Bills 7-Round Mock Draft: Buffalo Brings Balanced Approach
As mock draft season begins to wind down with the 2023 NFL Draft set to start on Thursday, it's a perfect time to attempt the impossible by predicting who the Buffalo Bills will come away with after making their six selections (barring a trade, of course).
CBS Sports gave this a shot on Friday, predicting that the Bills will end up keeping all of their picks. However, projecting who Buffalo ends up with after it's all said and done is a different story.
Here's a look at who the Bills came away with:
No. 27 - Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Arguably the best at his position in the draft, the Bills make a potentially surprising selection here by adding an offense play-maker despite not being needy for a tight end. Kincaid would have to sit behind starting tight end Dawson Knox, who, despite his touchdown-happy ways, struggles to receive volume at times himself. It would be interesting to see how the Bills utilize Kincaid, as using a first-round pick on him would seemingly mean some healthy offensive usage in Year 1.
No. 59 (Round 2) - Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Simpson has been mocked to the Bills many times this offseason, and here he is again. He spent three years with a championship-winning program at Clemson and enters the draft having come off a 12.5-sack career with the Tigers, making him an interesting selection in the second round.
Despite having a career-worst 2.5 sacks last season after totaling six in his sophomore year, Simpson flashed ability in pass coverage with three passes defended in 2022. This past season, even while on an elite Clemson defense that featured a number of 2023 prospects, he led the team with two forced fumbles.
No. 91 (Round 3) - Emil Ekiyor, IOL, Alabama
The Bills add a potential first-day rookie starter at guard with Ekiyor. It's hard to go wrong with a Nick Saban-coached offensive lineman, as Buffalo adds a guy who might be a step ahead of most due to his NFL-ready experience.
Ekiyor helped block for likely No. 1 overall pick and quarterback Bryce Young while also paving the way for Jahmyr Gibbs, the No. 2 running back in the class. Last season, he allowed just one sack and nine pressures while committing just one penalty.
No. 130 (Round 4) - Nathaniel "Tank" Dell, WR, Houston
The potential steal of the draft in the fourth round, Dell has shot up selection boards in recent weeks. But here, the Bills get him with a value pick in the middle of the draft.
Elite speed, smooth route-running and overall explosive play-making ability from Dell would give Khalil Shakir a run for his money at the WR3 spot. The numbers also speak loudly, as Dell led the country in receiving yards (1,398) and receiving touchdowns (17) last season. Over the past two collegiate seasons combined, he's first in receptions (199), receiving yards (2,727) and receiving touchdowns (29).
No. 137 (Round 5) - Colby Wooden, DL, Auburn
After selecting Dell, the Bills are quickly back on the clock to begin the fifth round and snag Wooden to bolster the defensive front.
Wooden played four years of SEC ball with the Tigers, which pinned him against the top talent in the country. He played up to the competition, recording 15 sacks combined over the past three years. Last season, he had seven sacks during an eight-game stretch.
No. 205 (Round 6) - Andre Carter II, EDGE, Army
With their final pick, the Bills select Carter II from West Point. Don't let only three sacks from him this past season fool you. Carter II is an absolute force of a pass-rusher, as he finished second in the nation in 2021 with 15.5 sacks. This trailed only Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. (17.5), who is likely a top-five pick in this draft.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
Thanks for reading our SI-powered coverage of your Buffalo Bills ... Bills Mafia!
You're a member of Bills Mafia hungry for more Buffalo coverage? Read here.
