The Bills roster pre-draft by many accounts is the most complete in the league. They are in position to both add one or two pieces that could put them over the top on the path to that elusive first Super Bowl championship, while at the same time, adding valuable affordable depth and preparing for the inevitable loss of some key players a year or two from now.
For this all Bills mock, I did a full 3 round projection and also have done 2 full 7 round custom projections along with numerous simulated drafts on thedraftnetwork.com, nflmockdraftdatabase.com and pff.com. I feel confident that if the player I have projected is not available at the round and spot I have them going, that a prospect at the same position and with a similar draft grade can be taken there. I have not projected any trades in this mock, but do think a bold trade up in the 1st, likely for Kyle Hamilton, or a trade up in the second for a safety like Lewis Cine or possibly for Nick Cross in the 3rd, who I do have slipping to the Bills.
Round 1 (25)
Breece Hall RB Iowa State Height: 6010 Weight 220 RAS: 9.96
Hall has been one of my favorite college players for the past two seasons. His combination of pro size, great speed and rocket like acceleration is exceeded by his elite vision. He is a patient runner who rides the crest of the blocking in front of him, before identifying and exploding through a crease. He rarely misses a hole, and seldom is caught behind the line of scrimmage. He gets skinny through the hole and slips tackles to manage to always fall forward for positive yardage. In the open field, he is an instinctive runner who combines head fakes, quick feet that he uses to make one cut and go with an electric spin move. Throw in an occasional hurdle, which should endear him to his potential partner in the backfield. His hands are impressive, capable of the occasional spectacular one handed grab. His route running shows potential, but most of his receiving yardage came by way of being an outlet target. Perhaps, Hall's greatest trait is his ability to finish, ending up in the end zone a school record 50 times, including an NCAA record 24 straight games.
While CB2 is the obvious last significant weak spot on the roster, and Safety may be a pressing need depending on the outcome of the Poyer contract situation, there simply isn't another prospect in this draft that can have the kind of impact that Hall can provide. He will give the Bills the ability to close out games without relying on Josh Allen's legs, thus preserving him for a deep post season run. Additionally, the added legitimate threat of a game breaking, 3 down feature back like Hall, will make the play action that much more effective giving D coordinators nightmares. I believe the addition of Breece Hall will make the Bills offense virtually unstoppable.
I know many in Bills Mafia wants a CB or they simply don't believe a RB should be picked in round one, but the last time I wanted a prospect to be picked by the Bills this badly was Josh Allen, and that worked out pretty well and I'm willing to bet Brandon Beane will not hesitate to add a potential generational talent to this roster.
Round 2 (57)
Chad Muma LB Wyoming Height: 6026 Weight 239 RAS: 9.77
Like Hall, Muma has been a favorite of mine to watch all season. He combines a throwback mentality of playing with passion and toughness with a modern LB's athletic ability to be a three down backer. He would provide instant depth as a versatile rotational LB and could be a beast on special teams as he cuts his teeth in the NFL. Ultimately, he would provide the Bills with insurance if the price tag on Tremaine Edmunds swells to a place that makes keeping him detrimental to keeping other key pieces of the roster intact. While I am not a Tremaine hater, I do think it is very possible his price tag will exceed his value. Like Hall, Muma's RAS (Relative Athletic Score) backs up what he put on tape. He has the potential to be an impact starting 3 down LB in the Bills system and has the kind of character build that would add to an already great locker room culture.
Round 3 (89)
Nick Cross S Maryland Height: 6001 Weight: 212 RAS: 9.87
A common theme with this mock and with my composite rankings is identifying players that put together an impressive on the field resume' and backed that up with an elite RAS. Nick Cross is a big strong quick ball hawking safety who flies to the ball to stuff the run or defend the pass. Of all my projections, this is the one I am least confident will fall to this spot. He is worth a trade up the board to grab but if he is off the board, this is a spot the Bills could grab another S like Bryan Cook or go ahead and grab their CB.
Round 4 (130)
Joshua Williams Fayettville State Height: 6027 Weight: 195 RAS: 9.43
The Bills have an advantage that they have a system in place to identify, coach up and put CBs in the best possible position to exceed. Raw measurables of a prospect like that which Joshua Williams posses is all they need to be able to sure up what may be the only noticeable hole in a championship caliper roster. I like Cam Taylor Britt and Kyler Gordon, but they will cost a day one or two pick. The drop off to a prospect like Williams or Martin Emerson, who could be found early day 3, is not significant enough in the Bills system to justify using a premium pick, when there are players like Hall or Muma who can make a bigger immediate impact.
Round 5 (168)
Charlie Kolar Iowa State Height: 6064 Weight: 252 RAS: 9.12
I watched a lot of Iowa State because of Breece Hall, but I came away wanting to see not just him in red, white and blue. Week after week, Kolar made big plays running smooth routes, used his large frame to shield defenders, and gave defenses fits with his size and athleticism. Like the other names on this page, Kolar more than backed up what he did on the field with a great athletic score. This is one of the better TE classes and if not Kolar, look for any one of a dozen prospects including day 3 options like Daniel Bellinger, Cade Otton, Isaiah Likely, Jake Ferguson or Jalen Wydermyer.
Round 6 (185)
Jordan Stout P Penn State Height: 6032 Height: 209
CB is not the only weak spot on the roster. Using a late day 3 pick on a Punter not only is necessary, it actually represents one of the few spots where a late pick would have a chance of making the team. Matt Araiza is the other Punter worthy of a draft pick but he may go even sooner than round 6.
Round 6 (203)
Dawson Deaton C Texas Tech Height: 6054 Weight: 306
Deaton is an intriguing prospect because he spent his time playing in Texas Tech's air raid offense and has put almost zero run blocking tape on his resume. However, his pass blocking and combination of size and athleticism makes him worth rolling the dice for on day 3. Any developmental pick will have a challenge making this roster, but I would give him a better than average chance given his upside potential.
Round 7 (231)
Isaiah Weston WR Northern Iowa Height: 6034 Weight 213 RAS: 9.62
Weston is my super sleeper of this draft. Tucked away in Northern Iowa is a unicorn that dominated the level of competition he faced. They used him in multiple ways, and most times it resulted with Weston in the end zone, be it on deep post routes, jet sweeps or WR screens. Again, it will be a challenge for him to make the active roster, but they may be able to tuck him on the practice squad for a year. If he adds some bulk to his frame, he could be an impact outside receiver in a year or two.