1. These prospects have been picked the most for the Bills in 2019 NFL mock drafts
The NFL draft is tomorrow.
For months, NFL draft analysts and experts have put together mock drafts to try and guess where each college player will end up. Prospects were chosen by scheme fit, potential, measurements and every single little thing that could matter when NFL general managers and coaches decide on the future of the team. Still, no one can get it just right.
Dating back to January 2 the Bills have released nine editions of its Mock Draft Watch totaling nearly 80 mock drafts. These are the prospects most mocked to the Bills at No. 9.
| PLAYER | TIMES SELECTED |
|---|---|
| DT Ed Oliver, Houston | 18 |
| T Jawwan Taylor, Florida | 14 |
| WR D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss | 11 |
| T Jonah Williams, Alabama | 11 |
| TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa | 4 |
| DT Rashan Gary, Michigan | 4 |
| CB Byron Murphy, Washington | 4 |
Ed Oliver, the defensive tackle from Houston, has been the most common player mocked to Buffalo at No. 9. Oliver is a physical freak and is thought of most commonly as a replacement for Kyle Williams. Oliver has picked up traction in mocks recently but his first appearance came on January 9 in Dane Brugler’s Mock Draft 2.0.
Jawaan Taylor has been selected to the Bills throughout the mock draft process. Most mocks have put Taylor before the ninth pick and Daniel Jeremiah describes him as the most physical lineman in the draft earlier this week. Taylor is regarded as a top three tackle in the draft, along with Jonah Williams and Andre Dillard.
D.K. Metcalf put up a monstrous combine performance and in Mock Draft 4.0 Metcalf was mocked to Buffalo in seven of eight mocks listed. Metcalf has shown he can run vertically and be a deep threat but scouts have questioned his ability to run other routes. He has not made the list since Mock Draft 4.0.
From mock drafts that extend into the second and third rounds, the most common position experts expect the Bills will address is wide receiver. Arizona State wide receiver N'Keal Harry has gone to the Bills twice at No. 40 and Stanford wideout J.J. Arcega-Whiteside has been mocked at both No. 40 and No. 74 to Buffalo.
2. How CB Levi Wallace plans to prepare for a successful second season in Buffalo
Levi Wallace only played in seven games his rookie season. In those seven games, Pro Football focus graded him as the fourth best cornerback in the league along with names like Marcus Gilmore and Patrick Peterson. In their redraft he went from undrafted to first-round pick.
"It's always good to get that recognition but I played that well because of that chip on my shoulder of going undrafted," Wallace said onOne Bills Live."Maybe I wouldn't have that same season, or maybe I would. I played to the best of my ability and my teammates believed in me."
Wallace was in Tuscaloosa last year during the draft but barely paid attention to the first day. Wallace started to watch on Day 2 and Day 3, but the call never came.
"You dream, you work to get that phone call your whole life," Wallace said.
Wallace didn't have to wait too long to get a call from the Bills. He remembers them being the second team to give him a call following the draft and knew immediately he wanted to sign here. Wallace chose Buffalo because of the coaching staff and knowing some familiar faces.
Wallace and Alabama teammate Robert Foster both signed on as undrafted free agents last year.
He's now spent a full year in the NFL and Wallace wants to perfect his game. He hopes to not be the fourth-highest graded this year but the top. In order to develop, Wallace will spend more time around veterans Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer as well as the man opposite of him on the field Tre'Davious White to pick up their habits.
3. This possible first-round selection loves the Bills
Alabama offensive tackle Jonah Williams is confident he's going to be drafted in the Top 10. One of the top offensive tackles in the NFL draft, Williams went on The Adam Schefter Podcast to talk about the upcoming draft on Thursday.
Schefter ran through a list of teams but missed Buffalo. When asked about the Bills, Williams quickly answered about the team.
"It would be awesome," Williams said. "Had the chance to meet their coaching staff at the combine and at pro day. And obviously I know Coach Daboll going back to Alabama days. I like what they're doing up there. They have a really talented young quarterback, have a bunch of pieces and it would be fun to be a part of that. And it's a football city. They love their football up there, love their team."
Williams might have to fall a little to end up in Buffalo but his previous knowledge and work with Brian Daboll would certainly make him an instant asset.
