'Buffalo could regret not doing more there' – ESPN's Mel Kiper has mixed feelings on the Bills' 2025 NFL Draft haul
ESPN's Mel Kiper had some mixed feelings about the Buffalo Bills' 2025 NFL Draft haul. Kiper gave Buffalo a "B-" for their 2025 draft efforts, specifically praising the Bills for their first round selection of cornerback Maxwell Hairston. The longtime ESPN draft analyst also liked the Bills' decision to draft edge rusher Landon Jackson in […]
ESPN's Mel Kiper had some mixed feelings about the Buffalo Bills' 2025 NFL Draft haul.
Kiper gave Buffalo a "B-" for their 2025 draft efforts, specifically praising the Bills for their first round selection of cornerback Maxwell Hairston. The longtime ESPN draft analyst also liked the Bills' decision to draft edge rusher Landon Jackson in the third round and defensive tackle Deone Walker in the fourth round.
"Third-round edge rusher Landon Jackson and fourth-round defensive tackle Deone Walker will contribute on the D-line, too," noted Kiper. "They both have pass-rush upside, but I think the run-defense traits might be even more important for them."
Kiper, on the other hand, thought the Bills reached for defensive lineman TJ Sanders.
"It was a reach," wrote Kiper of Buffalo's decision to select Sanders in the second round. "Sanders was 126th on my board — and the Bills had to trade up to get him. But they had eight sacks from inside last season, third fewest in the league, and that's Sanders' specialty."
Kiper also questioned why the Bills didn't do more in the draft get quarterback Josh Allen some help, suggesting that Buffalo "could regret not doing more" on the offensive side of the ball.
From ESPN: Not taking a receiver until No. 240 (Kaden Prather) was curious. The Bills' first five picks went to defense, only the second time in the common draft era they've done that (2006). Chase Lundt is a depth right tackle. Jackson Hawes is a blocking tight end. While Buffalo walked away from the draft with some defensive upgrades, quarterback Josh Allen's unit didn't improve this month. Buffalo could regret not doing more there.
You can't solve every problem in the draft. And if a team tries to solve every problem, they'll likely end up making some ill-advised selections. The Bills went with a best player available approach throughout the draft, and I think that's an approach that will pay off in a big way for the franchise.
Drafting the best player, instead of drafting for need, is almost always going to yield a better draft haul.
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