The Buffalo Bills are in the midst of a Super Bowl window that they have yet to achieve, and in this year’s college draft they hope to add some pieces that will help them get there. With no trading of picks allowed, here are the predicted 7 round Buffalo selections by each of our pro football analysts – Connor Pohlman of Sunrise Sports Report, Josh Pohlman, Scott Prelewicz and Ray Prelewicz:
Round 1, Pick #25
Connor Pohlman – Kaiir Elam (CB, Florida) – nagging injuries kept his production down in 2021, but he’s an aggressive, physical boundary corner who could comfortably step into a starting role with the Bills. He does have some issues with aggressive penalties.
Josh Pohlman – Jameson Williams (WR, Alabama) – another prospect whose draft status is hurt by injury. If he falls to the Bills this late in the round, they could perhaps be getting the best wideout in the draft. Coming off a torn ACL, the Bills would have to be patient with him, but the reward would be another big time weapon for Josh Allen.
Scott Prelewicz – Garrett Wilson (WR, Ohio State) – his status is similar to Williams’, without the injury concerns. Brandon Beane would make this pick in a heartbeat if the Buckeye star falls to 25. He is not a speedster, but is a precise route runner with great after-the-catch ability.
Ray Prelewicz – Trent McDuffie (CB, Washington) – although slightly undersized, he is an aggressive tackler, is rarely out of position and drives on the ball well when targeted, all traits the Bills covet. An immediate starter opposite Tre White at Levi Wallace’s old spot.
Round 2, Pick #57
Connor Pohlman – Troy Andersen (LB, Montana State) – he’s a raw prospect from a small school, which makes him a risky pick, but an intriguing one. He played quarterback, running back and linebacker for the Bobcats, and excelled when he found a home as a LB. He’s very versatile, which the Bills love, can cover well, is a willing tackler and has tremendous sideline-to-sideline range.
Josh Pohlman – Kenneth Walker III (RB, Michigan State) – a dynamic back who excels running inside between the tackles, a trait the current Bills’ backs don’t possess. He is also explosive and could easily become RB1 in Buffalo’s attack if he can help in the passing game as a receiver, something he didn’t do much of at Michigan State.
Scott Prelewicz – Derion Kendrick (CB, Georgia) – he has the profile the Bills like – a willing tackler, athletic, fluid in his movements and has good ball skills. His technique can be raw and he can be undisciplined at times, but that can be coached up and he would be a good addition in an area of need.
Ray Prelewicz – Troy Andersen (LB, Montana State) – see above.
Round 3, Pick #89
Connor Pohlman – James Cook (RB, Georgia) – he’s a smooth runner with low mileage since the Bulldogs used him primarily on third downs, and being the younger brother of the Vikings’ Dalvin Cook, he won’t be intimidated by the transition to the pro game.
Josh Pohlman – Tariq Woolen (CB, UTSA) – he is a converted wide receiver who lacks major experience as a CB, but he’s a tall, physical specimen who should be able to handle the bigger wideouts in the NFL once he learns the way the position is played in the pros. He was a standout basketball player and ran track in high school so he’s definitely a great athlete.
Scott Prelewicz – Ed Ingram (IOL, LSU) – although the LSU program has diminished in stature lately, he has been a steady starter on the Tigers’ O-line for a good part of 5 years, so he brings a wealth of experience to the position heading into the NFL. He’s fundamentally sound with good mechanics, and has the pedigree to blossom into a solid pro.
Ray Prelewicz – Zyon McCollum (CB, Sam Houston State) – a tall (6’2) prospect from a small school, he checks all the boxes – quick, athletic, intelligent, a willing tackler and his best trait of all, his ball skills. He has a definite knack for finding the ball and is the definition of “ball hawk”.
Round 4, Pick #130
Connor Pohlman – Cam Jurgens (IOL, Nebraska) – he is slightly undersized and probably strictly a candidate to play center, but the Bills have a need there for a backup with the departure of Jon Feliciano. He would be an ideal depth pick here, with an eye on having him be the eventual replacement for Mitch Morse.
Josh Pohlman – Nick Cross (S, Maryland) – the Bills have a couple of young safeties on their roster that they’re high on, but both starters at the position are in their 30s and Cross is an intelligent back liner who has explosive speed and makes plays on the ball.
Scott Prelewicz – Hassan Haskins (RB, Michigan) – at 6’1 and 220 lbs. he is the tough yardage back the Buffalo offense lacks at the moment. He enjoys the physical side of the game and has a reputation as a “finisher”, a back who keeps his legs churning and fights for every yard.
