Top 5 Wide Receivers Left to Draft for The Buffalo Bills
Brandon Beane and the Buffalo Bills now hold the first pick in the second round after a pair of trade downs on night one of the NFL Draft, and there are plenty of excellent options still on the board. Bills Mafia is clamoring for a wide receiver, and some options previously considered for 28th overall are still available. Here are the best wide receivers still available with the Buffalo Bills on the clock.
Troy Franklin, University of Oregon
Troy Franklin is a damn good football player. The Oregon product continuously grew on the field over three straight seasons, wrapping up with an 81/1,381/14 stat line in his junior season, all while playing with a quarterback with an ADOT of only 7.0 yards, which was one of the lowest in the entire country.
He has top-end speed that can rival anyone in this draft, and looks like a gazelle in the open field, and would be a locked and loaded Day 1 starter on the outside that gives a length and speed element to the perimeter that Buffalo is sorely missing.
Ja’Lynn Polk, University of Washington
Here’s a sneaky option at 33rd that I don’t think is being considered enough – Ja’Lynn Polk, the running mate opposite Rome Odunze (by the way, RIP to the Odunze trade up dream. It was fun while it lasted).
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Polk has good size at 6’1” 203 lbs, has some of the best hands in the class, is great going up and getting it in contested catch situations, and is a crispy route runner. He’s one of my favorite wide receivers in this class that I’m higher on than most. I would prefer Franklin, but if Buffalo values a wide receiver with a bit more physicality and bulk, Polk would be a great fit.
Ladd McConkey, University of Georgia
Ladd hive, assemble. Ladd McConkey, who is absolutely not a slot receiver, is arguably the best separator in this year’s draft. Period. McConkey lined up wide 118 times last year, and in the slot only 32 times.
McConkey’s route running and ability to dust defenders and find himself with 10 yards of space around him pops off the screen. Oh, and he ran a 4.39 40. He’s athletic, he’s an outside separator, and he continuously finds himself wide open.
Javon Baker, UCF
Javon Baker is a late riser in this draft cycle largely because there wasn’t a lot of tape available on him early, but once the film got out there, people, myself included, began falling in love. He’s got the size at 6’1” 202 lbs, and of note, he has a wingspan that’s a full inch longer than Marvin Harrison Jr.
His ability to elevate, to use his strong hands and body control to his advantage in contested catch situations, is fantastic. Seeing him in person at the Senior Bowl, he’s a wide receiver that operates quietly. It isn’t always flashy – instead, it’s so smooth that it looks effortless. I love his game, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bills do too.
Adonai Mitchell, University of Texas
There were plenty of rumors about Adonai Mitchell going as high as 15-20, and is still available entering Day 2. As a reminder, checking in at 6’2” 205 lbs, Mitchell tore up the Combine with a 4.34 40-yard dash to go along with a 39.5” vertical leap and 11’4” broad jump. Mitchell was always going to test well, but he tested much better than expected.
He’s still raw, but Mitchell has size, athleticism, and flexibility to be a dangerous route runner. If he’s the pick at 33rd overall, it’s one that I can get behind.
Every Pick Made By Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane
Gallery Credit: Brett Alan