There’s no consensus about what experts believe the Bills may do.
The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, and now is the time when most fans start to take mock drafts a bit more seriously. Free agency has basically come to a standstill for the Buffalo Bills, but most experts still seem unsure about the direction general manager Brandon Beane might go in Round 1.
There is much less consensus this week, as a number of trades highlight the latest collection of selections for the Bills. In a move that’s becoming popular in recent days, Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports has the New York Giants trading up into the back end of the first round. Joe Schoen nabs his quarterback, Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss, at pick 30 — while the Bills take Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in Round 2 with pick 34.
While some fans may be in favor of trading down, a pair of mock drafts this week have the Bills moving up in the first round to land their target. Chad Reuter of NFL.com has the Bills making a move with the Baltimore Ravens, packaging a fourth-round pick to take wide receiver Matthew Golden from Texas at pick 27.
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NFL.com
“PROJECTED TRADE WITH BALTIMORE RAVENS”
“Buffalo could really use a downfield playmaker in this draft, so either Golden or Texas teammate Isaiah Bond should be on its radar. The Bills swap a fourth-round selection for a sixth-round pick to move up three spots.”
Kyle Stackpole from CBS Sports also has the Bills packaging a fourth-round pick to move up, but this time it’s with the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the number 24 selection. Stackpole has the Bills taking talented South Carolina safety, Nick Emmanwori with their first selection.
“The Bills have traded up in the first round in four of the past six drafts, and they do so again here, adding a Swiss Army knife to their defense in Nick Emmanwori. Buffalo gives up No. 30 and No. 109 (Round 4) to move up six spots.”
The majority of mocks this week do feature defensive players such as cornerbacks Shavon Revel Jr. and Maxwell Hairston, defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku, plus defensive tackles Tyleik Williams, and Kenneth Grant begin taken with pick 30 of Round 1.
- Josh Edwards, CBS Sports: Shavon Revel Jr. CB (ECU)
“Buffalo loves big, long cornerbacks and Shavon Revel checks that box. The franchise will almost certainly use its first-round pick to address the defense.”
- Rhett Lewis, NFL.com: Maxwell Hairston, CB (Kentucky)
“Hairston has a well-rounded draft profile: He led the SEC in Interceptions in 2023, had an excellent practice week at the Senior Bowl and ran a 4.28 40-yard dash at the combine. A sticky cover corner with excellent ball skills, this Kentucky product feels like a good fit opposite freshly paid stud Christian Benford in Buffalo.”
- Matt Maiocco, NBC Sports: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE (Boston College)
“The Bills need to find someone to replace the production they hoped Von Miller would provide.”
- Connor Rogers, NBC Sports: Tyleik Williams, DT (Ohio State)
“The Bills have a pretty loaded roster, but I think they can make additions to their defense that take them over the top. Williams’ presence against the run would open up space for the other defenders in their front seven. With this pick, they can target the depth of the safety class in Round 2.”
- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: Kenneth Grant, DT (Michigan)
“The Bills wait patiently and see Grant fall into their lap. He’s the beefy defensive tackle they need on their defensive line and provides upside at still 21 years old.”
One draft expert who sees Beane going offense at pick 30 was Ryan Wilson from CBS Sports, who had Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III selected by the Bills.
“The numbers don’t blow you away (66 catches, 771 yards) but don’t be fooled; Burden is a first-round talent and game-changer with the ball in his hands. The QB play at Mizzou was inconsistent in 2024 because Brady Cook was injured for much of the season, but there’s a reason he had 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine TDs in 2023.”
While defensive linemen, wide receivers, and defensive backs remain popular among many mock drafts, there still seems to be no consensus around what the Bills may do in the first round on April 24. Is this truly a “best player available” situation for One Bills Drive?