The Buffalo Bills have a quarterback in Josh Allen who can help them compete for a Super Bowl every season. With Allen’s contract now making him one of the highest-paid NFL players, though, a strong 2023 NFL Draft class is imperative for Buffalo to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
The recent history of Bills draft picks shows why the franchise is in its current position. Buffalo nailed picks like Allen, Gabriel Davis, Tremaine Edmunds, Harrison Phillips, Matt Milano and Tre’Davious White. However, more recent selections such as A.J. Epenesa, Zack Moss and Cody Ford never lived up to their draft status.
As a result, Buffalo is now entering a pivotal point. With Allen absorbing a significant portion of the NFL salary cap, the Bills can’t rely on free-agency signings and trades to address needs. Instead, general manager Brandon Beane must find cheap, young talent in the NFL Draft.
Before diving into our Buffalo Bills mock draft, here’s a rundown of everything you need to know before the draft day for Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills draft picks 2023
Here are the Bills draft picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
- Round 1: 27th overall
- Round 2: 59th overall
- Round 3: 91st overall
- Round 4: 130th overall
- Round 5: 137th overall (via ARZ)
- Round 6: 205th overall
Related: 2023 NFL Draft order
Buffalo Bills draft needs 2023
Following NFL free agency, here are the Bills’ draft needs in the 2023 NFL Draft.
- Wide Receiver
- Linebacker
- Safety
- Offensive Line
- Defensive Tackle
- Cornerback
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Buffalo Bills mock draft
First round, 27th overall: Dawand Jones, offensive tackle, Ohio State
The Buffalo Bills’ offensive line was unmistakably one of its biggest issues last season. While Beane provided right tackle Spencer Brown with the vote of confidence this offseason, Buffalo can’t feel secure starting Spencer Bron on the right side.
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Consider what happened in the final eight games, including the playoffs, last season. Buffalo ranked 27th in PFF’s Pass Blocking Efficiency (83.2), allowing the second-most pressures (100) and the 10th-most quarterback hits. For a franchise that wants to protect Allen better in 2023, upgrading at right tackle should be a top priority.
Dawand Jones is the solution. Playing over 1,500 snaps at right tackle for the Ohio State Buckeyes over the last two seasons, he allowed just 12 combined hurries and one quarterback hit across nearly 900 pass-blocking snaps.
Jones will not only help anchor the right side and help maintain a cleaner pocket for Allen, he will also help improve the run blocking. This is a 6-foot-8 offensive lineman who was made to play right tackle and the NFL comparison to Orlando Brown Jr. hints at the impact he can have on Buffalo next season and beyond.
Second round, 59th overall: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
As noted by Tim Graham and Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic, linebacker is a very important position in Sean McDermott’s scheme. Considering McDermott will also be the one calling the defensive plays this upcoming season, it’s even more crucial to address one of the biggest Bills draft needs.
With Tremaine Edmunds gone, Buffalo needs a starting off-ball linebacker. Matt Milano is an All-Pro talent playing the ‘Will” linebacker spot, but the Bills need someone reliable in the middle of the field. Jack Campbell is the best linebacker in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Standing at 6-foot-5, Campbell proved at the NFL Combine that he’s an elite athlete (9.98 Relative Athletic Score). It’s even better than Edmunds (9.67), who thrived in pass coverage last season and was even an effective blitzer.
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Campbell, who allowed just 236 receiving yards across 418 snaps in pass coverage last season (PFF), could fill the void left by Edmunds. He also brings instincts that should make him a quality run defender. Considering Buffalo allowed opponents to average 121.6 rushing yards per game and 4.7 yards per carry in its last 10 regular-season contests, landing Campbell in the second round is an ideal start to the Bills mock draft 2023.
Third round, 91st overall: Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
Cornerback might not seem like the most pressing need for Buffalo. White will be more than a year removed from his ACL tear, Dane Jackson is trusted by the coaching staff and Kaiir Elam shows a lot of potential. With that said, injuries strike often in the secondary and it might be too hard to pass up on a player like Garrett Williams.
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Before tearing his ACL late in the 2022 season, Williams looked like a potential first-round pick. He thrived on the outside, shadowing No. 1 receivers thanks to his physicality, length and excellent feet. McDermott loves instinctual and aggressive cornerbacks who can play zone coverage, that fits Williams.
As a third-round pick, he won’t have to see the field immediately. Buffalo can turn to its veteran cornerbacks and the added depth at safety to help provide depth and versatility until Williams is healthy. Once he is cleared to return, the Bills will have a potential No. 2 corner on the outside opposite of White.
7-round Buffalo Bills mock draft
- 1st Round, 27th overall: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
- 2nd Round, 59th overall: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
- 3rd Round, 91st overall: Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
- 4th Round, 130th overall: Anthony Johnson Jr, S, Iowa State
- 5th Round, 137th overall: Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR, West Virginia
- 6th Round, 205th overall: Jonah Tavai, DT, San Diego State
