1. These two Bills cracked Mel Kiper's top 10 list of highest-graded NFL QB prospects
ESPN's Mel Kiper has been following the NFL Draft since 1979 and has evaluated a lot of players at every single position. He put together a list of his top 10 highest graded quarterback prospects with Jim Kelly and Josh Allen both being mentioned.
5. Jim Kelly, Miami
Draft class: 1983
Pick: No. 14 overall, Buffalo Bills
What I wrote at the time: "Kelly amassed impressive statistics during his career and like John Elway played against very strong competition (six bowl teams in 1981). Outside of Elway, Kelly is the most gifted of the QBs to come out of the college ranks this season. The transition to pro football should be a smooth one. He would have been one of the first five players drafted had he not been injured, but he still should go in the middle of the first round, depending on the outcome of tests on the shoulder close to draft day. It is my feeling that within three years Kelly will rate as one of the top QBs in the NFL."
Career notes: Kelly spurned the Bills for the upstart USFL, playing two seasons for the Houston Gamblers. He joined Buffalo in 1986 and played 11 seasons for the Bills, guiding them to four straight Super Bowls. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2002.
10. Josh Allen, Wyoming
Draft class: 2018
Pick: No. 7 overall, Buffalo Bills
What I wrote at the time: "Allen has crushed the pre-draft process and is in the mix to be the No. 1 overall pick. He has shown improvement at the Senior Bowl and at the combine, and he has a high ceiling. Allen is super raw but can really sling it. His numbers weren't great in 2016 (28 touchdown passes, 15 interceptions while completing 56 percent of his passes), and his numbers weren't great in 2017 (16 touchdown passes, six interceptions while completing 56.3 percent of his passes), but NFL teams will take into account the talent around him. The Wyoming offense lost 47 touchdowns from the 2016 team, along with its center. I think Allen's numbers will be much better in an NFL offense with NFL players. He put some strong film together in the Cowboys' bowl win, throwing three touchdown passes in the first half, even while recovering from a shoulder injury."
Career notes: Allen broke out in Year 3 in Buffalo, completing 69.2% of his passes and throwing 37 touchdown passes with only 10 picks. He finished second in the MVP voting while leading the Bills to the AFC title game. Allen, who turns 25 this summer, has inserted himself into the top tier of NFL signal-callers.
2. The Bills select this defensive end in CBS Sports' free agent mock draft
What if the veteran free agent market was set up like the NFL Draft? CBS Sports NFL writer Cody Benjamin showed us and put together a mock draft for the current players scheduled to hit free agency on March 17. With the 30th selection, he had the Bills taking defensive end Romeo Okwara who has spent his last three seasons playing for the Lions. During that time, he racked up 19 sacks, 42 QB hits, five forced fumbles and 111 combined tackles.
30. Buffalo Bills: DE Romeo Okwara
There are splashier names on the board, but Okwara fits the Bills' 4-3 DE opening after touting career marks for Detroit in 2020.
Scroll through to view photos of some of the top prospects that some draft analysts have projected the Bills to take in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Alijah Vera-Tucker | Guard | USC
We've seen Vera-Tucker grade well at both guard and tackle during his USC career, though he's a better fit at guard in the NFL. He's a smooth pass-protector and good second-level run-blocker, and 2020 showed that he could play tackle in a pinch because he allowed just eight pressures on 305 pass-blocking snaps on the season. - PFF, Steve Palazzolo
Nick Bolton | LB | Missouri
With Matt Milano scheduled for free agency, Buffalo could stand to add some youth and talent to the linebacker spot opposite Tremaine Edmunds. Bolton is rangy, athletic, and hard-hitting 'backer who could contribute both in base and nickel looks for the Bills. The Ringer, Danny Kelly
Asante Samuel Jr. | CB | Florida State
What Samuel lacks in size, he makes up for in athleticism and positional versatility. He's an instinctive player who doesn't shy away from contact if positioned in the slot or the box, and his movement skills give him an advantage over a lot of outside receivers when lined up at cornerback. - PFF, Austin Gayle
Liam Eichenberg | OT | Notre Dame
Eichenberg was reliable throughout his career at Notre Dame, showing the type of power and nastiness in the running game the Bills love. This looks like it could be a sweet spot for offensive linemen in the draft order, but don't be surprised if the Bills entertain trading back to get more picks on the second day of the draft. - The Athletic, Matthew Fairburn
