Kiper’s recent mock draft addresses the Buffalo Bills’ focus on bolstering their wide receiver group to enhance offensive capabilities. Despite the potential retention of receiver Gabe Davis due to an unexpected salary cap boost, the Bills aim to add more firepower to their offensive lineup, especially after a deficiency in “explosive” plays in their previous AFC Divisional Round loss.
Buffalo Bills’ general manager, Brandon Beane, emphasized the need for speed and explosiveness in various positions during the NFL Combine. The goal is to have players who can make impactful plays without the ball, along with those who can turn short passes into substantial gains.
In Kiper’s second mock draft of the season, he predicts the Bills will select LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. at No. 28 overall. Thomas, a 6-4 receiver, possesses the sought-after combination of size and speed. His impressive 17 touchdown receptions in 2023 led all NCAA Division I FBS players. Kiper suggests that with Gabe Davis likely moving elsewhere in free agency, the draft becomes a crucial opportunity for the Bills to secure a solid No. 2 wide receiver.
Thomas is the fifth receiver selected in Kiper’s mock draft, with three pass-catchers anticipated to go within the Top 10 picks. ESPN’s Field Yates also aligns with Kiper’s projection of Thomas joining the Bills in his latest first-round mockup. Thomas and his LSU teammate Malik Nabers both surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in the previous season, marking the third time in the Tigers’ history that a duo achieved this milestone in a single season.
Kiper emphasizes Thomas’ effectiveness as an outside receiver, citing his impressive statistics of 68 catches, 1,177 yards, and the FBS-leading 17 touchdowns in 2023. With Thomas standing at 6-4 and displaying exceptional size, speed, and hands, Kiper believes he could provide the necessary upgrade on the opposite side of Stefon Diggs to elevate Buffalo’s offense to new heights.
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