Written By MereKat
What’s up folks, it’s your favorite neighborhood MereKat is back again with another mock dra…just kidding lol. After doing some big mocks the last few years, I had to hang up the towel. Not because I wanted to (because who doesn’t love watching hours of film and mocking 32 picks just for it to be completely derailed by the third pick), but because I just didn’t have the time to dedicate to studying this class that I have the last few. Still, I couldn’t go without plastering my shoddy draft opinions on the interwebs!
Instead of a mock draft, you’re getting my 5 favorite potential targets for the Bills that I think make sense at 25. And when one of the FIVE (actually 7) gets taken I can tell you all how much of a genius I am and that I called the pick! Less work and a wide net to be right? Win-win.
Every year you can really say how unpredictable the draft is going to be, but this 2022 draft is an entirely different beast. There is no clear consensus on the first overall pick and even though Aidan Hutchinson seems to be a popular choice for the Jags, there’s no way to know for sure until the pick is spoiled on Twitter 30 seconds before Goodell announces it. Then there are guys like Kayvon Thibodeaux, Kyle Hamilton & Travon Walker who are in play at first overall but can also be found outside the top 10 in some “expert” mocks.
When it comes to the Bills, things are even more unpredictable with Big Baller Beane guiding the ship (and I mean that in the best way). He’s continuously surprised us with his picks and shown he is more than willing to move around to get his guy. So with that in mind, I’m still going into this under the impression we stay put at pick 25 and reflected that with players I think should fall to us.
With Tre White’s status largely an unknown and me not wanting to rush him back, I’d love to see the Bills take a CB to help hold down the fort/develop into Tre’s running mate. That being said…..I would really not hate it at all if went receiver to sure up the future of that position group behind Diggs & Davis. Guard seems to be a popular pick as well but I think that’s just more out of touch national pundits not knowing Ryan Bates can be a starter. And I am not even going to start on the RB talks, Breece Hall is a great player, but I simply think there are a handful of positions that should be addressed first – sorry!
And again, these are my thoughts, if you disagree, that’s cool because in the end, it’s #InBeaneWeTrust above all else.
Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
I’ll just get it out of the way – this is easily my favorite pick for the Bills if things play out how I think they will. Booth is a baller straight and simple. A boundary combo corner who can press and hand fight with the best of them or drop into a zone and use his quick burst and instincts to make a play. A hyper competitor who will do anything to be in on the play, even if it means getting down and dirty. Booth’s super aggressive in his play but talented/physically gifted enough to use that to his advantage.
The Bills have interest in him after inviting Booth for a top-30 visit and it makes sense with Tre White rehabbing and the herd a bit thin behind him. And speaking of White, I see a bit of him in Booth. Both were underrated (Tre, fact. Booth, opinion (for now)) heading into the draft after great play for a large program, comparable in size, full-bodied on the field and have excellent footwork. Might be reaching a bit there but I like the guy okay?
There are some medical concerns surrounding Booth, but I trust in this front office and medical staff in Buffalo to have done their proper research, especially after having him in for a visit. Booth’s a guy who can come in, despite his lack of experience, and play meaningful snaps opposite Dane Jackson if Tre White is out to start the season. Who knows, he may even develop into a legit star opposite of #27 with how this regime has developed secondary.
Daxton Hill, DB, Michigan
Of course, I was going to force Dax Hill on this list (Go Blue). This is one prospect I’ve naturally seen enough film of just watching Michigan and after a great pre-draft process, I couldn’t be anymore in on my guy. Booth is the top pick because of his role, but I would be over the hill (GET IT?????) taking the Michigan safety.
At 25 Hills might either be considered a steal or a reach because of how “all over” people are on him, but it’s hard to argue against what Hill can bring to a team. First off, he’s going to still be 21 to start this upcoming NFL season but brings along a 6′, 191 pound super athletic frame, sub 4.4 40 yard dash speed and great measurables at such a young age. He has the quickness and grit to consistently make open-field tackles and chase down opponents in open space. He’s explosive and instinctive with his play (see a trend already? lol), which really shines when you watch him play.
