Buffalo Bills Make Big Trade In 7-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft

After trading away their third-round pick in the trade with Washington, the Buffalo Bills will look to the fourth round to add another playmaker to their team. Alec Pierce was very productive in an impressive Cincinnati Bearcats offense, whose game should translate well to the next level.

Alec Pierce has a great blend of size and speed with some of the best hands in any 2022 NFL Mock Draft. He is a great jump ball receiver who is effective “above the rim” going up against defenders. He is also adept deep down the field, utilizing his speed and ball-tracking ability to make a play.

For the Buffalo Bills, Alec Pierce would be a great fit and complement to what they already have. Stefon Diggs is a great route runner and a true number one receiver. The team signed slot receiver, Jamison Crowder, from AFC East foe New York Jets, who will play inside as an impressive route runner as well, an area where Pierce is underdeveloped. Along with Gabe Davis, Pierce adds another weapon on the boundary and deep down the field. Josh Allen would be in heaven with another target like Pierce to throw to.

Another what is becoming a long line of impressive LSU linebackers, Damone Clark wore number 18 as a captain for the Tigers. In a similar mold to Devin White, Clark uses his speed and athleticism to his advantage in the open field and when in coverage.

As a senior in 2022, Clark tallied 135 tackles, including 15 for loss. He also added 5.5 sacks, an interception and three pass break-ups. Although he may be a little undersized at this point to consistently take on NFL blockers, he has shown that he is capable of being effective on all three downs at the highest level of college football.

The Buffalo Bills currently have Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds roaming the middle of the field in their nickel-heavy defense. After that, the team lacks any real depth at the linebacker position. Clark would provide that right away and could be insurance if the team decides to move on from one or both of their current backers in the near future.

Matt Araiza is one of the most polarizing players in any 2022 NFL Mock Draft. He is truly one of the best punter prospects of all time, but how does a team value someone at that position?

I honestly expect Araiza to go earlier than this later this month, but for this exercise using The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Simulator, he is still on the board. If the Buffalo Bills want Araiza in the actual draft, they may have to use a fifth-rounder on him. But it’s not crazy to think a punter would “fall” to the early sixth round.

Araiza can truly flip the field for any NFL team. He has a cannon for a leg, but also has the control to pin teams inside the 20, 10, even 5 yard-line. The Buffalo Bills punters have struggled in recent years, but Araiza has what it takes fight the Buffalo weather and make a real difference for a playoff team.

The Buffalo Bills already have two very solid tight ends on their roster. Dawson Knox has a very nice, breakout season last year for Buffalo, but could be playing himself out of the team’s price range. The team also brought in former first-round pick, O.J. Howard, in free agency, but he has struggled with injuries and signed just a one-year deal.

Moving forward, the Buffalo Bills could end up using another young tight end to develop in their dynamic offense. Charlie Kolar is a great prospect for that. He has great size and can split out into the slot if needed. He is a solid athlete with impressive hands. Allen has shown that he loves to throw to tight ends, particularly in the red zone, so bringing in a player like Charlie Kolar should definitely help their offense moving forward.

The Buffalo Bills have a lot of solid pieces on their offensive line, but teams always need to add young prospects to develop for the future. They drafted Spencer Brown last year in the third round, who is now expected to start at right guard. Cade Mays has the potential to become a starter very soon as well.

Mays was a five-star recruit, so the talent is clearly there. Mays was a four-year starter in college and has experience at all five offensive line positions. He has some inconsistent film, but the versatility and upside are very valuable assets for a contending team like the Buffalo Bills in a young, “project” piece to make the roster and contribute as early as possible.