The NFL draft is just 50 days away and the Buffalo Bills have some decisions to make regarding their roster. This offseason presents a unique challenge for the Bills as they look to find young talent to fill out their roster. Much of the emphasis may be on defense given the depth and strength of the defensive class in this draft.
As the Bills prepare for the draft in a little under two months, here is what some of the NFL's top voices said on 'One Bills Live' at the Combine.
According to Davis, he believes that the defensive tackle class is a deeper position for prospects than the edge rusher class behind Penn State's Abdul Carter.
"I think I like the defensive tackle class better for depth. At the top of it, on the edges, Abdul Carter is really, really good… Who is it behind him? That's the real wrecker that's off at the edge. Like, is it Ezeiruaku from Boston College? Is he really going to be that guy?"- Davis
Reid said that this defensive line class is the best he has seen since 2019, and he would even entertain double dipping in the first two rounds if he were the Bills.
"I've been saying this to everybody, we could see as many as 10 to 12 defensive linemen go in the first round. This is the best defensive line class overall Since 2019 and if you remember, with that class, I had guys like Nick Bosa, Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins, the list goes on and on of how many productive players came out of that draft class of that draft year. So, the Bills, a team that obviously needs to add some depth and some marquee talent up front along defensive line, I would even entertain double dipping at the position."- Reid
Ross believes that the cornerback position in this draft is strong as well and that given Sean McDermott's defensive background, he knows the Bills will take care of some of their needs on defense.
"I think another couple of cover guys could take it to another level. This is a strong group of corners in my opinion. I've evaluated the pass rushers there. I know some of those young guys have shown flashes but haven't really produced the consistency like y'all have wanted. There's a good group there, you can get someone to hit on. I think with Sean being a defensive guy, get that side of the ball."- Ross
Go behind the scenes with Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane during NFL Combine Week in Indianapolis. Beane meets with the media, Sirius XM Radio, CBS Sports, Pro Football Talk and makes a special appearance on the Pat McAfee Show inside Lucus Oil Stadium.
Brugler believes that given the depth of the defensive line in this draft, that the Bills should not feel pressured to take a defensive lineman on the first day of the draft and can get a player they like on day two and even day three.
"Defensive line, no doubt, by far, one of the deepest positions this year, both on the interior and then on the edge. So, there will be appealing options, I think, in the first round if they want to go in that direction, but they're not going to feel pressured to go get that guy in the first round if maybe they want to go with a safety or receiver in a different direction. So defensive line, one of the strongest positions this year. I would say, tight end, running back, defensive line, three deepest positions, both early and then in day two, even into day three."- Brugler
Palazzolo believes that this is a deep draft for defensive lineman and that there is versatility at the position. Also given that Buffalo has two second round picks, they may be able to double up at defensive line.
"I think it's a good draft to get some defensive linemen. I think it's very deep… But for teams that a little bit and say, 'Yeah, we want to have seven and eight guys that can get after the quarterback and some big bodies and some different body types,' it's a great draft for that, right? You have your 340 plus pounders, you have your explosive edge rushers, and they're not just going to go top 15. There'll be some of those guys available in the late first and then with the two twos for Buffalo. I think a lot of teams should double up in the first two rounds on defensive line. So, I think it's a great draft to be able to do that."- Palazzolo
Frelund said that given that the Bills have their quarterback and offensive tackles, while other teams may be looking to go in that direction, the Bills are unique because that gives them the freedom to pick any player that they want in the draft.
"The good news for the Bills is, like, you don't need some of the things other people need. So that gives you some freedom to be able to pick, like, you always top five positions you need to count for… Wide receiver, corner, and then your pass rushers, number three, and then wide receiver corner, or four and five, or five and four, however you want to do it, but that's the priority. You're in good shape there."- Frelund
