2022 NFL Draft: Intriguing first round prospects for the Buffalo Bills
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — With the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, hype around who the Buffalo Bills will choose with their first round pick is starting to turn into the real deal.
Bills Mafia will have to add an extra boost of caffeine to their Thursday diets. Buffalo holds the 25th pick in the draft, which isn’t expected to come until after the 11 o’clock hour. Of course, Buffalo could always trade up, or even trade down, which would add even more waiting time to see what the selection will be.
If the Bills do stay put at 25, the selection could be between a wide variety of players. The 2022 NFL Draft is said to be as unclear a draft as any in recent memory. With 24 picks before them, there’s also no way to tell who may or may not still be on the board.
As always though, mock drafts point to a few options that stand out above the rest. Here’s who that could be for the Buffalo Bills.
Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
Despite Clemson having a less than stellar season, Booth anchored a shutdown secondary. The Tigers’ top corner picked off three passes last season, making 37 total tackles in the process. This helped him to a second straight spot on the ACC’s second-team.
What makes Booth a valuable choice for the Bills is their need for an experienced cornerback and Booth’s fire to excel. NFL.com lists some of Booth’s qualities as "consistently competitive and urgent in his coverage."
As the Bills look to add depth to a position group that will be without Levi Wallace and the questions surrounding the healthy return of Tre White, Booth could answer the bell.
Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
The Buffalo Bills used free agency to bring in Jamison Crowder to replace Cole Beasey. Crowder is a seven-year vet at the tail end of his prime, so the slot receiver position is a viable first-round option, especially to get Josh Allen top-notch help for the future.
Dotson played four years at Penn State, eventually turning into the number one option on the Nitany Lions offense. The 5-foot-11, 184 pound receiver caught 91 passes for 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021.
While that type of production in the NFL would be a few years away, it’s important to note Dotson’s playmaking abilities after the catch. That’s an area of football Buffalo struggled in, which is partly because of Josh Allen’s ability to move the ball down the field with his arm strength. Having a another position player to help in that department isn’t a bad thing/
Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
Drafting a running back in the first round might be enough to tick off a few loyal supporters of Bills Mafia. Yet every year, one or two teams with late picks tries to solidify its running game by choosing a college stud. Buffalo already has the passing game set down to a science and is lacking a strong half back.
Hall played three years at Iowa State, finishing top ten in Heisman voting twice. He brokeout during his sophomore season, rushing for 1,572 yards and 21 touchdowns. Hall’s consistency shined through. Playing with a target on his back, he still gained over 1,400 yards on the ground in 2021 and found the endzone 20 times. Come on? Couldn’t get to 21 again??
Hall is a 6’1" tank of a running back and that’s what Buffalo might just be missing. They’ve got speed out of the backfield, but no one to bulldoze over the opposition. Can Breece Hall be the guy they need?
Other strong options
- Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
- Daxton Hill, DB, Michigan
- Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
- Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
- Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
- Trent McDuffie, DB, Washington
- Trevor Penning, OT/OG, Northern Iowa
- Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College