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The first wave of the NFL's free agency period has come and gone.
The Buffalo Bills were active.
The team added pieces on both sides of the ball. Addition on defense were highlighted by pass rusher Joey Bosa. Wide receiver Josh Palmer has some excited with his potential he can bring the offense with quarterback Josh Allen throwing him the ball.
There are still plenty of holes to fill and the marquee event of the offseason is still to come: the 2025 NFL draft.
Following the first wave of free agency, the Bills Wire staff put together their latest mock drafts which can be found below:
Round 1 (30): DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
With the addition of Joey Bosa, the idea of a pass rusher becomes less needed but another option in the middle of the defensive front is still something that would be welcomed in Sean McDermott’s defense. Over the years, general manager Brandon Beane has tabbed vets as the space-eating player next to Ed Oliver at tackle. Buffalo will still have that in DaQuan Jones in 2025, but that will allow Harmon to come along slowly in the pros which could be a win-win for long-term success on the Bills defense.
Round 2 (56): WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
Higgins has the build to be a vertical threat at the next level, standing at 6-foot-4. Like other prospects his size, the speed becomes a concern. But if he can unlock that, Higgins can battle with Keon Coleman to be that outside threat the Bills offense currently lacks. Higgins had 87 catches for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024
Round 2 (62): S Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
While the Bills have made free-agent additions in the secondary and brought Damar Hamlin back in the fold, there's no reason this won't be an open competition at safety. If Winston, a versatile player with length, were to land in Buffalo, he could partner well with Cole Bishop if that's the way a training camp batter were to pan out.
Round 1 (30): DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Grant can play both the 1-tech and 3-tech and would provide a steady force on the interior defensive line for the Bills who have lacked a dominant physical force in the middle. At 6-4 and 331 pounds, he makes his presence known on early downs. He’s a run stuffer who can single handedly disrupt an offense’s rushing attack, and he also has shown glimpses of a pass rushing arsenal. He fits the mold of what Brandon Beane looks for: a high-character guy with physical traits that you can’t teach. And, he’s only 21 and has time to develop while mixing in with veterans on the Bills’ d-line. His presence helped the Michigan Wolverines win a national title in 2023.
Round 2 (56): CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss
Amos, a senior, is a versatile cornerback who could benefit from learning under Sean McDermott and company. He has the speed (4.43 40-time) and length (6’1”) to be a starting caliber player in the NFL. He excels in press-man situations, which the Bills started to run more of down the stretch in 2024. If they want to continue the trend of playing a bit more man coverage, Amos would be a no-brainer due to his violent hands and quick feet at the line of scrimmage. But, he also can develop into more of a zone corner in the right system given that he’s shown athletic ability, mental processing, and competitiveness.
Round 2 (62): WR Jalen Royals, Utah State
Royals is an explosive wide receiver who has put his name on the map with Utah State the last two years. At 6-feet and 205 pounds with a 4.4 40-time, he has the traits of a true outside “X” receiver in the NFL. With a background in track and field and basketball, he can do all of what you want in a WR. He can stretch the field vertically (something the Bills lacked in 2024), he can make contested catches with superb body control, and he can take a screen pass for a big gain which offensive coordinator Joe Brady has worked into the offense. He has traits that Brady and the Bills love: he excels in yards after the catch and he has scheme versatility having played both inside and out.
Round 1 (30): S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
Emmanwori would be a home run with the 30th pick. His physical traits are off the chart. The junior ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and added a 43-inch vertical jump to go along with 20 bench press reps at the Combine. Emmanwori had a standout junior season, leading the Gamecocks with 88 tackles. He was second on the team with four interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He takes good angles when tackling, can cover speedy receivers, and can challenge receivers on jump balls. Emmanwori can grow into a stellar safety in the NFL.
Round 2 (56): DT Alfred Collins, Texas
Collins is the big boy who can supplement the interior of Buffalo’s defensive line. At 6-6, 332 pounds, Collins can cause problems for centers and guards and eat double-teams in the trenches. He is quick moving side-to-side and a solid anchor for the line. Collins would be a great rotational player to match with DaQuan Jones. He might not dominate with stats, but Collins will be noticed when on the field.