Ray Prelewicz – Chad Mays (IOL, Tennessee) – a 5-star recruit coming out of high school, his draft stock has dropped but he still has the potential to develop into a depth piece and has the one trait the Bills look for, versatility. He played 4 of the 5 positions on the line, including center, where the Bills have a need for a backup.
Round 5, Pick #168
Connor Pohlman – Danny Gray (WR, SMU) – he is a developmental player with speed and ball skills, much like Marquez Stevenson was for the Bills last year. He definitely has the pedigree to make an impact in the pros, and also had some kick return reps in college.
Josh Pohlman – Chasen Hines (IOL, LSU) – big, agile blocker with good hands. He plays to the whistle and is a good run blocker. This draft is stocked with good mid-round interior offensive linemen, and Hines is one of those.
Scott Prelewicz – Joshua Williams (CB, Fayetteville State) – another small school prospect, he was a wide receiver in high school, and considered joining the Army before he was switched to CB and started to thrive. He’s tall (6’2), raw and rangy but certainly has the chops to make it in the pros with the right coaching.
Ray Prelewicz – Hassan Haskins (RB, Michigan) – see above.
Round 6A, Pick #185
Connor Pohlman – Matt Araiza (P, San Diego State) – there will be plenty of love for the “Punt God” in this draft, and Buffalo was surely disappointed with Matt Haack’s game last season. His ability to both punt and place-kick makes him an excellent value, and some pundits think he won’t last until the late rounds, but if he does the Bills would be wise to grab him.
Josh Pohlman – Cam Taylor-Britt (CB, Nebraska) – one of the Bills’ biggest needs is at corner, so it makes sense that they will look in the early rounds and scour the late rounds for them. Taylor-Britt has long arms and good recovery speed that help him in coverage, and is a missile as a tackler in the run game. In a deep CB draft, he would be outstanding value at this pick.
Scott Prelewicz – Slade Bolden (WR, Alabama) – this guy is lost in the talent pool at Alabama, but is an excellent route runner with good hands who can also get open deep. He could be a depth piece with an eye on eventually taking over the Cole Beasley role in the Buffalo offense.
Ray Prelewicz – Cole Turner (TE, Nevada) – in a weak draft class for tight ends, he was one of the most productive. Turner is a 6’6 red zone target who is raw and will need time to develop, but is worth a look in the late rounds. He might be an upgrade over Tommy Sweeney and that’s the roster spot he would be competing for.
Round 6B, Pick #203
Connor Pohlman – Kalon Barnes (CB, Baylor) – he might be the fastest player in this draft, and speed is a high priority for the Bills in their search for CB help as they look for answers in covering the many outstanding AFC receivers. He’s a good coverage man and the tape shows his speed helps him cover up some of the mistakes he makes. Again, a developmental player but well worth the late round draft pick.
Josh Pohlman – Matt Araiza (P, San Diego State) – see above.
Scott Prelewicz – Nick Zakelj (T, Fordham) – Brandon Beane likes to take risks on small school players in the late rounds, and Zakelj is one of those. He has 4 years of experience at the school where Vince Lombardi played, so the only thing he has to show is that he can play at the highest level. He is plenty strong enough but needs to work on maintaining leverage.
Ray Prelewicz – Jake Camarda (P, Georgia) – if the “Punt God” does get snatched up earlier than expected, he is a good consolation prize. He has a strong leg and may be the most accurate punter in this class, consistently having his punts downed inside the 20 yard line.
Round 7, Pick #231
Connor Pohlman – Michael Clemons (Edge, Texas A&M) – an under-the-radar prospect in a deep edge rusher class, he was overshadowed even on his own team. He has great size and strength and was quietly productive in 2021. The Bills have spent a lot of high draft capital on edge rushers recently, so he would be a depth or practice squad piece at best, which is what is expected of players this late in the draft.
Josh Pohlman – Malcolm Rodriguez (LB, Oklahoma State) – good read and react player who is a willing tackler but sometimes goes for the big hit and doesn’t wrap up the runner. He is a high effort player who is decent in pass coverage also.
Scott Prelewicz – James Skalski (LB, Clemson) – as a six year college player at Clemson, he is one of the oldest prospects in the draft, which will hurt his status. However, it also means he is experienced. He is agile and has good football instincts. At 5’11 he’ll have to overcome his lack of height, but he has the mental make-up to stick on a pro roster.
Ray Prelewicz – Jereth Sterns (WR, Western Kentucky) – a short receiver who lacks high end speed, his strengths are being a good route runner who tracks the ball well. He is a willing downfield blocker, which should endear him to the Bills.