1. Draft analyst thinks Bills first pick doesn't have to be WR
The Draft Network’s Joe Marino joined WGR’s Schopp and the Bulldog to discuss what he thinks the Bills should do in the first round of the draft.
"What I think is important for the Bills at pick 22 is to get an impact player at a premium position," Marino explained. "I don't know at this point if anything should be off the table with so much in front of us with free agency. Then, I feel like fans have this tendency to get wrapped into the first round pick being the only thing that happens the entire offseason to improve the team. There's seven rounds in the draft, there's going to be free agency and trades. I think the best thing at this point is to keep an open mind."
By keeping an open mind, Marino thinks it's possible the Bills wait for a wide receiver till the second round due to talent and what's available in the first round.
"I think the most meaningful thing that the Bills can do in the draft is to give Josh Allen a playmaker and somebody that can help this offense become more consistent," Marino said. "If there's one there that doesn't meet the value, I do look back towards the defense and think alright get an impact pass rusher or is there an impact corner to play opposite of Tre White. That's where my mind goes—wide receiver, defensive end, cornerback."
Many mock drafts have the Bills choosing a wide receiver with their first pick but general manager Brandon Beane will go with the best available at No. 22, if it's not a receiver there will still be options on day two.
2. How can the Bills grow in the 2020 NFL Draft?
Bleacher Report researched one thing every NFL team should not ignore in the upcoming draft—for the Bills it has to do with addressing speed on offense in the first or second round.
The receiving corps is comprised of complementary players. John Brown and Cole Beasley are fine pass-catchers ... The Bills need to add an explosive playmaker who can do just that.
Whether it means picking a prospect such as Alabama's Henry Ruggs III or Colorado's Laviska Shenault Jr. late in Round 1 or targeting a burner on Day 2, the Bills need to add speed, and they need to do it early.
Alabama’s Ruggs is known as one of the quicker receivers in this year's draft class. Ruggs is a crisp route runner who can use change of speed to shake a defender and own different levels of the field. Shenault is a larger receiver who may not be as quick as Ruggs but can break tackles with his tough stature.
3. Two Bills make this top 100 free agents list
Free agency begins March 18 and a few Bills have popped up on several lists of best available free agents. CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco has Shaq Lawson and Jordan Phillips in his top 100 best free agents list.
No. 54 DE Shaq Lawson
He had his best season in 2019, which will help his value. He is a decent pass rusher and good against the run...
No. 71 DT Jordan Phillips
He is coming off his best season in the league, one in which he had 9.5 sacks, which should help his stock. He was a rotational player with the Bills who is ready for more.