Round 2 (62): LB Christopher Paul, Mississippi
The Bills did not add a linebacker in free agency, and the depth of the position could use a little help. Michael Hoecht was signed as a s free agent, but the former Ram might see more time on the defensive line. Thus, Paul Jr. enters the fray. He is a weakside linebacker who could be the heir apparent to Matt Milano. Paul Jr. was a third-team Associated Press All-American, and he earned second-team All-SEC honors. The redshirt junior registered 88 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and an interception last year.
Round 1 (30): CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
As of now, the Bills’ cornerback room is not that imposing as they would be starting Christian Benford at one corner spot and maybe Dane Jackson at the other. With Rasul Douglas no longer on the team and Kaair Elam recently being traded, Buffalo could use more talent at the cornerback spot. Since they weren’t able to add that talent in free-agency thus far, getting someone like Hairston would instantly boost that unit, especially with his ability to play as a press corner or in zone.
Round 2 (56): WR Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
Some people reading this might be wondering why the suggestion is for the Bills to draft wide receiver again after not only selecting Keon Coleman in the second round last season, but also acquiring wideouts Josh Palmer and Laviska Shenault Jr. this offseason. At this point, the goal is to strengthen that part of the team with high-end talent, hopefully with players that can stick around with Coleman and Khalil Shakir into the future. Noel could be one of those players as he is one of the better route-runners in the Draft who could share some of the slot responsibilities with Shakir.
Round 2 (62): DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
Similar to the previous two suggestions, the Bills have to find a way to replenish certain positions that don’t have many players that could be around three seasons for now, especially with the franchise trying to sustain itself around quarterback Josh Allen. Michael Hoecht could be around for a while if he plays well enough, but he will also be suspended for the first six games of next season while Joey Bosa and Larry Ogunjobi (also suspended for the first six games) were signed to one-year deals. Ezeiruaku, despite being undersized as an edge rusher, could one day grow into the player that plays opposite Greg Rousseau with his ability to win against offensive linemen thanks to a variety of moves when in one-on-one matchups.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Bills Wire staff mock draft 1.0 goes defense early
Continue reading...
The Buffalo Bills were active.
The team added pieces on both sides of the ball. Addition on defense were highlighted by pass rusher Joey Bosa. Wide receiver Josh Palmer has some excited with his potential he can bring the offense with quarterback Josh Allen throwing him the ball.
There are still plenty of holes to fill and the marquee event of the offseason is still to come: the 2025 NFL draft.
Following the first wave of free agency, the Bills Wire staff put together their latest mock drafts which can be found below:
Nick Wojton, managing editor
You must be registered for see images
Round 1 (30): DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
With the addition of Joey Bosa, the idea of a pass rusher becomes less needed but another option in the middle of the defensive front is still something that would be welcomed in Sean McDermott’s defense. Over the years, general manager Brandon Beane has tabbed vets as the space-eating player next to Ed Oliver at tackle. Buffalo will still have that in DaQuan Jones in 2025, but that will allow Harmon to come along slowly in the pros which could be a win-win for long-term success on the Bills defense.
Round 2 (56): WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
Higgins has the build to be a vertical threat at the next level, standing at 6-foot-4. Like other prospects his size, the speed becomes a concern. But if he can unlock that, Higgins can battle with Keon Coleman to be that outside threat the Bills offense currently lacks. Higgins had 87 catches for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024
Round 2 (62): S Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
While the Bills have made free-agent additions in the secondary and brought Damar Hamlin back in the fold, there's no reason this won't be an open competition at safety. If Winston, a versatile player with length, were to land in Buffalo, he could partner well with Cole Bishop if that's the way a training camp batter were to pan out.
Kam Towle, contributor
You must be registered for see images attach
Round 1 (30): DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Grant can play both the 1-tech and 3-tech and would provide a steady force on the interior defensive line for the Bills who have lacked a dominant physical force in the middle. At 6-4 and 331 pounds, he makes his presence known on early downs. He’s a run stuffer who can single handedly disrupt an offense’s rushing attack, and he also has shown glimpses of a pass rushing arsenal. He fits the mold of what Brandon Beane looks for: a high-character guy with physical traits that you can’t teach. And, he’s only 21 and has time to develop while mixing in with veterans on the Bills’ d-line. His presence helped the Michigan Wolverines win a national title in 2023.
