LATEST NEWS: 2 sneaky good players Bills must take in 2024 NFL Draft
The upcoming 2024 NFL Draft holds significant importance for the Buffalo Bills, particularly considering their current financial constraints and the limited avenues for adding top-tier talent, barring a blockbuster trade. With the 28th overall pick, the Bills have a crucial opportunity to bolster their roster, starting with their first-round selection. The focus should be on making a substantial impact, whether by selecting Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman or Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson.
Given their late position in the first round, Buffalo may miss out on premier wide receivers like Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers. It’s expected that several other WR prospects will be off the board before the Bills make their pick at No. 28.
While the exact pool of available talent will become clearer after the NFL Combine in late February, the options at that point may include Coleman, LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr., or Oregon’s Troy Franklin. Among these prospects, Coleman stands out as the top choice for the Bills.
However, if Coleman isn’t available, the Bills should pivot towards addressing a position of need, even if it’s not a traditional first-round priority. This could lead them to select the best center prospect in the draft, Powers-Johnson from Oregon.
Keon Coleman, WR, FSU
It’s highly likely that Gabe Davis will depart in free agency this offseason. While he has shown flashes of potential, particularly in his remarkable performance against the Chiefs, he has struggled to consistently deliver at the level expected, often faltering in critical moments.
With the need for change opposite Stefon Diggs, selecting Keon Coleman in the draft appears to be the ideal solution. Coleman, a standout from FSU, possesses the physical attributes and playstyle reminiscent of elite X receivers like A.J. Brown, Mike Evans, or DK Metcalf. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 215 pounds, Coleman may not offer the same deep threat as Davis, but he has the potential to evolve into a top-tier No. 1 receiver over time.
Positioning Coleman at the X position, allowing him to engage in one-on-one matchups against smaller corners, could be a strategic move for the Bills. This arrangement would enable offensive coordinator Joe Brady to deploy a diverse set of weapons, including Diggs, Dalton Kincaid (or Dawson Knox), and Khalil Shakir, on the opposite side of the formation, creating confusion for opposing defenses through motion.
Despite his stature and not possessing elite speed, Coleman’s impressive performance in 2023—50 catches for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns—demonstrates his potential impact. Additionally, his ability to contribute in punt returns further highlights his versatility and skill with the ball in his hands.
If Keon Coleman is available at pick 28 in the NFL draft, it’s imperative for the Bills to select him. Even if he’s within reach around pick No. 22, General Manager Brandon Beane should consider trading up a few spots to secure him, aligning with his tendency to make strategic moves during the draft.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
While Keon Coleman remains the top priority for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL draft, there’s a possibility he may not be available after showcasing his exceptional size and athleticism at the NFL combine.
In the event that Coleman is not an option, the Bills should redirect their focus to the center position. Although interior offensive line isn’t typically considered a premium position in the draft, securing a plug-and-play starter at pick 28, akin to their successful acquisition of O’Cyrus Torrence in the second round last year, would still be a prudent move.
Current center Mitch Morse is a reliable player, but with him turning 32 in April and set to earn $11.4 million next season, it’s likely Buffalo will need to release him this offseason to alleviate cap constraints. Enter Jackson Powers-Johnson, a massive center standing at 6-foot-3, 334 pounds, who offers the kind of size the Bills prefer, similar to Torrence at 6-foot-5, 347 pounds.
Despite only starting one season for the Ducks, Powers-Johnson boasts an impressive resume, earning unanimous All-American honors and the Rimington Award for the nation’s best center. Additionally, he offers versatility, capable of playing both center and guard positions.
While centers are not commonly selected in the first round, those who do often become long-term starters for their respective teams. Recent examples include Tyler Linderbaum (Baltimore Ravens, No. 25, 2022), Cesar Ruiz (New Orleans Saints, No. 24, 2020), Garrett Bradbury (Minnesota Vikings, No. 18, 2019), Frank Ragnow (Detroit Lions, No. 20, 2018), and Billy Price (Cincinnati Bengals, No. 21, 2018). Among them, Price is the lone bust, with Bradbury, Ruiz, Linderbaum, and Ragnow establishing themselves as Pro Bowl-caliber players.
Powers-Johnson has the potential to join this esteemed group as a standout starter if selected by the Bills in the first round. However, if General Manager Brandon Beane can secure him in the second round as he did with Torrence, it would be an even more favorable outcome.