2024 Buffalo Fanatics Writers Mock Draft: Round 5

(Turn around.) Every now and then a star player gets traded that changes everything. (Turn around.) The Buffalo Bills enter April’s draft with a glaring need at receiver. (TURN AROUND BILLS FANS.) The BF Writers make their fifth round picks today! (TURN AROUND BILLS FANS.) Hopefully the team won’t fall apart.

With three fifth round picks, the Buffalo Bills could be very busy at this point on Day 3 of the 2024 Draft. Dare I say this could be a… “total eclipse of a round”?

The Buffalo Bills are on the clock…

Jenna Carlson

Round (#)	Selection
1 (28)	WR Adonai Mitchell (Texas)
2 (56; via DAL)	DL Ruke Orhorhoro (Clemson)
4 (112; via LV)	S Cole Bishop (Utah)

Pick #144: OT Roger Rosengarten – Washington

Although the Bills added an offensive tackle in La’el Collins just recently, it is likely that he will be a candidate to play left guard and there is still a need for a contingency plan in 2025 if RT Spencer Brown is not re-signed. OL Roger Rosengarten is a developmental lineman who has the flexibility to play anywhere on the offensive line. At 6’5” and 308 pounds, he has a decent height. However, he is a lighter offensive tackle who will need to add some weight. Much like Spencer Brown, Rosengarten is a great run-blocker and he is at his best when he can get to the second level. In both 2022 and 2023, Roger did not let up a single sack in pass protection!

Although he possesses immense athletic gifts (he ran a 4.92 at the combine), there are some technical skills that he must work on, such as his anchor ability, before he is slated to become a starter, at least on the Bills. A lot of it has to do with his weight and strength overall, which thankfully can be improved upon over time. At least the Bills have Coach Aaron Kromer, who would be able to help Roger refine his skillset and measurements.

Pick #163: WR Luke McCaffrey – Rice

Wait a minute… that name sounds familiar. That’s right. As if this draft didn’t have enough name recognition (Harrison, Rice, Gore), there must be another McCaffrey coming into the league. I may or may not have chosen him because of that, but the Bills will also need to select another receiver if they intend on filling the void left by Stefon Diggs’ departure.

McCaffrey has only played wide receiver full-time for two years, and he already possesses the tools that will help him at the next level. In fact, his production in that time frame is ridiculous for someone so new to the position. Luke has 131 receptions, 1,732 yards and 19 touchdowns in two seasons at Rice! He played a majority of his snaps in the slot (356 in slot and 139 out wide), but he is a good route runner and he had a phenomenal 60.7% contested catch rate in 2023. He does have an issue with drops (5.8% in his career) and will need more experience, but there is enough skill and athleticism there to take a flier on him. Besides, who wouldn’t want a McCaffrey brother on their team?

Iestyn Harris

Round (#)	Selection
1 (28)	WR Adonai Mitchell (Texas)
2 (60)	S Kamren Kinchens (Miami)
4 (112; via LV)	WR Luke McCaffrey (Rice)
4 (133)	CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (Louisville)

Pick #144: DL DeWayne Carter – Duke

DeWayne Carter brings a lot to the table for the Buffalo Bills. Sitting at 6’3 1/2” and 304 lbs, Carter is well sized for his role and stands immovable at the line of scrimmage. Always showing great lateral agility and constantly occupying blockers, the defense elevates around him. He may not wow you on the stat sheet, but Carter does what we always need DTs to do, eat run gaps whilst rushers pressure the QB.

His motor is one of the best in the draft for his position, playing through the whistle and pursuing any and all contact or tackle opportunities. That’s something the front office is always looking for on the defensive line. His pass rush issolid for his role, and he always gets hands up into the passing lanes when pressure or contact is off the table. His non-ideal length and struggles to get off the snap early will lead to a fall, but he’s got plenty to offer for the Buffalo Bills of 2024 and beyond.

Pick #160: WR Johnny Wilson – Florida State

Johnny Wilson is projected to be here, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him gone. With Metcalf-esque traits, there are few guys in this draft class as intimidating. At a whopping 6’6” and 237 lbs, Wilson is a physical freak. The long speed is good enough to separate deep, but he also has surprising twitch for a guy his size to get open. His body control and sideline/zone awareness is very good, making him a solid boundary receiver. Those physical traits make him very hard to bring down with the ball in his hands. As an added upside, Wilson is also a phenomenal blocker.

With his size comes natural flexibility issues, and his lack of short area suddenness makes him primarily an outside receiver, but he can come in on heavy packages. The biggest obstacle is his uncertain hands, which need to work on their technique. There is plenty of potential for him in a season’s time, so why not take the swing now? Don’t think of him as a third WR selection for 2024, but as a first WR selection for 2025.

