We've been at it since January. Over the last four months, we have tracked 145 mock drafts. Here are the 10 prospects that have been the favorite targets for Buffalo's 30th overall pick from the mock drafts we've tracked.
1. RB Travis Etienne, Clemson
Mocked to Buffalo: 14 times
Now that the Bills have one of the most dangerous receiver corps in the league, time to inject some life into the run game. Etienne would be a great puzzle piece in an offense that craves speed in the backfield. Etienne doesn't have the speed of some of the fleet backs or wideouts who run Jet sweeps (he's a 4.44 guy), but the book on him is he cuts and fakes at top speed, which can make up for the fact that he has good but not transcendent speed. Plus, Etienne is very good in the screen game. He had 22 plays of 40 yards or more at Clemson, with a ridiculous 78 touchdowns in four seasons.
I'm not a huge fan of rushers in the first round, but the Bills are in top-off mode: What player can they use to make a very good roster a tick better? And Etienne, combined with the great weapons already on the offense, would be a pretty great add to an offense that averaged 31.3 points a game last year. He'd be an extra headache for defensive coordinators to solve. - Peter King, NBC Sports
2. RB Najee Harris, Alabama
Mocked to Buffalo: 10 times
I'm just a big fan of Harris. He runs hard -- he led the FBS in forced missed tackles last season -- and adds value as a pass-catcher. He will improve the team that drafts him. Buffalo doesn't have many clear needs, but it has to create better balance on offense to take some of the pressure off quarterback Josh Allen. Harris is an every-down back who can share the load. - Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
3. CB Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State
Mocked to Buffalo: 9 times
What Samuel lacks in size, he makes up for in athleticism and positional versatility. He's an instinctive player who doesn't shy away from contact if positioned in the slot or the box, and his movement skills give him an advantage over a lot of outside receivers when lined up at cornerback. He likely projects as a slot cornerback or safety at the next level at just 5-foot-10, 184 pounds, but he's earned the best PFF coverage grade (82.8) of his career playing outside cornerback for FSU this season. - Austin Gayle, PFF
4. CB Greg Newsome II, Northwestern
Mocked to Buffalo: 9 times
Newsome has an angular, sinewy frame with go-go-gadget arms. A former three-star recruit, the Wildcats standout locked down opponents during the shortened 2020 season, posting nine pass breakups and a pick. Newsome showed off his ball-hawking skill in three seasons with the team, tallying a total of 24 passes defensed.
Newsome got a handful of reps in the slot but primarily aligned on the outside. He plays in a low, balanced stance that helps him react quickly and change direction on a dime. He's very reactive in coverage and regularly runs opposing receivers routes for them. He has a smooth backpedal and quick feet, and doesn't lose any speed or balance when he flips his hips to run with opponents. He is a natural in half-turn technique, where he can keep his eyes in the backfield and get an early break on routes. And Newsome is very stingy deep; he gave up just one reception of 10-plus yards on 15 targets in 2020, per Pro Football Focus. He uses his length at the catch point and is adept positioning himself to give his hands on the ball to knock it down. He's an aggressive, wrap-up tackler who's not afraid to deliver a hit. - Danny Kelly, The Ringer
5. Edge Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
Mocked to Buffalo: 8 times
Excellent get-off burst, bend and stride length to consistently threaten the corner...understands pass rush geometry, setting up a speed track to out-race blockers to the pocket...has the arm length of a player three inches taller...uses well-timed, physical hands and body flexibility at the top of his rush to corner and close...his edge speed forces holding penalties...senses how blockers want to attack him and uses that against them...owns a compact frame and plays with better power than expected...uses violence to shed blockers and attack ball carriers (five forced fumbles the last two seasons)...assignment sound vs. the run with reliable backfield vision...looks comfortable dropping into space and playing on his feet...described as "humble" and "laid-back" by his teammates and the Bulldogs' coaches praise his character and attitude (only freshman captain under Kirby Smart)...led Georgia in sacks each of the last two seasons. - Dane Brugler, The Athletic
6. Edge Jayson Oweh, Penn State
Mocked to Buffalo: 8 times
