Mocking The Bills: Exploring a trade-back scenario for Buffalo

Each year there is plenty of speculation around trading up or down in the NFL Draft. This year is certainly no exception, as fans often debate what general manager Brandon Beane could do for the Buffalo Bills.

This week’s edition of Mocking The Bills gets some inspiration from Chad Reuter of NFL.com, and a recent trade he proposed involving the Bills and the Philadelphia Eagles. In this scenario the Bills would send pick 30 to Philadelphia in exchange for the Eagles’ second- (no. 37), fourth- (no. 123) and fifth- (no. 150) round picks in the 2021 draft. Considering the Eagles come into the draft with 11 draft picks, I could see this as a reasonable scenario.

Since the Bills now have three fifth-round picks available (150, 161, and 174), I packed 150 with the fourth-round pick from the Eagles, in exchange for pick 105 from the New Orleans Saints. I am personally a fan of this scenario where the Bills can trade back from the end of round one, while using those assets to trade up later in the draft.

Check out how I did below and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section.

Pick 37 - Jayson Oweh EDGE Penn State

I am convinced that the Bills need to make an addition at defensive end early in the draft, and Oweh is certainly an option in whom I would be in favor. While he may have lacked sacks in his Penn State career, he did not lack in quarterback pressures—which is a bit of a sore spot for Bills fans. And feel free to save me your Aaron Maybin comments. Just because a player drafted from Penn State 12 years ago did not work out, does not mean the Bills should avoid any defensive end from the school ever again.

Pick 61 - Ifeati Melifonwu CB Syracuse

Another mock draft, and another selection of Melifonwu in the second round. The Syracuse product would challenge Levi Wallace for a starting position at CB2, but there is no need to rush. Wallace’s one-year contract with the Bills allows the team to ease Melifonwu into a starting role as opposed to rushing the rookie into the spot.

Pick 93 - Alim McNeill IDL NC State

I have made it well known that I would like the Bills to add a rookie at one-technique defensive tackle, and McNeill is my favorite in the class. An early down run stuffer who brings some athleticism to the position is a positive addition to the defensive line.

Pick 105 - Trill Williams CB Syracuse

Williams has played a number of positions in the defensive backfield for Syracuse including cornerback and safety. He gives defensive coordinator/assistant head coach Leslie Frazier some depth and flexibility, especially as Wallace and Taron Johnson are in the final years of their respective contracts. The extra draft capital allows the Bills to add a potential starter in round three.

Pick 161 - Chris Evans RB Michigan

Should the Bills not choose to add a marquee back early in the draft, I love Evans as a day-three option. Evans is a fantastic athlete who could push Devin Singletary for snaps in 2021.

Pick 174 - Josh Imatorbhebhe WR Illinois

Speaking of fantastic athletes, Imatorbhebhe is one of the top athletes in the entire draft. Despite a crowded receiving room in Buffalo, the Illinois product would push players like Isaiah Hodgins and Duke Williams for a spot on the 53-man roster.