Buffalo will use one of its two second-round picks to move up the board. The Bills are acquiring No. 41 from the Bears in a six-pick trade. 
The Bills will add Nos. 41, 72 and 240, while the Bears are picking up Nos. 56, 62 and 109. Chicago came into the draft with two second-rounders as well, holding an extra pick from the 2023 Bryce Young swap. Buffalo selected South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders.
Defensive tackle was seen as a roster need entering the draft for Buffalo. As a result, many pointed to the opening round as a time when adding along the D-line could be targeted. Instead, the Bills made a notable secondary addition by drafting cornerback Maxwell Hairston. Now, Sanders has been selected as a contender to see plenty of playing time right away.
Yet to turn 22, Sanders demonstrated plenty of potential over the course of his final two campaigns with the Gamecocks. He totaled 16.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks during that span. While concerns have been raised about his run defense, Sanders will be counted on to provide a pass-rush presence early and often in Buffalo. The team compiled 37 sacks last season, 21st in the NFL.
Ed Oliver remains attached to a $17MM-per-year contract, and he will be tasked with reprising his starting gig in 2025. Veteran DaQuan Jones and free agent addition Larry Ogunjobi are also in the fold, as is 2024 third-rounder DeWayne Carter. Plenty of snaps will be devoted to that group, but the Bills’ decision to trade up for Sanders indicates he should be involved as a rookie as well. If he develops as hoped, he will provide Buffalo with another long-term option along the defensive interior.
Terrible pick. No need to move up to grab this guy. He would have been there at 56 or even 62.
lol, would it surprise you to learn that these teams might evaluate talent a bit differently than you or Mel kiper or these mock drafters? I think they know better than you probably do about how many teams value this kid. Just because “the analysts” make assessments, the teams probably have a few more resources than they do.
There’s no way he’d have been there after three more picks, let alone 15. He was the best fit for the Bills scheme