It’s NFL Draft week, and in today’s edition of the Buffalo Bills daily links, we continue to sift through the best players college football has to offer to see who can help the Bills take that next step forward in 2021.
From a pair of talented Miami University standouts in Jaelan Phillips and Gregory Rosseau to Michigan’s Kwity Paye and Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari, this crop of edge rushers is deep and has plenty of upside. We size up this draft’s edge rushers and discuss why drafting an edge rusher should be a priority for general manager Brandon Beane.
We take a look at the latest round of mock drafts to see what direction the Bills might go with the 30th overall selection, hear from members of the Buffalo Rumblings staff on who they would draft at No. 30, debate which position is Buffalo’s greatest need in the first round, review Beane’s first draft class from 2018 and hand out a draft grade, revisit how the Bills landed their franchise quarterback in Josh Allen, and more!
Recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings
Mocking The Bills: Rumblings staff weigh in with their pick at 30 - Buffalo Rumblings
Our staff share their favorites for the first round.
Billieve Podcast: 1st and 2nd round draft targets - Buffalo Rumblings
Who should Buffalo draft at No. 30 and 61? Listen to Billieve to hear our thoughts.
2021 NFL Draft: Five first-round trade-up options for Bills - Buffalo Rumblings
These players may force Brandon Beane’s hand, come draft night.
2021 NFL Draft Scouting Spotlight: Georgia Edge Azeez Ojulari - Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills should be looking for more juice with their pass rush heading into the 2021 season.
2021 NFL Draft Scouting Spotlight: Oklahoma C Creed Humphrey - Buffalo Rumblings
A three-year starter with a wrestling background. Check and check.
Additional Bills news from around the web
Assessing the best edge rushers
Ranking top edge rushers in 2021 NFL Draft: Bob McGinn’s grades – The Athletic
Starting with a pair of defensive ends from Miami (Jaelan Phillips, Gregory Rosseau), this crop of edge rushers is deep and has upside. (Subscription required)
Vic Carucci: Edge rusher should be Bills’ draft priority | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Edge rusher should be the Buffalo Bills’ priority in this week’s NFL draft. Period,” writes Vic Carucci.
Latest mock draft projections
Bills mock draft: How I’d run their board, with an emphasis on cornerback help – The Athletic
“With cornerback and edge rusher among the top needs, here’s how I’d run the Bills’ draft board — including a trade with the Colts,” writes Matthew Fairburn. (Subscription required)
Buffalo Bills 7-round mock draft 2021: Team adds edge rusher who is moving up draft boards - newyorkupstate.com
Did Brandon Beane give any potential hints of where the Bills will go in the 2021 NFL Draft?
Draft dilemma: Cornerback, edge rusher, or running back?
Who is Bills’ target in Round 1 of NFL draft? Making the cases for edge rusher, cornerback, running back | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“News Bills Reporters Vic Carucci, Jay Skurski and Mark Gaughan square off on what position the Bills should target with their first-round pick, No. 30 overall, as the NFL draft begins Thursday.”
Mark Gaughan: Cornerback may be Bills’ best value at No. 30 | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“There’s a fair chance a true, edge-bending speed rusher – one who isn’t a risky pick – won’t be on the board when the Bills’ turn comes around at No. 30,” writes Mark Gaughan.
Jay Skurski: First-round running back gives Bills a chance to match points with anybody | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“A running back can come in and give Allen another option to complement Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley in the passing game,” writes Jay Skurski.
Brandt: Bills can nab ‘2021 Offensive Rookie of the Year’ with No. 30 pick - BuffaloBills.com
“NFL Network’s Kyle Brandt reveals his pick for the Buffalo Bills with the No. 30 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.”
Grading Brandon Beane’s first draft class
Inside the Bills: Grading Brandon Beane’s first draft class three years later | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
With Beane entering his fourth draft with the Bills, that makes it a good time to look back on his first class now that those players have three full NFL seasons under their belts.
Revisiting how Buffalo landed its franchise QB
Draft drama: How Bills, Ravens got Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson – The Athletic
The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens made bold moves to select franchise quarterbacks Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson in 2018 NFL draft. (Subscription required)
Odds and ends
Bills Today | Sports Illustrated thinks this is the Bills’ biggest draft need - BuffaloBills.com
Here are three things to know about the Bills for Monday, April 26.
NFL draft buzz 2021 - Everything Todd McShay is hearing on top prospects, QBs, team strategies and early picks - ESPN.com
Which QB is the preference at No. 3? What will the Falcons do at No. 4? Which WR is rising heading into draft week? Todd McShay has the latest from around the league. (Subscription required)
How will the 2021 NFL Draft impact Buffalo’s chances of repeating as AFC East champs? - BuffaloBills.com
Find out how Miami, New England and the Jets plan to use their bounty of draft capital to close the gap on the Bills at the top of the division.