Mocking The Bills: Running back and corner highlight our latest mock

With the 2020 NFL Draft less than two weeks away, our weekly mock draft is starting to round into form for the Buffalo Bills. While I have explored a number of different options in weeks past, my selections have a sense of urgency since free agency has taken a bit of a pause in Buffalo.

While there are two trades in this week’s mock, I wanted to keep things as realistic as possible. There are no outlandish trade-back scenarios, and no crazy what-ifs where I look to get back into round one. The selections are based on best player available (BPA), with preference towards Buffalo’s top areas of need (running back and cornerback).

This simulation was once again conducted using the mock draft simulator courtesy of The Draft Network.

Pick 54 - Cam Akers RB (Florida State)

Devin Singletary had a good rookie season in Buffalo, pairing with Frank Gore as an effective duo during the 2019 season. With Gore’s contract up in Buffalo, the team can make a significant upgrade at RB2 with the selection of Akers. In my perfect scenario, Akers and Singletary become Buffalo’s version of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. The team will be fine if one of the two goes down with an injury, and Brian Daboll can split carries between the two dynamic runners.

Pick 82 - Bryce Hall CB (Virgina)

Traded picks 86 and 188 to the Dallas Cowboys for pick 82

As mentioned above, cornerback is what I consider to be the other pressing need for the Bills. While Josh Norman and E.J. Gaines could push to start opposite of Tre’Davious White, the Bills are in need of a low-cost starter at CB2. Enter Hall, who would compete to start from day one with the Bills. Injuries during the 2019 season pushed Hall down the board a bit, and is certainly worth the price to trade up with pick 188 in this scenario.

Pick 128 - Ben Bredeson IOL (Michigan)

While the Bills appear to be set at guard this season with Quinton Spain and Jon Feliciano, the team is in need of a long-term option on the interior. Feliciano is entering the final year of his contract, and is still recovering from a torn rotator cuff injury. Bredeson could be an eventual starter in Buffalo, and would be at minimum a solid backup during his rookie season.

Pick 133 - Lynn Bowden WR (Kentucky)

Traded pick 167 and 207 to the Seattle Seahawks for pick 133

Bowden was a player I considered with pick 128, and felt the need to trade up for the talented receiver in the fourth round. A bit of a jack-of-all-trades, Bowden can fill a number of holes for the Bills. In addition to his success as receiver, he also returned kicks and played quarterback at Kentucky. I am intrigued to see what Daboll could do with a player like Bowden in Buffalo.

Pick 239 - Alex Taylor OT South (Carolina State)

When it comes to the late rounds of the draft, I am always drawn to some of the players who come from smaller programs. Taylor would be a bit of a project as a seventh rounder, and would be worth developing as a potential swing tackle.

Be sure to share your comments and mock draft picks in the comments section below.