Buffalo Bills: Defensive-heavy 2021 seven-round mock draft
Just days away from the 2021 NFL Draft, the anticipation is at an all-time high for football fans everywhere. For the Buffalo Bills and Bills Mafia, they will have to wait nearly the longest on Thursday night for their first-round pick. But here, we have all seven rounds worth of picks for the Bills in this 2021 NFL mock draft.
After reaching the AFC Championship Game on the wings of quarterback, Josh Allen, and his MVP-caliber season, the Buffalo Bills will look to use the 2021 NFL Draft to round out their roster for another potential Super Bowl run.
In this 2021 NFL mock draft, the Buffalo Bills use the majority of their picks on their defense, hoping to keep the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs in check down the stretch. Without many glaring positions of need, the Buffalo Bills can afford to draft the best available player at each spot in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Buffalo Bills hold seven picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. They do not have a third-round pick but do have two fourth-rounders. In this 2021 NFL mock draft, the Bills go defense with five of their seven picks, including their first three selections.
Let’s get this 2021 NFL mock draft started with the Buffalo Bills 2021 NFL Draft first-round pick.
Pick Analysis. 1. player. 16. Scouting Report. EDGE. Miami. Gregory Rousseau
Gregory Rousseau is by far one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. While there are many question marks, Rousseau has the talent and the upside to warrant this selection in this 2021 NFL mock draft by the Buffalo Bills.
The Buffalo Bills currently have veterans Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison manning the edges of their defensive line. They invested their top pick in a defensive end in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft with A.J. Epenesa, but Rousseau seems to be on the next level.
Despite playing just one full season in his college career, it was one of the most productive years that you could imagine. As a redshirt freshman, following a season-ending ankle injury in 2018, Rousseau led the ACC and finished second in the nation with 15.5 sacks.
After sitting out the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, Rousseau has been falling down draft boards throughout the 2021 NFL Draft process. However, despite the injury history and the small body of work, the tape shows what Rousseau is capable of at the next level.
With an impressive blend of size, strength, and athleticism, Rousseau displays his ability to rack up numbers. Rousseau displays an impressive first step and has great bend around the edge. Sometimes he can be stagnant once engaged in a block, but his ability to knife into the backfield and disrupt plays is incredible.
Rousseau is a versatile player who can line up anywhere on the defensive line. While I think he fits perfectly as a 4-3 defensive end in Sean McDermott and Leslie Frazier’s defense, they can move him around throughout the game. He even has a prowess for blocking kicks.
Some evaluators have a third-round grade on Gregory Rousseau, while others still see his top 10 potential. I don’t think Rousseau falls out of the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and may not last to the Buffalo Bills. But with him still being on the board in this 2021 NFL mock draft, he is the pick.