With the 25th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, which prospect can contribute right away for the championship-ready Buffalo Bills?
Despite carrying the best odds to win the Super Bowl in 2022, the Buffalo Bills have a lot of holes to fill this offseason.
The good news is that there are a variety of ways they could go with their 25th overall pick, and numerous players to choose from at the positions they need most. Especially with this being one of the deepest NFL drafts in terms of edge rushers, interior linemen, and wide receivers. All of which Buffalo could certainly find value in.
Offensively, while the Bills could probably use an upgrade at running back, with Devin Singletary and Zach Moss being the only two backs left on the roster, and both of them have been relatively disappointing. However, there aren’t any real standouts at that position this year.
Alternatively, a lot of mock drafts have projected the Bills to grab an offensive lineman in the first round, although, I also don’t see this as a realistic possibility for a couple of reasons.
First and foremost, they are not particularly known for drafting linemen in the first round, with all of their current starters being either mid-late round draft picks or free-agent acquisitions. In fact, the last time the Bills took an offensive lineman in the first round was Eric Wood in 2009.
So, even though there are up to five interior linemen that could easily go in the first round, I don’t think the Bills will honestly feel the need to prioritize the position this early on in the NFL draft.
Particularly when you take into account the number of quality receivers that should still be on the board. A skill group for the Bills that could probably use some fine-tuning. It’s also never a bad idea to give your superstar quarterback, Josh Allen, more weapons to throw the ball to on offense.
On the defensive side, the two obvious positions that need to be taken care of are cornerback and defensive tackle. It has yet to be determined whether Buffalo will bring back pending free agent, Levi Wallace, who showed flashes with and without Tre’Davious White in the lineup. But even if they do, I could still see them bringing in more help to bolster the backfield.
When it comes down to defensive tackle, anybody who followed the Buffalo Bills in 2021 is more than aware of their number one flaw from a season ago; defending the run. Last season Buffalo had one of the best passing defenses in the NFL but ranked near the bottom of the league in rush defense.
It’s also worth noting that the Buffalo Bills have selected a defensive player with their first pick in each NFL draft under head coach, Sean McDermott, and general manager, Brandon Beane. So, history could very well repeat itself again in 2022.
Taking all of this into account, these are the three best fits for the Buffalo Bills at No. 25.