The Buffalo Bills went a little crazy during free agency, agreeing to terms with ten players after the tampering period. Those new players won’t all be starters, but additions like John Brown and Mitch Morse will certainly rearrange the team’s priorities when it comes to the 2019 NFL Draft and make them a bit less desperate to find protection and offensive playmakers for Josh Allen.
SB Nation’s Dan Kadar has absorbed free agency’s repercussions and presented his newest mock draft, gifting the Bills a hyped defensive-line prospect at ninth overall in the process. With Jawaan Taylor and D.K. Metcalf still on the board, he has the team selecting former Houston defensive tackle, and recent 30-day visitor, Ed Oliver.
9. Buffalo Bills: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
Offseason needs: Defensive tackle, cornerback, tight end, offensive tackle
The Bills smartly added to their offensive line with center Mitch Morse and offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe, a journeyman who could start on the right side. Buffalo also upgraded its wide receiver group with Cole Beasley, John Brown, and Andre Roberts. That leaves the Bills to potentially target the strength of the first round with the No. 9 pick. Oliver is a playmaker at defensive tackle, and would pair nicely with second-year player Harrison Phillips.
Grif’s take:
With this past week’s flurry of rumors regarding players Buffalo has been interested in, the surprising thing was that there were very few rumors of the Bills targeting upgrades at defensive tackle. It so happens that the strength of this year’s draft is along the defensive line, so it makes you wonder if Brandon Beane is dead-set on addressing the position in late April.
Oliver has his critics, you can’t be declared a sure-thing top pick since your freshman year without them, but he would be a great addition to the team regardless. Interviews will be important, and he needs seasoning in his pass rush, but his athleticism and raw power are rare enough to make you believe he could be a disruptive force on the level of a Geno Atkins or Kyle Williams himself. With the team’s crying needs on offense quieted for now, fans should be ecstatic if he was the choice at the ninth pick.