Bills Had Draft Meeting with John Michael Schmitz, Who Admires Buffalo's Mitch Morse

Minnesota's John Michael Schmitz, arguably the top center in the 2023 NFL Draft, revealed that Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse is a guy he looks up to at the position.

The Buffalo Bills are almost certain to target some offensive line depth in the 2023 NFL Draft, and could even do so with their first pick at No. 27 late in the opening round.

But despite the center position essentially being locked up for the next two seasons with veteran Mitch Morse under contract through 2024, the Bills are still dipping their toes (hooves?) in the waters of this draft class to see what there's to offer at the position.

Per reports from Syracuse.com, the Bills had a zoom meeting with Minnesota Golden Gophers center John Michael Schmitz. Considered by many projections to be the top center in the draft, the Bills would be getting a "well-schooled" player, per NFL.com's scouting report.

And interestingly enough, there's already a slight connection between the two sides. Schmitz just so happened to mention Morse as one of the main centers in the league that he looks up to.

“There’s a lot of great centers out there in the league, especially Mitch Morris," Schmitz said, per WIVB 4 News in Buffalo. "He’s definitely showed how valuable he is especially at the center position. I would just say his leadership. How connected that o-line room is and you see that and how they play."

Schmitz helped lead a dominant Golden Gophers rushing attack this past season, which ranked second in the Big Ten in yards per game on the ground (207.5). Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim, who is one of the top running back prospects in this class, led the conference with 1,665 rushing yards in 2022.

Schmitz has had some first-round projections leading up to the draft this offseason but is likely headed toward being a second-round pick. If he's able to fall to the Bills at No. 59 overall in the second round, Buffalo would be getting arguably the best player at the position, who could then learn behind Morse over the next few seasons.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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