The latest Buffalo Bills 7 round mock draft
The Buffalo Bills just mopped the floor against their AFC East nemesis in the New England Patriots in the AFC wildcard round. The Bills are clearly firing on all cylinders, as Josh Allen seeks his first Lombardi trophy. The Bills are simply a juggernaut AFC team that should be competing for playoff prominence every season in the foreseeable future.
With that said, the 2022 draft is on the horizon and the Bills will look to fuel their talented stride in pursuit of a potential dynasty team. So, where could Bills Mafia look to grow in the 2022 NFL draft? Well, let’s go under the microscope in this Bills 7 round mock draft.
- Chris Olave – WR – Ohio State
The Big 10 stud Chris Olave has been a prominent football player in each of his last three seasons. Olave ousted 12 touchdowns in 2019, seven touchdowns in 2020, and 13 touchdowns in 2021. Olave has been slated to be a late first round pick, so he could fall right in the hands of the Bills. They may be hoping he doesn’t post an overly fast 40 time, as well. He can perform blistering 40 times like in the 4.35-4.40 range, but if he unleashes a late 4.20 time, he could get picked very high (perhaps too high). We’ve seen players like John Ross and Dri Archer run 40 times that broke the 40-yard dash record or came close to breaking it and they both unraveled to be NFL busts.
It’s well known that Stefon Diggs is a gifted WR and a Top 10 WR in the league, but the Bills could really use a top notch WR across from him. The second leading receiver in receiving yardage last season was the slot WR Cole Beasley, who obtained 693 yards. The Bills could go defense here, but I don’t think they will pass up on a talented playmaker that can take Josh Allen to an even higher level. We witnessed the Chiefs select Clyde Edwards Helaire after winning the Super Bowl. Don’t be surprised if the Bills load up on firepower and come out “guns blazing” in 2022.
2. Breece Hall – RB – Iowa State
The Bills can have a well balanced, potent offense by going WR-RB in the first two rounds of the draft. The Iowa State RB Breece Hall would be a fine value pick and clear upgrade over Devin Singletary. The young buck Singletary has proudly shown Frank Gore & Adrian Peterson can be the bell-cow in Buffalo. Yet, he’s not a Top 12 RB or a RB that can help Buff unleash a dynasty like offense.
The addition of Breece Hall would really keep defenses on their heels and it would work wonders for the Bills play action game. Hall has flat-out been a monster in 2021 and 2020. He’s ran for 41 touchdowns in the past two seasons combined and a combined 3,000+ rushing yards from the past two seasons. Don’t be surprised if the Bills even select Hall in the first round if he continues to rise up the board.
3. Derion Kendrick – CB – University of Georgia
The Bills can get their much needed secondary help early in the draft with the selection of Derion Kendrick. The Georgia Bulldog was a fine tuned fourth year player in 2021 and that was evident of his All SEC second team placing. He recorded an impressive four interceptions, while being a routine shutdown corner. The Bills secondary is superb and it’s reflected in their number one pass defense (and number one overall defense), but they could use an upgrade at CB on paper. A healthy Tre’Davious white joined by Kendrick could help the Bills be sure-fire AFC favorites next season (assuming the offense does its part).
4. Trey McBride – TE – Colorado State
The Colorado State TE really cemented himself has one of the top TEs in the 2022 draft in the 2021 season. McBride had staggering 1,121 yards and 90 receptions on route to earning associated press All American in 2021. He was flat out one of the best Colorado State players in the past decade. Dawson Knox has been reliable for Allen, but McBride could flat out be an upgrade in the near future. It would make too much sense if the Bills added a young TE at this stage in the draft.
5. Khalil Shakir – WR – Boise State (trade up – send 5th and 7th round pick in 2022, sixth round pick in 2023)
When you turn on Khalil Shakir’s tape, it brings back a lot of memories of Percy Harvin. Shakir was dynamite in 2021 and it’s reflected with his 14.5 YPC, 1,117 yards, and 7 touchdowns. Shakir would be a nice future replacement for Beasley, hands down.
6. Trade for TE Hayden Hurst
I could completely see the Falcons keeping Hayden Hurst in the 2022 offseason, especially with Calvin Ridley’s future up in the air. At first glance, it would just make a ton of sense for the two sides to agree on a one-year prove it deal. With that said, I’d love to see the Bills deliver a draft pick to the Falcons for the veteran TE. Hurst has a lot of potential and he’s somewhat underperformed in 2021 due to missing three games. He would be the perfect steal at the TE position for the Bills offense.
7. Tanner McKee – QB – Stanford
It would be ideal for the Bills to ink a QB2 this offseason. I’d love to see the Bills go after Tanner McKee or a sharp, workaholic QB in the back end of the draft. It’s unlikely that Allen becomes a regular victim to the injury bug, but his playing style may come to haunt him in rare moments in the future. I don’t believe it would be best for the Bills to follow the Chiefs blueprint with a very old, familiar QB2 (aka Chad Henne).
Fun fact: Tanner McKee (31) is six years older than Josh Allen (25). Yes, you read that correctly.
