2022 Buffalo Bills Mock Draft: Round 5

We are now 20 days away from the start of the NFL Draft and the anticipation is mounting. Fans are watching every move the Buffalo Bills make, every word Brandon Beane says, and (presumably) every breath he takes, looking for any possible indication of what to expect from the war room at the end of April.

But, for now, we can only speculate. The BF Writers are back with their suggestions for who the Bills should take in the fifth round (#168 overall). Let’s dive in…

Bryce Martino

Previous Picks

Round	Player	College
1	WR Treylon Burks	Arkansas
2	CB Roger McCreary	Auburn
3	OG Ed Ingram	LSU
4	RB Jerome Ford	Cincinnati

Round 5: P Matt Araiza – San Diego State

Punter is the most underrated need the Buffalo Bills currently have. With Matt Haack putting the Bills defense in bad situations, they will need to bring in some competition at the position. Matt Araiza is, undisputedly, the best punter in this year’s draft. With a 86 yard punt during the season, and an 80 yard punt at the combine, the Bills should consistently pin opposing teams deep in their own side of the field.

Iestyn Harris

Previous Picks

Round	Player	College
1	CB Andrew Booth Jr.	Clemson
2	TE Trey McBride	Colorado State
3	WR Skyy Moore	Western Michigan
4	P Matt Araiza	San Diego State

Round 5: CB Montaric Brown – Arkansas

We’re doubling down on cornerback, folks. Montaric Brown has plenty of uncoachable traits, great instincts, and a knack for being exactly where he needs to be each play. Brown is a great zone corner who can man up effectively. He’s athletic, experienced, and capable of battling with Dane Jackson for a starting outside corner role until Tre’Davious White returns. The issue of our cornerback depth chart cannot be solved with any one player, and by getting two plausible starters for the long-term, we can ensure quality depth, high-level competition for starting roles, and cost-effective contracts at one of the most important positions in the modern NFL.

Jon Witt

Previous Picks

Round	Player	College
1	CB Andrew Booth Jr.	Clemson
2	WR George Pickens	Georgia
3	LB Channing Tindall	Georgia
4	WR Justyn Ross	Clemson

Round 5: CB Cordale Flott – LSU

We know LSU cranks out good corners and Flott is a bit of a project, but the Bills have proven they know how to develop players. He is a lengthy corner with speed and has tremendous upside. He would be best suited as a developmental outside corner.

Pete Rubinstein

Previous Picks

Round	Player	College
1	WR Jahan Dotson	Penn State
2	CB Roger McCreary	Auburn
3	LB Troy Andersen	Montana State
4	TE Jelani Woods	Virginia

Round 5: IOL Thayer Munford – Ohio State

Ohio State guard Thayer Munford is my pick for the Bills at #168. The 2x First-Team All-BIG 10 lineman is an excellent run blocker and has experience at both left tackle and left guard. Munford did see some regression this year as he struggled sometimes while playing on the interior. However, the Bills are in no rush to throw Munford into the mix quite yet. A year under Aaron Kromer, along with the help of veteran Roger Saffold, will help Munford get more comfortable at guard and get up to the same speed as the rest of the NFL. But for now, Munford could serve as valuable depth in an area that needs it the most.

Trish Patel

Previous Picks

Round	Player	College
1	CB Trent McDuffie	Washington
2	WR George Pickens	Georgia
3	LB Jojo Domann	Nebraska
4	TE Jelani Woods	Virginia

Round 5: CB Joshua Williams – Fayetteville State

Barring any last minute free agency moves, the Bills should really double dip at cornerback. Williams is perfect for this role. His traits and talent have gotten him this far, but his lack of competition leaves doubt as to how well he can perform in the NFL. A year on the bench behind Tre White, Dane Jackson, Taron Johnson and (hopefully) Trent McDuffie, will give him all the time he needs to perfect his game. (Hopefully, he falls this far. His stock has been going up…)

Alex Spencer

Previous Picks

Round	Player	College
1	WR Treylon Burks	Arkansas
2	CB Kyler Gordon	Washington
3	CB Cam Taylor-Britt	Nebraska
4	IOL Lecitus Smith	Virginia Tech

Round 5: S Markquese Bell – Florida A&M

I have the Bills selecting safety Markquese Bell out of Florida A&M. Bell posted a RAS score of 9.53. Standing at 6’2”, 212 lbs, Bell ran a 4.41 40 yard dash. Bell’s athleticism is evident, and a fun tool for McDermott and Fraizer to play with. His technique will need some work, but Bell provides good value at pick #168.

Kevin Siracuse

Previous Picks

Round	Player	College
1	CB Ahmad Gardner*	Cincinnati
2	WR Jalen Tolbert	South Alabama
3	RB James Cook	Georgia
4	OG Lecitus Smith	Virginia Tech

Trade Details

Teams	Picks (Round)/Players Received
Buffalo Bills	#7 (1st)
New York Giants	#25 (1st), 2023 1st, OG Cody Ford

Round 5: P Matt Araiza – San Diego State

If the “Punt God” is still on the board in round five, the Bills shouldn’t even think twice about snatching him up. It may sound crazy giving a punter this much praise, but Araiza is a generational talent. He has an absolute cannon for a leg – he had two punts go over 80 yards this past season, including an 86-yarder against San Jose State. He holds the NCAA records for punting average in a season (51.19), punts over 50 yards (39) and punts over 60 yards (18). Considering all the troubles the Bills had with Matt Haack last season, Araiza is undoubtedly an upgrade. He can single-handedly swing the direction of a game just based on the opposing team’s starting field position.

Alex Lucci (Thigh Doctor)

Previous Picks

Round	Player	College
1	WR Jahan Dotson	Penn State
2	CB Tariq Woolen	UTSA
3	IOL Dylan Parham	Memphis
4	LB Jesse Luketa	Penn State

Round 5: P Matt Araiza – San Diego State

I want Araiza on the Bills because I heard he was good. (And Matt Haack is bad.)

Zach Vaughn

Previous Picks

Round	Player	College
1	CB Tariq Woolen*	UTSA
2	RB Breece Hall	Iowa State
3	IOL Dylan Parham	Memphis
3	LB Troy Andersen	Montana State
4	TE Jelani Woods	Virginia

Trade Details

Teams	Picks Received (Round)
Buffalo Bills	#32 (1st), #66 (3rd)
Detroit Lions	#25 (1st)

Round 5: P Matt Araiza – San Diego State

(*Cue the broken record*)

While, Matt Haack is a good holder, he is awful at his primary job. He alternates between boom and bust almost every other attempt. Meanwhile, Matt Araiza is not just great at punting the ball… he’s consistent. (Araiza goes boom.) As much as Bills fans would prefer to not roster a punter and just let Allen yeet it every fourth down, that’s not realistic. Especially if they get backed up on their own side of the field. Additionally, having a consistent, effective punter like Araiza would help out the defense immensely by putting the opposition in worse field position than if Haack shanks it every other time. (Not to mention, Buffalo would have their kicker and punter on sixth and fifth-round salaries for the next two years.)

What do you think the Buffalo Bills will do? Leave a comment below!!