We are officially less than a month away from the 2025 NFL Draft. Take a look at who the experts think the Bills should select with their first-round pick.
No. 30 – CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss
The Bills were more aggressive this offseason than a year ago, locking up in-house talent (wide receiver Khalil Shakir) while bringing in free agents (edge rusher Joey Bosa). But Buffalo needs more help in the secondary, and Amos is one of my guys in this draft. He has size (6-1, 195 pounds) and speed (4.43 in the 40), and it shows on tape. He executes in-phase coverage and has the skills to be an exceptional press-cover cornerback. Amos bounced around in college (Ole Miss was his third school) and is a bit raw, but he's a playmaker who notched three interceptions last season. He has the potential to be the Bills' future CB1 and a long-term building block.
No. 30 – CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
Bills Mafia greets Mad Max! He brings plenty of charisma and a terrific skill set at cornerback that is needed in Western New York. I'd keep an eye on Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku here, too.
TRADE No. 30 to MINNESOTA for No. 24 – S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
The Vikings only enter this draft with four selections -- so everyone understands they're open to trading back. With Emmanwori dropping -- relative to his outstanding combine -- the Bills get aggressive to land him. Safety isn't Buffalo's biggest need, but the South Carolina star is too talented not to go get.
No. 30 – DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
The massive run stuffer would add size and physicality to a defensive front that is loaded with pass rushers.
No. 30 – WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
In my eyes, Egbuka has more ability than any of the Bills' current receivers -- including recently extended Khalil Shakir, 2024 second-rounder Keon Coleman and new addition Joshua Palmer. He's a precise route runner and has outstanding hands. He actually reminds me of a young Amari Cooper -- who played with the Bills in the second half of last season -- and would immediately make an impact. He finished last season with 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns.
No. 30 – CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
They have a big hole at corner that has to be filled. Hairston could step in and be an immediate impact starter. The defense lacks a lot of playmakers, so it would make sense. They could also consider safety here.
No. 30 – DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Buffalo has bulked up on the defensive front with the additions of Joey Bosa, Michael Hoecht, and Larry Ogunjobi.
Long-term, getting a bigger-bodied disruptor like Harmon can help the Bills play their base nickel defense and still hold more firm against the run without compromising pass rush upside.
No. 30 – CB Azareye'h Tomas, Florida State
While the Bills boast two staples in the secondary thanks to Christian Benford and Taron Johnson, the AFC title game – in which Benford was knocked out with a concussion and since-traded cornerback Kaiir Elam was repeatedly picked on – reinforced the importance of eliminating any weak links. Thomas' size and physicality in coverage would give Buffalo some peace of mind about matching up in man coverage against the likes of the Chiefs and other AFC powers.
No. 30 – CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
Key Stat: Hairston notched five interceptions and eight forced incompletions in 2023.
Bottom Line: Hairston is a feisty competitor who likes to get his hands on receivers in bump-and-run coverage from off-coverage techniques. As a zone-heavy cornerback, he has the chance to develop into a CB2 type of player in the NFL.
No. 30 – DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Buffalo will be looking to improve the interior of their defensive line, and while Grant needs some work as a pass rusher, he can be effectively deployed into any defense and be a forceful defender against the run. With his power, length, and size, he's a tough player to unearth between the tackles, and he has real upside as a pass rusher.
TRADE No. 30 to MINNESOTA for No. 24 – CB Azareye'h Thomas, Florida State
Buffalo moves up to secure Thomas' 6-1 1/4, 197-pound frame, giving up their two fourth-round selections to Minnesota in the deal. The Vikings could stay put and take a defensive back themselves, but they currently only have four selections in this draft, so adding two early Day 3 picks might be worth the risk of moving down the board a bit.
No. 30 – DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Grant is among the most talented defensive tackles in this class, but his inconsistent tape and conditioning could push him down the board slightly. I love his fit for a Buffalo defense that could use a little more girth and power inside.
No. 30 – DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Adding an explosive disruptor like Nolen aligns with GM Brandon Beane's philosophy to invest in the defensive line. When Sean McDermott's units are at their best, they have a deep rotation of up to eight D-linemen playing between 20 to 70 percent of snaps in any given game, rarely more – football's version of load management.
PROBABILITIES OF FIRST POSITION DRAFTED: DL (30%), CB (21%), S (18%), OL (14%)
No. 30 – LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
The Bills still have Matt Milano and extended Terrell Bernard, but it might be difficult to ignore the level of extra rangy, high-energy playmaking, especially downfield in coverage and upfield on the blitz.
