NFL analysts continue to believe that a defensive player is the best pick for the Bills at No. 30. See who those players are in the latest Mock Draft Watch.
No. 30 – CB Azareye'h Thomas, Florida State
Addressing the void at cornerback opposite Christian Benford might be a necessity for a Buffalo squad on the precipice of a Super Bowl breakthrough. The 6-2, 197-pound Thomas can smother receivers from their release to the catch point, though his physicality mid-route could leave him prone to penalties early in his career.
No. 30 – CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
Teams were able to throw against Buffalo last season, completing 68.5% of their passes into coverage. That was fifth worst in the league, and worst among playoff teams. Rasul Douglas is unsigned, and his outside corner spot opposite Christian Benford is currently held by new addition Dane Jackson. More depth is needed.
Hairston can fly. He ran a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the combine, the fastest time at the event this year. And he has the hands to make plays, with six picks over the past two seasons.
No. 30 – CB Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
Revel is a long corner at 6-foot-2 and a willing tackler, which the Bills need in their defense. They have a big hole opposite Christian Benford, so this makes sense. Revel is coming off a torn ACL suffered in October but should be ready for training camp.
No. 30 – WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
The numbers don't blow you away (66 catches, 771 yards) but don't be fooled; Burden is a first-round talent and game-changer with the ball in his hands. The QB play at Mizzou was inconsistent in 2024 because Brady Cook was injured for much of the season, but there's a reason he had 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine TDs in 2023.
No. 30 – DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Bills add beef. DaQuan Jones is 33 years old this season and the Bills have always preferred having a defensive line rotation under Sean McDermott. Williams' strength and ability to eat blocks (while also being an easy mover) is a perfect fit in the short and long term next to the gap-shooting Ed Oliver. He might not ever get more than a couple of sacks each season, but all the other things Williams brings to the table will unlock so much on this Bills defense (including keeping their undersized linebackers clean) that has plenty of speed and pass rushing threats.
No. 30 – CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
Hairston has a well-rounded draft profile: He led the SEC in Interceptions in 2023, had an excellent practice week at the Senior Bowl and ran a 4.28 40-yard dash at the combine. A sticky cover corner with excellent ball skills, this Kentucky product feels like a good fit opposite freshly paid stud Christian Benford in Buffalo.
No. 30 – DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
The Bills invested heavily in their front four in free agency, bringing in veterans Joey Bosa, Larry Ogunjobi and Michael Hoecht. But with Ed Oliver's cap hit ballooning to $24.5 million next year, the club might be looking for even more. As large as he is, it is hard to believe that the 6-3, 330-pound Williams was often overshadowed at Ohio State, but his frame and blue-collar playing style could be a perfect fit in Buffalo.
No. 30 – DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
The Bills wait patiently and see Grant fall into their lap. He's the beefy defensive tackle they need on their defensive line and provides upside at still 21 years old.
No. 30 – S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina (Max's pick)
The Bills simply need to add impact defensive players. Emmanwori should help as a freakishly athletic box safety. He ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash despite being 6-foot-3, 220 pounds.
No. 30 – DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon (Dalton's pick)
Buffalo has to improve its defense at several spots to compete for a championship. In his lone season at Orgeon, Harmon led the nation in pressures while joining Mason Graham as the only Power Four defensive tackles with 80.0-plus grades as a run defender and as a pass-rusher.
No. 30 – CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
Going with a running back has to be in play here because the Day 2 run will happen before the Bills can get back on the clock. However, there's no more perfect defensive back for Sean McDermott in the class than Jahdae Barron.
Barron's not a fit everywhere, but the versatile and physical playmaker embodies the same swagger that has led to countless defensive backs thriving under McDermott.
No. 30 – DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Grant's talent (at 6-4, 331) is undeniable, but almost nothing about his game is consistent. He also did not test anywhere near where scouts anticipated he would. Still, he's an explosive, powerful presence with high-end potential as a nose and/or a big 3-tech. There's enough raw ability here to bet on.
No. 30 – S Malaki Starts, Georgia
The Bills have had to make some tough decisions over the years to stay under the salary cap, which has led to the departure of some key veteran defensive pieces. The only way to replace them cost-effectively is through the draft. Safety is one of the positions the Bills have lost via free agency. With this pick, the Bills go with safety Malaki Starks. Starks has shown that he can be a sideline-to-sideline ball-hawk and will immediately improve the backend of this defense, helping them get closer to the Super Bowl.
TRADE No. 30 to BALTIMORE for No. 27 – WR Matthew Golden, Texas
Buffalo could really use a downfield playmaker in this draft, so either Golden or Texas teammate Isaiah Bondshould be on its radar. The Bills swap a fourth-round selection for a sixth-round pick to move up three spots.
