In Mock Draft Watch 8.0, cornerbacks and defensive tackles remain the favorite. See who the analysts think is the right fit for Buffalo at No. 30.
No. 30 – DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Since drafting Josh Alleen seventh overall in 2018, the Bills haven't truly hit on many early-round picks. (Former second-rounder James Cook, who has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons, is a notable exception.) Grant isn't the most consistent player, but he is talented, athletic and has the potential to be an impact player on Buffalo's defensive front. He'll get to learn and grow behind veteran DTs Ed Oliverand DaQuan Jones.
No. 30 – S Malaki Starks, Georgia
I don't think any safety on the Buffalo roster should stop them from adding a playmaker such as Starks for the back end of the defense.
No. 30 – WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
There are a lot of ways you could go here, with a number of great pass rushers still available to you. However, I really like the idea of adding another receiver. Burden has a game that is very reminiscent of Stefon Diggs and would be a great option for Josh Allen in a receiver corps that is a bit lacking outside of Khalil Shakir.
No. 30 – CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss
This is the biggest weakness on the Bills' roster; they need another starter at cornerback. Opponents moved the ball through the air too easily last season, as Buffalo allowed 68.5% of passes to be completed (fifth worst in the NFL). Amos -- who had three picks and 15 pass breakups last season -- could slide into free agent Rasul Douglas' spot.
No. 30 – DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
At 21 years old, Grant has pass-rushing upside. He's not a finished product there yet. As a run defender, he plays with plus mobility, power, and tackling reliability for a 330-pounder.
No. 30 – DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
The Buffalo Bills need to get bigger and more physical along their defensive interior. There's no one better in this year's class than the 6'4", 331-pound Kenneth Grant to fill the void.
Grant is a massive space-eater. He's also an exceptional athlete for his size. In Buffalo, he simply needs to be someone who eats up blocks and resets the line of scrimmage. Anything he can provide as a pass-rusher—where some upside exists within his game—will be a bonus.
No. 30 – CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
Hairston is a burner who can match the likes of the AFC's best deep threats stride for stride. He fills a pretty glaring need for the Bills on the outside.
No. 30 – DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
The Bills look to get younger on the defensive line here, grabbing a disruptive interior pass rusher in Harmon. The former Oregon standout is a three-down contributor with excellent length and the versatility to line up at multiple spots. He's an excellent complement to Ed Oliver and should give the team an infusion of energy up front.
No. 30 – CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
No. 30 – S Malaki Starks, Georgia
Did you know? Bills cornerbacks coach Jahmile Addae was the primary recruiter who brought Starks to Georgia. In Sean McDermott's cloud-heavy scheme, smart and rangy safety play is just as vital as strong cornerback depth.
PROBABLITIES OF FIRST POSITION DRAFTED: DL (38%), CB (21%), S (17%)
No. 30 – DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Buffalo's primary objective this offseason has been clear — the Bills want to get better defensively up front. They signed Larry Ogunjobi, Joey Bosa and Michael Hoecht in free agency and now get a chance to add a disruptive wrecking ball to go along with Ed Oliver long-term inside.
Between this and the Bills' contract extensions on defense, the nucleus of this group is looking good for the long haul.
No. 30 – EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
No. 30 – CB Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
Buffalo has never been shy in adding and developing small-school DBs, and Shavon Revel Jr. is as gifted a corner in the class at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds. Rehab is coming along nicely (see below) and some signs have connected Revel Jr. to Buffalo, whom he has visited in the pre-draft process.
No. 30 – DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Ranked by ESPN as the No. 1 overall recruit over Travis Hunter in the class of 2022, Nolen put it all together in his final college season, becoming the 14th consensus All-American in Ole Miss history. With a smaller defensive front that was overpowered in some big spots last season, Buffalo could opt for a heftier defensive tackle. (I gave them 334-pound beast Tyleik Williams in this space last time.) That said, Nolen has intoxicating potential as an explosive gap-shooter, and that could be tough to pass on if still available when the Bills come on the clock.
No. 30 – CB Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
Buffalo loves big, long cornerbacks and Shavon Revel checks that box. The franchise will almost certainly use its first-round pick to address the defense.
No. 30 – CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss
The expectation is that the Bills will add more defensive talent with this pick, and Amos could be an under-the-radar option. He's a long, athletic cornerback who does a fantastic job of playing the ball in the air.
While his long speed is only average, he projects as an outside cornerback who can use his physicality to match up with high-end receivers at the next level.
