NFL Draft best available players for Buffalo Bills: Cooper DeJean, Adonai Mitchell

The Buffalo Bills did something Thursday night that general manager Brandon Beane has never done before. He traded down from his original selection in the first round. And not only did he do it once, he did it again. The Bills moved down from No. 28 to No. 32, and then moved out of the first round completely, moving down one spot to No. 33 — the top spot in the second round.

For their efforts, the Bills improved a late fourth-round pick (No. 133) into a late third-round selection (No. 95), a late sixth-round pick (No. 200) into an early fifth-round pick (No. 141) and a late seventh-round pick (No. 248) into the top pick in the seventh round (No. 221). They now have pick Nos. 33, 60, 95, 128, 141, 144, 160, 163, 204 and 221 spread across Day 2 on Friday and Day 3 on Saturday.

Now with their pick of the litter as Day 2 opens up on Friday night, who is available, and who fits what the Bills could be looking for? Here’s our Bills big board heading into the second round.

*Arranged by The Athletic’s draft expert Dane Brugler’s Top 300

Jackson Powers-Johnson, C/G, Oregon (No. 23)

He has experience at both guard and center in college, making him a potential option at No. 33. Drafting him would indicate his future is as the long-term center, though.

Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa (No. 25)

For the Bills, he most likely would be a safety, and his fit is fascinating as precisely everything they covet in the position. Brugler writes that DeJean “anticipates well and credits his time as a high school quarterback for developing his feel in coverage.” DeJean comes from a zone-heavy defensive scheme, a college program Sean McDermott is especially fond of — the same one that yielded Micah Hyde. DeJean had seven interceptions over the past two years, is a noted strong tackler and has a high school baseball background. The fit is excellent; he would likely become a Day 1 starter and solidify their free safety spot over the next five seasons. Possessing the exact profile they look for at the position, and now no longer needing to deal with the positional value angle of taking a safety in the first round, DeJean is a legitimate possibility at No. 33.

Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois (No. 28)

A long-term pairing of Newton next to Ed Oliver has the potential to be a fun pass-rush pairing over the years. The only problem is that Newton’s best fit within the Bills’ system is likely three-technique, and the responsibilities he’d take on as a one-technique would involve block occupying on run downs, where Brugler wrote Newton “can get engulfed at times.”

Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia (No. 31)

A generally safe receiver prospect who will likely walk in, start for a team and be productive. His ceiling is the bigger question. And for the Bills specifically, his fit into 11 personnel may not be the cleanest. He does have the top-end speed to push down the field, though, which will be intriguing to them.

Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan (No. 32)

Kneeland is the prototypical defensive end they primarily go for in the draft, with long arms and great size. Like Robinson, though, Kneeland’s sack production is minimal compared to others, with only 13 over four seasons. Brugler wrote Kneeland’s “best football is yet to come,” which is how the Bills could justify using No. 33 on this profile.

Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas (No. 33)

Boasting the size and speed the Bills may covet out of the X-receiver position and showing some flashes of potential, he’s entirely on the radar for their top draft selection. His analytical profile could be better, but Brandon Beane has been known to swing for the fences with what he’s seen on tape, and Mitchell would qualify as that.

Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia (No. 34)

Besides being an excellent center prospect, he will likely get McDermott’s stamp of approval for being a decorated high school wrestler. Frazier isn’t quite as good of the athlete that Barton and Powers-Johnson tested as, but could be an option if both are off the board.

Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan (No. 34)

Jenkins has some versatility to his game as both a run defender and a pass rusher, though the biggest question the Bills would answer is if he could eventually be a starting one-technique. If they think he can, Jenkins would be in consideration on Day 2.

Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State (No. 37)

Coleman’s game at 6-foot-3, 213 pounds and only 4.61 speed is reliant upon contested catch wins due to inconsistent separation. Generally speaking, the Bills have gone away from that type of receiver since Josh Allen has been their quarterback and have favored separation above all else. However, even if he doesn’t have the long speed, Coleman is more of a fluid mover than his timed speed would indicate.

Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State (No. 38)

An athletic plug-and-play left guard, the best chance Beebe would get drafted by the Bills is if they thought he had a future at center. Spending a second-round pick on a guard in back-to-back years seems somewhat unlikely otherwise.

Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan (No. 41)

Wilson has some similarities to what the Bills have already on the roster, though he does have a vertical element to his game that could be intriguing to add. He also has outstanding footwork, which helps him separate either in the slot or outside.

Christian Haynes, G, Penn State (No. 47)

Haynes looks to be a guard-only prospect, which could limit the Bills ultimate interest in him in the second round. If they’re open to the idea, he tested very well athletically and could be a fit in their movement-based blocking scheme.

Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson (No. 51)

Orhorhoro has an intriguing profile due to potentially being versatile enough to play both three and one-technique in the Bills’ defensive scheme. He would be a potential target on Day 2.

Javon Bullard, S, Georgia (No. 53)

The quick summary on Bullard from Brugler is straight out of central casting for the Bills: “Overall, Bullard doesn’t have ideal size or length, but he is ultra-instinctive and makes his presence felt at all three levels of the field.” He is an ideal fit as a versatile safety who might be better in the Jordan Poyer role at strong safety as his base. If Bullard is on the board at No. 60, there’s definite potential the Bills could take him.

Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky (No. 54)

On the positive side, Corley’s run-after-catch ability is excellent, which is something the Bills are looking for more of. But Corley didn’t prove to be much of a downfield threat in targets and was primarily used closer to the line of scrimmage in college, which is how he best projects in the NFL. Despite his 207-pound frame, he might just wind up being a slot receiver who occasionally moves outside. The Bills need someone who can challenge defenses down the field, so there could be better fits.

Dominick Puni, G/T, Kansas (No. 56)

A versatile prospect who could play tackle, guard or center depending on team fit, Puni’s athleticism passes what they generally look for in offensive linemen.

Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon (No. 58)

There is a lot to like in the Bills’ pairing with a player who moves faster on tape than his 4.41 40-yard dash indicates and one with excellent yards after catch and separation skills. Franklin’s size is the biggest concern, as is if they think he can play X-receiver in their offense. But there’s a real argument that the Bills don’t have anyone quite like him on their roster.

Mike Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State (No. 60)

Hall Jr. would likely best fit into the Bills’ system as a three-technique and Oliver’s primary backup.

Andru Phillips, DB, Kentucky (No. 61)

Whether at cornerback or safety, his exact fit isn’t clear to this point, though his physicality and anticipation could make the Bills think he could be a safety in their system. After all, Hyde and Poyer were two converted college cornerbacks who made a home at safety in the NFL.

Maason Smith, DT, LSU (No. 64)

A possible fit as a long-term starting one-technique with the long arms to also rush the passer and play from three-technique. The Bills covet that versatility.

Adisa Isaac, EDGE, Penn State (No. 65)

The Bills have been more open to adding lighter edge defenders more recently if it means getting more pass rush production. At 247 pounds, but with nearly 34-inch long arms, Isaac could be an intriguing candidate to draft at No. 60.

Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama (No. 67)

He doesn’t have the prototypical size but boasts production (eight sacks in 2023) without being a “starter” by title. He might be best suited to a 3-4 defense, but his arms (33.25 inches) are long enough to pass the Bills’ usual threshold.

Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota (No. 68)

A bit more of a prototypical safety size-wise, Nubin’s big draw is his playmaking, having 13 interceptions and three forced fumbles throughout his college career. But what could hold the Bills back from Nubin is some hesitation in his game when playing center field. Regardless, this looks like a potential pairing with their second-round pick.

Cole Bishop, S, Utah (No. 70)

Bishop’s profile is a decent pairing with what the Bills have gone for in the past. His range to cover a lot of area with his speed and explosiveness is a strength, and he has “the football IQ to make plays at all three levels of the field,” according to Brugler.  If the Bills feel they can help him clean up some overaggressiveness tendencies, this pairing could work.

Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State (No. 71)

Fiske is more of a pass rusher than run defender at this point in his career, making him ideally suited to three-technique in the Bills’ scheme. The further into the draft it goes, the more likely the Bills would go for a three-technique to be Oliver’s primary backup.

Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington (No. 74)

If the Bills are looking for someone who has experience lining up at all three spots, along with the ability to win contested catch situations, Polk could be an option at No. 60. However, he is not the smoothest separator, which causes more contested situations than they might prefer. He also lacks elite size or speed. However, with his blocking skills and ability to play at X receiver in the Bills’ scheme, he could be a really productive starter.

Austin Booker, EDGE, Kansas (No. 78)

Size, traits and projection sums up Booker the best, but this is the type of edge rusher the Bills have gone for in the past. He has only 505 snaps in college to his name, so he’d be a project and rotational player for the first year or two.

Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami (FL) (No. 79)

Put an asterisk next to Kinchens because he’s one of the best fits based on what the Bills usually go for. Despite lacking elite speed and burst, the first line of his scouting report strengths reads that he “anticipates well from different alignments and plays to his natural instincts.” That screams he has football IQ and the versatility the Bills are looking for in a safety. Kinchens likely would be a free safety to highlight his ball-tracking skills, with the versatility to play both spots.

Miami’s Kamren Kinchens returns an interception for a touchdown during the third quarter against Virginia at Hard Rock Stadium. (Photo by Megan Briggs / Getty Images)

Trey Benson, RB, Florida State (No. 81)

It would likely be in a move down from No. 60 or a move up into the third round, but the Bills are in search of a long-term complementary back to James Cook. Brugler wrote Benson has “the burst and balance to stay afloat through contact.”

Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee (No. 83)

In a limited role compared to others, Wright showed terrific yards after contact that could lend itself well to what the Bills are looking for in a No. 2 back. He also has 4.38 speed and big-play ability.

Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest (No. 84)

Mustapha is likely more of the strong-safety type in the Bills’ scheme as a strong run defender with size. The overall coverage instincts could be a draw despite the limited playmaking production.

Isaiah Adams, G/T, Illinois (No. 85)

With starts at both left guard and right tackle, those are the two spots he’d potentially play for the Bills if Spencer Brown were to leave via free agency in 2025. Some believe he’s best inside at guard, which is still a need if they get him on late Day 2 or early Day 3.

Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina (No. 93)

Walker’s fit in the Bills offense likely would be similar to Franklin’s, but Franklin is the superior prospect because he is better collecting yards after the catch. Walker could wind up being an option at No. 60 if more receivers go off the board than expected in the first two rounds.

Jonah Elliss, EDGE, Utah (No. 94)

A bit undersized with 33-inch arm length, but Elliss had 12 sacks primarily playing at right defensive end in 2023. He’s an interesting target for Round 3 or Round 4.

Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU (No. 95)

Brugler said Wingo projects “as a not-as-explosive version of Oliver.” Pairing Wingo as Oliver’s primary backup could have some potential, especially since the Bills have a need for a backup three-technique.

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech (No. 96)

Taylor-Demerson has 33 passes defended and 10 interceptions over his three years, but Brugler writes he “plays with big eyes and can easily be manipulated by motions and misdirection. … (He) has the speed to course correct, but (his) coverage angles are often wild and behind the route.” Regardless, Taylor-Demerson’s production could put him in the running as a free safety target.

Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin (No. 97)

If the Bills are looking for a big-bodied back to try and pick up some tough yardage, here is a potential target in that third or fourth round range.

Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame (No. 98)

Estime is a big back who runs with power and has one of the better short-yardage abilities of the class. The Bills have a vacancy for that type of player.

Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama (No. 100)

Burton is an extremely talented receiver who could easily get drafted a lot earlier than some expect. The Bills’ pick at No. 60 might be their only opportunity to get him, which is likely a tad early, though his downfield ability could be a nice fit at X receiver despite being only 6-foot and 196 pounds.

Tanor Bortolini, C/G, Wisconsin (No. 109)

An athletic offensive lineman prospect with experience at both guard and center, Bortolini would project well to the Bills’ defensive scheme and potential role.

Javon Baker, WR, Central Florida (No. 120)

Baker may wind up as a late-third, early-fourth round target who could play across the formation. He doesn’t have incredible speed, but he has the playmaking ability to outperform his draft position, which would be maybe a round or two higher in most years.

Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa (No. 211)

A small-school, yet versatile defensive tackle prospect who could find a home for the Bills as a long-term one-technique over time.

(Top photo of Cooper DeJean: Matthew Holst / Getty Images)