ESPN analyst's early 2025 NFL Mock Draft has Buffalo Bills selecting Ohio State talent at position of need

All eyes are set on the new football season that's about to begin, but it's never a bad idea to keep the following year's NFL Draft on the back burner of the mind. ESPN's Field Yates is making sure that people don't forget about it as he released his first, and very early, 2025 NFL Mock […]

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Donovan Jackson
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All eyes are set on the new football season that's about to begin, but it's never a bad idea to keep the following year's NFL Draft on the back burner of the mind. 

ESPN's Field Yates is making sure that people don't forget about it as he released his first, and very early, 2025 NFL Mock Draft. 

Field Yates is still optimistic about the Buffalo Bills in 2024

At the top of his mock draft, he expressed several caveats, which are important to keep in mind. Firstly, it's very early. Player valuations will change dramatically over the course of this college football season, propelling some players from the depths of the board high into the first round, and sending some prospect names tumbling. It happens every year. Secondly, Yates expressed that this mock draft is based on ESPN's Football Power Index to determine draft order. Thirdly, Yates clarifies that this mock draft is based on player talent than team needs, as needs can, and likely will, change between now and the NFL Draft.

With that said, he has the Buffalo Bills selecting 26th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, which would make them a playoff team that makes the Divisional Round. Yates starts his explanation of the Bills pick by saying:

"I'm bullish on the Bills this season, and I believe they will still be able to thrive that that rebuilt receivers room."

That's a good amount of faith in an offense that will be featuring a rookie at wide receiver in Keon Coleman and is missing their top two wide receiver targets from the season prior.

Pick 26 in the 2024 NFL Draft went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were a Divisional Round exit after losing to the Detroit Lions. There's a whole conversation here about team expectations that we need to have another time.

Yates has the Bills selecting Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State

Here's what Yates had to say about his selection for the Bills, a Guard out of Ohio State in Donovan Jackson.

"[The Bills] will be relying heavily on Josh Allen, which is why I have my eyes on offensive line help in the draft. Jackson is a rock-solid player. He has a very good frame (6-4, 320 pounds), knock-you-back power in the run game, the short-area quickness to pass protect and a ton of experience (39 games, 26 starts). He'll be a longtime starter in the NFL."

I don't disagree with his assessment of the team this year, or of Jackson, who is a very talented interior offensive lineman. Even though Yates proceeded his article by saying that this mock draft is based on talent, he clearly had team need in the back of his head for the Bills. At this point, I would say the interior of the offensive line, particularly on the left side, is one of the bigger question marks for Buffalo.

Donovan Jackson has the athleticism, but occasionally lacks consistency. I'm aware of him, but it would be foolish for me not to get the opinion of our resident Ohio State expert here at A to Z, so I did exactly that. 

“Jackson is a player that is only 21 years old and has already played in 39 college football games. Likely a guard only at the NFL level, Jackson has a quick first step and is a mover on the interior. To develop as a pro and even in his last year at Ohio State, Jackson needs to improve his pad level to stay keyed in on blocks. Right now, I believe that Jackson is a pretty good guard that goes in the second or third-round range. If he can put it all together and show more consistency in 2024, the Buckeye could sneak into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.” – Brandon Little, A to Z Sports

There you have. Quite frankly, it sounds a bit like a Beane pick, if we're being honest. Lately, Beane has had an affinity for players that are toolsy, have athletic traits, and need a little developing. Buffalo's offensive line coach Aaron Kromer could do wonders with the big ball of clay that Jackson is.

There's plenty to be decided over the next eight months before the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off in Green Bay, but this is an interesting thought, and match, from Yates.

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