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.
The Bills ranked middle of the league in team sacks (38, T-15th), but no player had more than five sacks in 2020. In addition, starting defensive ends Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison are both on the wrong side of 30. While the Bills drafted A.J. Epenesa in the second round last year, taking a swing on the immense upside of Oweh at the back of Round 1 makes sense.
Despite his lack of production (zero sacks in 2020 after posting five in 2019), Oweh has rare traits. As Bruce Feldman noted in his annual Freaks list, Oweh is "the most explosive one of the bunch" (of athletic freaks). The 257-pound defender ran a 4.36 forty with a 39.5-inch vertical at Penn State's Pro Day.
Only five teams surrendered more rushing touchdowns than the Bills a year ago (21) and none of those clubs reached the playoffs. The 2021 defensive tackle class is below average, but most see the massive (and still ascending) Barmore as the best of the bunch.
It feels like a corner or edge rusher here would be a reach for the Bills even though they're needs. I didn't plan to have a running back go in the first round, but Buffalo needs a dynamic three-down back who has the speed to be a home-run hitter and the hands to be Josh Allen's safety valve.
A couple of players who have dropped because of injury concerns -- cornerback Caleb Farley and edge rusher Gregory Rousseau -- could be in play here, but Barmore is also an option as the Bills try to build up the interior of their defensive line.
Did you know Oweh had zero sacks last season? I understand why that stat has been recycled every time Oweh's name is mentioned, but disruption is production and he had plenty of backfield disruption on tape. Late to the game, he is just scratching the surface of his immense potential.
The Bills have struggled to heat up their pass rush and could use another body here. As it turns out, Oweh might have the most tailor-made EDGE body in the entire class. He's an elite athlete with rudimentary pass-rush skills that can be coached up over time. His upside is thrilling, and Oweh should be a good locker-room fit in Buffalo.
With starting defensive ends Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison over the age of 30, the Bills need to get younger on the edge. They took AJ Epenesa in Round 2 last year, but that's not enough. The speedy pass-rusher Ojulari had 8.5 sacks and three forced fumbles last season. Cornerback and running back are other positions Buffalo could target.
Samuel can play multiple positions in the defensive backfield and had an outstanding season in 2020, giving up just 179 yards in eight games, per PFF. He also had an impressive pro day to back up the solid career in Tallahassee.
