The Bills will be looking for pass-rushing help this upcoming offseason, and Max Chadwick from Pro Football Focus thinks Buffalo could take one in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Bills Draft Cashius Howell In a New Mock Draft
Chadwick released a new mock draft on Monday and has the Bills drafting Texas A&M pass rusher Cashius Howell with the 24th pick.
“Joey Bosa has been productive for the Bills this season, but with the 30-year-old set to hit free agency, Buffalo may need a long-term answer off the edge,” Chadwick wrote. “Pairing Greg Rousseau with Cashius Howell — whose 12 sacks are tied for third among all edge defenders in the country — would give the Bills a young, high-upside pass-rushing duo to build around.”
Howell is having a great season, helping lead the Aggies to the College Football Playoffs. Howell has been in college for five seasons, spending his first three years at Bowling Green before transferring to A&M.
In 55 college games, Howell has recorded 27 sacks, with 11.5 of them coming this season.
The Bills will need to focus on drafting a pass rusher, especially with Bosa entering free agency this upcoming offseason. There’s a possibility that Bosa could return to Buffalo, but the Bills might also want to part ways with him. His possible high contract could become a burden, especially since he’s only recorded five sacks this season, which might not be enough to justify keeping him for another year.
Jets Could Flip the AFC East With a Great Draft
The Bills weren’t the only team making significant upgrades; their AFC division rival, the New York Jets, also found their franchise quarterback in Chadwick’s mock draft.
Chadwick suggested that the Giants could trade the No. 1 pick to the Jets for their No. 5 pick, which would be quite a shocker if both New York teams pulled off a major deal like that.
“New York Giants send No. 1 overall pick to New York Jets for No. 5 pick, No. 37 pick, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick,” Chadwick wrote.
“The Jets package their No. 7 overall pick, one of their three first-round selections in 2027 and a pair of second-round picks to move up and secure a potential franchise quarterback in Mendoza. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner currently ranks fifth among FBS quarterbacks in PFF grade (90.5), while his 33 passing touchdowns lead the nation. He draws comparisons to Jared Goff — a quarterback this Jets coaching staff knows well, with several members having previously worked with Goff in Detroit.”
The Jets could flip the division upside down if they add Mendoza. New York hasn’t made the playoffs since the 2010 season, and adding Mendoza could end up leading the Jets back to the postseason in a few seasons.
With Mendoza potentially emerging as one of the next star quarterbacks, the Bills must capitalize on the current state of the AFC East. They should focus on seizing the opportunity to win the division, even though the Patriots hold the lead at that moment.
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