Way-too-early Buffalo Bills NFL Draft preview
The 2023 NFL Draft is April 27-29 in Kansas City. Here is the projected first-round order, per Tankathon.
2022 record: 13-3 | Projected first-round pick: No. 30 | Team needs: Offensive line, RB, DE
Snapshot: As long as Josh Allen is at QB, the Bills will be perennial Super Bowl contenders, but they'll always strive for improvement. Buffalo must decide the future of several veterans this offseason, including Tremaine Edmunds, Shaq Lawson, Jordan Poyer, Rodger Saffold, and Greg Van Roten.
Potential first-round picks: O'Cyrus Torrence, guard, Florida; Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama; BJ Ojulari, DE, LSU
Despite averaging the seventh-most rushing yards per game, Buffalo's offensive line is the fifth worst-graded run-blocking unit, per Pro Football Focus. Starting guards Saffold and Van Roten will likely hit free agency, and considering both are 10+ year veterans, Buffalo may decide to go a younger route.
Florida's Torrence would be an excellent addition. He was PFF's second-highest-graded lineman in the SEC this season (88.0). Torrence, who transferred to Florida after three seasons at Louisiana, did not allow a sack during his collegiate career.
Buffalo spent a 2022 second-round pick on James Cook, but he might not be an every-down back. Devin Singletary will be a free agent in March, and Buffalo can save cap space by releasing Nyheim Hines. Should Buffalo pair Gibbs (1,370 all-purpose yards, 10 TDs) with Cook, it could form one of the more versatile backfield tandems in the NFL.
It's uncertain how OLB Von Miller will return from his ACL injury next season. Regardless, there will always be a need for pass rushers in the NFL. Greg Rousseau flashes potential, but Buffalo could find better production than what A.J. Epenesa and Carlos "Boogie" Basham provide.
Ojulari, who earned first-team All-SEC honors this season, might be a perfect fit. He had 5.5 sacks in 11 games, and his 81.5 PFF pass-rush grade led all LSU defensive linemen this season.
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