Pick #163: RB Isaac Guerendo – Louisville

Running back is a tough position to pick in this draft. Buffalo doesn’t need a starter, but they do need help in other ways. Prioritizing that need against some of the more glaring ones is a difficult balancing act. They get off the tightrope late in Round 5, taking Isaac Guerendo with the 163rd pick. Guerendo is a dream fit for this offense.

With prototypical size and best-on-class speed, there’s very little about him that Bills fans won’t love. He’ll blow the doors off in the open field and will punish any defense giving him a lane when he turns on the jets. His strength is ideal, as is his agility, and he brings willing pass-blocking and run-blocking to a room that would rather not risk their RB1. As a catcher, he’s got soft hands to keep defenses guessing, and his versatility and confidence will make it hard to keep him out of the lineup. The final upside? A pristine special teams contributor to lock in the pick for Sean McDermott.

Andrea Simon

Round (#)	Selection
1 (28)	WR Xavier Legette (South Carolina)
2 (60)	DT T’Vondre Sweat (Texas)
4 (128)	CB Caelen Carson (Wake Forest)
4 (133)	WR Luke McCaffrey (Rice)

Pick #144: WR Isaiah Williams – Illinois

In light of recent events, I think it’s safe to say the Buffalo Bills need to find a few good WR options for the coming season. Isaiah Williams has consistently been a reliable receiver throughout his college career, boasting high separation statistics over the last three years — ranking in the 90th percentile overall and 66th percentile against single coverage. The former Illinois WR increased his draft stock at the NFL Combine too. He clocked a 40 time of 4.63. Isaiah also recorded a 38” vertical, ran a 6.75 in the cone drill, and jumped a 10’3” broad jump. Who knows what Brandon Beane has up his sleeve in the draft at this point, but either way, Williams could be a solid option.

Pick #160: S Josh Proctor – Ohio State

With Hyde and Poyer not on the roster, the Bills will need to bring in additional safety talent. The former OSU safety is a six-year player who logged more than 50 career appearances for the Buckeyes. He is a versatile defensive player who will have a positive impact as a run defender. Proctor is well-suited for a team that predominantly employs zone coverage and requires its safeties to actively contribute to the run defense. If selected by the Buffalo Bills, chances are he’ll assume a significant role in their defense early on.

Pick #163: DT Tyler Davis – Clemson

The Bills could benefit from adding youth to their interior defensive line, and the former Clemson DT could bring his solid run-stopping abilities to the team. Davis brings extensive experience as a four-year starter. He surprises offensive linemen at the line of scrimmage with powerful hand strikes, effectively impeding their progress to the second level, thus creating opportunities for linebackers. Davis also maintains active footwork upon contact, rendering it difficult to dislodge him when anticipating blocks. While his physical attributes, particularly his arm length and wingspan, rank below the 10th percentile, his reliability, strong work ethic, and versatility along the interior make him a valuable asset for Buffalo.

Thigh Doctor

Round (#)	Selection
2 (36; via WAS)	WR Xavier Legette (South Carolina)
2 (60)	DT Braden Fiske (Florida State)
3 (67; via WAS)	S Cole Bishop (Utah)
4 (110; via LAC)	DE Marshawn Kneeland (Western Michigan)

Pick #160: RB Isaiah Davis – South Dakota State

The Bills pick up their thicc back of the future here. Isaiah is 6’0”, 218 lbs, and runs hard. He also is a plus blocker and has good hands, think Latavius Murray with a little shake in his step like Motor Singletary.

Zach Vaughn

Round (#)	Selection
2 (36; via WAS)	WR Xavier Legette (South Carolina)
2 (60)	DE Marshawn Kneeland (Western Michigan)
3 (67; via WAS)	S Beau Brade (Maryland)
4 (113; via BAL)	WR Jamari Thrash (Louisville)
4 (133)	IOL Tanor Bortolini (Wisconsin)

Pick #163: RB Kimani Vidal – Troy

The Buffalo Bills already have their top RB in James Cook and a capable spell back in Ty Johnson. However, they’re sorely missing that downhill runner (not named Josh Allen) who isn’t afraid to lower his pads and throw out a stiff arm in order to gain that extra yard. That’s where Troy RB Kimani Vidal comes in.

He may be only 5’8” and 213 lbs, but that, along with his physicality, ability to absorb contact, and shiftiness (recorded a 4.15 second shuttle time and 7.01 3-cone), makes him hard to bring down. He is a good pass catcher who quickly turns upfield, and his aforementioned physicality could aid in his development as a pass blocker. Additionally, he possesses very good speed, having run a 4.46 40-yard dash (with a 1.53 10-yard split). Despite being a bit of a project, his overall skillset would complement Buffalo’s RB room well.

What do you think the Buffalo Bills should do in the fifth round of the 2024 Draft #BillsMafia? Let us know on Twitter: Zach/@zvaughn2712, Jenna/@cookedbyshakir, Andrea/@heyitsandreah, Iestyn/@IestynTHarris, Thigh Doctor/@ThighDoctor!!!