No. 27 - WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
Stefon Diggs is elite, and Dawson Knox has grown into a reliable red-zone threat. The rest of the pass catchers, most notably Gabe Davis, were underwhelming, so Jalin Hyatt would provide the gun-slinging Josh Allen with another burner who can get behind the defense.
No. 27 - OT Tyler Steen, Alabama
Steen was a 3-year starter at Vanderbilt before transferring to Alabama for his final season. The 6-foot-5, 315-pounder possesses excellent size for left tackle in the NFL. He was a rock-solid protector for Bryce Young while being a steady run blocker. Steen will enter the next level with a ton of experience, having started 45 straight games while playing in the best competition in college football. Steen has the flexibility to start out his pro career at guard before moving to tackle.
No. 27 - S Brian Branch, Alabama
The Bills have some potential key departures on the defensive side of the ball this year and one of them is more than likely to be safety. The safety position for the Bills' defense is such an important position so it's important that replace talent with talent. That's why I believe they draft SAF Brian Branch.
No. 27 – RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
This has to be the year Buffalo pulls the trigger on an every-down back to reduce the rushing load on QB Josh Allen, right? Especially with Devin Singletary's contract expiring? Quite the workhorse, Robinson had more than 3,300 yards from scrimmage over the past two seasons and averaged 6.7 yards per touch.
TRADE to No. 22 via Ravens – RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
Buffalo receivers: 1-22, 5-148
Baltimore receivers: 1-27, 3-91
The Bills go all-in and jump up five slots to pick the best running back in the class. Bijan Robinson is one of the best prospects at the position in some time.
No. 27 – RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
Robinson is special, and while he is probably one of the best players in this class, he could still be around late in Round 1 because he's a running back. And yes, we know, the Bills used a second-round pick on James Cook a year ago. But Cook isn't an every-down back, and more than that, Nyheim Hines is the only other RB currently on the roster ahead of free agency. Adding a Saquon Barkley-type talent to this offense? There are worse things.
No. 27 – OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
The Bills' current regime has a long history of picking magnificent athletes in the draft, especially on the first two days. Jones isn't a finished product but has monstrous upside because of how springy he is at his size. He could even start at guard if need be.
No. 27 – WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
Everyone witnessed how much more effective the Buffalo offense was with Cole Beasley. Zay Flowers gives them some longevity in that role.
No. 27 – S Brian Branch, Alabama
Robinson was absolutely going to be the pick here, but Branch helps resolve another need. Pro Bowl safetyJordan Poyer is a free agent this offseason. Whether or not he returns, it makes sense to find his successor. Branch is a really intriguing chess piece with his ability to confidently play several roles in the secondary at a high level. Getting Branch this late in the first round feels like a steal. — Olson
No. 27 – RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
Josh Allen can't do everything himself, so this draft has to be about giving him as much help as possible. Offensive line and wide receiver are strong possibilities here, but Gibbs might be too tempting to pass up. His rare skill set and explosiveness would give his offense a dimension that no other player in this draft could bring.
No. 27 – OT Anton Harrison, Oklahoma
No. 27 – RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
The Bills might have vacancies on the defensive side of the ball, depending on how free agency plays out for linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and safety Jordan Poyer. But with Devin Singletary also on an expiring deal, Buffalo might look to jumpstart its run game with Gibbs, who rushed 151 times for 926 yards and caught 44 passes for another 444 last season. Bills running backs totaled 1,418 yards on the ground last season, 24th best in the NFL, and only four teams had fewer rushing TDs from that position group (seven).
Gibbs' vision and shiftiness are outstanding, as he can string together multiple cuts to find daylight. The Bills could team him up with James Cook and Nyheim Hines to form a solid backfield and complement what quarterback Josh Allen does when he tucks and runs.
No. 27 – OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
The Bills' current regime has a long history of picking magnificent athletes in the draft, especially on the first two days. Jones isn't a finished product but has monstrous upside because of how springy he is at his size. He could even start at guard if need be.
No. 27 – DT Tuli Tuipulotu, USC
The Bills had a dearth of playmakers in the loss to Cincinnati, scoring a season-low 10 points. But the reality is they were bullied in the trenches, and Tuipulotu played inside and out for the Trojans, registering 13.5 sacks last season.
No. 27 – OG O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida
The Bills' 2022 offensive line was a patchworked mishmash and arguably the weakest position group on the entire roster. Torrence can easily take over the left guard spot left vacant by 34-year-old impending free agent Rodger Saffold.
TRADE to No. 20 via Seahawks – WR Jordan Addison, USC
Josh Allen needs a legitimate deep threat to stretch out defenses, which would also help the team's running game. With Addison still on the board, Bills GM Brandon Beane climbs seven spots, giving up three 2023 picks (a first-, third- and fourth-rounder) to grab the former Biletnikoff Award winner.
