2024 Buffalo Fanatics Writers Mock Draft: Day 2

Happy Monday everyone! It’s time for another round of mock drafting. This week, the Buffalo Fanatics writers make their second round picks (and possibly even a third rounder too). Let’s get to it.

The Buffalo Bills are now on the clock…

Jenna Carlson

Round (#)	Selection
1 (28)	WR Adonai Mitchell (Texas)

Round 2, Pick #56 (via DAL): DL Ruke Orhorhoro – Clemson

Team	Picks Received (Round (#))
Buffalo	2 (56)
Dallas	2 (60), 4 (133)

After re-signing of DT DaQuan Jones, it was inevitable that the Bills would further invest in the interior of the defensive line. The only question was, at which technique spot? That question was answered less than two weeks later when the Bills signed DT Austin Johnson, who will presumably be the rotational 1-tech along with DT Eli Ankou. Now, that leaves a hole behind DT Ed Oliver at the 3-technique position. 

Buffalo addresses that spot in the second round and, perhaps, they feel the need to trade up a few spots to get their guy. DT Ruke Orhorhoro (pronounced “Oh-roh-roh-roh”) is fairly new to the sport. He began playing in high school in 2017 as a defensive end and quickly rose to prominence in the scouting world after logging 13 sacks in his senior year. Now, fast forward to his final year in college as a defensive tackle: he totaled 25 tackles (13 solo) and five sacks.

Ruke is still viewed as a relatively inexperienced pass rusher. However, many draft analysts believe he has a high ceiling as he continues to work on his pass-rush moves, for which he is already equipped with above average quickness and a motor. His toughness in the run game is what really stands out. So, if he could put it all together as a pass rusher, he has the ability to be a very well-rounded player.

Bryce Martino

Round (#)	Selection
1 (28)	WR Adonai Mitchell (Texas)

Round 2: S Javon Bullard – Georgia

The Buffalo Bills have done a good job so far of replacing Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. However, despite adding Mike Edwards and retaining Taylor Rapp, the Bills don’t have their Safety of the future yet. In comes Javon Bullard. Bullard can play multiple Safety positions, including box safety where he can help in run support. Standing at 5’10”, 198 pounds, Bullard may not be a Day 1 starter, but the veterans ahead of him will let him develop to start in 2025. Bullard had 39 tackles, two INTs, and five passes defended in 2023.

Iestyn Harris

Round (#)	Selection
1 (28)	WR Adonai Mitchell (Texas)

Round 2: S Kamren Kinchens – Miami

Following some moves by Brandon Beane, Buffalo no longer needs to draft an urgent starter at any position for 2024. There are no glaring roster holes. The question instead becomes this: What player brings major upside to the current room, and removes a future need? The answer at #60 is Kamren Kinchens. Buffalo had been blessed by one of the NFL’s best safety tandems over much of the past seven years. The absence of their consistency has been noted in the last two seasons and, with their reign officially over, there must be a successor to the throne. One half of that tandem will be Kinchens.

He brings incredible fluidity to the game, navigating traffic with ease and making tackles with excellent form. He’s physical, more than capable of handling tight ends of prototypical size, and is an absolute ball-hawk who moves with anticipation. When relying on his reaction time, he rarely falters. When his eyes rarely fail him, his quick feet make for smooth recoveries. To give him a backhanded compliment, he takes extremely aggressive angles when tracking, which opens up fear for a missed tackle letting a breakaway play in. That, along with his pedestrian speed, makes up the majority of his downside. With a player of Kinchens’ calibre, that’s something you’ll have to come to terms with.

Following a rather generic combine performance, he’s a perfect candidate for a slide to Buffalo’s second pick. With a case to be the best, last line of defense in this draft, keep Kam in your thoughts for day two of the NFL Draft.

Andrea Simon

Round (#)	Selection
1 (28)	WR Xavier Legette (South Carolina)

Round 2: DT T’Vondre Sweat – Texas

Drafting T’Vondre Sweat in the second round of this year’s NFL draft would be a strategic move for the Buffalo Bills. With his impressive blend of size, speed, and agility, the former Texas DL presents a valuable asset to bolster the Bills’ defense. His prowess in rushing the passer could provide a much-needed boost to the team’s ability to disrupt opposing offenses. Sweat’s versatility and instinctual play make him an enticing prospect who could contribute immediately, addressing a critical need for the Bills as they aim to strengthen their defensive unit and contend for success in the league.

Thigh Doctor

Team	Picks Received (Round (#))
Buffalo	2 (36), 3 (67)
Washington	1 (28), 4 (133), 5 (163)

Round 2, Pick #36 (via WAS): WR Xavier Legette – South Carolina

The Buffalo Bills appear to be in the WR market and, although they picked up Curtis Samuel, they have not replaced the archetype for Gabe Davis. Xavier Legette is not a route running technician right now, but he is a super-powered Gabe Davis. The Bills can feel comfortable he will still be available with a trade down, securing another top-70 pick in the process. Legette could be a DK Metcalf-type player for the Bills.

Round 2, Pick #60: DT Braden Fiske – Florida State

Buffalo will need to bolster their IDL in the draft. Fiske already has the burst and penetrating abilities that the Bills seem to admire, but will need to improve his anchor if he is expected to have positional flexibility to kick into the 1T. He should still thrive in a pass rushing role and to spell Ed Oliver in his rookie season. Fiske gives me Kyle Williams vibes.

Round 3, Pick #67 (via WAS): S Cole Bishop – Utah

With the Bills collecting an extra early third round pick, they have the luxury of selecting one of the top safety prospects. Bishop is a seasoned player with great size and athleticism, allowing him to play in all types of safety looks. He would project as an instant starter or, at minimum, would allow the Bills to keep their three safety packages and be the top backup for both starting safeties. His greatest skill might be his ability to cover tight ends in man coverage.

Zach Vaughn

Round (#)	Selection
1 (28)	WR Xavier Legette (South Carolina)

Round 2: DL Ruke Orhorhoro – Clemson

The Buffalo Bills signed DaQuan Jones’ former college and Tennessee Titans teammate Austin Johnson to back him up at 1-tech DT. However, they could still use a backup 3-tech behind Ed Oliver. Well, it just so happens the best player available at 60th overall was a 3-tech DT: Clemson’s Ruke Orhorhoro.

Orhorhoro (6’4”, 294 lbs) has elite athleticism. He ran a 4.89 second 40-yard dash (with a 1.67 10-yard split), 4.5 sec shuttle, 7.39 sec 3-cone. Additionally, he recorded a 32” vertical jump, 9’8” broad jump, and 29 reps on the bench press. According to NFLDraftBuzz, He can line up anywhere on the defensive line, from 5-tech (edge rusher) to 0-tech (3-4 nose tackle). That type of positional versatility falls in line with Brandon Beane’s recent remarks at the league owners’ meetings. Orhorhoro, who didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school, is another rawer, higher-upside athlete who possesses a good work ethic. Drafting Orhorhoro would give Sean McDermott and Bobby Babich their own defensive Nigerian Nightmare.

What do you think the Buffalo Bills should do in the second round this year #BillsMafia? Let us know on Twitter: Zach/@zvaughn2712, Jenna/@cookedbyshakir, Andrea/@heyitsandreah, Bryce/@BillsByBryce, Iestyn/@IestynTHarris, Thigh Doctor/@ThighDoctor!!!

Featured Image Credit: Ken Ruinard/USA TODAY Sports