The Buffalo Payments are up subsequent in our 2025 Pleasure of Detroit Neighborhood Mock Draft. This yr, the Payments are represented by POD commenter BigJShaky.
It’ll be on him to assist Buffalo recover from the hump. Whereas Detroit Lions followers could also be pissed off with how shut the Lions have gotten to the Tremendous Bowl over the previous two years, think about the Payments’ strife. They’ve had 10+ wins for six straight seasons, gained their division 5 straight instances, and have but to make it to the large sport. The truth is, they’ve solely gotten two Convention Championship appearances out of this run, regardless of having top-six offenses for every of the previous 5 seasons.
However hope springs everlasting within the NFL Draft, and the Payments are on the clock to make their first-round choice. With the thirtieth choose within the POD Neighborhood Mock Draft, the Buffalo Payments have chosen…
Tyleik Williams, defensive sort out out of Ohio State.
Right here’s BigJShaky with the reason:
After yet one more AFC East-winning season, our Payments misplaced to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the playoffs. Once more. Right here’s a fast have a look at the staff wants we will handle to get past our private Groundhog Day.
Cornerback – We lately locked up Christian Benford to a brand new four-year deal, however Kaiir Elam and Rasul Douglas are gone, leaving no clear starter reverse Benford.
Defensive sort out – Even when Ed Oliver can bounce again from a disappointing season, he wants assist past an ageing DaQuan Jones and unproven DeWayne Carter.
Edge – We signed Joey Bosa (yay!), however will he really be on the sector (yikes!)? Two different potential contributors in Larry Ogunjobi and Michael Hoecht are going through six-game suspensions.
Vast receiver – We paid Khalil Shakir and have excessive hopes for Keon Coleman (and his jackets). Though the staff’s high wants are on protection, a real primary possibility for Josh Allen could be a bonus.
The run on DT and edge gamers by means of the primary spherical of this draft was not supreme for our Payments. The highest ranked receivers have been gone too. That mixed with the dearth of consensus past the highest three cornerbacks left me with no clear resolution. After some deliberation, I chosen Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State Suckeyes.
Williams is most heralded for his run protection. His addition as a nostril sort out/one-technique ought to assist enhance a protection that gave up 4.51 yards per carry final yr (rating nineteenth). The Ringer’s Danny Kelly has Williams ranked thirtieth on his massive board [Editor’s note: He’s now 23rd], noting that the DT is “an energetic and tenacious defensive lineman with foot quickness and lateral agility on the snap.” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler slots Tyleik at 33, highlighting “Williams’ impression as a dominant run defender.” That mentioned, the scouts do be aware limitations for Williams by way of cross rush and size.
In Buffalo, the place Sean McDermott likes to rotate d-linemen, we’re hopeful Williams could make a day one impression as a run stuffer whereas liberating up house for Bosa and Oliver to do their factor (you understand … after they play). Right here’s hoping we’re plugging up a leik-y protection. No good? Right here’s hoping for Tyleik on a Leash.
What are your ideas on the Payments’ choice? Supply a grade within the ballot under, after which clarify it within the remark part on the backside of the web page.
