The Buffalo Bills have quarterback Josh Allen to thank for their perpetual success, especially considering the plight of their recent early draft picks.
It hasn’t been completely devoid of talent, but the last three years have seen the Bills take corner Kaiir Elam, tight end Dalton Kincaid, and receiver Keon Coleman with their top draft pick. Elam isn’t long for Western New York, and while the latter pair have contributed to the passing attack, they aren’t the kinds of difference-making weapons helping put other contenders over the top.
Clearly, Buffalo has amassed enough talent to compete for a Super Bowl every year, but remaining successful will demand that it adds high-level talents at a higher rate than its peers.
Thus, the Bills pick a versatile defensive back in this AFC East mock draft, hoping to tap into athleticism and ball skills to finish off a championship-caliber roster.
The following mock draft was made using Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator.
Round 1, Pick 4, New England Patriots: Arizona Receiver Tetairoa McMillan
Drafting a blue-chip talent like defensive tackle Mason Graham is tempting, but with arguably the league’s worst combination of offensive linemen and receivers, the Patriots are morally obligated to protect quarterback Drake Maye.
McMillan has the upside of being an alpha target earner for Maye to rely on. He boasts better separation skills than most 6-foot-5 threats, excels above the rim, and has the catch radius and physicality to bail Maye out when necessary. New England was largely without playmaking talent outside of Maye in 2024. That’s untenable and must be addressed early in April’s NFL Draft.
Round 1, Pick 7, New York Jets: Penn State Tight End Tyler Warren
Former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has made a point of creating a new identity for the Jets. There are few better ways to do that than with a physical playmaker like Warren.
He’s a road grader in the run game with a blend of athleticism and technical prowess as a receiver that will make him a first-round pick. Taking tight ends early is often precarious, but Warren’s profile, on film, is among the safest in recent memory. He keeps the offense versatile, and dynamic as it attempts to follow in Detroit’s footsteps.
Round 1, Pick 13, Miami Dolphins: Alabama Guard Tyler Booker
The Dolphins’ have strayed too far from strength in their endless pursuit for speed. They struggled to run between the tackles in 2024 thanks to a slim stable of running backs and an offensive line that was disrupted by the more powerful pass rushes on its schedule.
Booker is the kind of athlete head coach Mike McDaniel can appreciate, but he has strong hands, a good anchor, and a knack for finishing with violence. If Miami is going to prove itself to be more than a pushover, it will start in the trenches.
Round 1, Pick 30, Buffalo Bills: Texas Defensive Back Jahdae Barron
Buffalo expects to compete on a yearly basis, which means taking on the AFC’s best quarterbacks until Allen finally reigns supreme. It also means the secondary must be a point of emphasis this offseason.
With corner Rasul Douglas and safety Damar Hamlin headed for free agency, Barron is a clean fit in Buffalo. He can play on the boundary, in the slot, and over the top thanks to a combination of elite burst and processing. Teams may feel a little less comfortable with his man coverage skills, but he’s willing to get his hands dirty against the run and has strong ball skills.
Wherever the Bills decide to play Barron, they’re getting a legitimate playmaker with game-changing potential.
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