The 2019 NFL Draft has been put to bed, but all that means in that analysts who cover the draft 24/7 have shifted their focus to next year’s incoming draft class. Bleacher Report’s draft guru, Matt Miller, has already released his first 2020 mock draft, with the Buffalo Bills making a selection with the sixth overall pick.
At the close of the draft this past April, there were two positions of need that the team chose to ignore: franchise pass rusher and wide receiver. While it’s a safe assumption at this point to assume that the team will be addressing those needs next year, Miller has Buffalo reinforcing their secondary with who is likely to be the best safety in the class.
The Pick: S Grant Delpit, LSU
The Buffalo Bills have done a masterful job drafting since hiring Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott, and this pick is no different. LSU safety Grant Delpit is a Derwin James-like prospect with excellent athleticism, instincts and leadership. He’s a true “best player available” on the board at No. 6 overall.
Like James, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jamal Adams, this is about team-building but also about getting the right culture in place.
Grif’s Take:
From a needs perspective this pick seems like a luxury, especially when compared to the future strength of the 2020 class. It’s still ‘way too early,’ but at this stage it looks like the 2020 NFL Draft will be one heavily laden with offensive talent. In fact, it has been dubbed by some to be the “year of the wide receiver” similar to the 2014 class. Already, it appears that Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy, Clemson’s Tee Higgins, Colorado’s Laviska Shenault, and Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb will all be future first round picks.
Having said that, choosing to fortify a (current) strength is never a bad option and Delpit will surely be a fantastic prospect, should he decide to leave school early. He’s a 6’3”, 200-pound safety who led his team in 2019 with five interceptions and 74 tackles. Most analysts singing his praises are already comparing him to current New York Jet, and former LSU Tiger Jamal Adams.