As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, the Buffalo Bills find themselves in a critical position, holding the 28th overall pick. This draft is pivotal for the team led by Josh Allen, Sean McDermott, and Brandon Beane, as they are financially constrained this offseason. With limited cap space, their primary avenue to acquire top-tier talent is through the draft. Consequently, the Bills must make a significant impact with their first-round selection. The success of this pick could shape the trajectory of the franchise for years to come. Two promising prospects on their radar are Keon Coleman, the dynamic wide receiver from Florida State, and Jackson Powers-Johnson, the talented center out of Oregon. Either of these players could provide the boost the Bills need to solidify their roster and maintain competitiveness in the league.
With the 28th pick in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills face the reality of missing out on the elite wide receiver prospects such as Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers. By the time the Bills are on the clock, these standout receivers are expected to have been snapped up by other teams. Following their selections, at least two or three additional wideouts are likely to be chosen before the Bills get their chance at No. 28. This means Buffalo must strategically assess their options and be prepared to pivot based on the available talent pool when their turn arrives.
Who exactly will be there in the late first will become clearer after the NFL Combine in late February, but ahead of that, it seems like the options will be Coleman, LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr., or Oregon’s Troy Franklin. Of these, Coleman is the best option.
If the Seminoles’ wideout isn’t available, Buffalo needs to pivot to a position of need, even if it isn’t at a premium first-round position. That means snagging the best center in the 2024 NFL Draft, Powers-Johnson.
It’s highly likely that Gabe Davis will depart in free agency this offseason. Despite flashes of potential as a reliable secondary wide receiver, he has yet to consistently deliver on the promise he displayed during his standout performance against the Chiefs in the infamous “13 seconds” game, where he recorded eight receptions for 201 yards and four touchdowns. While Davis has been serviceable as a No. 2 wideout at times, his overall production hasn’t matched the expectations set by that memorable game. As a result, the Bills must acknowledge his impending departure and strategize accordingly to address the void he’ll leave behind in their receiving corps.
With a pick this late in the first round, Buffalo will miss out on the top-tier WRs in this class like Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers. After those three come off the board, there will be at least two or three others who join them before the Bills pick at No. 28.
Who exactly will be there in the late first will become clearer after the NFL Combine in late February, but ahead of that, it seems like the options will be Coleman, LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr., or Oregon’s Troy Franklin. Of these, Coleman is the best option.
If the Seminoles’ wideout isn’t available, Buffalo needs to pivot to a position of need, even if it isn’t at a premium first-round position. That means snagging the best center in the 2024 NFL Draft, Powers-Johnson.
Keon Coleman, WR, FSU
Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
Gabe Davis is almost certainly gone in free agency this offseason. While he’s been a decent No. 2 WR at times, he’s never lived up to the promise he showed in his eight-catch, 201-yard, four-touchdown performance against the Chiefs in the infamous 13 seconds game.
Davis has made some big plays, but he’s also had some big drops and showed up small when Josh Allen and the Bills need him most. It’s time for a change across the formation from Stefon Diggs, and drafting Keon Coleman is that change.
The FSU star is a big, physical X receiver in the mold of A.J. Brown, Mike Evans, or DK Metcalf. At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Coleman isn’t the deep threat that Davis is — Franklin would be a more one-to-one replacement — but he is a player who could develop into an elite No. 1 in time.
Buffalo can stick Coleman at the X position — the one on the line of scrimmage who cant go in motion — and let him go one-on-one with smaller corners. This will allow Joe Brady to mix-and-match Diggs, Dalton Kincaid (or Dawson Knox), and Khalil Shakir on the other side of the formation, putting them in motion to confuse defenses.
In the upcoming NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills, with their late first-round pick, are likely to miss out on top-tier wide receivers such as Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers. Following their selection, several other receivers are expected to be off the board before the Bills pick at No. 28. While the exact options will become clearer after the NFL Combine, current projections suggest potential choices like Coleman, LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr., or Oregon’s Troy Franklin. Among these, Coleman emerges as the most favorable option.
Should Coleman, the wideout from FSU, not be available, the Bills need to address a position of need, even if it’s not a premium first-round spot. This could lead them to target the best center in the draft, Powers-Johnson.
With Gabe Davis likely departing in free agency, there’s an urgency to inject new talent into the receiving corps. Davis, though showing flashes of brilliance, has failed to consistently meet expectations, making it imperative for the Bills to seek change alongside Stefon Diggs. Coleman, a physically imposing receiver akin to A.J. Brown or Mike Evans, could fill this void effectively. While not possessing elite speed, his size and ability to run after the catch make him a compelling option.
If Coleman is on the board at pick 28, the Bills must seize the opportunity. Alternatively, if he’s within reach around pick No. 22, the Bills should consider trading up, a strategy their general manager Brandon Beane has employed in the past to secure desired prospects.
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