The Buffalo Bills are a team perpetually on the cusp of a Super Bowl victory. Their roster is brimming with talent, but the NFL is a dynamic league where roster construction is a constant evolution. This mock draft attempts to project the Bills' needs and potential draft strategies in 2025, keeping in mind potential free agency departures and player performance over the next two seasons. Remember, this is purely speculative, and a myriad of factors could dramatically alter this projection.
Assessing the Current Roster & Future Needs
Before diving into specific picks, let's examine potential areas of concern for the Bills heading into the 2025 draft. Assuming a successful 2023 and 2024 season, the team's biggest needs will likely revolve around:
- Offensive Line Depth: While the Bills have invested heavily in their offensive line, depth remains crucial. Injuries can derail even the best-laid plans. A versatile lineman who can play multiple positions would be a valuable asset.
- Secondary Depth/Succession Planning: The Bills' secondary is talented, but the NFL is a pass-happy league. Securing a cornerback or safety with high upside to either contribute immediately or develop into a future starter is important.
- Pass Rusher Depth: Even with Von Miller's presence (assuming continued health and a new contract), depth at pass rusher is always welcome. A player with explosive potential could significantly bolster the defensive line rotation.
2025 Buffalo Bills Mock Draft (Assuming Top 20 Pick)
This mock draft assumes the Bills, despite continued success, find themselves picking somewhere in the late first or early second round. This scenario assumes potential free agency losses and the need to replenish depth at key positions.
Round 1, Pick 25: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois (Hypothetical)
Witherspoon represents a hypothetical high-upside cornerback. This pick addresses the long-term future of the Bills secondary, providing a potential starter to learn behind established players before stepping into a more prominent role. His physicality and coverage skills align perfectly with the Bills' defensive philosophy.
Round 2, Pick 58: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota (Hypothetical)
Schmitz is a hypothetical example of a high-value interior offensive lineman. Adding a center with his potential to compete for a starting role provides valuable depth and long-term succession planning, particularly if there's uncertainty surrounding the future of Mitch Morse.
Round 3, Pick 90: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State (Hypothetical)
Adding a high-motor edge rusher to the depth chart would provide a player with the potential to disrupt the backfield, potentially filling the void left by a departed veteran or adding more explosive pass-rushing capabilities to the rotation.
Round 4, Pick 125: Jay Ward, S, LSU (Hypothetical)
Ward embodies a versatile safety prospect who could contribute on special teams and develop into a key role player in the secondary, providing additional depth and coverage skills.
Round 5 and Beyond: These later-round picks would likely be used to address further depth concerns, focusing on special teams contributors and players with high upside at lower-risk positions.
Disclaimer: The Fluidity of the NFL Draft
This mock draft is a speculative exercise based on current projections. Numerous factors—player performance, injuries, free agency signings, and coaching staff decisions—could significantly alter the Bills' needs and draft strategy by 2025. This projection serves as a thought exercise exploring potential scenarios rather than a definitive prediction. The ultimate outcome of the 2025 NFL draft for the Buffalo Bills will unfold organically over the next two years.
