Despite a disappointing postseason exit in the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs, the Buffalo Bills appear to be just one or two pieces away from Super Bowl contender status. While the Bills return most of last year’s 13-3 team, a few other roster tweaks are needed if they are to truly compete with the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals.
Here are the Bills’ three biggest concerns ahead of the draft:
1. Are they done adding running backs?
While Damien Harris is a solid addition to the RB room, he’s not exactly a starting-caliber back and presents only a slight upgrade over Devin Singletary, who’s now in Houston. Buffalo hasn’t had a 1,000-yard back since LeSean McCoy in 2017, and it could be argued that the lack of a credible run game was the team’s biggest flaw in its playoff loss to Cincinnati, which out-rushed the Bills 172 to 64.
The Bills have been linked to both Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette recently, and both would be massive upgrades over what the team had last year. Former NFL rushing leader Kareem Hunt is also available and would be a solid bridge RB. With not many other major holes to plug, if Texas’ Bijan Robinson is still around when Buffalo picks at No. 27, the team should jump all over him. He’s the kind of prospect that might even be worth trading up a few spots to get to.
2. Is now the time to invest in the secondary?
Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde are 31 and 32, respectively, and it’s not known if either one will or wants to play beyond 2023. Though there have been some positive reports, Damar Hamlin’s playing future is still up in the air as well. Now might be the time to draft a young safety with the plan to either sit him or play backup minutes before transitioning to a starter in 2024.
Alabama’s Brian Branch and Texas A&M’s Antonio Johnson may be worth looking at late in Round 1 if Robinson is gone. Branch is among the best in the country at playing outside the box and in run support while Johnson is one of the top coverage safeties among Power 5 programs. Boise State’s J.L. Skinner, Alabama’s Jordan Battle, Florida State’s Jammie Robinson and Illinois’ Sydney Brown are also solid options in the second and third rounds.
3. Is it better to acquire a WR through the draft or another avenue?
While Stefon Diggs is under contract through 2027, one has to wonder if his storming out of the locker room early after the Bengals loss and subsequent Dallas Cowboys trade speculation is becoming a concern. Additionally, Gabriel Davis is in the final year of his contract and he may opt to test free agency in 2024. So, if the Bills are thinking of bolstering their WR room, now would be a great time.
While Jordan Addison and Jaxon Smith-Njigba may be gone by 27, should TCU’s Quentin Johnston fall that far, he could be too good for Buffalo to pass up. If the Bills are all-in on a first-round WR, Boston College’s Zay Flowers, Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt and North Carolina’s Josh Downs would all be welcome additions next to Diggs and Davis. Rashee Rice, Kayshon Boutte, Marvin Mims and Cedric Tillman could be possible options at pick No. 59 or 91.
