Buffalo Bills Will Draft Teammate Brian Thomas Jr., LSU Star Predicts

The Buffalo Bills are in the market for a receiver, and LSU has two first-round prospects waiting to be picked. Will either make their way to Buffalo?

17. Jacksonville Jaguars Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU / Scott Clause / USA TODAY NETWORK

Everybody and their mother is mocking a receiver to the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the NFL Draft. Now, more than ever, that feels like a certainty.

There are no guarantees on draft day, but between the departure of deep threat Gabe Davis and the unceremonious trade of star Stefon Diggs, Buffalo would border on folly for not taking a receiver with an early-round pick.

Fortunately for the Bills, this draft class is filled with receiving talent, especially around pick No. 28, where they are currently slotted. Atop this class is Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., Washington’s Rome Odunze, and LSU’s Malik Nabers, none of which will be available without a trade toward the very top of the draft.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU / Scott Clause / USA TODAY NETWORK

Nabers, though, may have an idea of where his teammate, Brian Thomas Jr., will land.

While livestreaming on Instagram, Nabers playfully joked about Thomas being taken by Buffalo.

“Brian Thomas … I think he’s gonna be a Buffalo Bill, y’all,” Nabers said with a laugh. “Buffalo Bill!”

Nabers made his playful comment in between sips of his drink, as if to imply he knew something. Whether he does or not is unknown, and he certainly isn’t being drafted for his ability to speculate, but picking Thomas makes a lot of sense for general manager Brandon Beane.

Obviously, the Bills need help at receiver – particularly both spots on the boundary. Thomas flourished as an X receiver with the Tigers and boasts a size/speed profile that is hard to ignore. At a tick under 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, Thomas’ 4.34-second 40-yard dash was something to behold, and his explosiveness metrics back it up.

Thomas is a bona fide deep threat who is at his best stacking defenders downfield, but his speed and fluidity provide optimism for him to make an impact underneath, after the catch, and crossing the middle of the field. There are some questions about his route tree and toughness, but he’s talented enough for Bills fans to clamor for him well before Davis’ departure was imminent.

Thus, it’s no surprise – per NFL Mock Draft Database – Thomas is the most frequently-mocked prospect to Buffalo. He is followed by Texas’ Adonai Mitchell and Oregon’s Troy Franklin, two speedsters who also reside in the second tier of receiving prospects in this year’s class.

Perhaps Nabers knows something we don’t, but for now Thomas can reasonably be mocked to Buffalo with the expectation that the Bills acquire someone from that group of receivers, even if the LSU star lands elsewhere.