The 2019 NFL Draft is less than a month away, and that means it’s time for ESPN’s Mel Kiper and Todd McShay to ramp up their mock drafting. The draftniks published dueling two-round mock drafts on Wednesday, offering two different perspectives on each team’s roster direction.
This resulted in four unique picks for the Buffalo Bills. The picks, their reasoning, and some additional thoughts follow below.
Round 1
Kiper: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
Oliver is a top-10 prospect on my board, and I don’t think he will drop past Buffalo at No. 9. Remember: Kyle Williams retired after the 2018 season.
McShay: Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
Gary’s athleticism would help fill a big need off the edge. I also could see the Bills taking a tackle or cornerback here.
We’ve been talking plenty about Oliver here, who has scheduled a pre-draft visit with the Buffalo Bills. While he may not fit the typical defensive tackle size profile for Sean McDermott, his talent is undeniable, and would fit the top remaining need.
Gary’s career production was underwhelming at Michigan, where he only totaled 24.5 TFLs and 10.5 sacks in three seasons, but the former five-star recruit is still a hot prospect because of his elite athleticism. The 6’4” 277 lb defensive end ran a blazing 4.58 forty yard dash, had a 38” vertical, a 7.26 three cone drill, and a 4.29 short shuttle. Each of Buffalo’s starting edge rushers is entering a contract season in 2019.
Round 2
Kiper: N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
The Bills signed receivers John Brown and Cole Beasley in free agency, but neither is a No. 1 wideout. Harry could be. He’ll help second-year quarterback Josh Allen immediately.
McShay: Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State
Mitch Morse was a solid signing at center, but the line tasked with keeping Allen clean still needs some work.
Kiper has a valid point that none of the receivers on Buffalo’s roster profile as a lead split-end receiver who can land highlight-reel grabs and break open big plays after the catch. Harry would add that role to the team, and the Bills definitely showed interest by bringing him in for a pre-draft visit.
McShay’s reasoning for picking Howard may not make sense given the six(!) offensive line free agents signed by Buffalo in the offseason, but consider that most of those deals were only for one or two guaranteed seasons. Howard, coming from FCS Alabama State, impresses scouts with his physical talent but needs seasoning before he can start. The Bills might make sense for his development.