Bills mock draft: Speedy wide receiver, future starting safety highlight selections

[Buddy]

Bills mock draft: Speedy wide receiver, future starting safety highlight selections

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[HipKat]

 

The 2023 NFL Draft is under two weeks away, meaning the last-minute preparations and angling are now here. Muddling things a bit more, the Bills have done a good job this offseason of backfilling some of their more obvious needs, which makes how they might draft in the first round more unpredictable this year.

General manager Brandon Beane has six picks available and several positions they could target. So how do things shake out in this brand-new Bills-only mock draft?

Here’s a look at how the Bills could approach all six rounds and how each prospect would fit their current build for 2023 and beyond.

Round 1, Pick No. 27: Brian Branch, S, Alabama

This selection might not seem like an immediate need to the 2023 season with Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer in the fold, but Branch is the type of talent you find ways to get on the field as a rookie before he takes over as a full-time starter in 2024. Considering the Bills’ legitimate need at safety, if Branch is on the board at No. 27, which he was in this simulation, that’s the perfect blend of “need meets value,” my favorite draft-related phrase. It’s the strategy the Bills have executed since Beane has taken over, as he’s never had a high pick that veers entirely away from their top handful of needs.

So, how can they use him in 2023? It could be a way for the Bills to get through the loss of Tremaine Edmunds on defense temporarily without sacrificing value in the draft by over-drafting a linebacker prospect. When defenses go with lighter personnel, the Bills can utilize Poyer in the box as a hybrid linebacker, then use Branch as one of their two safeties with Hyde. And when teams spread things out in 10 personnel or with three receivers and a great receiving tight end, the Bills could utilize him in the way they used Siran Nealsporadically, subbing out a defensive lineman for another defensive back. And they could also use Branch during his rookie year on special teams for more usage. So, there are ways to justify his selection for 2023. Most importantly, they would have a top-flight prospect ideally suited to their scheme, with the skill set they covet, who can take over for Hyde in 2024.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler on Branch: A three-year starter at Alabama, Branch played the “star” nickel position in head coach Nick Saban’s multiple scheme, lining up against the slot and playing in the box (the same role Minkah Fitzpatrick popularized). An extension of Saban on the field, the coaches gradually added to his plate, and he was always up to the task, finishing the 2022 season as the only FBS player with 90-plus tackles, 14.0-plus tackles for loss and at least two interceptions (only Alabama defender with multiple interceptions in 2022). Equally athletic and physical, Branch has terrific short-area quickness with the pattern recognition and run/pass anticipation to match up in a variety of ways.

Round 2, No. 59: Gervon Dexter Sr., DT, Florida

In the simulation, linebackers Drew Sanders and Jack Campbell were off the board, as were the second-tier of receiver prospects. That put my eyes on a defensive tackle based on the talent available. Wisconsin’s Keeanu Benton went just a few picks before, which left Dexter as the clear option at No. 59. Dexter is the type of prospect who has Beane written all over him. Dexter has elite measurables (almost 6 feet 6, 310 pounds) and outstanding athleticism scores, and he’s still half a year away from turning 22. Combine that with elite flashes during his games, but maybe lacking the consistency that other lower-ceiling prospects provide, and you get a player Beane will believe he can hit a home run with in the second round.

Dexter is a versatile defensive tackle who could play both spots within the Bills’ scheme and someone they feel can become a three-down threat along with Ed Oliver. By this point, you likely know that all four of the Bills’ defensive tackles are on expiring contracts in 2023, which along with the Bills’ penchant for drafting defensive linemen creates the need for a defensive tackle in the draft. Dexter would likely be a rotational player in his first season with some additional pass-rushing duties next to Oliver on obvious passing downs and possibly taking over for DaQuan Jones as early as 2024.

Brugler on Dexter: Dexter carries his weight well with impressive foot quickness and pass-rush potential, although you wish he had more backfield production to show for it. His impact can be traced to his ability to leverage — he is a very different player when he utilizes his long levers to put blockers on skates as a pass rusher or anchor, stack and work the point in the run game. Dexter must develop a more disciplined approach to turn the flashes into more consistent play, but he is an agile, coordinated big man who has yet to play his best football. He is a traits-based projection who can play up and down the line, which will interest both even and odd fronts.

