The 2020 NFL Draft is just over one week away, which means the Buffalo Bills are hard at work getting ready for one of the most important parts of the team-building process. Brandon Beane has done a fantastic job of maximizing Josh Allen’s rookie contract, but that window is about to close. Allen will sign a massive extension sooner or later, which means it’s never been more important for the Bills to start hitting on as many cheap draft picks as possible. Without further ado, let’s see take a look at this Buffalo Bills seven round mock draft and see what might happen when the team is on the clock.
Buffalo Bills Seven Round Mock Draft
First Round (30th Overall) – Travis Etienne, RB
Travis Etienne NFL Draft Profile
For the record, I do not feel like this would be a good pick for Buffalo. In fact, I wrote a whole article on why none of the running backs, as good as they are, justify a first-round selection. With that said, I do not believe that Beane and the Buffalo front office share my belief on the valuation of the running back. At yesterday’s press conference, Beane mentioned that running backs Zack Moss and Devin Singletary aren’t “home run hitters”, and that is not something you can say about Etienne. The Clemson product is a big play waiting to happen and has the speed and vision to make the most of any opportunity provided.
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Second Round (61st Overall) – Ronnie Perkins, EDGE
Ronnie Perkins might not be the best athlete in this class, but he knows how to play the position. The Oklahoma product made an impact right out of the gate in college, recording five sacks as a true freshman. That production continued throughout his career, and he recorded 5.5 sacks in just six games last season. Perkins knows how to make the most of what athletic gifts he does have, is stout against the run, and can get to the quarterback. While he doesn’t have an All-Pro ceiling, he should be able to contribute right out of the gate and could develop into an above-average starter.
Third Round (93rd Overall) – Olaijah Griffin, CB
Tre’Davious White is one of the best cornerbacks in the league, but the depth behind him leaves a lot to be desired. Olaijah Griffin possesses fantastic ball skills and the physical prowess necessary to thrive in both man and zone coverage. While he lacks elite top speed and recognition, he has a great closing burst and the ball skills to break up any off-target pass. He probably won’t start right out of the gate, but he should be the first cornerback off the bench.
Fifth Round (164th Overall) – Shi Smith, WR
The Buffalo Bills do not need another wide receiver, but this part of the draft is all about finding the best player available and figuring out the fit later on. Cole Beasley is a crucial part of the offense, but he is getting up there in age and carries a massive cap hit in 2022. Smith has a similar profile, and the Bills could use the 2021 season to see if he the necessary skill to be the slot receiver of the future. He might do much in the short term, but adding Smith in the fifth is a good long-term pick.
Fifth Round (174th Overall) – Tommy Kraemer, IOL
Tommy Kraemer is not a starting-caliber offensive lineman (at least at this point in his career), but he’s a fantastic emergency backup. The Notre Dame product started all four years at college, and has some history at both guard and tackle. That versatility is a must for a backup, and he’s good enough to hold down either position for a few games, should injury strike.
Sixth Round (213th Overall) – Ernest Jones, LB
Ernest Jones NFL Draft Profile
Ernest Jones is a throwback to a different era of football. The linebacker excels at stopping the run and is one of the smarter players at his position. However, he’s completely lost defending the pass, which is bad news in today’s pass-happy era. He could see the field in an emergency situation, and he should absolutely thrive on special teams. When you’re picking in the back of the sixth, that really is the best you can expect to get.
Seventh Round (236th Overall) – Cary Angeline, TE
We wrap up this Buffalo Bills mock draft with North Carolina State’s Cary Angeline. The tight end has some decent upside as a pass-catcher, as he runs right past linebackers and knows how to use his size to box out his opponents. However, his blocking is an absolute disaster, and it’s hard to see that improving. Still, there’s value to be had in a pass-catching tight end, and you could certainly do a lot worse with your final pick.
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