Freaky athlete with lower body twitch and rare testing numbers…rushes with an explosive first step and the flexible body movements to stress blockers in space…quick, efficient hands at the top of his rush to snatch, stun and grease the edge…flashes a powerful swipe and chop-rip move to win inside/outside gaps…excellent redirect and mirror skills to read, react and chase down plays at the line of scrimmage…plays with vision beyond the initial block…relies on his length to stack blockers and detach in the run game…missed tackles are uncommon on his tape…there aren't any questions about his hustle – if he is on the field, he is giving full effort…his athletic traits will allow him to drop and cover in space. - Dane Brugler, The Athletic
7. DT Christian Barmore, Alabama
Mocked to Buffalo: 7 times
Attack-oriented defensive tackle with a big body, violent hands and the talent to work his way around blocks and find the football. Barmore tends to be in the lead and take control of a majority of reps. His hands and feet sing in harmony and allow him to stay active and free from attempts to sustain blocks against him. His hands are heavy and powerful but also sudden and efficient, which creates early win opportunities for him in the run game and as a pass rusher. Barmore can be his own worst enemy when he freestyles his run fits and prematurely gives away positioning when posting up in read-and-react mode. He's exceptional at finding a blocker's edge and swiping past the outside hand to bring the ruckus inside the pocket. While he has similar size and skill set, it doesn't feel like he's as long at the point of attack as past Alabama defensive tackles now in the pros. Barmore's explosive first step, violent hands and upper-body power are the ingredients of a three-down defender with the versatility to play a number of positions in an even or odd front as an impactful rookie starter. - Lance Zierlein, NFL Network
8. OT Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State
Mocked to Buffalo: 6 times
When it comes to a great fit at right tackle, the Bills and Jenkins at 30 feels almost too good to be true. PFF counts only four total pressures allowed on 211 pass-blocking snaps. What he can do in the run game, though, is what makes this pairing work so well. Jenkins held his block and prevented pushback on rushing downs at the fourth-highest rate in the FBS over the past two seasons. - Cynthia Frelund, NFL Network
9. CB Tyson Cambell, Georgia
Mocked to Buffalo: 6 times
Campbell has an angular, wiry frame with very long arms. A former high school state champion sprinter and five-star prospect (the no. 2 DB nationally), he started all 10 games for Georgia in 2020, tallying 29 tackles, 3.0 tackles for a loss, and five passes defensed (tied for the team high). Campbell's high-end speed and twitchy change of direction skills are the first traits that jump off the tape, and he uses both to his advantage in coverage. The Bulldogs star is smooth and controlled playing in half-turn technique, and he flips his hips to stay in phase with little effort. He's explosive in his click-and-close, and transitions from side strafe to cut downhill in the blink of an eye. He shows the ability to turn and find the ball in the air, and uses his length at the catch point, stretching his long arms to get his hands into the passing lane or knock the ball down. Campbell screams in on blitzes and could be more heavily utilized in that area at the next level.
Campbell was not often targeted but his ball production was lacking. He notched just one interception in 33 games for Georgia. He is aggressive in coverage but can get a bit grabby downfield, and may need to clean that up at the next level to avoid penalties. - Danny Kelly, The Ringer
10. LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa
Mocked to Buffalo: 6 times
Combines rare size and athleticism as a big outside linebacker. Collins is a team-oriented defender willing to plug gaps and spill the action wide for teammates to run down. He's rangy with the burst and length to track and capture his prey from the back side or out on the perimeter. His athletic gifts help him overcome his tardiness in diagnosing the action. There is still room for improvement when it comes to taking on blocks and pursuing with proper leverage so cutbacks don't cross his face. The second effort is evident with how frequently he's able to recover from an early block and still make plays. He's aware and dangerous in spot drops with the read and reaction to jump the passing lane. Collins could use more aggression in his play demeanor, but his combination of talent and traits should make him a productive pro starter. - Lance Zierlein, NFL Network
Other favorites
5 times: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
4 times: Edge Jaelan Phillips, Miami / Edge Joe Tryon, Washington / Edge Carlos Basham Jr., Wake Forest / OT Jalen Mayfield, Michigan
Favorite positions
Here are the favorite positions according to how many times they have been mocked to the Bills in the first round.
Cornerback: 38
Edge: 34
Running back: 26
Linebacker: 16
Offensive tackle: 16
