Bills Central

NFL Draft Analyst says Buffalo Bills stole 'solid starter' in Round 5

The Buffalo Bills secured the steal of the draft according to analyst Jon Ledyard, landing the SEC's top offensive lineman in the fifth round.
Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran (63) against
Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran (63) against | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

How did a three-year Southeastern Conference starter, with two national championship rings, fall to the Buffalo Bills in Round 5 at the 2024 NFL Draft?

Analyst Jon Ledyard doesn't know either.

"I don't think he was like a first-round caliber player, but I did have him with a late second-round grade. This is one of the better value picks in my opinion," said Ledyard while making a guest appearance on One Bills Live with Chris Brown and Steve Tasker.

The Bills landed Georgia center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger at No. 141 overall, drafting a seasoned lineman with starting potential on Day 3. He totaled 44 starts at center over his last three collegiate seasons.

"I just felt like from a mental standpoint, the that he played, his technique, and the way that he was kinda aware of his weaknesses," said Ledyard. "He has a great awareness in pass protection against blitz schemes and twists and things of that nature. You want that from your lead communicator at the pivot spot."

Van Pran-Granger, a 2023 All-American, won the SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the league's top offensive lineman.

"I just felt like this was a player that can do a lot of different things and could be a solid starter in the NFL. That's really valuable to get that down later in the draft where the Bills picked him up. I thought that was arguably, value-wise, their best pick of the draft," said Ledyard.


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Ralph Ventre
RALPH VENTRE

Ralph, a former college football conference administrator, brings 20+ years of media experience to Buffalo Bills ON SI. Prior to focusing on the Bills, he spent two years covering the New York Jets. Ventre initially joined the ON SI family in 2021, providing NCAA Football Championship Subdivision for NFL Draft Bible on FanNation. Ventre remains as an official voter for the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and the annual legacy awards. The Fordham University graduate is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.