ORCHARD PARK, NY – SEPTEMBER 22: head coach Sean McDermott speaks with Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at New Era Field on September 22, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Cincinnati 21-17. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
The Bills seized control of the AFC East in 2020, but what will Buffalo do to help Josh Allen in Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft?
It’s hard to call Buffalo’s 2020 campaign anything other than a massive success. The Bills successfully broke the Patriots’ stranglehold on the AFC East and Josh Allen emerged as a legitimate star at the quarterback position. The team’s outlook is very bright as a result of those two developments.
That doesn’t mean the Bills’ front office can afford to rest on their laurels. This offseason is quietly shaping up to be a crucial one for the higher-ups in Buffalo. Quite a few veterans are prime candidates to be released in salary shedding moves. Finding the right player in Round 1 to replace a big name is crucial for the team’s long-term trajectory.
The odds of finding a star at No. 30 aren’t good, but the Bills should be able to land a quality starter at the end of Round 1. Buffalo fans should keep a close eye on the following five prospects.
5. Joe Tryon
If Mario Addison is offloaded to cut salary this offseason then it makes a ton of sense for Buffalo to replace him with their first round selection. Tryon certainly isn’t the most consistent edge rusher in this year’s draft class, but his high ceiling makes him a worthwhile gamble at No. 30.
Opting out of the 2020 collegiate season at Washington robbed Tryon of the opportunity to show progression as a pass rusher. His technique was very raw in 2019. He does, however, have the type of athleticism the Bills covet on the perimeter. Tryon grades out more as a Day 2 prospect but reaching to take him at No. 30 would be a defensible move by Buffalo.