The most discussed and glaring need for the Bills is at wide receiver.
Yet, its the defense that continually lets comeback king Josh Allen, and the faithful Bills Mafia, down each year.
Non-returning 2023 defensive starters include the losses of safety Jordan Poyer, middle linebacker Tyrel Dodson, outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, safety Micah Hyde and cornerback Tre’Davious White.
So targeting defense in round one of the upcoming NFL Draft may be a smart move for the Bills seemingly depleted defense.
In CBS Sports latest mock draft, analyst Tom Fornelli
has Buffalo making defense a draft priority by taking Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton in the first round.
PFF has Newton rated as one of the top interior D line prospects: “Newton has been a solid pass-rusher along the interior and has really developed his game over the last two years. Over the last two seasons, he recorded 102 pressures — including 12 sacks — for a pass-rush win rate of 14.9%. He earned a 90.9 PFF grade on true pass rushes over that time, ninth among players at the position. The Illinois defender will provide immense value to an NFL team’s run defense, as he has thrived in that aspect in college. Newton generated a 29.8% positively graded run play rate (with just an 8.8% negatively graded play rate) in his impressive 2022 campaign.”
