No. 27 – CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
I am aware that the Bills have a strong defensive back group. I am also aware of needs at other positions. I am also, also aware that Leslie Frazier is taking the season off and Buffalo's defense might not look the same with Sean McDermott calling the plays. However, this is a team that used at least five defensive backs on more than 90 percent of plays last season, enduring a lot of injuries. Cam Smith at Pick 27 would be a nice upside selection. His change of direction speed ranked in the top 10 percent of FBS players, which helps contextualize his 15 pass breakups and four interceptions off just 70 targets. Note: There are good RB options (and many at a favorable price) in the marketplace.
No. 27 – LB Jack Campbell, Iowa
Campbell is Tremaine Edmunds sized -- with shorter arms -- but better instincts. His size and awesome coverage abilities make him an intriguing prospect for the Bills.
No. 27 – LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas
The loss of Tremaine Edmunds in free agency is big for the Bills. General manager Brandon Beane already has reiterated that he wants to keep Matt Milano at weakside linebacker. This could be a sign the team will be aggressive with addressing middle linebacker in the draft. If Beane wants to add a player with Edmunds' length, frame and versatility, he could turn to Sanders, who is 6-5, 235 pounds. Sanders has value on all three downs as a second-level defender, and he can be used off the edge -- he has an uncanny ability to create edge pressure. The Alabama transfer had 9.5 sacks and 103 total tackles last season.
No. 27 – TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
Buffalo is looking to add pass-catching weapons for Josh Allen at all times. Dalton Kincaid is a fluid athlete capable of making plays after the catch. He gives the team a dynamic weapon at the position that they have been lacking.
No. 27 – WR Jordan Addison, USC
Pairing the USC standout with Stefon Diggs would give the Bills a dynamic route-running tandem that could pose problems for opponents on the perimeter.
No. 27 – OG O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida
Brandon Beane will probably have to be strapped to a pole to fight the instinct to take Bijan Robinson with this selection. But Torrence would give the Bills another stout offensive lineman to help reinforce their run game as the season goes on and the weather gets colder. Torrence will be a Day 1 starter and provides excellent play strength to keep the middle of the pocket clean for Josh Allen to do Josh Allen things and make the Bills' run game more physical.
Combined with the signing of guard Connor McGovern and a running back, Damien Harris, who does his best work downhill and from under center, Torrence would match the Bills' desire to bring a different element to their already potent offense.
No. 27 – RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
If you take away quarterback contributions, the Bills ranked 27th in rushing yards (1,470) and tied for 26th in rushing touchdowns (eight). Yes, Buffalo drafted James Cook in last year's second round, signed Damien Harris and traded for Nyheim Hines, but Gibbs' explosive play is too good to pass up here. He is a dynamic runner, and he averaged more than 6 yards per rush attempt and recorded a remarkable 44 catches last season. Gibbs is a perfect fit for this offense.
No. 27 – LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas
Sanders is a former five-star who transferred from Alabama after the 2021 season and all he did was show out for the Razorbacks. He was an edge rusher for the Crimson Tide but he lined up all over the defense for Arkansas and he's been a one-man wrecking crew when he's on the field.
No. 27 – WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
The Bills have been in on a handful of speedy wide receivers throughout the free-agent process, and they did come to terms with New Orleans Saints game-breaker Deonte Harty on a two-year pact, but here they continue to load up at the position with the smooth, sharp, sudden Boston College product.
With opposing defenses focusing their attention on Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Flowers will get open at will and could help Josh Allen mitigate some issues with running the ball too often. If he gets lost at the line, he'll be walking in for six on a bomb from Allen. Or if he has enough room in space, he can zoom past defenders.
No. 27 – WR Jordan Addison, USC
Addison can win one-on-one matchups and should be an upgrade over the recently released Isaiah McKenzie.
No. 27 – OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State
I love adding an absolute mountain of a man like Jones to the offensive line in front of quarterback Josh Allen. The Ohio State tackle is coming off a season in which he allowed just five pressures from 419 pass-blocking snaps.
No. 27 – IOL Joe Tippman, Wisconsin
The Bills need to be able to run the football and take more pressure off of Josh Allen to carry the team every week. They've already addressed the RB position and signed Damien Harris from the Patriots. Now, they need to address the offensive line issue. With this pick, they draft interior offensive lineman Joe Tippmann. Tippman is an athletic offensive lineman that is an asset in the run game as well as in pass protection.
TRADE No. 27 to SEATTLE for No. 20 – DT Calijah Kancey, Pitt
GM Brandon Beane moves up to get the strong and quick-footed Kancey. There's already social-media chatter about former first-round pick Ed Oliver's future as he enters a contract year. The team needs another active tackle on the roster to take the reins sooner or later.