No. 27 – S Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M
Some teams will look at Antonio Johnson and have no idea what position he plays. Others will look at him as a guy who can play anywhere. It's an eye-of-the-beholder situation, as the Aggies played Johnson at safety, in the slot, and occasionally at linebacker. A good defensive coordinator can figure out all sorts of ways to use him.
No. 27 – RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
At some point, the Buffalo Bills must take the mantle of the league's most talented squad and turn it into something of substance. What will it take to finally push the AFC powerhouse from a playoff participant into a Super Bowl winner? The correct answer is someone who legitimately takes pressure off of quarterback Josh Allen.
"A true three-down back would do wonders for the Bills offense," Klassen remarked. "Robinson is clearly the best back in a loaded positional group.
"As a runner, it's tough to find many players with Robinson's blend of acceleration, balance, and flexibility. He's got the tools to break tackles in all kinds of ways. As part of the passing game, Robinson excels as a receiver with comfortable hands and holds up well in protection. He's a complete back, something the Bills have struggled to find during the Josh Allen era."
More often than not, Buffalo's offense is predicated on Allen making a play, either as a runner or by completing a difficult pass. Robinson is a legitimate top-10 talent regardless of position, with the skill set to affect the offense in both phases.
If defenses have to account for someone in and out of the backfield at all times, Allen's life becomes easier.
No. 27 – WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
Flowers is a receiver who can win at three levels who'd hit the ground running in Josh Allen's offense with Stefon Diggs opposite him.
No. 27 – OG O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida
The Bills need interior offensive line help around Mitch Morse following a disappointing season from Rodger Saffold and Ryan Bates. Torrence has the power, nastiness, hands and feet they could use to become smoother inside.
No. 27 - OC Joe Tippman, Wisconsin
Buffalo will need to begin planning for a Mitch Morse replacement and they do so here with Wisconsin's Joe Tippmann. Tippmann has excellent size for the position and is an excellent athlete, showing the ability to get out in space while also having the power to displace in the run game.
No. 27 – WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
No. 27 - S Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M
No. 27 – OG O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida
The Bills upgrade pass protection for Josh Allen. O'Cyrus Torrence gives the Buffalo offensive line a bit of an edge to win in the elements.
No. 27 – OG O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida
The Bills use a wider offensive-line formation (more spread apart), and addressing the interior would really give a boost to the running backs and Josh Allen on the ground, in addition to fortifying the passing game. Torrence has the massive size (6-5, 340-plus) to create problems for interior pass rushers especially.
No. 27 – RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
Buffalo's running game has to improve, and Bijan Robinson is the kind of back that can create offense when the blocking isn't perfect. Robinson is arguably the best offensive prospect in this class, and what he can do as a receiver gives him multidimensional value.
No. 27 – TE Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
Musgrave was getting some late-first/early Day-2 buzz down in Mobile, and while he didn't have a great week, it was certainly easy to see why teams like him. He missed most of '22 with an injury but he's well built, long, and has the athleticism to consistently separate from both safeties and linebackers. His blocking is a work in progress but he'll be a contributor in the passing game from Day 1.
No. 27 – RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
Robinson is my fourth-rated prospect in the entire draft, so obviously I see this pick as a major steal for Buffalo. Robinson should take a considerable amount of pressure off of Josh Allen's shoulders.
No. 27 – S Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M
Safety is a position of need for the Bills in 2023. Jordan Poyer is a free agent while Micah Hyde is coming off an injury and is getting up in years. Antonio Johnson (scouting report) is a fluid athlete who can contribute in man coverage. His versatility would be a boost to the Bills' secondary.
No. 27 – IOL John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota
The Bills get the last big Senior Bowl winner in this first round. John Michael Schmitz has lived in this projection range for our NFL mock drafts regardless, but he was one of the best players in Mobile and firmly established himself as the top center in the class. For Buffalo, he may be a left guard early on, but he'd be one of the best five up front for sure.
No. 27 – OT/G Cody Mauch, North Dakota State
The Bills' Super Bowl window is open, but for how much longer if the team fails to make investments in the run game? There's no running back worthy of being drafted here, but there is a lineman who could help beef up the ground game. Mauch played left tackle at NDSU but projects on the inside in the NFL. At 6-5 and 305 pounds, he plays with toughness and strength in the run game. Mauch is coming from a lower level of competition, but his power and agility would immediately improve the Buffalo offensive line and give the team a boost in the passing and running games when the weather turns cold and this offense seems to slow down.
No. 27 – S Brian Branch, Alabama
Jordan Poyer will be 32 by the start of next season, so if the Bills wanted to let him walk in free agency, Brian Branch would be a viable replacement. Not the most heralded on the Alabama defense, Branch did a little bit of everything for the Crimson Tide.
No. 27 – RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
Would the Bills really draft a back in Round 1? If Devin Singletary walks in free agency, maybe. This offense needs another outlet, and Robinson is one of the top playmakers in this class, a spectacular all-around talent worthy of going much higher.