Round 3, No 91: Nathaniel ‘Tank’ Dell, WR, Houston

The Bills covet speed, separation and versatility above all else at receiver, and Dell gives them all three. Over the past two years, Dell has spent 632 passing snaps at slot receiver and 430 snaps on the perimeter, according to Pro Football Focus. His size (5-foot-8, 165 pounds) will be a detractor for some, but the Bills likely aren’t as concerned with someone who projects to the slot and the occasional boundary role. His playing speed and run-after-catch abilities are excellent, so they will likely see attention-grabbing potential rather than his being too small to play in the NFL.

Brugler on Dell: Dell’s diminutive size and below-average strength won’t be a fit for everyone, but he has quick hands and elite start-stop acceleration to create chunk plays short, intermediate and deep. He projects as a dynamic No. 3 or 4 wide receiver for an NFL offense while also handling punt return duties.

Round 4, No. 130: DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB

With such a talented running back class available this year, selecting one with differing skills to pair with James Cook could be part of the Bills’ hopes. McBride is the antithesis of Cook. He is an excellent between-the-tackles runner with fantastic rushing metrics and appears to be a good fit for the zone running scheme the Bills have been pushing toward the past two offseasons. McBride is not much of a pass catcher — he had all of five receptions his entire college career — but that’s not the draw. The Bills have an open roster spot for a fourth running back they can bring along slowly while they pair Cook with Damien Harris’ power running in the interim. Harris is a good bet for the 53-man roster, but his contract (one year, $1.4 million guaranteed) is far from a guarantee they’ll avoid a running back in the draft.

Brugler on McBride: McBride is unproven as a pass catcher and blocker, which might restrict his NFL role, but his contact balance, vision and lateral agility are among the best this running back draft class has to offer. He projects best in a zone scheme.

Round 5, No. 137: Marte Mapu, LB, Sacramento State

Mapu is listed as a safety in most places, but his skill set and size scream a conversion to linebacker within the Bills’ scheme. And with how his game is summed up, it reads pretty similarly to another Bills linebacker with a safety background: Matt Milano. Mapu is rehabbing a torn pectoral muscle, which could push his cost down, but he has every chance to become a core special teams player for the Bills and an opportunity, maybe a slight one given his draft spot, to be more on defense down the road.

Brugler on Mapu: All 32 NFL teams are looking for long, explosive athletes who can play the run and cover, and Mapu has shown those traits as a potential matchup weapon. With his ability to identify as either a linebacker or “big” safety, he is scheme diverse with the talent to be a core special-teamer.

Round 6, No. 205: Brayden Willis, TE, Oklahoma

The tight end class was too good in 2023 to avoid taking one at some point, and the Bills would love someone with the blocking ability that allows them to run more two-tight-end formations and develop their run game. Willis’ calling card is his blocking abilities, and he would challenge Quintin Morris immediately for playing time while also serving on the special teams units.

Brugler on Willis: Willis won’t be a full-field receiving threat in the pros, but he has a healthy appetite as a blocker and will appeal to NFL teams that value alignment versatility. He projects as a wide-ranging H-back (backfield, inline or slot) and regular contributor on special teams.

2023 Bills mock draft, April 17

ROUND	PICK	PLAYER	POSITION	COLLEGE
1	27	Brian Branch	S	Alabama
2	59	Gervon Dexter Sr.	DT	Florida
3	91	Nathaniel "Tank" Dell	WR	Houston
4	130	DeWayne McBride	RB	UAB
5	137	Marte Mapu	LB	Sacramento State
6	205	Brayden Willis	TE	Oklahoma

[Baldat28]

The first two picks on D? Yeah, no thanks....Also not a single OL taken, hard pass, but this would not shock me either 

[Coach'sUncle'sSon]

This sucks

[f8ta1ity54]

terrible. 

