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Fernando Schmude’s Bills 7-round mock draft

Erik Turner
04/28/2021
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The 2021 NFL Draft is right around the corner and, after months of resistance, I’m finally ready to play my inner Brandon Beane for a day and mock draft the Buffalo Bills selections.

This exercise isn’t what I would do as the Bills’ general manager. It’s all about what I think Beane would do if his player evaluations were similar as mine. I used The Draft Network’s awesome tool to sim this exercise and didn’t make any trades. Without further ado, here’s your seven-round Buffalo Bills Mock Draft:

Round 1, Pick 30: RB Najee Harris – Alabama

The Bills certainly will have other interesting options with this pick, at positions considered “more valuable”. However, the truth is, nobody’s gonna have a bigger impact right away than the big back from Alabama.

Standing at 6-2 and 230 pounds, Harris has the size to overpower smaller defenders, but he’s also surprisingly nifty for a man of his size. His contact balance is awesome and he can beat opposing defenders in so many different ways. He also offers a good option in short-yardage situations and can stay on the field on all three downs, being a real threat in the passing game.

Buffalo has a good all-around roster and can have the luxury of drafting a RB late in the first round. Harris is the ideal piece here, another one to help Brian Daboll complete the full turnaround, transforming the Bills offense from one of the worst units ever into a high powering one.

Round 2, Pick 61: CB Ifeatu Melifonwu – Syracuse

With their secnd round pick, the Bills find their CB2 to line up opposite Tre’Davious White.

The Syracuse product is crazy athletic, looking the part to what you expect seeing on a CB prospect. At 6-3 and 213 pounds, he’s long, fluid and fast. His ability to close on the ball is fun to watch and he’s a good tackler. His skillset translates perfectly to what Sean McDermott and Leslie Frazier wants from their corners.

Round 3, Pick 93: OG Deonte Brown – Alabama

After drafting the school’s star RB, Buffalo doubles down on Alabama’s prospects with one of their road graders.

Brown is a huge man. At 6-4 and 350 pounds, he’s a massive presence in the interior of the OL. He’s a really powerful run blocker who can also deal with pass rushers in one-on-one situations. His mobility is good for a man of his size and he has a real shot at becoming a starter sooner rather than later.

Round 5, Pick 161: DE Rashad Weaver – Pittsburgh

After an entire fourth round without a pick, Buffalo comes back on the clock in the 5th and founds great value in Weaver.

Standing at 6-5 and 265 pounds, the former Pitt Panther has the ideal size for the position. Despite not being the most athletic prospect available, he has great length and knows how to use it to be productive. According to Pro Football Focus, Weaver recorded 43 pressures in 2020.

Being able to pick up Weaver this late and pairing him alongside A.J. Epenesa as the developmental pass rushers, behind Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison, would be a really nice.

Round 5, Pick 174: WR Anthony Schwartz – Auburn

For the past two seasons, the Auburn deep threat has been know as the fastest man in college football. After running a reported 4.27 seconds 40-yard dash in his pro day, Schwartz opened some eyes. He would be featured as a downfield threat that the team is missing because of John Brown’s departure.

The 6-0, 186-pound receiver is a good prospect to have behind the top-four group of Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley, Emmanuel Sanders and Gabriel Davis. He can learn a thing or two from his veteran counterparts and stay ready to become a key contributor long-term. Another great value this late in the draft.

Round 6, Pick 213: LB Garret Wallow – TCU

The 6-1, 230-pound linebacker enjoyed a productive collegiate career. With a DB background (was recruited as a safety), Wallow offers a similar skillset as Matt Milano.

He has special teams experience and, most importantly, can be developed into a starting caliber player. He’s a good tackler and is always pursuing the ball. A smart defender who offers value as a coverage LB always will be coveted by this Bills coaching staff.

Round 7, Pick 236: DT/NT Jonathan Marshall – Arkansas

With their last pick in 2021 NFL draft, Buffalo selects a nose tackle prospect envisioning the future post Star Lotulelei.

The long time veteran will be back this year, and should be able to mentor the recently drafted rookie. Marshall has the size (6’3″, 317 pounds) to anchor the defensive line and develop into Lotulelei’s replacement. His 36 bench press reps in his Pro Day was impressive, as his performances playing 1-tech in 2020, amassing 35 total tackles, with 6.5 tackles for loss and 19 QB hurries.

 

 

 

#bills | 2021 NFL Draft | Alabama | Anthony Schwartz | Buffalo | Buffalo bills | Deonte Brown | Garret Wallow | Garrett Wallow | Ifeatu Melifonwu | Jonathan Marshall | Najee Harris | NFL Draft | Rashad Weaver

Erik Turner

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