2023 Buffalo Bills Mock Draft: Round 4

Once again, Happy Mock Draft Monday Bills Mafia! Today, the BF writers and I make our fourth round picks for the Buffalo Bills. As has been the case so far, we have some variance among our selections. But playing out the butterfly effect of our draft scenarios is where the fun is. So let’s dive in.

“With the 130th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select…”

Iestyn Harris

Round (#)	Selection
1 (27)	WR Zay Flowers (Boston College)
2 (59)	DT Siaki Ika (Baylor)
3 (100); via LV	OT Blake Freeland (BYU)

Round 4: LB Ivan Pace Jr. – Cincinnati

Last round, the Buffalo Bills selected OT Blake Freeland, having traded down. With another need met, they can turn their eyes to the hole at LB. With the 130th overall pick, the Buffalo Bills select Ivan Pace Jr, LB out of Cincinnati.

Let’s get one thing straight: Pace could start tomorrow, despite any size concerns. That will have to do, as the Bills don’t have a clear consensus at MLB right now. He has a nose for the ball, and his tape is loaded with evidence that he’s going to be a proficient blitzer at the pro level. The All-American has great quickness, and his burst lets him get into gaps other players might miss. If the play is going side-to-side, Pace will be going with it.

In coverage, he’s a mixed bag. Much like some liquorice allsorts, the mixed bag is mostly good. He’s got phenomenal instincts in zone, and always knows where the ball is going. He slips up in man coverage, but his speed lets him cover for his mistakes up to a point.

There are some downsides. Ivan Pace Jr. may struggle to get off blocks at the pro level, but with instincts like his he won’t find himself in that situation often. Pace is also a little undersized, at 5’10 1/2”, and the hole left by Tremaine Edmunds will be significant. Unfortunately, there are very few players who can fill that hole as a 1-for-1. The defense will need to make adjustments around that missing piece, and Pace is an excellent example of a player who can make the changes matter less.

I love Ivan Pace Jr in RD 4 for the #Bills, assuming they don't take another LB earlier.

Has such a nose for the ball, constantly weaving through defenders for the TFL. Patient with great burst to find the gap and hit it.

Great fit at MLB, in my opinion #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/mbe4fgjsZP

— Iestyn T Harris (@IestynTHarris) April 9, 2023

Bryce Martino

Round (#)	Selection
1 (27)	LB Jack Campbell (Iowa)
2 (59)	OT Darnell Wright (Tennessee)
3 (91)	S Jammie Robinson (Florida State)

Round 4: WR Jonathan Mingo – Ole Miss

The Bills finally go WR here in the 4^th round, and they land big 6’2”, 220 pound WR Jonathan Mingo. Last year, Mingo totaled 861 yards and five TDs on 51 receptions. Running a 4.46 40-time at his size, he’s able to get past defenders in man coverage with ease. His ability after catch will make teams fall in love with him, totaling 16.9 yards per reception. The Bills will likely start him out low on the depth chart to let him get his feet under him. They could also use him in jet motion hand offs like they did in the early days with Isaiah McKenzie.

Andrea Simon

Round (#)	Selection
1 (27)	WR Zay Flowers (Boston College)
2 (59)	RB Bijan Robinson (Texas)
3 (91)	LB Trenton Simpson

Round 4: IOL Steve Avila – TCU

For the fourth round in the Buffalo Bills Mock Draft, I believe they should focus on building up their offensive line. IOL is a position they need to fill, so my choice is Steve Avila from TCU. Avila is an easy mover despite his size (6’4”, 330lbs), and his agility at his size made him one of the best pass-protecting guards in the country this past season. The 23-year-old allowed only 11 pressures on 540 pass-blocking snaps. While TCU’s season may not have ended in an ideal way, Avila showed consistency throughout the season, with high potential to be a day-one starter.

Kevin Siracuse

Round (#)	Selection
1 (27)	LB Jack Campbell (Iowa)
2 (59)	WR Cedric Tillman (Tennessee)
3 (91)	DT Siaki Ika (Baylor)

Round 4: TE Luke Schoonmaker – Michigan

The Bills need a tight end to compliment Dawson Knox; the best way to do this is by finding someone who has the opposite skillset as Knox. Enter Luke Schoonmaker.

Schoonmaker is known for his blocking, as he is described as a “willing and effective blocker in the run game”. The 6’5”, 250 pound TE only had 637 receiving yards and 7 TDs in four seasons at Michigan, as he was never a true receiving threat. The Bills have acted like they’ve wanted to run more two-tight end sets over the last few years, but haven’t been able to find the right guy opposite Knox between Tyler Kroft, Jacob Hollister, O.J. Howard, and most recently, Quintin Morris. Schoonmaker could make for the perfect pairing.

Zach Vaughn

Round (#)	Selection
1 (27)	LB Jack Campbell (Iowa)
3 (75); via ATL	DT Siaki Ika (Baylor)
3 (91)	OT Blake Freeland (BYU)

Pick #113 (via ATL): WR Jonathan Mingo – Ole Miss

While draft experts project him to be a slot receiver in the NFL, Mingo has the size to play on the boundary as well (6’2”, 220 lbs). He excels in contested catch situations and offers good athleticism, run after catch ability, and above-average run blocking. He does need to improve his route running, but he can turn on a dime after the catch. Given how Sean McDermott handles rookies, along with the fact that the Bills already have a deep WR room this year, Mingo could take a back seat this year and compete for a significant role in 2024 (if/when Gabe Davis leaves).

Jonathan Mingo, a thread. pic.twitter.com/QxlFyfOwea

— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) April 1, 2023

Pick #130: IOL Olusegun Oluwatimi – Michigan

The Bills really need to consider the future of the center position. There’s no telling how much longer Mitch Morse will last, especially with his history of concussions. Oluwatimi would make for a fine successor. He has a high football IQ and significant experience at the position, having taken almost 3,500 snaps in his career to date, so he can step in immediately if/when Morse gets injured. He is a good pass protector but could improve in run blocking. However, given that the Buffalo Bills are a pass-oriented offense, I would rather have offensive linemen who are more refined pass blockers from the get-go. Aaron Kromer can help him hone his run blocking technique. Draft Oluwatimi now, let him back up and learn from Morse, and have your center of the future in-house.

What do you think the Buffalo Bills should do in the fourth round #BillsMafia? Let us know on Twitter (Zach/@zvaughn2712, Kevin/@kevin_siracuse, Andrea/@heyitsandreah, Bryce/@BillsByBryce, Iestyn/@IestynTHarris)!!!

Featured Image: Bruce Newman/The Oxford Eagle