No. 9 – DT Ed Oliver, Houston
I was this close to giving them Washington State OT Andre Dillard, but after signing six offensive linemen this offseason it felt like overkill. Instead, we'll give them a traits-based difference maker in Oliver, who fills a need on a defense that quietly could be one of the five or six best in the NFL before long.
No. 9 – DE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
No. 40 – WR Kelvin Harmon, NC State
No. 74 – RB Delvin Singletary, FAU
… Sweat is an absolute athletic freak as an edge rusher who is still developing but will immediately improve the pass rush.
With no standout receivers in this class but plenty of quality options in the top 50 overall, the Bills are well-positioned to land the final piece of their passing-game rebuild in Round 2, and neither John Brown nor Cole Beasley bring the size and big-target ability of Harmon, who should quickly become Josh Allen's favorite target. Singletary outplays his short stature and brings a shot of youth into a veteran backfield as someone who can emerge as the primary ball-carrier down the road.
No. 15 (mock trade w/ Washington) – T Jawaan Taylor, Florida
Not thrilled with the prospect of them passing on better defensive line talent here, but I don't think the Bills would be able to rationalize leaving their running game and second-year quarterback without more help. Their director of college scouting has southeast ties and can get good information on Taylor, who struggled with some penalties in 2018 but really cleaned up his pass protection.
No. 9 - TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa
No. 40 – WR N'Keal Harry, Arizona State
No. 74 – DE Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
The Bills' offseason priority should be supporting Josh Allen. They're never going to see him develop if he's running for his life and throwing to subpar pass-catchers like he did in 2018. And with the additions of center Mitch Morseand receivers Cole Beasley and John Brown, you can see what GM Brandon Beane is doing. And since this is my "Grade: A" mock draft, I'm going a step further and getting Allen some more weapons: That means Hockenson, the best tight end in the class and a true upgrade as a blocker and pass-catcher, and that means Harry, a big target (6-foot-2) with great hands. Let's see how Allen can progress in Year 2 with upgraded players around him.
Ferguson, who set the NCAA record for career sacks with 47, including 17.5 last season, doesn't wow you with his measurables, but he already has an advanced arsenal of pass-rushing moves.
No. 9 – DT Ed Oliver, Houston
No. 40 – C/G Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
No. 74 – TE Kahale Warring, San Diego State
These first two Buffalo selections are about taking the best available player. Oliver is a beast inside, and Kyle Williams' retirement means the Bills could use a reliable run-stopper. McCoy could slide in at guard with Mitch Morse at center, taking steps toward protecting the team's franchise QB, Josh Allen. For the team's third pick, we go back to the areas of need and take a pass-catching tight end for Allen to target.
No. 9 – T Andre Dillard, Washington State
If I were the Bills, I'd move Dion Dawkins to right tackle and slide Dillard -- the best pass blocker in the draft -- in at left tackle.
No. 9 – DT Ed Oliver, Houston
As we get closer to the draft, it seems like Oliver's stock is on the rise. So much so, the Bills might be lucky if he's around at No. 9. If he is, the pick is a no-brainer. If he's not, the Bills could look for an offensive tackle like Jawaan Taylor of Florida or Cody Ford of Oklahoma.
No. 9 – DE Rashan Gary, Michigan
Teams around the league expect this pick to be in the trenches, either on the offensive line (Andre Dillard) or on the defensive line. Gary is a polarizing prospect because he is more potential than production as a prospect, but Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane hasn't shied from trusting the traits.
No. 40 – T Kaleb McGary, Washington
No. 74 – J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Stanford
The Bills added speed (John Brown, Cole Beasley) to their wide receiver depth chart this offseason, but are still missing size at the position. Arcega-Whiteside and his ability to box out and rebound the football would change that, especially in red-zone opportunities.
No. 9 – T Jonah Williams, Alabama
The offensive line should be the priority if we're going to see a Year 2 improvement for quarterback Josh Allen. Williams, who would be reunited with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll in this scenario, has the experience and technical chops to contribute early whether it's at tackle or guard, both areas of need for the Bills.
