The NFL draft is always a fun time for fans and a difficult time for teams and their front office members. Getting quality players in the draft to bolster your roster can be the difference between making and missing the playoffs. The Buffalo Bills have been solid drafters in recent years and it has resulted in two playoff appearances in their last three seasons. The Bills look to add the final pieces they need to their roster to make a strong push in the 2020-21 NFL playoffs. This is my Buffalo Bills 2020 mock draft.
Buffalo Bills 2020 NFL Mock Draft
Round 1 – Tee Higgins, Wide Receiver, Clemson
The Buffalo Bills’ biggest need in this draft by far is a tall and physical receiver. Tee Higgins brings both of those to the Bills’ offense with his 6’3″ frame. Higgins finished his final season with the Clemson Tigers recording 59 receptions, 1167 yards, and 13 touchdowns. Higgins recorded 25 receiving touchdowns over his final two seasons with Clemson. This type of production from a receiver has been lacking for Buffalo and Higgins would benefit Josh Allen immensely.
Round 2 – Anfernee Jennings, Outside Linebacker, Alabama
Buffalo has recently lost outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander to retirement and also have Matt Milano coming up on a contract extension. These two things combined make outside linebacker a top priority for the Bills. Luckily for Buffalo, Jennings should be available on day two for the Bills to select with their second selection. Jennings is a sound pass rusher with a run-stopping ability similar to Milano and Alexander. He will struggle in pass coverage, but substitutions and depth should help Buffalo keep that from being an issue.
Round 3 – Troy Pride Jr., Cornerback, Notre Dame
Pride Jr. is an athletic cornerback with the ability to become a starting cornerback in the NFL. Pride’s a strong tackler for the cornerback position and has good coverage skills. Pride is a senior which is always something Bills’ coach Sean McDermott likes to pick-up in the draft when possible. Joining a position room that has Tre’Davious White in it, Pride will have the opportunity to thrive with Buffalo and develop with the Bills’ top defense.
Round 4 – Calvin Throckmorton, Guard, Oregon
Throckmorton is an impressive lineman. He protected potential first-round quarterback Justin Herbert all season long and will hear his name called at some point as well. Throckmorton would fit perfectly with the Bills who need more depth on the interior offensive line. Throckmorton has the potential to develop into a starter for the Bills who do not have a clear future for their interior offensive line currently on the roster. Giving Josh Allen more protection is a positive no matter what round of the draft it comes from.
Round 5 – D.J. Wonnum, EDGE, South Carolina
D.J. Wonnum is a hybrid player who played defensive end his first three years in college and finished as a linebacker in his senior season. Wonnum had some success rushing the passer, but he excelled in run defense. His best statistic was his ability to tackle behind the line of scrimmage. Wonnum had 26 tackles for loss in his last three seasons at South Carolina. Wonnum finished his senior season with 9.5 tackles for loss. Buffalo struggled at times with defending the run and Wonnum would be a great addition to the Bills’ rotation on defense.
Round 5 (via Cleveland Browns) – Gabriel Davis, Wide Receiver, UCF
Buffalo would be doing themselves a disservice to add only one of the talented receivers in this draft class. Gabriel Davis would be a fantastic addition in the fifth round from UCF. Davis was his team’s primary target in his third and final season at UCF recording 72 receptions, 1,241 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Davis stands at 6’3″ and has good speed. He has been a starter basically since he joined the team as a freshman in 2017. His consistency and progression at UCF should entice a team looking for wide receivers to take a strong look at Davis. Adding Higgins and Davis in the draft would set Buffalo’s receiving corps up for long-term success.
Round 6 (via Cleveland Browns) – J.J. Taylor, Running Back, Arizona
Buffalo found a talented running back in last year’s draft with Devin Singletary. Now, with Frank Gore being an unrestricted free agent and 36 years old, the Bills will be looking for another running back. Taylor would be a great addition to the Bills’ offense and a great value pick in the 6th round. In his second full season at Arizona, Taylor rushed for 1,434 yards and 6 touchdowns. Taylor’s production dropped in his third season, but so did his touches. Taylor still managed to maintain the same overall production in his third year and would be a nice compliment to Devin Singletary in the Bills’ backfield.
Round 6 – Tommy Kraemer, Guard, Notre Dame
Kraemer is a huge 6’6″ 310-pound guard from Notre Dame who dominates at the line of scrimmage. Kramer was a 5-star prospect out of high school and when he decided to attend Notre Dame and has been a solid lineman since joining the Irish. Kramer excels in pass protection simply due to his size and ability to maintain footing. He has issues maintaining blocks due to hand technique, but those are skills that can be taught by an NFL offensive line coach. What can’t be taught is size and Kramer is not lacking in that department.
Round 6 (via New England Patriots) – John Penisini, Defensive Tackle, Utah
John Penisini is the final pick in this year’s Buffalo Bills mock draft. Penisini is an interesting prospect that might fit right in for Buffalo’s defense. He’s a 330-pound tackle who has a quick burst and a small tank. Penisini would be a great plug-and-play tackle for early downs and goalline situations. The Bills have met with Penisini at the senior bowl and would be pleased to grab him with their last selection in this draft.
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