Bills Central

Standout Ohio State CB a popular target for Bills in early 2025 NFL Mock Drafts

The Buffalo Bills could be in need of a starting corner in 2025 and one Ohio State Buckeye has become a popular mock draft selection.

Greg Vorse

Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke (10) celebrates a tackle during the first quarter of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against the Missouri Tigers at AT&T Stadium.
Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke (10) celebrates a tackle during the first quarter of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against the Missouri Tigers at AT&T Stadium. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA
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When the Buffalo Bills enter the 2025 NFL Draft, one position on defense may stand out as an area of need: cornerback.

There are several reasons why the Bills could—and should—target the position in the near future, but the obvious are a lack of depth and proven talent. Buffalo's current depth chart-topper, Rasul Douglas, is signed through 2024, so he could be gone in free agency after the upcoming season. Former first-round pick Kaiir Elam, who has been underwhelming through his professional career thus far, will enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2025; Buffalo will have the opportunity to pick up his fifth-year option, but that doesn't seem likely at this juncture. Then there's Christian Benford, who does appear to be a long-term piece but, too, is only signed through 2025. Add this all together, and you see why a corner could be a top priority for the Bills.

With an obvious need at cornerback, there's one name that keeps appearing in early 2025 mock drafts for the Bills: Denzel Burke out of Ohio State. The 6-foot, 190lb, 21-year-old has the pedigree. He was considered a four-star prospect coming out of high school by most national scouts and is now listed as the No. 2 corner in the 2025 rookie crop by On3 just behind rival Will Johnson of Michigan.

Related: 2024 Bills Training Camp Primer: Breaking down the quarterbacks

The latest to mock Burke to the Bills is Pro Football Focus, tabbing Buffalo to pick the Buckeye at pick No. 28 in 2025. PFF gave Burke an 81.7 coverage grade for 2023 and likes his ability to play both man and zone for Sean McDermott.

Pro Football Network also joined the Burke to Buffalo hype train this week, with the Bills selecting him at pick No. 28, too. PFN notes that Burke is a willing run-supporter on defense and calls him a "gnat" when it comes to man coverage.

Earlier this offseason, both the Associated Press and Draft Kings linked Burke to Brandon Beane. Draft Kings, like PFF and PFN, said they would take the corner with the 28th pick, while AP was a little more bullish on Buffalo with them tabbing Burke at 29.

The Phoenix, AZ native had some of his best performances in his biggest games, only being targeted a total of four times against Missouri and Notre Dame, who finished last year ranked eighth and 14th, respectively. According to PFF, he limited his assignment to 277 yards in 2023 and just one touchdown all season, while playing almost 600 snaps.

If you're not familiar with Burke, he will have plenty of chances to become a household name for the presumed preseason #1 Buckeyes. Ohio State will play at Oregon and Penn State before looking to snap a three-game losing streak to Michigan when they host the Wolverines to end the regular season on Saturday, November 30th.

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Greg Vorse
GREG VORSE

Greg Vorse joined SI to cover the Bills in July of 2024. Greg has spent two decades covering Buffalo football, first as a sports reporter for WJET (ABC) in Erie, Pennsylvania, from 2004 to 2007, then, starting in the summer of 2007, for Time Warner/Spectrum News. He was an award-winning broadcaster during his time on television for stories on the high school, college, and professional ranks. Greg has also covered the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers during his broadcasting and journalism careers. Aside from a love of athletic competition, Greg, his wife, and their two children enjoy vacationing and changing the stereotypes of pit bull terriers.

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