Jordan Reid’s ESPN+ 2023 NFL mock draft tackles Buffalo Bills’ biggest question

ESPN NFL Draft Expert Jordan Reid revealed his seven-round mock draft this week through ESPN+. The selections Reid made for the Buffalo Bills should lead to plenty of debates for Bills Mafia — at least as it relates to offense. Max Owens and I decided to tackle this one together, given his expertise with the college game, the draft process, and NFL prospects.

In what has been a challenging offseason managing a tough salary cap, general manager Brandon Beane has done his best to find upgrades at the team’s biggest positions of need. New along the offensive line are interior players Connor McGovern, David Edwards — who both figure to factor heavily into the team’s plans this coming season. Also new on offense are wide receivers Deonte Harty and Trent Sherfield, and running back Damien Harris. Harty and Sherfield should provide upgrades between the down and distance with yards after the catch, and Harris seems destined to bring toughness in short-yardage situations.

But the Buffalo Bills still have yet to replace the departure of linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who will now call the Chicago Bears’ defense. Replacing him was never going to be easy, but it’s a task Beane and One Bills Drive must face head-on at some point soon. Well, soon looks to be the last weekend of April, during the 2023 NFL Draft.

With so many mock drafts available by myriad outlets and experts, plus sites that allow any individual to play the role of GM for their favorite team, it’s easy to find the process watered-down after several weeks. But now’s the time when mocks begin to have far more focus with the bulk of free agents landing new opportunities for the 2023 NFL season, and the draft just a few weeks away. Jordan Reid took all of this into consideration when building his mock draft, and the results are interesting as it relates to the Buffalo Bills.

If you follow along with the mock draft process, the most popular position for the Bills in recent weeks is linebacker, given the team’s current depth chart. Where once Bijan Robinson seemed all but certain to land in Orchard Park, NY, his name is now called earlier and sought by more teams per many mock drafters. That’s the case with Reid’s mock: Robinson goes off the board to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Gone before Buffalo’s pick were popular names at wide receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston, and Zay Flowers. Also selected before the Bills’ pick was offensive tackle O’Cyrus Torrence and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey. In all, before the Bills were on the clock a total of five edge prospects, four cornerbacks, and six offensive linemen had come off the board.

With the way the Round 1 board shook out for Reid, he sends the draft’s first linebacker to the Bills at 27.

Jordan Reid’s Round 1 pick for Buffalo Bills

27.Buffalo Bills

Drew Sanders, LB,…