Bills NFL Draft tracker: All the picks and what they mean
The 2021 NFL Draft has begun.
Here are the Buffalo Bills' picks and what they mean for a team already loaded with great talent and depth across the board.
Round 1 (30 overall)
Miami DE Gregory Rousseau
Gregory Rousseau was all smiles after being drafted by Bills on Thursday evening.
Height: 6-7.
Weight: 266 pounds.
Credentials: 15.5 sacks and 59 total tackles in 14 career games. Former wide receiver with good hands who can drop into coverage and use enormous wingspan to get hands on passes. Excellent explosion off line of scrimmage.
Concerns: Opted out of 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. Limited to one game due to injury in 2018. Appeared at Pro Day around 20 pounds heavier than playing weight of 245 pounds and tested poorly in change-of-direction drills.
Where he fits: The Bills need more production from their perimeter pass rush, so the opportunity will be there for Rousseau to contribute right away in a rotation with Mario Addison, AJ Epenesa, Darryl Johnson and Jerry Hughes.
Round 2 (61 overall)
Wake Forest DE Carlos Basham Jr.
The Bills proved they're serious about their pass rush by drafting another defensive end, Wake Forest's Carlos Basham Jr., in the second round.
Height: 6-3.
Weight: 275 pounds.
Credentials: In final season, he contributed 28 tackles (5.5 for losses), 5.0 sacks and a forced fumble in seven games. Missed two regular-season games with a COVID-19 infection and also skipped the bowl game to get ready for the draft. Tested tested well at his Pro Day with vertical jump (34 inches), broad jump (122 inches), 40-yard dash (4.64 seconds), short shuttle (4.25 seconds) and 3-cone drill (7.13 seconds). Finished with 34.5 tackles for losses, 20.5 sacks and four forced fumbles over three seasons.
Concerns: Arm length (33 inches) and hand size (9 inches) not optimal. Lack of upper-body strength. Could struggle with dropping into coverage. Will turn 24 before season ends. Struggled against run-pass options.
Where he fits: Like Rousseau, the Bills are hoping to develop him into a starter someday. It also became quite clear with this pick that they are serious about improving their pass rush and creating as much competition as possible in training camp for the rotational spots on the defensive line.
Round 3 (90 overall)
Northern Iowa T Spencer Brown
Height: 6-8.
Weight: 320 pounds.
Credentials: Freakish athlete with great measurables who performed well at Pro Bowl after shaky start in first couple of practices. Quick as well as fast. Has frame that allows for more bulk, if needed. Great motor.
Concerns: Height and high center of gravity presents a problem with keeping pad level low. Footwork can be faulty at times in both the run and pass game. Only began to play tackle after arriving at Northern Iowa.
Where he fits: Because the Bills already have starters Dion Dawkins and Daryl Williams in place, they are in position to avoid rushing Brown's development while using him on special teams, perhaps as a rusher up the middle in an attempt to block field goals and extra points.
Round 5 (161 overall)
Miami (Ohio) T Tommy Doyle
Tommy Doyle needs to refine his technique at the next level after being drafted by the Bills.
Height: 6-8.
Weight: 325 pounds.
Credentials: First-team All-MAC each of the last two seasons. Raw player with good power and enormous size and wingspan who plays with a nasty streak. Has athleticism to become solid pass protector.
Concerns: Height and upright playing style could present balance problems. Needs to refine handfighting technique.
Where he fits: As with Brown, the Bills have the luxury of developing him over time instead of having to throw him right into the fire. If all goes as planned, Doyle won't see any action with the offense this season.
Round 6 (203 overall)
Houston WR Marquez Stevenson
Houston's Marquez Stevenson was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190 pounds.
Credentials: Averaged 15.4 yards on 147 career receptions, which included 22 TD receptions. Also returned 34 punts for a 26.1 average, including three TDs.
Concerns: Though fast and quick, he is still considered a raw prospect who must run more disciplined routes and become tougher in traffic, because he won't be able to run away from people like he did in college.
Where he fits: Uncertain. The Bills are deep at this position with Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley, Emmanuel Sanders and second-year pro Gabriel Davis. But if Stevenson can prove himself, they will find a place for him.
Round 6 (212 overall)
Pittsburgh S Damar Hamlin
The Bills made Pitt safety Damar Hamlin a sixth-round draft pick on Saturday.
Height: 6-1.
Weight: 195 pounds.
Credentials: Decent size and excellent instincts helped him produce 66 total tackles, including 3.5 for losses, two interceptions and seven pass deflections as a captain in 2020. Also comes with good ball skills
Concerns: Lacks the speed to keep elite receivers from running past him. An average athlete who can't outrun mistakes.
Where he fits: As with all other draft picks, the Bills can be patient in developing Hamlin because starters Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer will handle the bulk of the work. He almost certainly will have a role on special teams if he makes the active roster.
Round 6 (213 overall)
Wisconsin CB Rachad Wildgoose
The Bills on Saturday drafted Wisconsin's Rachad Wildgoose (left) in the sixth round.
Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Height: 5-11.
Weight: 200 pounds.
Credentials: Unpolished gem with good ball skills and decent size for a corner. Barely played in 2020 because of various COVID-19 protocols, but the year before broke up six passes and added an interception in eight starts. Ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at his Pro Day.
Concerns: Takes too many penalties that will be way more costly at the pro level. Gets fooled by ball fakes too often.
Where he fits: He's a developmental player who likely won't see the light of day in 2021 but could help them down the road.
Round 7 (236 overall)
Texas Tech G Jack Anderson
The Bills on Saturday made Texas Tech guard Jack Anderson their final draft pick of 2021.
Height: 6-5.
Weight: 315 pounds.
Credentials: Terrific run blocker with good motor, position versatility and power. Well-rounded, instinctive player. He seemingly craves contact.
Concerns: Not as good with his hands as he needs to be. Arm length a little less than optimal.
Where he fits: The Bills likely figure he can be coached up enough to overcome and/or eliminate his weaknesses. Could be a starter down the road, but not this year.
Nick Fierro is the publisher of Bills Central. Check out the latest Bills news at www.si.com/nfl/bills and follow Fierro on Twitter at @NickFierro.
