The Buffalo Bills could certainly stand to use a defensive back addition this offseason. There is a lot that needs to be determined in their secondary before the 2022 season.
But… a safety?
Ahead of the 2022 NFL draft, CBS Sports released a mock draft that has Buffalo using their first-round pick at No. 25 on one. The selection is Michigan’s Daxton Hill.
Here’s the breakdown:
Hill is a prospect who can play the nickel for Buffalo today and potentially take over one of those starting safety roles down the road. The talent justifies the investment. The Bills need depth and talent in the secondary, and Hill checks both boxes.
Top, clear reason why this one is a head-turning mock: The Bills have two All-Pro players at safety already in Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. Because of that, it seems very unlikely that Hill would high on the Bills’ radar.
However, there is a slight case to be made. Or at least we’ll try to do that.
Behind Hyde and Poyer, depth is thin and they’re both over 30. Depth also is at slot cornerback behind Taron Johnson.
Hill can provide talent at both spots. The trigger word for the Bills, “versatility,” comes to mind.
Additionally–how about a bit of a game-changing player? Think about the New England Patriots’ Kyle Dugger. He was on Buffalo’s radar at the 2020 NFL draft because he’s a similar, do-it-all, type of player.
Perhaps the Bills use Hill as a rotational piece at safety and in the slot, while also even throwing him on the field with Hyde, Poyer and Johnson? Could be a creative move by Buffalo, but that’s also a pretty bold prediction to be made.
Also to consider: the Bills could turn his versatility into outside cornerback skill.