ESPN NFL Mock Draft: Bills Pick Edmunds Replacement?

In a joint mock draft, draft gurus Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay combine to land Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson for the Buffalo Bills.

Opinions are like, um, mock drafts. This time of year, everybody has one.

With the NFL Draft looming next week in Kansas City, various mock drafts have already linked the Buffalo Bills to a dizzying assortment of players. With their 27th overall pick, there is no consensus.

Some say the Bills will take Texas running back Bijon Robinson. Another one predicts Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders. Or perhaps you lean into mocks suggesting general manager Brandon Beane likes Alabama safety Brian Branch ... Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid ... USC receiver Jordan Addison ... or even North Dakota State offensive lineman Cody Mauch.

Let's throw two more significant hats into the ring.

ESPN draft gurus Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay released their final joint mock draft this week, with the two alternating picks through three rounds.

Not surprisingly, they came up with a new name for Bills Mafia to toss onto the pile of first-round possibilities.

Round 1 (27): Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

Though Simpson may have a second-round grade, the Bills are desperate to replace Tremaine Edmunds. At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, he fits the physical mold. The worry is that the production Simpson - who met with Buffalo at the Scouting Combine - plummeted from 6.5 sacks in 2021 to only 2.5 last season as a junior.

Writes Kiper:

I’m breaking my rules a little bit, because I don’t have a first-round grade on Simpson. The Bills just don’t have many starting spots open, but they need a replacement inside for Tremaine Edmunds, who signed with the Bears. Simpson could fill that need; he has the coverage traits to play on third downs.

Round 2 (59): Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina

Since the Bills missed out on Odell Beckham Jr. and may wind up not acquiring Arizona Cardinals star DeAndre Hopkins, Downs would be a solid consolation prize.

Says Kiper:

This is another fit I had in my two-round mock draft. Downs could fill a role as Buffalo’s slot receiver. He is extremely quick.

Round 3 (91): Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M

Jordan Poyer relieved a lot of stress from this offseason when he re-signed with Buffalo. He and Micah Hyde are both 32, however, and the selection of Johnson feels like one with an eye on the future of the safety position.

Writes Kiper:

I’m surprised Johnson is still on the board. What are we doing, Todd? This is a great pick for Buffalo. Johnson played a ton of nickel corner for the Aggies, and he piled up tackles for them. For the Bills, this is a pick to get some help for their aging safeties.

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