The future of the Buffalo Bills was put to the test in a recent mock draft scenario, painting a picture of what might happen if their top targets are off the board by the time the 30th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft rolls around. Faced with a situation where DTs Kenneth Grant and Derrick Harmon, along with CBs Jahdae Barron, Trey Amos, and Shavon Revel Jr., were already snapped up, the Bills needed to get creative.

With the proverbial clock ticking loudly in their ears, the decision-making mirrors what would happen in the pressure cooker of the Bills’ war room. The options were slim: they could reach for DT Walter Nolen, a player some view as undersized for his role, or jump for CB Maxwell Hairston, seen as more of a Day 2 gem. Picking either would seem like using first-round gold on something of sixth-round shine, especially for a franchise that thrives on getting the most bang for its buck.

Enter the GM mode. Mimicking the savvy strategy of Bills’ GM Brandon Beane, a series of trades were orchestrated.

By sliding back a few spots, Buffalo stockpiled three extra picks for 2025 and secured an additional one in 2026. However, this strategy wasn’t without its drama, as it included an unorthodox swap with a divisional foe, the New England Patriots.

Buffalo Bills – New England Patriots Trade:

• Bills get: Second-rounder (38th), fourth-rounder (106th), and a fifth-round pick in the 2026 draft.
• Patriots get: First-rounder (30th).

Buffalo Bills – Jacksonville Jaguars Trade:

• Bills get: Fourth-rounder (107th), fifth-rounder (142nd), and a seventh-round pick (221).
• Jaguars get: Fourth-rounder (106th).

So, what did Buffalo prioritize in this reimagined draft strategy?

Cornerback: There’s no two ways about it, the Bills need depth in their secondary. Having employed a base 4-2-5 or nickel defense last season, focusing on a solid group of defensive backs is crucial. Shoring up the CB2 spot not only prevents late-season vulnerabilities but is also vital to playoff longevity against fatigue and injury.

Defensive Tackle: The blueprint from last year’s defensive performance, including the Eagles’ pressure-only approach in the Super Bowl, underscores the importance of a disruptive interior line to shake up even the likes of Patrick Mahomes. The depth in this year’s draft class at DT and Edge promises the Bills a wealth of choice come the second round.

Edge, Linebacker, and Offensive Needs: With questions remaining on rookie linebacker prospects and with Joe Bosa’s injury troubles, adding reliable backups is key. Offensively, the quest continues for a WR1 and insurance for free-agency departures such as James Cook.

Thus, Day 2 of the draft underscored the Bills’ defense-first strategy:

CB Maxwell Hairston: Drafted at 38, Hairston is quick-footed and aggressive in bump-and-run coverage, a natural fit for Buffalo’s zone-heavy defense. Despite his shoulder injury, his playstyle and athletic promise make a compelling case.

Meanwhile, the Patriots, holding Buffalo’s original first-rounder, opted for RB TreVeyon Henderson, diving into a world where running backs still hold value high in the draft.

DT Darius Alexander: Though mature for a rookie, his multifaceted skill set aims to bolster Buffalo’s approach, possibly integrating smoothly into both three and four-man defensive fronts.

LB Carson Schwesinger: Maybe the contentious pick of the day, but with injuries on their linebacker bench and the need for versatility on the field, opting for Schwesinger over an average edge rusher looks like a shrewd choice that’ll surely spark discussions.

WR Savion Williams: Kicking off Day 3 by turning attention to offense, Williams offers versatility, if not a WR1 pedigree.

The surplus of selections saw Buffalo draft the likes of OT Ozzy Trapilo, Edge Saivion Jones, and DT C.J. West, along with others, ensuring depth across the board to keep them competitive moving forward.

In the competitive, high-stakes world of the NFL Draft, it’s about playing the long game and making the moves that set you up for that playoff run down the stretch. The Bills, in this exercise, showed just how flexible they could be when the chips were down.