Who might Bills target in the NFL Draft? Mock offseason, Part 2

The Buffalo Bills’ flurry of roster cuts made it clear they wish to get youthful and cheaper as they appear to herald the subsequent wave of gamers with Josh Allen because the franchise quarterback. Common supervisor Brandon Beane all the time has believed firmly within the NFL Draft, which is the emphasis of Half 2 of our annual mock offseason.

With free agency and re-signing done during Part 1, the main target turns to the draft. The Bills might do solely a bit in free company due to their cap area, however what can they add within the draft to maintain their successful window open for years to return?

And don’t overlook about post-draft free company, which is perhaps an underrated piece of the Payments’ offseason. We included it on this train as properly.

As a reminder, the roster under was constructed after free company and heading into this mock draft. Yow will discover all of the steps, together with restructures, mock contracts, potential cap hits and a working log of cap area, in Half 1, which received us so far of the train.

Pre-draft mock offseason depth chart

*Yellow is a re-signing, blue is an exterior free agent.

2024 NFL Draft

Payments’ 2024 mock offseason picks, pre-draft (11): Nos. 28, 60, 127, 133, 143, 159, 162, 188, 199, 203, 248

Notice: Draft simulation accomplished utilizing Pro Football Focus, controlling solely the Payments for the train.

Commerce!

The Payments commerce Nos. 28, 60, 127 and 203 to the Los Angeles Rams for Nos. 19, 83 and 195.

You didn’t suppose in an offseason with little cap area to work with, and having 11 picks complete, meant Beane would sit and look ahead to his flip, did you? Even with the quantity of roster shedding the Payments did this week, there possible just isn’t sufficient room for 11 rookies on the 53-man roster. So we now have Beane doing what Beane usually does on draft day: buying and selling up for a participant he’s enthusiastic about. Whether or not we agree is a special dialogue. However the tendency is obvious, and he would possibly have a look at the primary spherical as his finest probability to crack open that Tremendous Bowl window.

Buffalo has three picks within the fifth spherical, which can assist it rise up earlier within the order within the fourth spherical and substitute the late fourth-round decide it’s shifting on this projected deal. Mainly, the Payments drop 23 spots with their second decide and lose solely a fourth-round decide to maneuver up within the first and sixth rounds, getting a participant who might flip right into a core constructing block with their prime decide — particularly when there appears to be a drop-off from the participant they’re shifting up for to the subsequent one on the similar place.

On to the decide!

The decide at No. 19: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

The draft was about to get into an alley of groups that would go for a large receiver, which stands out as a possible necessity of a Day 1 or 2 decide for this roster construct. The probability that Thomas could be on the board on the Payments’ unique choice just isn’t excessive, particularly after his NFL Scouting Mix efficiency. Thomas combines all the abilities the Payments need most out of their new beginning X-receiver. He has an excellent dimension and velocity mixture. He’s robust on the ball and performs to his dimension. He can take the highest off a split-safety protection. He wins beneath. He exhibits glorious effort as a blocker. He can play inside to unlock some extra scheme versatility. And finest but, nonetheless solely 21, he has the potential to turn into a crew’s prime receiver.

Thomas is the kind of participant who will excite Beane sufficient for a transfer up like this one. And don’t overlook what’s possible sitting behind the GM’s mind. The Payments sat round a number of picks too lengthy, pondering they might wait and make a small transfer up for cornerback Trent McDuffie in 2022, solely to see their archrival, the Kansas City Chiefs, come out of nowhere to commerce up for him. The Chiefs are within the extensive receiver market this yr, too, in case Beane wants every other motivation. I might even see the Payments buying and selling up larger than No. 19. For this mock, although, it’s Thomas at No. 19 with no second thought.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler on Thomas: A former basketball recruit, Thomas has distinctive physique actions for his dimension (earlier than and after the catch), with focus and coordination to make performs above the rim. He constantly will get on prime of protection with fast acceleration, though crisper cuts and improved leverage will assist him create higher separation out of breaks. Thomas took his sport to a different degree in 2023, posting an FBS-best 17 landing grabs, probably the most by a Energy 5 receiver since DeVonta Smith (23) in 2020.