His real value though lies in his versatility in the secondary. Hill can play either safety or as a nickel corner which is becoming more and more sought after in today’s pass-heavy NFL. He’s another potential chess piece for Leslie Frazier that can play over the top, man-to-man in the slot and anywhere in the box, even as a blitzer. Though it’s not as much a priority as a boundary CB may be, Hill would see the field and could eventually develop as a successor to one of our star safety.
Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
I haven’t got to watch as much McDuffie as I would’ve liked to but I’ve seen enough to know I would be more than okay with him falling into the Bills’ lap. I know drafting a Washington CB is like a coin flip, but I’m a betting man and I’m okay ignoring that stigma with McDuffie.
You’ll never guess, but McDuffie is in fact another versatile guy. He’s no Dax Hill but he’s a corner that you can play comfortably in a deep zone or line him up man-to-man. He’s comfortable in different schemes and can adjust anywhere on the field with how fluidly he controls his body and the level of technicalness he plays with. My favorite aspect of how McDuffie plays is how quickly he can close a passing window, holding his position and then attacking the ball or getting a favorable position on his man.
His play just looks “pro-ready” when you watch him get to work, but he also didn’t face the toughest competition out in the Pac-12 this year. He’s lacking physically with below-average speed and arm length but still, talent is talent and this man is oozing it.
Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Time to have some fun folks, I know it seems like I’ve been adamant on secondary assistance on Twitter, but I’m more anti-RB than anything and would be cool with a receiver tonight. There are a couple of other guys that have the potential to slip to pick 25, but it’s not super likely (like I know lol) but I do believe we’ll have a real shot at Burks.
I was in love with the prospects of Burks after watching him TORCH Alabam this year to the tune of 179 yards and 2 scores. It’s simple, he’s big and good at playing receiver! At 6’2″, 225 with massive hands, Burks is a physical mismatch for most opposing secondaries and oh baby does he play with power that can punish you. And Burks isn’t afraid to use that size to climb the ladder and make tough catches or out-physical an opponent, Even with that big body he plays extremely smoothly and almost sails across the field as he runs his routes.
Burks didn’t perform as many had hoped at the combine, running a lackluster 4.55 40-yard dash, but he plays a lot faster and his game relies on much more than straight line speed. Still, Burks is a bit of a wildcard selection, but it’s an exciting gamble that you want to go all-in on when you have a coach like Chad Hall.
Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
“I approach that (ball) as a million dollars. It’s a million dollars in the air. If you want it, you go get it.” – Jahan Dotson. That’s it, that’s all you need to know about this dude.
Dotson is a super fun guy to watch and root for. A player who truly loves the game of football and being the best at it. He comes into this draft with maybe the best hands of any receiver prospect and incredible athleticism. Foregoing the 2021 draft and staying at Penn State another year proved beneficial to the talented wideout as he ended the year as an All-American and All-Big Ten selection with nearly 1,200 yards and 12 TDs. We LOVE a super productive Big Ten receiver.
He’s super athletic and can add some legitimate field-stretching play to this offense while working all 3 levels. He’s slippery with his route running and can punish you after the catch. Oh, did I mention he’s a really good punt returner?? Not like the Bills needed one of those last year or anything!
Good Pick That I Would Hate: Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College
I like Ryan Bates and sure Saffold is old, but I REALLY don’t want a lineman. Give me the shiny new toy!
That being said, Zion Johnson is VERY good and would be a solid pick despite my kicking and screaming.
Oh God Please Let Him Fall To Us, Somewhat Realistic Pick: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
So I went through 25 mock drafts and only 6 of them had Williams available for the Bills. Obviously, that’s not the best way to determine where a player will be taken but it was enough of a baseline to make me keep him off my top 5.
Still, this would be a dream. Dotson has speed, but Jameson IS speed. Just so, so talented and although he’s coming off that injury, this would be a dream selection.
I wish you all a very Go Bills and a hearty #InBeaneWeTrust