BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — It’s draft day. The Bills have 10 picks over the next 3 days but I don’t think we’ll hear them call 10 names. When the dust settles on Saturday, I think this would be the ideal scenario for Brandon Beane and company.
30th overall
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan: This has been my ideal pick for the Bills for months and I’m not changing on gameday. Grant is a day one starter next to Ed Oliver on the interior of the defensive line. I believe he is a 2.5 down player, good against the run, with the ability to get some pressure on the quarterback by collapsing the pocket. Mason Graham was a great player at Michigan and deserves to be a top 10 pick, a chunk of his success is a credit to Grant not affording teams the option to double Graham. Grant is the big body the Bills need up front on the defensive line.
56th overall
Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina: Two years ago, Revel would have been a first round pick based off performance but was injured last season and that’s a concern. The Bills added Tre White and Dane Jackson, a pair of vets to hold it down until Revel is up to speed and ready to roll. The corner combo of Christian Benford and Revel could develop into one of the best in the league.
62nd overall
Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss: The Bills could go defense with all three of their top picks but I think this could be the ideal spot to get Josh Allen another weapon. Harris has a good combination of size, physicality, and speed with the ability to win contested balls down the field.
Trade: Bills send picks 109, 169 and 173 to Eagles for pick 96
96th overall
Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas: I don’t see any reason for the Bills to use 10 draft picks so here’s a three-for-one deal with the Eagles. Beane moves up 13 spots to add a human missel at safety. Mukuba makes plays against the pass (five int. in ’24) and is fierce against the run. Even if he doesn’t win a starting job his rookie season, Mukuba and Cole Bishop could develop into a great duo for years to come.
132nd overall
Jamaree Caldwell, DT, Oregon: I know, I know… why take another DT when you went with Grant in the first round? Caldwell is a mountain of a man, the Bills like to rotate the defense lineman, and this would be another piece of that puzzle. I could see a world in which Ed Oliver comes off the field on run downs and it would be Grant and Caldwell up the middle—good luck running vs that.
Trade: Bills send picks 170, 173 to Panthers for pick 140
140th overall
Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss: Another trade. This time the Bills package a pair of picks to move up and take a linebacker who can contribute on special teams on day one and could eventually replace Matt Milano. The Bills have success finding linebackers in the middle rounds and Paul could be next on that impressive list.
206th overall
Woody Marks, RB, USC: The final pick is a running back. Who knows what happens with the James Cook contract situation so adding another young running back late in the draft makes sense.
Josh Reed is an award-winning journalist who has served as News 4’s Sports Director since 2015. See more here.