Round 2 (56): CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss
Amos, a senior, is a versatile cornerback who could benefit from learning under Sean McDermott and company. He has the speed (4.43 40-time) and length (6’1”) to be a starting caliber player in the NFL. He excels in press-man situations, which the Bills started to run more of down the stretch in 2024. If they want to continue the trend of playing a bit more man coverage, Amos would be a no-brainer due to his violent hands and quick feet at the line of scrimmage. But, he also can develop into more of a zone corner in the right system given that he’s shown athletic ability, mental processing, and competitiveness.
Round 2 (62): WR Jalen Royals, Utah State
Royals is an explosive wide receiver who has put his name on the map with Utah State the last two years. At 6-feet and 205 pounds with a 4.4 40-time, he has the traits of a true outside “X” receiver in the NFL. With a background in track and field and basketball, he can do all of what you want in a WR. He can stretch the field vertically (something the Bills lacked in 2024), he can make contested catches with superb body control, and he can take a screen pass for a big gain which offensive coordinator Joe Brady has worked into the offense. He has traits that Brady and the Bills love: he excels in yards after the catch and he has scheme versatility having played both inside and out.
Justin DiLoro, contributor
You must be registered for see images
Round 1 (30): S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
Emmanwori would be a home run with the 30th pick. His physical traits are off the chart. The junior ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and added a 43-inch vertical jump to go along with 20 bench press reps at the Combine. Emmanwori had a standout junior season, leading the Gamecocks with 88 tackles. He was second on the team with four interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He takes good angles when tackling, can cover speedy receivers, and can challenge receivers on jump balls. Emmanwori can grow into a stellar safety in the NFL.
Round 2 (56): DT Alfred Collins, Texas
Collins is the big boy who can supplement the interior of Buffalo’s defensive line. At 6-6, 332 pounds, Collins can cause problems for centers and guards and eat double-teams in the trenches. He is quick moving side-to-side and a solid anchor for the line. Collins would be a great rotational player to match with DaQuan Jones. He might not dominate with stats, but Collins will be noticed when on the field.
Round 2 (62): LB Christopher Paul, Mississippi
The Bills did not add a linebacker in free agency, and the depth of the position could use a little help. Michael Hoecht was signed as a s free agent, but the former Ram might see more time on the defensive line. Thus, Paul Jr. enters the fray. He is a weakside linebacker who could be the heir apparent to Matt Milano. Paul Jr. was a third-team Associated Press All-American, and he earned second-team All-SEC honors. The redshirt junior registered 88 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and an interception last year.
Sharif Phillips-Keaton, contributor
You must be registered for see images attach
Round 1 (30): CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
As of now, the Bills’ cornerback room is not that imposing as they would be starting Christian Benford at one corner spot and maybe Dane Jackson at the other. With Rasul Douglas no longer on the team and Kaair Elam recently being traded, Buffalo could use more talent at the cornerback spot. Since they weren’t able to add that talent in free-agency thus far, getting someone like Hairston would instantly boost that unit, especially with his ability to play as a press corner or in zone.
Round 2 (56): WR Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
Some people reading this might be wondering why the suggestion is for the Bills to draft wide receiver again after not only selecting Keon Coleman in the second round last season, but also acquiring wideouts Josh Palmer and Laviska Shenault Jr. this offseason. At this point, the goal is to strengthen that part of the team with high-end talent, hopefully with players that can stick around with Coleman and Khalil Shakir into the future. Noel could be one of those players as he is one of the better route-runners in the Draft who could share some of the slot responsibilities with Shakir.
Round 2 (62): DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
Similar to the previous two suggestions, the Bills have to find a way to replenish certain positions that don’t have many players that could be around three seasons for now, especially with the franchise trying to sustain itself around quarterback Josh Allen. Michael Hoecht could be around for a while if he plays well enough, but he will also be suspended for the first six games of next season while Joey Bosa and Larry Ogunjobi (also suspended for the first six games) were signed to one-year deals. Ezeiruaku, despite being undersized as an edge rusher, could one day grow into the player that plays opposite Greg Rousseau with his ability to win against offensive linemen thanks to a variety of moves when in one-on-one matchups.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Bills Wire staff mock draft 1.0 goes defense early
Continue reading...