[daryls61]

There is no way some of these people that post mock drafts have any clue what teams actually need. Safety is probably our 4th or 5th neediest position. 

[f8ta1ity54]

29 minutes ago, daryls61 said:

There is no way some of these people that post mock drafts have any clue what teams actually need. Safety is probably our 4th or 5th neediest position. 

I'd say at least 6th. 

DT, Edge, RT, MLB, WR

[Tanqueray Ten]

6 hours ago, daryls61 said:

There is no way some of these people that post mock drafts have any clue what teams actually need. Safety is probably our 4th or 5th neediest position. 

You’re wrong.  Delusional, and still wrong.  

[daryls61]

21 minutes ago, Tanqueray Ten said:

You’re wrong.  Delusional, and still wrong.  

LOL I see this Zero chimes in. Must be a deciple of the @seandelevan school.of not knowing anything about how NFL football works. 

[Tanqueray Ten]

5 minutes ago, daryls61 said:

LOL I see this Zero chimes in. Must be a deciple of the @seandelevan school.of not knowing anything about how NFL football works. 

Do you have season tickets?

[Tanqueray Ten]

Of course you don’t…  

[daryls61]

23 minutes ago, Tanqueray Ten said:

Do you have season tickets?

Yes 

[daryls61]

17 minutes ago, Tanqueray Ten said:

Of course you don’t…  

Section 135, row 135 seats 11 and 12.

[jpp]

1 minute ago, daryls61 said:

Section 135, row 135 seats 11 and 12.

So you take your laptop with you on every game?  Cause you always pipping in...

[Buffalochief2]

11 minutes ago, jpp said:

So you take your laptop with you on every game?  Cause you always pipping in...

Ever hear of a smart phone?

[jpp]

Just now, Buffalochief2 said:

Ever hear of a smart phone?

SmartphonE?? Duh what dat??  ok....since you needed to reply to a discussion not regarding you...thats ok we all do it....SO all im saying to this guy if you go to every home game why are you insistantly typing away the entire game and not watching live...thats all

[seandelevan]

2 hours ago, daryls61 said:

LOL I see this Zero chimes in. Must be a deciple of the @seandelevan school.of not knowing anything about how NFL football works. 

No, he’s a disciple of the Bills….as am I…as are most of us here. You are a disciple of shit.

 

[daryls61]

5 hours ago, jpp said:

SmartphonE?? Duh what dat??  ok....since you needed to reply to a discussion not regarding you...thats ok we all do it....SO all im saying to this guy if you go to every home game why are you insistantly typing away the entire game and not watching live...thats all

It's quite simple actually, intelligent people can multi-task. Also, you don't have to type in a smart phone anymore. 

[daryls61]

4 hours ago, seandelevan said:

No, he’s a disciple of the Bills….as am I…as are most of us here. You are a disciple of shit.

 

There are only a few people here that don't understand NFL football so it is not most of us 

[SpikedLemonade]

14 hours ago, f8ta1ity54 said:

I'd say at least 6th. 

DT, Edge, RT, MLB, WR

You don't even list IOL?

Go fuck yourself!

[SpikedLemonade]

7 hours ago, daryls61 said:

Section 135, row 135 seats 11 and 12.

Really?

I had those tickets for a game a couple of decades ago.

I sharted myself in seat 11.

 

[SpikedLemonade]

7 hours ago, Buffalochief2 said:

Ever hear of a smart phone?

We are still talking about Daryls right?

[SpikedLemonade]

5 hours ago, seandelevan said:

No, he’s a disciple of the Bills….as am I…as are most of us here. You are a disciple of shit.

 

This seems like an invitation to me to post...

 

 

 

[jpp]

5 hours ago, daryls61 said:

It's quite simple actually, intelligent people can multi-task. Also, you don't have to type in a smart phone anymore. 

yeah sure you do....LOL....take a pic of the stubs than

 

[daryls61]

7 minutes ago, jpp said:

yeah sure you do....LOL....take a pic of the stubs than

 

Lol, there have not been stubs since COVID. They are all electronic now.