The decide at No. 83: EDGE Austin Booker, Kansas

For these ready for the primary huge defensive finish piece of the mock offseason, right here it’s. The Payments take a giant swing with the number of Booker, an inexperienced however high-ceiling cross rusher. Booker has the peak, size, velocity and play energy the Payments covet on the place, plus room so as to add to his body and get nearer to the 250-260-pound mark they like. He would even be a proper defensive finish within the Payments protection, which enhances Greg Rousseau’s ability set properly. Booker was productive in his one yr at Kansas, and regardless of a scarcity of faculty snaps, he exhibits as excessive of an upside as you’ll get at this level within the draft.

The Payments additionally aren’t afraid to take a giant swing on a defensive finish with a low snap depend. In line with Professional Soccer Focus, Rousseau had solely 545 defensive snaps in faculty and has been probably the most profitable decide the Payments have made on the place beneath Beane. At this level on Day 2, there received’t be an ideal prospect. The Payments have tried the secure route at defensive finish earlier than on Day 2, and the picks of A.J. Epenesa and Boogie Basham didn’t fairly reside as much as what that they had hoped for. This time, it’s all about potential and excessive upside. They’ll have at the least two gamers — Rousseau and Von Miller — to work forward of Booker for 2024 as he learns and will get greater, and Booker can be taught from Miller for a complete season with the aim of beginning in 2025.

Brugler on Booker: With solely 505 defensive snaps in his faculty profession (95 % of these coming in 2023), Booker remains to be a piece in progress and must develop his play energy and rush plan. However he’s tall, lengthy and twitched up with sufficient promising flashes. For a affected person crew prepared to spend money on his potential, Booker shall be an fascinating developmental prospect.

We’ll go straight to the picks for rounds 4 via 7. Picks remaining: Nos. 133, 143, 159, 162, 188, 195, 199 and 248.

Commerce!

The Payments commerce Nos. 133, 159 and 248 to the New York Giants for No. 106.

The decide at No. 106: S Cole Bishop, Utah

The Ryan Bates trade armed the Payments with three fifth-round picks, which permits them to maneuver up into the early fourth spherical. So on this commerce, the Payments transfer up 25 spots, ditch solely a fifth- and late seventh-round decide and nonetheless maintain eight complete picks of their pocket. The transfer up was to get what might turn into their robust security of the long run in Bishop. Together with his skill to deal with and win close to the road of scrimmage in opposition to the run, he appears properly suited to probably take over the Jordan Poyer position whereas additionally holding his personal in protection. Taylor Rapp was a little bit of a disappointment final season and basically has solely a one-year dedication from the crew, so it’s not outdoors the realm of risk for Bishop to unseat Rapp sooner or later in 2024.

Brugler on Bishop: Utah’s defensive scheme calls for versatility from its safeties, and Bishop was up for the problem along with his skill to play everywhere in the subject. Irrespective of the place he begins on the snap, he’s all the time rallying to the soccer and covers a ton of floor. Some safeties play quick and others play managed — Bishop does each.

The decide at No. 143: DT Tyler Davis, Clemson

The Payments want a one-technique defensive deal with to develop and function the first backup to DaQuan Jones, and Davis matches these parameters. The Payments don’t want a large human being at one-technique, only one who performs huge and might occupy blockers. Regardless that he’s barely undersized at 301 kilos, Davis could make up for it along with his energy.

The decide at No. 162: CB M.J. Devonshire, Pittsburgh

With Tre’Davious White and Siran Neal out of the image, the Payments have room for a sixth cornerback on the 53-man roster. Devonshire would enter the equation, and the Payments would want to determine the place he’s finest, whether or not it’s on the boundary or at nickel nook. However with an arm size of practically 33 inches, it’ll definitely put him in consideration on the skin to start issues. The Payments have the roster room for both, particularly one who might do each.

The decide at No. 188: WR Anthony Gould, Oregon State

With an excellent extensive receiver class, it makes numerous sense to double dip and attempt to discover a fourth- or fifth-receiver sort on a rookie deal. Gould is small (5 toes 8, 174 kilos), however his velocity and run after catch are a giant a part of the draw. He might present some punt-returning operate as he learns the offense. At worst, he’s a developmental participant to maintain on the 53-man roster as a weekly wholesome scratch. At finest, he might fill the Isaiah McKenzie, Deonte Harty position because the fourth or fifth receiver.

The decide at No. 195: C Hunter Nourzad, Penn State

The Payments have room for a developmental offensive lineman, particularly at middle and offensive deal with, however a younger middle is one thing they’ve but to draft beneath Beane. Nourzad wouldn’t be trusted to be something aside from a wholesome scratch each week in yr one, with the hopes that he, like a number of different late-round facilities, might massively outplay his draft slot.

