After another great season of developing talent, the Buffalo Bills can take the leap to another level with a great 2019 draft.
State Of The Team
The Buffalo Bills entered the 2018 season fresh off a playoff berth. Too bad Nathan Peterman was the starting quarterback. The team entered with a bad plan and it was clear another postseason berth was not on the way. What did happen was that Josh Allen stepped in and provided stability to the position. That means the Bills don’t have to worry about targeting a quarterback in this year’s draft.
Instead, the team can focus on the rest of the offense and on the defensive line. Free agency gave the Bills a bit of added talent and the draft will only bring more to town.
For a team that went 6-10, the plan in place is clear and the team is only a few pieces away from being considered a playoff contender.
Total Draft Picks
The Buffalo Bills have 10 draft picks in 2019.
Round 1: No. 9
Round 2: No. 40
Round 3: No. 74
Round 4: No. 112
Round 4: No. 131
Round 5: No. 147
Round 5: No. 158
Round 6: No. 181
Round 7: No. 225
Round 7: No. 228
Top 3 Draft Needs
Wide Receiver: The wide receiver position was a disaster for the Bills in 2018. Kelvin Benjamin was supposed to be the top option and was let go before the season even ended. A bright spot was the emergence of Robert Foster, but the team could still use some more talent at the position. The additions of John Brown and Cole Beasley were a good start. Yet the team could and should draft one or two receivers to add some more size to the group.
Defensive Tackle: Kyle Williams’ retirement means the Bills could use another force up front on defense. Harrison Phillips was a nice addition last year, while Star Lotulelei wasn’t the force he was paid to be. Finding someone like Williams is rare, but the team needs to take a shot on a top defensive lineman. The pass defense is already great. Making the run defense elite would make Buffalo a tough matchup on a weekly basis.
Tight End: This was going to be the offensive line but the new signings in free agency helped push tight end to the forefront of the top three needs. Charles Clay was a disappointment and now that he is gone, the position is rather thin with talent. Tyler Kroft should be a nice piece for the offense but behind him is only Jason Croom. The Bills could use a top prospect at tight end to come in and be a top option for Josh Allen.
Top 3 Draft Targets
D.K. Metcalf
WR, Ole Miss
There are mixed reviews on Metcalf. Some love his physical traits and believe he can be a top receiver in the NFL. Others believe he is not a great route-runner and won’t have success in the NFL. He ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and measured at 6-foot-3. Given some proper coaching, there should be no reason why he couldn’t show up and be Josh Allen’s top target.
Ed Oliver
DT, Houston
Oliver could come to Buffalo and immediately fill the void left by Kyle Williams. The odd argument he had with his coach last season should not stop the Bills, or any team for that matter, from steering clear of drafting Oliver. He missed some time last season with injuries but that doesn’t seem to be a concern at this point in time. Adding Oliver would give the Bills a defense without any notable holes.
Noah Fant
TE, Iowa
The Bills could use a tight end and can have their pick between Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson. Both Iowa tight ends stand out as the top in their class. Fant ran a 4.5 40-yard dash and stands 6-foot-4. He could come to Buffalo and immediately be a weapon for Allen after the young quarterback didn’t get much help from his tight ends in 2018.
Decision Maker (Or Who To Blame If Things Go Wrong)
The success or failure of the Bills lies in the hands of Brandon Beane. He has implemented his “process” and had a good draft in 2018. Now he needs to have a great draft and turn his plan into victories on the field.
Bills fans have been sold rebuilding plans before and it is about time one brings results.
Best/Worst Pick In Current Draft Slot
Historically, who was the best pick and/or the worst pick based on where the team is currently picking.
The Bills have picked No. 9 overall twice in franchise history. The first came in 1968 with the selection of Haven Moses, a wide receiver out of San Diego State. The second came in 2010 with the selection of C.J. Spiller out of Clemson.
Both players spent five years in Buffalo, but I’ll go ahead and say Spiller had the better career. Spiller ran for 3,321 yards and 12 touchdowns during his time with the Bills. This included a 1,244-yard year in 2012 when Spiller made his only Pro Bowl.
Moses had 2,641 receiving yards with the Bills along with 12 receiving touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl with the Bills in 1969 but is mostly remembered for his 10 seasons with the Denver Broncos.
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