Buffalo Bills double plunge early at wide receiver in the NFL Draft 2024 after trading down in a seven-round mock draft
Buffalo has ten picks when they enter the draft. Buffalo needs to solve these issues, therefore they’ll need to use some of their early picks and expect them to contribute significantly as rookies, just like they did with Dalton Kincaid and O’Cyrus Torrence a year ago.
I went through the draft using the Pro Football Focus simulator, trying to address needs while also considering players the organization has expressed interest in. Here’s how my last exercise as the Bills general manager went, with the draft only a few days away.
ROUND 1
The Bills are persuaded to trade down by Washington’s two day two picks, which they receive in exchange for Tyler Guyton and Jordan Morgan. Adonai Mitchell and Kool-Aid McKinstry were both intriguing choices with selection 28, but the Bills benefit from a lucky roll.
ROUND 2
Pick no. 36: Bills select Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
According to recent comments from Brandon Beane, Buffalo doesn’t necessarily need to select a legitimate No. 1 receiver in the draft. He declared that he was searching for candidates who possess intelligence, versatility, selflessness, and the ability to make the plays that their skill set permits. McConkey’s agility, intellect, route running, footwork, and capacity for playing both inside and outside is a great addition to Buffalo’s wide receiver room because he checks almost every box.
Pick no. 60: Bills select Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan
During the pre-draft season, Kneeland was a well-known name, as several teams paid the edge rusher 30-visits. Among them was Buffalo. Adding the pass-rusher at the end of Round 2 makes perfect sense, and Kneeland’s stock has been steadily increasing throughout the pre-draft process. A.J. Epenesa, Von Miller, Greg Rousseau, and Casey Toohill are Buffalo’s top four edge rushers. It’s difficult to gauge what Buffalo will receive from Miller, and Toohill doesn’t instill much confidence in his opponents. Kneeland possesses the physicality to become a potent pass rusher in the NFL after showing well this season against weaker opposition.
ROUND 3
Pick no. 67: Bills select Javon Baker, WR, UCF
Going into the 2024 season, a wide receiver room that includes Curtis Samuel, Ladd McConkey, Khalil Shakir, and Javon Baker looks good.
ROUND 4
Pick no. 133: Bills select Utah S Cole Bishop
ROUND 5
Pick no. 144: Bills select Maason Smith, DT, LSU
By selecting a man who spent 30 days on the team, Buffalo bolsters their defensive line with some size. Smith weighs 306 pounds and is 6 feet 5 inches tall. The LSU defensive tackle possesses outstanding strength, terrific quickness, and a solid foundation. His overall game is still a little raw, but he would gain a lot of knowledge from studying under players like Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, and Austin Johnson.
Pick no. 160: Bills select Zak Zinter, G, Michigan
ROUND 6
Pick no. 200: Bills select Dwight McGlothern, CB, Arkansas
McGlothern’s availability at pick 200 was a welcome surprise because his stock has somewhat declined, at least on mock draft machines.
McGlothern was an outstanding zone defense player at Arkansas, with a 90.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in that category. In his last two years in college, the cornerback had seven interceptions. McGlothern appears like a player who could grow into a starter based on his skill set, which is Sean McDermott’s defense.
Pick no. 204: Bills select M.J. Devonshire, CB, Pitt
Throughout the selection process, Buffalo and M.J. Devonshire communicated several times. Devonshire was visited by the Bills, who also had a meeting with him at the combine and after his pro day.
Devonshire can immediately make an impact on special teams and meshes well with Buffalo’s zone defense. The Bills added another Pitt product late in the 2024 draft, continuing their successful history of producing Pitt products.
ROUND 7
Pick no. 248: Bills select Dylan McMahon, C, NC State
Dylan McMahon was the best available choice for the Bills at position 248. McMahon’s sole NFL position is probably center, and his adaptability is limited. Connor McGovern will be playing center this season, thus the team is moving beyond Mitch Morse, so adding a youngster who can develop for depth might not be a terrible idea.