Brian Thomas Jr. leads perfect NFL Draft scenario for Bills: Here's what that looks like
Draft capital will pay the Bills in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Buffalo has a draft-high 10 picks at its disposal, and a big hole at wide receiver.
Still, the probability of landing a projected top 10 pass-catcher and top-shelf prospect such as Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze to help quarterback Josh Allen, is improbable at best.
That is unless general manager Brandon Beane and the Bills are willing to take out a second mortgage on their long-term future trying to fill whatever size shoes Stefon Diggs wears.
That's not necessarily necessary, given how deep this receiver class goes.
Besides, receivers won't play on the defensive line, perhaps the team's biggest need. They won't play in the secondary, another need.
The best bet for the Bills will be to maximize the volume of picks, maybe trade up a few spots in the first round to get a bonafide No. 1 receiver, then spend the rest of the draft filling all their needs in the secondary, on the defensive line and sniffing out some sleepers.
Bills best-case 2024 NFL Draft scenario
The best-best case scenario would be for the 27 teams ahead of the Bills to fall asleep and forget receivers such as Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze are draft-eligible. More realistically, however, if Beane keeps his eyes on the broader big picture and lets the chips fall where they may, he can use draft capital to his advantage and still fill a lot of holes beyond receiver. Think defensive backs. Think defensive line. Think later rounds.
Round 1, Pick 15: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
(Mock trade from Detroit Lions for first- (28), fourth- (128) and fifth-round (144) picks plus a player)
It may be worth exploring some type of trade package that includes their 28th pick, a fourth-round pick and a fifth-round pick to the Detroit Lions to move up and get Thomas Jr. He's 6-foot-3, 209 pounds and should be able be a factor immediately. Even better luck for the Bills would be if Odunze somehow falls this far.
Round 2, Pick 60: Braden Fiske, DL, Florida State
Could be a better-than-average pass rusher in the NFL. The 6-foot-4, 202-pounder has a quick first step, fast hands and would give Von Miller, Greg Rousseau, Kingsley Jonathan and Ed Oliver a hand on defense. Than again, the Bills could opt to pick a receiver who slipped, such as Texas' Xavier Worthy or South Carolina's Xavier Legette or Florida State's Keon Coleman.
Round 4, Pick 133: Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M
At 5-foot-10, he has to be the among the shortest players in the draft. That doesn't mean he can't play. Smith goes 190 pounds, has quick feet and isn't afraid of contested catches. The drawback is his size limits him to mostly slot responsibilities.
Other selections
The later rounds is where the Bills should be eyeing guys like Penn State CB Kalen King, Houston edge Nelson Ceasar and Clemson defensive lineman Tyler Davis.
Bills NFL Draft picks 2024: List of selections
Round 1, Pick 28 (mock trade to Lions as part of deal for 15th pick)
Round 2, Pick 60
Round 4, Pick 128 (mock trade to Lions as part of deal for 15th pick)
Round 4, Pick 133
Round 5, Pick 144 (from Chicago Bears; mock trade to Lions as part of deal for 15th pick)
Round 5, Pick 160 (from Green Bay Packers)
Round 5, Pick 163 (mock trade to Lions)
Round 6, Pick 200 (from Houston Texans via Dallas Cowboys)
Round 6, Pick 204 (from Los Angeles Rams)
Round 7, Pick 248
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Bills mock draft 2024: Brian Thomas Jr. leads best-case haul
