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NFL mock draft: Buffalo Bills add a weapon for Josh Allen

ryan miller, rochester democrat and chronicle
·1 min read

The Buffalo Bills have the No. 28 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. For now.

Brandon Beane has traded up in the first round four times in his six drafts since taking over as general manager. Those draft moves have Josh Allen, Tremaine Edmunds, Kaiir Elam and Dalton Kincaid. He also sent his 2020 first-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for Stefon Diggs.

Assuming Beane stands pat, here is who experts are guessing the Bills take in the first round on April 25.

NFL.com

Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton rushes the quarterback during an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin.
Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton rushes the quarterback during an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin.

Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

The Bills are a pretty complete team, and they add another good player in Newton. He gives Buffalo even more pass-rush juice on the interior.

Pro Football Network

Alabama linebacker Chris Braswell sacks Auburn quarterback Robby Ashford.
Alabama linebacker Chris Braswell sacks Auburn quarterback Robby Ashford.

Chris Braswell, Edge, Alabama

I’ve been searching for a way to get Chris Braswell into the first-round conversation for the last few weeks, and with the early run on edge rushers, he slips in at 28.

While he doesn’t have the ceiling of a perennial All-Pro player (I’ve been wrong before), Braswell has a high floor and can join an already-established contender as a key cog in the defensive front.

CBS Sports

Oklahoma offensive lineman Tyler Guyton during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa.
Oklahoma offensive lineman Tyler Guyton during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa.

Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

Tyler Guyton reminds a bit of Anton Harrison a year ago. He is an incredibly athletic right tackle who is a bit rough around the edges but trending upwards. Buffalo makes an investment in its offensive line after taking O'Cyrus Torrence on Day 2 of the 2023 draft.

Sports Illustrated

LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. breaks away from Grambling State for a touchdown.
LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. breaks away from Grambling State for a touchdown.

Brian Thomas, WR, LSU

LSU Tigers wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is one of the breakout stars of the 2023 college football season.

An intermittent starter in his first two seasons in Baton Rouge, Thomas Jr. exploded along with LSU’s Year 2 growth with their influx of talent under head coach Brian Kelly. Thomas Jr. is long, explosive, and illustrates strong vertical ability in the passing game. Given his emergence this season, coaches will likely be drawn to the untapped potential of a player with his physical abilities when assessing what wide receiver to add to their ranks.

33rd Team

Keon Coleman of the Florida State Seminoles catches a 40-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter against the LSU Tigers.
Keon Coleman of the Florida State Seminoles catches a 40-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter against the LSU Tigers.

Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

There’s been a lot of talk regarding the wide receiver room in Buffalo this season. Despite his lack of top-end athletic traits and less-than-ideal route running, Keon Coleman’s fit in Joe Brady’s offense would take pressure off of Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen. It would provide Allen with a big-bodied player who thrives at making tough catches at all three levels.

Walter Football

Xavier Legette of the South Carolina Gamecocks makes a reception as Malaki Starks of the Georgia Bulldogs defends.
Xavier Legette of the South Carolina Gamecocks makes a reception as Malaki Starks of the Georgia Bulldogs defends.

Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina

Buffalo sorely needs a second receiver because Gabe Davis just isn’t cutting it most weeks. Xavier Legette has been a rising prospect. He is a massive receiver and has good speed for his size.

Sporting News

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

The Bills have two good key young targets for Josh Allen in Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid, but Gabe Davis is a pending free agent and Stefon Diggs is showing signs of decline at 30. Thomas would give Allen the classic big-bodied No. 1 with his hands, strength, physicality and route-running prowess.

USA Today

Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Muncie, Ind.
Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Muncie, Ind.

Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

An older secondary is also one likely to be purged during free agency.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NFL mock draft: Buffalo Bills add a weapon for Josh Allen