No. 9 – DT Ed Oliver, Houston
Forget the 40-yard dash. This guy has serious potential on the inside, which just happens to be where Buffalo could use reinforcements.
No. 13 (mock trade with Miami) – DT Ed Oliver, Houston
Oliver's a top-10 talent despite his average size, and the Bills could use another body on defense. Don't be surprised if they ask him to stand up to rush the quarterback. The Billsshould gain at least a third- and fifth-round pick in this trade, as the Raiders did when they dropped from 10 to 15 last year so the Cardinals could move up for Josh Rosen.
No. 40 – DE/LB Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
The Bills have not yet exercised the fifth-year option on Shaq Lawson's contract and Jerry Hughes is due to become a free agent after the season. Ferguson's long and strong and should make a big impact in Year 2.
No. 9 – T Jawaan Taylor, Florida
The Bills have smartly made upgrading their offensive line a priority this offseason, but while Ty Neskhe is better than last year's options at right tackle, he's better served in a swing role as a reserve. Enter Taylor, the most talented offensive lineman in this class, who gives the Bills a third locked-in O-line starter along with Dion Dawkins and Mitch Morse, with solid depth behind them.
No. 40 – DL Zach Allen, Boston College
If the Bills pass on a defensive lineman on Day 1, I can see them coming back in Round 2 and jumping all over a guy like Allen, who can improve the team's run defense on one end of the line while also offering the ability to move inside on passing downs.
No. 80 – WR Miles Boykin, Notre Dame
The Bills trade back a few spots then take a big receiver with immense upside in Boykin, who brings a different skillset with his size and athleticism than free-agent additions John Brown and Cole Beasley.
No. 9 – DE Rashan Gary, Michigan
The Bills addressed the offensive line struggles by adding three O-linemen in free agency. They could definitely still decide to use this pick on an offensive tackle, like Alabama's Jonah Williams, but I think they'll go for defensive line help here. Gary can play outside and move inside on passing downs. His collegiate production didn't match his traits, but there are few prospects with his combination of size, strength and explosive athleticism.
No. 9 – DE Rashan Gary, Michigan
Gary had a strong combine -- he ran a 4.58 40-yard dash and tested well in every workout -- but we already knew he was gifted physically. The interviews were more important for him there. He was undoubtedly asked about why he had just 10.5 sacks over three seasons. This pick is a bet for his ceiling, which is extremely high, and coaches will try to get the best out of him consistently. The Bills added receivers John Brown and Cole Beasley in free agency, but don't rule out a tight end for second-year quarterback Josh Allen here.
No. 9 – T Jawaan Taylor, Florida
Buffalo would love one of the elite front-seven defensive studs, but if the draft falls this way, I think offensive tackle will be the move. Taylor played right tackle at Florida, but he can play either left or right in the NFL. Still far from a finished product, he has monster paws and can protect Josh Allen for years to come.
No. 9 – T Jonah Williams, Alabama
The Bills got more receiving help for Josh Allen in free agency with John Brown, Cole Beasley and Tyler Kroft to add to Robert Foster and Zay Jones, so they can focus on upgrading left tackle to complete a line overhaul that already includes Mitch Morse, Spencer Long and Ty Nsheke. Williams is a strong pass protector who also is big enough (6-4, 302 pounds) to pave the way in the running game.
No. 9 – DE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
The Buffalo Bills attacked the offensive line in free agency, adding center Mitch Morse and right tackle Ty Nsekhe. That will help protect second-year quarterback Josh Allen. The additions of free-agent receivers Cole Beasley and John Brown will help develop him.
It's time for Buffalo to turn to the other side of the ball in the draft. While the defense was good in 2018—it allowed just 294.1 yards per game, second-fewest in the league—a few additional pieces could make it great.
Enter Mississippi State edge-rusher Montez Sweat. He's a big, fast and physical defender with the kind of athletic traits you just don't see in players his size. He ran a ridiculous 4.41-second 40 at the combine at 6'6" and 260 pounds.
Adding Sweat would give Buffalo the sort of defensive force opponents mustaccount for.
No. 9 – DT Ed Oliver, Houston
Oliver will be a top-30 visit in Buffalo, and gives Sean McDermott a lot of moving parts up front. His 84 pressures over three seasons (a number that got better each year) is pretty significant. He averaged almost two tackles for loss and four pressures per game during his final year in Houston. I suppose receiver works here too, though D.K. Metcalf would work best with a seasoned quarterback in my opinion.
No. 9 – T Jonah Williams, Alabama
The Bills were aggressive in bolstering their ragtag offensive line in free agency, signing center Mitch Morse, guards Jon Feliciano and Spencer Long, and tackle Ty Nsekhe. … so Buffalo could add blue-chip, 10-year-starter-type talent to their line by by grabbing Williams here. The first-team All-American tackle from Alabama can line up at both tackle and guard spots and would be an instant impact player at any of those places in providing quarterback Josh Allen with something he desperately needs: a clean pocket.
No. 9 – T Jawaan Taylor, Florida
When you draft a QB in the first round, you have to do everything possible to keep him upright and healthy. Second-year signal-caller Josh Allen will applaud getting another big body that can play in front of him.
No. 9 – DT Ed Oliver, Houston
One scout explained there are two tiers of defensive linemen in the first round, and if a player in that first tier is available at nine (like Oliver), it's a good bet Buffalo will draft him. Oliver weighed in at 287 pounds at the combine, which reassured teams who thought he may weigh in under the 280 mark (in fact, his measurements were almost identical to Aaron Donald who was just under 6' 1" and 285 pounds at the 2014 combine).
No. 9 – CB Byron Murphy, Washington
Another great scheme fit, Murphy has excellent zone skills that fit the Bills perfectly. He posted the nation's top grade a year ago at 92.0 overall, and even with the offensive holes, the Bills can continue to build their coverage unit while grabbing offensive playmakers in the second and third rounds.
