The Buffalo Bills enter the 2025 NFL Draft in a favorable position. With a balanced and competitive roster, they aren’t under pressure to fill glaring holes. Instead, they have the flexibility to pursue an elite talent that could elevate their defense to new heights.
Recent mock drafts suggest Buffalo could make an aggressive move to trade up, and CBS Sports’ Kyle Stackpole has projected just that. In his latest mock, the Bills move up from No. 30 to No. 24, sending the Minnesota Vikings their first-round pick along with the No. 109 overall selection in the fourth round. Their target? South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori.
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A versatile defensive weapon
Emmanwori is more than just an impressive athlete, he’s a true defensive Swiss Army knife. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, he turned heads at the NFL Combine with his combination of size, speed, and explosiveness. But what sets him apart is his versatility. He has the ability to play both in the box and deep in coverage, making him a valuable asset in modern defensive schemes.
According to Stackpole, the Bills‘ history of trading up in recent drafts signals that they could make a similar move in 2025. “Buffalo has traded up in the first round in four of the past six drafts, and they do so again here, adding a Swiss Army knife to their defense in Nick Emmanwori,” Stackpole wrote.
Why this move makes sense for Buffalo
While safety isn’t the most pressing need for the Bills, adding a dynamic playmaker like Emmanwori could be the missing piece to help them get over the hump in the AFC. His ability to adapt to multiple roles within the defense would give Buffalo the kind of flexibility that championship teams thrive on.
With an already strong core in place, the Bills have the luxury of making an aggressive move for a difference-maker rather than settling for depth. If this projection holds true, Buffalo could be poised to make a major defensive statement in 2025.
