These three teams could be a major thorn in the side of the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft
Picking 30th in the 2025 NFL Draft, there are only two teams in the first round that pick after the Buffalo Bills — the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. With plenty of teams ahead of them, Buffalo will run the risk of their top draft targets in the first round getting scooped up […]
Picking 30th in the 2025 NFL Draft, there are only two teams in the first round that pick after the Buffalo Bills — the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. With plenty of teams ahead of them, Buffalo will run the risk of their top draft targets in the first round getting scooped up by the teams ahead of them.
With the draft order set, let's take a look at three teams that pose the greatest risk to the Bills in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Spoiler alert — it's the three teams picking directly in front of them, which should make for quite the stressful draft night.
Baltimore Ravens – 27th overall
The Ravens are a threat to go after any of the three main positions of need for the Bills — defensive tackle, edge, and cornerback. Ryan Mink of baltimoreravens.com especially sees the desire for the Ravens to go after a disruptive defensive tackle with pass rushing upside, which is exactly what the Bills would be looking for.
It's entirely possible that the Ravens draft a defensive tackle in the first round. Yes, they need to replace Michael Pierce, but I think this is less about finding another block-eating, run-stopping nose tackle and more about finding a disruptive force that can take the defensive line to another level.
That's the kind of impact that Oregon's Derrick Harmon or Ole Miss' Walter Nolen – two defensive line prospects who may be in the Ravens' range with the 27th-overall pick – could have. Harmon had five sacks and 11 tackles for loss last season for the Ducks. Nolen posted 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. Massive Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant is more of a run-stopping monster who is developing his pass rush game.
If the Bills have a player circled along the defensive line, they'll have to sweat through the Ravens selection first.
Detroit Lions – 28th overall
The Lions are a pretty big threat for taking an edge rusher with the 28th pick. They're obviously set with Aidan Hutchinson on one side, but he could benefit from a running mate off the other end.
According to our own Mike Payton, there has been plenty of interest between the Lions and multiple Edge rushers in this class, like Shemar Stewart out of Texas A&M, who they would likely need to trade up to acquire.
I don't expect the Lions to be a threat to the defensive tackles that the Bills could be interested in, but Edge is definitely a position that could take a hit with this pick.
Washington Commanders – 29th overall
There was no team was more surprising in the NFL last season than the Washington Commanders, who went from holding the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to making it to the NFC Championship Game.
Much like the Lions, Washington is very heavily linked to the Edge market. It's a glaring hole on their roster. Clelin Ferrell and Dorance Armstrong are currently the top two edges on the roster, which doesn't exactly impose much of a threat to opposing offenses.
With these two teams potentially both going after pass rushers depending on how the board falls, it would then theoretically put the Bills in a situation where the edge rushers that they might consider would be off the board. In this situation, ideally that means that a defensive tackle or a very talented cornerback falls into their laps to make their selection at 30th overall.
Buffalo Bills decision to not extend James Cook yet could pay off for GM Brandon Beane in bittersweet way
Beane’s approach right be the right one.
Follow along all year for more Buffalo Bills coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on Bluesky @jonhelmkamp.bsky.social, and make sure to follow our main page @AtoZSports.bsky.social for all the latest news.