No. 26 – WR Denzel Boston, Washington
If the Bills draft a wide receiver in the first round, should they go with a speedy, smaller option or a bigger, more physical target? Boston would be the latter, with outstanding size and ball skills (and he isn't a slug, either).
No. 26 – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
With Jordan Poyer, Damar Hamlin, and Darnell Savage all set to hit free agency, the Bills take a swing here on a playmaking safety. McNeil-Warren is a rangy, instinctive defender who flies around the secondary and homes in on the football. He can do a little bit of everything, from coverage in the back end to run support near the line of scrimmage.
No. 26 – WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Until further notice, I will keep giving the Bills Mafia what it wants, and that's a playmaker on the perimeter. However, if GM Brandon Beane acquires a veteran receiver in free agency, look for the defense to get the attention here.
No. 26 – LB CJ Allen, Georgia
With the switch to a 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, the Bills need to have an active presence up the middle of their defense. Because of that, I thought about going nose tackle (another massive need) at this spot, but instead I'm giving Buffalo an instinctive second-level defender. Allen has the potential to transform the Bills' defense with his physical, tone-setting play, as he is a seek-and-destroy linebacker with excellent range.
TRADE to No. 3 – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
PROJECTED TRADE WITH ARIZONA CARDINALS
You want to get nuts? Let's get nuts. I explained the trade -- and even devoted 1,800 words to why it makes sense for the Bills to proactively pursue a big-time receiver.
It would likely cost Buffalo its 2026 first-round pick, its 2027 first-round pick and a mix of second- and third-round selections.
Is that a steep price to pay?
Yes. But let me frame the question this way: are you worrying about that price after a January playoff win over the Chiefs, Ravens or Broncos to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 1994?
No. 26 – LB CJ Allen, Georgia
No. 26 – WR Denzel Boston, Washington
Buffalo needs to find a true WR1, and Boston might just be the guy. The Washington product is not fast or shifty, but he has elite ball skills, providing Josh Allen with a big target he can depend on.
No. 26 – EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
*Some organization won't consider him as a possibility, particularly in the first round. Others may be better fit because they're more driven by short-term goals. The Buffalo Bills certainly fall in the latter category.
"Mesidor's age makes him a tricky prospect to place in mock drafts," Holder said, "because some teams will be looking to use a first-round pick on someone who won't be 30 by the time their rookie contract is up. Still, there's no denying that the Miami product can make an immediate impact as a pass-rusher and help get a team over the hump to be a Super Bowl contender. Enter the Bills, who are in that exact position and need to find a replacement for Joey Bosa."*
No. 26 – LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
At this point, why not? Why can't Jacob Rodriguez be a first-round pick? He produced elite PFF grades in run defense and coverage this past season. He was a turnover machine throughout his college career (six interceptions and 13 forced fumbles). Sure, he's a little undersized for the position, but he tested very well in explosiveness and agility at the combine.
The only thing really holding him back was questions about athleticism, and he answered those at the combine by testing nearly identically to Luke Kuechly.
So, I ask again, why not? Because I'm running out of reasons to say why Rodriguez wouldn't be a three-down difference-maker.
No. 26 – WR Denzel Boston, Washington
The Bills clearly have a big need at wide receiver and can take another swing on a wide receiver early in the draft. Boston had 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons and profiles as someone who has a chance to be a big-bodied wide receiver who has a bit more skills than players the Bills currently have.
No. 26 – WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
The Bills are locked more into loving this prospect, and Concepcion didn't disappoint in his Combine drills. He was speedy and quick running routes, and he made sure to work on his biggest knocks, concentration and catch rate. He looks like the ideal go-to guy for Josh Allen in every way.
