Buffalo Bills Mock Draft: A Conservative Approach

Brandon Beane has never once traded back in his time as Buffalo Bills GM. With the Bills in Josh Allen’s rookie contract window, I mused last week that he would continue to be aggressive to add premier talent to this roster.

https://thebuffalofanatics.com/2020/04/06/mock-draft-monday-brandon-beane-getting-aggressive/

This week, I decided to ponder what the opposite approach would look like, even though I don’t think it is likely to happen in 2020. The team I set my focus on was the Denver Broncos, owners of three picks in the third round.

I then made the following trade with them;

Pick #54 (Round 2), Pick #188 (Round 6), Pick #207 (Round 6), and pick #239 (Round 7) for Pick #77 (Round 3), Pick #83 (Round 3), Pick #178 (Round 5), pick #252 (Round 7), and Pick #254 (Round 7)

Based on the Rich Hill Draft Value Model, the Buffalo Bills are giving up 114 points here to the Broncos 120, but the Broncos get the premium pick in round #2.

The Draft

Round Three

#77 Cam Akers, RB, Florida St. – 5’11”, 212 lbs.

Akers has the measurables, recruiting pedigree, and looks of a bell-cow NFL Running Back. The only issue for him was an inability to show that on the field at a crumbling program in Tallahassee and one of the worst offensive lines in all of college football.

In Buffalo, Akers can hit the reset button and work in unison with Devin Singletary and TJ Yeldon to create a versatile three-man backfield.

#83 Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia – 6’1″, 202 lbs.

Hall is a hard nosed, physical zone corner. He is also solid in run support at the line of scrimmage. Sean McDermott would love to have him come in and take the spot opposite Tre White from Day 1. Worst case scenario he takes a year to click and Wallace/Norman carry that mantle.

#86 Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah – 6’3″, 265 lbs.

Anae will remind you a lot of current Buffalo Bill, Mario Addison. He is a hard-nosed, team leader. He has an arsenal of pass rush moves to get to the quarterback. He will need to work on setting the edge in the run game and is maxed out physically, so his ceiling may be that of an effective rotational end.

Round Four

#128 Gabriel Davis, WR, Central Florida – 6’3″, 212 lbs.

This size/speed prospect is flying under the radar in the draft community. If the Bills can get him in round four, they’d be adding not only size but speed. Davis is a player who can step into the slot right away and fill the big body need and eventually replace John Brown on the perimeter.

Round Five

#167 Alex Taylor, OT, South Carolina St. – 6’9″, 315 lbs.

Taylor is a small school athlete with all the tools to turn into a starter in the NFL with proper coaching. The Bills have the luxury of redshirting him next season as they are currently eight men deep on the offensive line with guys who can start in the league. In 2021, he can compete at RT as Ford transitions inside to replace Feliciano whose contract is expiring. If Ford works out at RT, Taylor could at worst play the Ty Nsekhe role as a swing.

#178 Tanner Muse, LB/NCB/S, Clemson – 6’2″, 227 lbs.

Muse is a “do it all” type of player that provides immense value late. He can play traditional safety, weakside linebacker, nickel corner, and contribute on special teams.

Round Seven

#252 Michael Turk, P, Arizona St. – 6’1″, 230 lbs.

The Bills like big leg punters. You won’t find a bigger leg in the world than that of Michael Turk. That is right, I said world. Besides who doesn’t like a JACKED punter???

#254 Khalil Tate, QB, Arizona – 6’2″, 215 lbs.

With one of the last picks of the draft, why not take the flyer on this absolute freak athlete. If Khalil Tate had chosen a different program, would we be calling his name on day one or two of the draft? You can develop him into a playmaking back-up who can at least spark an offense if your QB1 goes down. Maybe carve out a Taysom Hill role for him.

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