Buffalo Bills: Defensive-heavy 2021 seven-round mock draft

Safety is another position that doesn’t necessarily seem to be at the forefront of needs for the Buffalo Bills, but you always have to be looking towards the future, and the value is just too good to pass up.

Since Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer both came to the Buffalo Bills in 2017, they have been one of the best safety duos in the league. Both are on rather moderate contracts for their positions at this point and are both getting up there in age, as it relates to the NFL. The team may decide to move on from one, or both, of these outstanding players in the near future and need to be prepared for this situation.

If the Buffalo Bills were to move on from Jordan Poyer in the coming years, Paris Ford would be an ideal replacement. Ford is one of my absolute favorite players in the 2021 NFL Draft and I cannot believe that he lasted this long in this 2021 NFL mock draft.

Ford is a dynamic player that really does everything well. He is effective around the scrimmage, always willing to lay the boom against any opponent. He is an extremely fiery player who will bring the level of energy that you look for every single snap.

In coverage, Ford is physical in man coverage and has impressive instincts when dropping in zone. With his physicality, he is very effective at the catch point, rarely letting a pass get completed if he can get near it.

Although he may be a little slim at this point for his style of play at the next level, getting him in an NFL weight room and learning from guys like Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, Sean McDermott, and Leslie Frazier could be the best thing for him. If he has some time to grow and develop, Paris Ford could be a superstar in the NFL.

Noah Gray is listed as a tight end but lined up all over the place throughout his college career. In Duke’s pistol-heavy offense, Gray often lined up as a fullback or H-back in the backfield. He showed that he is willing and able to grind his teeth as a lead blocker, which is a very desired trait at this point in the 2021 NFL Draft for tight ends.

Gray is a little slim for this role in the NFL, especially compared to 6-foot-6 and 265 pound Lee Smith who was traded from the Buffalo Bills this offseason, but he has the experience and willingness to fill those shoes.

With experience splitting out into the slot, Gray is much more effective as a receiver. He displays flashes of athleticism and is not afraid to go make a difficult catch over the middle.

The Bills have struggled to get production out of the tight end position, so maybe a hybrid player like Gray could fit in well in Greg Roman’s creative offensive scheme as the final pick for the Buffalo Bills in this 2021 NFL mock draft.