2021 NFL Draft: Jets, Panthers fill QB need in three-round mock draft
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, 14th overall
16. Scouting Report. Alabama. player. 14. Pick Analysis. CB. Patrick Surtain II
The Buffalo Bills had a fantastic 2020 season and have a strong roster that is set up for long-term success. With this in mind, they can get aggressive in the 2021 NFL Draft and target a specific player in a trade-up if the right opportunity presents itself. In this mock draft, cornerback Patrick Surtain II slid down the board a bit, presenting the Bills with that opportunity to make that move up the board.
In this trade, the Bills send the 30th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and their third-round pick this year and next year to the Minnesota Vikings to come up to No. 14 to snag Surtain. The Bills have a strong overall group in the secondary but lack a true No. 2 cornerback to play opposite of Tre’Davious White. Adding Surtain to the mix would immediately solve that problem.
Surtain is not a physical freak at the cornerback position. He has good size, speed and athleticism, but is not special in any of those areas. That being said, he is an extremely smart and aware defensive back who always finds himself in the right position. Surtain displays tremendous natural instincts on the outside, has fantastic ball skills and shines in both man and zone coverage.
The Buffalo Bills do not have many holes on their roster and could get aggressive to fill one of their few needs on the roster. Surtain is clearly one of the best cornerbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft class and would be a fantastic trade-up target for the team in this scenario.