NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills Mulling Small-School Replacement for Stefon Diggs?

The Buffalo Bills has 10 selections in the upcoming NFL Draft and will likely be spending one or more on the receiver position. Southeast Missouri product Ryan Flournoy is one of multiple WR prospects to visit Buffalo.

Jan 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills are turning over every stone while evaluating the wide receivers' pool ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.

In addition to Power 5 conference prospects like Texas Longhorns speedster Xavier Worthy and Oregon record-setter Troy Franklin, the Bills have hosted small-school pass-catcher Ryan Flournoy on an official Top 30 pre-draft visit. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Buffalo met with the Southeast Missouri product on Wednesday.

The Bills are in the market for a receiver to help soften the blow from Stefon Diggs' departure. With 10 total selections, including three fifth-rounders, Buffalo will could add multiple pass-catchers through the draft.

Feb 1, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; American wide receiver Ryan Flournoy of Southeast Missouri (13) turns / Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

After earning back-to-back all-conference selections while competing in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Flournoy has made a name for himself on the pre-draft evaluation circuit. The 6-1 target caught the attention of scouts during Reese's Senior Bowl practices, showing reliable hands and an ability to win on vertical routes.

Flournoy flashed adequate speed at the NFL Combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.44s. That time was fractions faster than the marks recorded by Washington receiver Rome Odunze (4.45) and Rice's Luke McCaffrey (4.46). His 39.5-inch vertical jump edged out Odunze (39") and LSU's Brian Thomas Jr. (38.5") amongst notable receiver participants.

Over two seasons —a 22-game span— for SEMO, the junior college transfer made 118 catches for 1,823 yards and 13 touchdowns. Flournoy added two touchdowns on the ground and one on a kick return. In the 2023 season opener against Big 12 member Kansas State, he totaled 96 yards on 10 grabs.

Although they carried a higher profile than Flournoy, Cooper Kupp and Christian Watson are two receivers who have found notable success making the jump from the FCS to the NFL. In a draft pool that's overflowing with talented receivers, Flournoy projects as a Day 3 pick but has the potential to be an immediate contributor.

Although he played a minimal role as a rookie, the Bills drafted Khalil Shakir with a fifth-round pick in 2022. The Los Angeles Rams found Puka Nacua in Round 5 last year and the overlooked prospect proceeded to rank fourth overall amongst NFL receiving leaders for the 2023 season.