With the 2020 NFL Draft now wrapped up and tied with a nice little bow, what can draft-hungry Buffalo Bills fans look forward to now, especially considering we’re all still in lockdown thanks to COVID-19? Look towards next year’s draft, of course! Just because the 2021 NFL Draft is 12 months away didn’t keep SB Nation’s Dan Kadar and Dane Brugler of The Athletic from producing a couple of early mock drafts.
Of course, mock drafts appearing almost a full calendar year before the actual draft in question should be taken with a universe’s worth of salt, and are essentially nothing more than an exercise in learning more about the class as whole. That said, first up is Kadar who has Buffalo using the 19th pick of the draft to select cornerback Shaun Wade of Ohio State. Here’s what Dan had to say about the selection:
19. Buffalo Bills: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
Veteran Josh Norman was brought in on just a one-year deal this offseason, so the Bills could go into next offseason looking for a long-term partner for Tre’Davious White.
Next is Dane Brugler, a national NFL writer for the Athletic and a well-respected draft analyst, who has the team going a different direction entirely by picking offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi:
20. Buffalo Bills — *Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
Cosmi has some anchor strength questions, but he is quick out of his stance and stays square to rushers, marrying his hands and his eyes to stay busy. Last season, Cosmi vs. K’Lavon Chaisson was an interesting back-and-forth matchup with wins on both sides.
There is something that both drafts have in common, and it’s that they both target some of the remaining needs the team has following the previous draft. While Buffalo was able to fill most of their needs, there is still the potential for major question marks at cornerback and along the offensive line. It’s possible that both positions remain weaknesses of the team, given the lack of cap space general manager Brandon Beane and company will have to work with in future years. Given that new reality, Bills fans should expect the draft to become that much more important moving forward.