No. 25 – DB Daxton Hill, Michigan
I just moved Hill way up on my Big Board. NFL teams love his versatility -- he played more than 550 snaps at nickelback in 2021 -- and think he could play both corner and safety. He might be a slot corner if he ends up in Buffalo, which lost Levi Wallace in free agency and has Tre'Davious White returning from an ACL tear. Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson) and Kyler Gordon (Washington) are two other corners to keep an eye on. The Bills have one of the best rosters in the league.
No. 25 – CB Kaiir Elam, Florida
What pick do you give the team that has the fewest holes to fill in the draft? It's not an easy call, but Elam is a quality corner with outstanding football IQ.
No. 25 – Edge David Ojabo, Michigan
The Bills are in win-now mode so they could be more interested in drafting an impact player not coming off a workout injury. But they have the depth to grab Ojabo here, especially right in front of the noted injured-player-loving Titans.
No. 25 – CB Kaiir Elam, Florida
The Bills could trade back simply because they are strong at most positions and did a nice job fixing whatever issues they had in free agency.
Without a trade back, they should cornerback here after losing Levi Wallace to free agency. Elam did not have great production in 2021 after an incredible freshman season in 2019 and a nice sophomore campaign in 2020. The talent is there, especially in press-man coverage, but a 58.1 coverage grade in 2021 is why he's available late in the first round for the Bills.
No. 25 – CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
No. 25 – IOL Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
NEED: Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M
BPA: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
MY PICK: Green
The Bills took Northern Iowa tackle Spencer Brown on Day 2 of last year's draft and he started a good chunk of games at right tackle, so I'd be a little surprised if Brown's college teammate, Trevor Penning, were the choice here. However, offensive line is the name of the game, according to the PFF simulator, and while Penning represents the best available player, I'm going with the greater need on the interior. Green played all over the offensive line during his career at Texas A&M, so he can give the Bills some depth at tackle as a bonus.
No. 25 – CB Trent McDuffie, Washington
McDuffie is an excellent corner who battles receivers and takes on running backs in the open field. His height (just under 5-foot-11) and length (arms measuring less than 30 inches) are not ideal for the position, but general manager Brandon Beane is smart enough to overlook those perceived shortcomings.
No. 25 – CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
2021 Record: 11-6
Why do the Bills select Booth?
The Bills have one of the strongest rosters from top to bottom in the NFL, which is expected from a team that currently stands as the Super Bowl favorite. Their one true weakness on paper in the starting lineup is the cornerback spot opposite Tre'Davious White. Dane Jackson filled in for White last season, but it's a position where the Bills could stand to add some talent and competition.
There's also a bit of a drop in cornerback talent after the second tier of Booth and Elam, who is already off the board in this scenario. Booth comes in at 27th on PFF's big board and the next outside cornerback is Kyler Gordon down at No. 60. That could create additional impetus for Buffalo to go cornerback here.
Is it the right decision?
Booth is going to be a scheme fit for most defenses, including Buffalo's. As the PFF Draft Guide puts it: "Booth has a skill set that can run any coverage. He's as scheme-diverse a corner as exists in this draft class, meaning everyone will have him on their board."
Booth is coming off a career-high 78.6 PFF coverage grade in his final season at Clemson. Buffalo is drafting for need here, but they're not reaching for need. Booth is a talented player who could help one of the better defenses in the NFL.
TRADE No. 25 to Detroit for No. 32 and No. 97
No. 32 (from Rams through Lions) – CB Kyler Gordon, Washington
The Bills can rebound nicely after missing out on McDuffie to the Patriots by still landing a cornerback they like to replace and upgrade from Levi Wallace opposite Tre'Davious White. He has the size, physicality and aggressiveness to please Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier as a playmaking No. 2.
No. 25 – CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
Andrew Booth had a strong '21 season for Clemson and he's only going to get better with experience. With Tre White returning from ACL surgery, the Bills would have the makings of one of the most athletic secondaries in the AFC.
No. 25 – CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
While Buffalo needs help along the defensive line, it has been hesitant to fill the CB2 spot, with Levi Wallace now with the Steelers and top corner Tre'Davious White recovering from the ACL tear he suffered last November. That leaves the team with a huge hole on the perimeter.
Even though Booth missed the combine after straining his quad and recently had surgery for a sports hernia, his traits, intensity as a run defender and ball skills are too good to pass up. Those are all attributes that general manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott will love about him.
No. 25 – CB Kaiir Elam, Florida
The Bills get a corner here to pair with Tre'davious White. Elam is speedy, physical corner that can reroute receivers coming off the line. He's got the pedigree and intangibles teams look for. However he's not necessarily a ballhawk and needs to better job of wrapping up ball carriers when making tackles.
No. 25 – CB Trent McDuffie, Washington
The Bills made a big splash this offseason by signing future Hall of Famer Von Miller to give them a true edge rusher to affect the quarterback. So with this pick, I believe they choose to address a secondary that lost some key players and has Tre'Davious White returning from an injury.
Trent McDuffie has proven to be a quick-twitch physical corner that can play both inside and outside, giving him real versatility as a defensive back.
No. 25 – LB Quay Walker, Georgia
Yes, Buffalo just added Von Miller in free agency. And yes, the Bills drafted pass rushers with their top two picks a season ago. That doesn't mean they're done on D. Walker was yet another combine star from UGA, and he's versatile enough to fit in Leslie Frazier's scheme at multiple spots.