The decide at No. 199: LB Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri

The Payments want a linebacker to fill out their roster with some particular groups juice, and that’s what Hopper can assist present, even in his first season. It’s all about choosing gamers late who might make the crew outright, and a fifth linebacker has a robust case.

Put up-draft cap adjustment

Among the trades shifted a part of the crew’s High-51 contracts and took a small quantity of cap area from the place they had been earlier than the draft. Quintin Morris would be re-added to the High 51, taking the place of No. 129, which was traded away through the mock draft.

Cap area earlier than the draft: -$298,000
Cap area after the draft: -$547,000

Tre’Davious White cap adjustment

As of June 1, the Payments may have entry to all of their funds gained from White’s post-June 1 designation. That can add the complete $10.21 million in financial savings to their 2024 cap sheet, which might pave the way in which for a second wave of free company.

Adjusted cap area after June 1: $9.66 million

Put up-June 1 free-agent strikes

Signal DE Jadeveon Clowney

Phrases: One yr, $8 million

The Payments struck gold final offseason after they introduced in Leonard Floyd throughout spring exercises and he wound up being one among their finest cross rushers in 2023. The Payments will hope to do the identical with Clowney, who would stroll in and turn into the beginning proper defensive finish reverse Rousseau, pushing Miller right into a rotational position and serving to Booker, the second-round rookie, have a condensed position because the fourth cross rusher on the depth chart. Clowney has a historical past of ready till later within the offseason to signal with a crew. He did so with the Tennessee Titans in 2020, signing in September, after which with the Baltimore Ravens in 2021, ready till mid-August. At 31 years previous, he could be an instantaneous and short-term enhance to a defensive finish group that wants yet one more piece.

Cap area after the transfer: $2.65 million
(TE Quintin Morris faraway from High 51)

Signal RB Nyheim Hines

Phrases: One yr, $1.33 million ($200,000 signing bonus, $1.19 million cap hit as a consequence of veteran wage profit)

The Payments stated Hines was of their plans this season, and that is simply the return of a possible backup runner to James Cook and a particular groups piece. The deal could be principally assured to make sure his place on the roster.

Cap area after the transfer: $2.49 million
(DE Kingsley Jonathan faraway from High 51)

Signal OT Yosh Nijman

Phrases: One yr, $1.5 million

The Payments have an open spot for a ninth offensive lineman. Offering some insurance coverage for the inexperienced Ryan Van Demark within the occasion of damage is sensible, and Nijman has loads of expertise in a zone-blocking scheme. Nijman could be a deal with solely.

Cap area after the transfer: $1.94 million
(DT Eli Ankou faraway from High 51)

Signal G Sua Opeta

An athletic profession backup, Opeta could be a guard just for the Payments and supply some safety for prime inside reserve Alec Anderson, ought to he not make the progress the Payments are hoping to see. Opeta has performed on the proper and left facet as a guard throughout his NFL profession. The Payments might simply maintain 10 offensive linemen this yr, together with Nijman, Opeta and the draft decide Nourzad.

Cap area after the transfer: $1.88 million
(WR Andy Isabella faraway from High 51)

Put up-June 1 contract extension

LT Dion Dawkins

Dawkins had one among his finest seasons in 2023, and with solely a yr left on his deal, the crew faces a choice about his future. With how a lot he has meant to the group and the way properly he performed final season, it might be clever to lock in a short-term extension to maintain him beneath contract all through his prime. This new deal could be a restructure to his 2024 cap hit ($16.61 million) to decrease that quantity to offer them simply sufficient room for the ultimate 53-man roster with some respiration room ($14.28 million), and it might additionally lock in a two-year extension for $36 million with $18 million assured. The brand new contract has a filter out in 2026 to save lots of over $17 million on the cap, that means that is merely a two-year pact within the occasion Dawkins’ manufacturing falls off throughout his age-31 season in 2025. Finest-case situation, Dawkins continues at his present degree and the Payments have their franchise left deal with locked in for the subsequent three years.

Cap area after the transfer: $4.22 million

Payments closing mock offseason depth chart

*Yellow is a re-signing, blue is an exterior free agent and inexperienced is a rookie.

(High photographs of Austin Booker and Brian Thomas Jr.: Michael Wade and Jonathan Bachman / Getty Photos)