The Buffalo Bills selected eight players over the weekend as part of the 2021 NFL Draft. But it’s not just about replacing departed players, it’s about upgrading over current players. So which players did the Bills trust enough to not upgrade, and which players were buried on the depth chart?
Winner: Levi Wallace and Dane Jackson
Most Bills fans were pounding the table for a cornerback as high as trading up in the first round to snag the prospect they wanted. The starting position opposite Tre’Davious White has been consistently JAG—just a guy. Wallace was re-signed for a veteran minimum deal and Jackson was a 2020 seventh-round pick, but both guys maintained their spot on the depth chart when the Bills passed on marquee cornerbacks, not addressing the position until the sixth round when they picked Rachad Wildgoose Jr.
Loser: Darryl Johnson, Efe Obada, Mike Love, and Bryan Cox Jr.
Not only did Buffalo add a first-round defensive end, they spent their second-round pick on the position as well. An upgrade quickly turned into a numbers crunch for those on the back end of the roster and even some ends we thought were safe heading into the offseason. Greg Rousseau and Carlos Basham are entrenched beyond 2021.
Winner: Mitch Morse
The Bills could have drafted an offensive lineman to replace the expensive veteran a year from now, but while they made long-term plans at offensive tackle and defensive end, they didn’t do the same thing for Morse. Seventh-rounder Jack Anderson has stuck to right guard in his college career.
Loser: Isaiah McKenzie
Normally a late-round pick wouldn’t strike fear into a returning player, but Stevenson has a lot of returning experience. After McKenzie had his first crack at being the returner, the Bills brought in Andre Roberts for two years to handle the role. Now, it’s sixth-rounder Marquez Stevenson who could steal the role and McKenzie’s roster spot.
Winner: Zack Moss and Devin Singletary
Travis Etienne wasn’t on the board when the Bills picked, but many fans were clamoring for Buffalo to trade up and take the dynamic running back. Buffalo didn’t end up taking any running backs and Bills’ general manager Brandon Beane followed through on his comments about improving the run game by selecting some mammoth offensive linemen.
Loser: Bobby Hart
Hart was signed to be Buffalo’s swing tackle with NFL experience, but after spending third- and fifth-round picks on two offensive tackles, he’s probably going to be the odd man out. Maybe the Bills can get a trade piece for him.
Here is the complete list of Buffalo Bills draft picks:
Round 1 • Pick 30 (30) • DE Greg Rousseau
Round 2 • Pick 29 (61) • DE Boogie Basham
Round 3 • Pick 30 (93) • OT Spencer Brown
Round 5 • Pick 17 (161) • OT Tommy Doyle
Round 6 • Pick 19 (203) • WR Marquez Stevenson
Round 6 • Pick 28 (212) • S Damar Hamlin
Round 6 • Pick 29 (213) • CB Rachad Wildgoose
Round 7 • Pick 8 (236) • G Jack Anderson