Bills Mafia’s quest for a Super Bowl title extends another year. Josh Allen will always keep them close, but the Buffalo Bills could seal the deal with this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. What do the Bills need to do to get past the conference championship hump? Is this mock the blueprint to follow in the 2022 NFL Draft? Let’s dive in.
Buffalo Bills 2022 7-Round Mock Draft
As of this writing, the Buffalo Bills have nine total picks in the 2022 NFL Draft — one in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and two each in Rounds 6 and 7. We used the free PFN Mock Draft Simulator to conduct this Buffalo Bills 2022 NFL Mock Draft. The simulator contains the official NFL Draft order, updated with the most recent trades.
Round 1, Pick 25: Zion Johnson, G, Boston College
It’s looking more and more like Zion Johnson will be the first guard off the board — but when? There’s a chance he could sneak into the top 20. However, he could also last to the Bills’ pick, where he’d then be tough to pass down. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Buffalo Bills pull the trigger on Johnson, who immediately upgrades their interior. Johnson has an elite combination of natural leverage and proportional length. He’s also a stellar athlete with great core strength and physicality.
Round 2, Pick 57: Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
The Bills have often favored length on the edge in recent years. One prospect in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft who provides the Buffalo Bills with just that is South Carolina EDGE Kingsley Enagbare. He isn’t a pure speed rusher, but Enagbare does offer solid burst and ankle flexion for his 6’4″, 258-pound frame. His near-35-inch arms also help him channel power and use precise hand moves at the apex.
Round 3, Pick 89: Matthew Butler, DT, Tennessee
Even with Ed Oliver, the Bills’ interior defensive line looks sparse. If Buffalo doesn’t opt for Devonte Wyatt or Perrion Winfrey early on, Matthew Butler could be a nice add late Day 2. On tape, Butler is one of the most explosive defensive tackles in the 2022 NFL Draft. His Combine performance confirmed that — the 6’3 1/2″, 297-pound DT put up a 5.00 40-yard dash, 32-inch vertical, and 112-inch broad jump. Beyond his burst, he’s aggressive and violent with his hands.
Round 4, Pick 129: Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State
It’s not a lock that Zyon McCollum will go in the top 100, but his absurd NFL Combine performance certainly brought him closer. The cornerback class is so strong that he might sneak outside Day 2. That’s when a team like Buffalo could strike. McCollum may need to adjust to the NFL stage, but he has all the tools you could ask for. Explosiveness, speed, length, ball skills, agility — it’s all there in spades.
Round 5, Pick 168: Kennedy Brooks, RB, Oklahoma
I know Bills fans probably don’t want to rely on yet another mid-round pick at running back. But the Bills, unfortunately, have more pressing needs at positions of greater value. So, naturally, running back was pushed down the board a bit. Despite that, Kennedy Brooks is a player who could exceed his draft billing. Strengthen the offensive line ahead of him and give him holes, and he can feast with his vision, instincts, and contact balance.
Round 6, Pick 184: Bo Melton, WR, Rutgers
The Bills re-signed Isaiah McKenzie. But assuming Cole Beasley is soon to head out the door either via cut or trade, the Bills will need someone to rotate in behind McKenzie at slot receiver. Rutgers’ Bo Melton could be a fit late in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Melton can improve at the catch point, but he offers great speed and explosiveness at 5’11”, 189 pounds. He’s a solid route runner with inspiring RAC utility.
Round 6, Pick 202: Damarri Mathis, CB, Pittsburgh
Ideally, McCollum reaches his peak potential and becomes an impact starter for the Bills. But as this past season showed, the Bills can’t cut corners — no pun intended — when adding depth to their secondary. Doubling up could prove effective, especially in a 2022 class that’s stocked to the brim with talent. Damarri Mathis projects as more of a man cornerback, but he can play both man and zone. He’s explosive and feisty in coverage, and he’s also proactive at the catch point.
Round 7, Pick 229: Tony Adams, S, Illinois
This pick in our Buffalo Bills 2022 NFL Mock Draft is more predicated on upside than anything else. Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer have long constituted one of the better safety duos in the league, but they’re getting older each year. Tony Adams is exactly the kind of talent to stash and develop behind them. He’s 5’11”, 202 pounds, with 4.34 speed, a 41.5-inch vertical, and a 131-inch broad jump — all elite athletic numbers. At worst, he’s a solid special teamer.
Round 7, Pick 244: Austin Deculus, OT, LSU
With so many picks, it makes sense for the Buffalo Bills to stack selections on the offensive line in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. There are a lot of quality athletes with developmental potential available late. One of those tackles is LSU’s Austin Deculus. Deculus has the size Buffalo covets at 6’5″, 321 pounds, with 34 3/8″ arms. He also tested well at the NFL Combine, with a 5.08 40-yard dash, 28.5-inch vertical, and 109-inch broad jump. He’s a bit high-cut with his frame, but he moves well and has the tools to grow.