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | LB | Notre Dame
He will be the chess piece that can be used outside, over the slot, or even in the box in sub. - The Draft Network, Drae Harris
Aaron Robinson | CB | UCF
Robinson is a tall, rangy cornerback prospect with the ability to play in the slot or outside. - NFL.com, Daniel Jeremiah
Jaycee Horn | CB | South Carolina
Buffalo could upgrade the No. 2 cornerback spot on the depth chart, and Horn is a great fit for what the Bills covet at the position. - The Athletic, Dane Brugler
Dillon Radunz | OT | North Dakota State
Jayson Oweh | Edge | Penn State
You aren't a two-time member of Bruce Feldman's Freaks List without having some serious athletic ability, and Oweh certainly has that. He can beat tackles around the edge with his get-off, and he was much improved against the run this past season at Penn State, posting an 89.7 run-defense grade. - PFF, Ben Linsey
Levi Onwuzurike | DL | Washington
They had all kinds of problems stopping the run last year, which means they need to get better inside. This kid impressed at the Senior Bowl. - CBS Sports, Pete Prisco
Trevon Moehrig | S | TCU
What they also could use is a rangy, versatile safety who can handle some slot duty, and Moehrig fits that mold to a tee. - Yahoo Sports, Eric Edholm
Azeez Ojulari | Edge | Georgia
Ojulari would provide some juice off the edge if the team is still looking for help at the position when the draft gets underway. - NFL.com, Daniel Jeremiah
Jalen Mayfield | OT | Michigan
Mayfield has stood out on film with his size, length and strength and can develop into a smooth blocker a la the Broncos' Garett Bolles. -Sporting News, Vinnie Iyer
Teven Jenkins | OT | Oklahoma State
Jenkins can improve their ability to rush the ball and protect budding star Josh Allen. - NFL.com, Chad Reuter
Christian Barmore | DT | Alabama
Alabama's Christian Barmore entered the 2020 campaign as one of the country's most intriguing draft prospects, because he flashed as an interior pass-rusher but not on a full-time basis. He got a chance to be a starter this past season and didn't emerge as the player everyone expected until Alabama's playoff run. The Bills could take a chance on the upside and possibly land a future All-Pro talent. -Bleacher Report, Brent Sobleski
Najee Harris | RB | Alabama
Alabama's Harris could come in and immediately contribute to this Bills rushing attack. His blend of vision, patience, and physicality is eerily similar to prime Le'Veon Bell, and pairing him with Allen and Stefon Diggs could give the Bills their own version of the Killer Bs (Big Ben, Bell, and Antonio Brown). - The Draft Network,Brentley Weissman
Tyson Campbell | CB | Georgia
Campbell would add a long, physical playmaker to a secondary that improved over the course of the 2020 season. - CBS Sports, Ryan Wilson
Wyatt Davis | Guard | Ohio State
Davis should recover from the leg injury he suffered against Alabama in the national championship game and can be an elite NFL interior blocker. He already has showed plenty in the way of paving the way for the Buckeyes' prolific rushing attack, something Buffalo can use on the ground. - Sporting News, Vinnie Iyer
Carlos Basham Jr. | Edge | Wake Forest
The Bills' need for more speed and athleticism on defense could make the ultra-active Basham an intriguing option. The Wake Forest standout is an impressive pass rusher with an explosive first step and violent hands. -NFL.com, Bucky Brooks
Travis Etienne | RB | Clemson
I really think they'd like to be more threatening on all three downs from the running back position, and a home run threat and explosive receiving option like Etienne will do the trick. - Pewter Report, Jon Ledyard
3. PFF thinks that Jonnu Smith would be a good fit on the Bills
General Manager Brandon Beane noted in late January the need to add competition to the tight end room either through free agency or the draft. PFF's NFL Analyst Seth Galina put out a list of his perfect free agent matches for all 32 teams. He thinks tight end Jonnu Smith would add that needed competition and he would be a good fit in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills: TE Jonnu Smith
2020 team: Titans | Age entering 2021 season: 26
The Bills did not get a lot of production from their tight ends in the passing game last season, so bringing in Smith would complete what would be a marvelous receiving corps. The rising fifth-year tight end is a capable blocker, but his usefulness truly comes when the ball is in his hands. Among tight ends with at least 25 targets over the past three seasons, Smith is fourth in yards after the catch per reception at 7.1.
As a second or third threat, this is the type of player you want; someone who can play a limited role yet still create extra yards when his number is called.
