NFL Mock Draft: Bills Find Replacement for WR Gabe Davis in LSU's Brian Thomas Jr.

The Buffalo Bills could look to upgrade their offensive weapons cache by using their first-round draft pick on an LSU receiver who led the NCAA in touchdown catches in 2023.

The Buffalo Bills need a clear-cut No. 2 receiver to play opposite WR1 Stefon Diggs and the most-feasible method of acquiring one this offseason is likely through the NFL Draft.

Even if the seemingly unlikely happens and Gabe Davis re-signs, Buffalo's offense will benefit from additional firepower amongst the receiving corps. That's why the latest projection from ESPN's Field Yates makes sense.

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Yates' mock draft sends LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to the Bills at No. 28 overall. In the proposed scenario, Buffalo would pass on selecting Florida State's Keon Coleman and make Thomas the fourth receiver drafted in Round 1 behind Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU's Malik Nabers and Washington's Rome Odunze, who all went in the Top 7.

Thomas appears to be a logical fit for the Bills due to his dangerous blend of size and speed. Tight end Dalton Kincaid (73 receptions), last year's first-round pick, successfully fulfilled the "Swole" Beasley role, but the Bills' offense still needs a pass-catcher that can stretch the field on the outside and take advantage of quarterback Josh Allen's bazooka arm.

Ideally, Buffalo would feature enough size and speed on the perimeter, which would allow the team to potentially line Diggs up in the slot at times. Thomas has the potential to be "that guy."

At 6-4, Thomas has one of the wider catch radiuses amongst draft prospects and his speed allows him to separate from defenders. He played 38 games over three seasons for LSU. Solidifying a full-time starter role for 2023, Thomas recorded a nation-high 17 touchdown receptions over 13 appearances. He totaled 1,177 yards on 68 catches.

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ESPN Writes:

"Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU ... No player scored more receiving touchdowns in 2023 than Thomas (17), and his deep speed and acceleration might be unparalleled in this class. The Bills have relied on Gabe Davis as a deep threat in recent seasons, but he is a free agent and has been an up-and-down contributor (nine games last season with two or fewer catches). Thomas would provide a vertical spark for Josh Allen and a Buffalo offense that did not produce a single play of 20-plus yards in its divisional round loss to Kansas City."