Saturday, March 6, 2021

Pre-Free Agency Buffalo Bills 2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup

Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Buffalo Bills Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Buffalo Bills from several prominent sites and draft analysts.

For a more inclusive lists of mock drafts for the Buffalo Bills, check out our 2021 Buffalo Bills Mock Draft Database.

The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Bills:

EDSFootball - Hanson (3/5)

30. Carlos Basham Jr., EDGE, Wake Forest

With a rare combination of size (6-5, 285), strength and athleticism, Basham fits the mold of what the Bills look for in an edge defender. While 2020 was a down year compared to 2019, Basham had 18.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in 2019.

ESPN - McShay (3/4)

30. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

The missing piece of this offense is an elite running back. Buffalo didn't have a single player break 700 rushing yards last season, and its running backs found pay dirt just eight times on the ground. But Etienne scored 70 times over his college career and is a home run hitter in space. This offense could be dangerous.

Marcel Louis-Jacques on his fit with the Bills: If the Bills' loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game taught them anything, it's the importance of elite speed. Etienne provides that not just as a runner but also as an accomplished receiver out of the backfield. He would join Devin Singletary and Zack Moss to form a solid group of rushers.

CBS Sports - Trapasso (3/3)

30. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

This is a glorious development for the Bills, as Owusu-Koramoah would instantly step into Matt Milano's playmaker role if the veteran signs elsewhere in free agency.

DraftTek (3/3)

30. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

Only five teams rushed less often than the Bills in 2020. In the bottom 7 teams, you find the Super Bowl winner (TB), the runner-up (KC), the team that kicked us out last year (HOU). Obviously, being one-dimensional isn't as bad as it used to be. I don't think it's the plan, however.

Since the Bye, including playoffs, Josh Allen was our top rusher 6 of 13 times, Singletary 5, and Moss and Yeldon 1 each. Our four RBs combined for 1301 yards this year. Najee Harris had 1733, and led the SEC in Yards From Scrimmage, Rushing TDs (26), and put up 19.8 YPC through the air. Najee is the fastest of the over-230 RBs: 4.4 speed at 230 pounds. Harris had the second-most Missed Tackles/Touch since 2018 (min 250 rushes). Number 2 in that time span was Zack Moss, and Number 2 in 2019 was Devin Singletary!

The Athletic - Beat Writers (3/1)

30. Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame

The Bills need offensive line help. Starting guard Jon Feliciano and right tackle Daryl Williams are both scheduled to become free agents. Given their tight cap situation, the Bills may have a hard time retaining both. Either way, Buffalo needs to get younger up front. In the four drafts since Sean McDermott took over as head coach in 2017, the Bills have drafted three offensive linemen and just two on the first two days of the draft. Cody Ford's future appears to be at guard, so the Bills should invest in a young tackle to handle the right side opposite Dion Dawkins. Eichenberg was reliable throughout his career at Notre Dame, showing the type of power and nastiness in the running game the Bills love. This looks like it could be a sweet spot for offensive linemen in the draft order, but don't be surprised if the Bills entertain trading back to get more picks on the second day of the draft. -- Matthew Fairburn

Touchdown Wire - Farrar (2/26)

30. Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State

Last season, the Bills had two defenses: The one where cornerback Tre'Davious White was healthy (quite good) and the one where he wasn't (not so good at all). Though White is a top-three player when healthy and Buffalo may have the NFL's best safety duo in Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, it's been tough for the franchise to find the ideal bookend for White. Taron Johnson established himself as a presence in the slot last season, but Levi Wallace hasn't become that guy on the outside.

If the Bills are to finally grab that elusive Lombardi Trophy, it's time for new blood out there.

The son of the former Patriots, Eagles, and Falcons defensive back who played in the NFL from 2003 through 2013 (in case you want to feel old), Samuel was especially effective in zone coverage last season -- in those instances, he allowed nine receptions on 19 targets for 97 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. He's a perfect fit for Buffalo's aggressive, zone-heavy defense, either from the slot or outside. Just don't think he can't hold up outside on a regular basis because of his size -- the tape, as they say, don't lie.

NFL.com - Casserly (2/25)

30. Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas

Jerry Hughes can't play forever -- although, it feels like he can at times -- so Buffalo brings in another young, hungry pass rusher after 2020 second-round pick A.J. Epenesa recorded only one sack as a rookie.

MLive.com - Meinke (2/25)

30. Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan

Starting offensive linemen Jon Feliciano and Daryl Williams are scheduled to become free agents next month. Mayfield was a left tackle at Michigan, but could move inside at the next level.

San Diego Union Tribune (2/24)

30. Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas

Trent Murphy is a free agent and Mario Addison may end up a cap casualty -- cutting Addison would save the Bills $8.2 million if he's released after June 1. Ossai is the best of both worlds. He's a relentless pass rusher, but is also capable of being impactful against the run and in pass coverage.

Previous update: Buffalo Bills Mock Draft Roundup 5.0

MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

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