Buffalo Bills Look for Their Myles Garrett at the Top End of the Draft

Abdul Carter, Penn State DE

Buffalo Bills Look for Their Myles Garrett at the Top End of the Draft | The Wandering Buffalo

The Buffalo Bills have had a need at defensive end for several years. In free agency, the Bills did make additions to the room in Joey Bosa and Michael Hoecht (to what extent we will see; he can be listed as a DE DT or LB). Even with these additions there is still a serious need at the position. Joey Bosa is playing on a one year contract, and AJ Epenesa is playing on an expiring deal. Not only do the Bills have a need for top end impact, they also have quite a need for depth. Here, we are taking a look at some of the prospects towards the top of the draft, but don’t be surprised if we see a double dip at the position again.

Abdul Carter - Penn State
6-3
259 lbs.

One of college football’s most dangerous pass rushers is a pipe dream for the Bills. With all of the Bills’ draft capital, I think the rest of the guys on this list could be somewhat available, with the Bills having ability to move around in the draft. Carter is projected as a top 5 pick that would go number one if QBs weren’t so heavily prioritized. In ten games, Carter racked up 8 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss. He also only switched to the edge late in his career, so there is still plenty of ceiling to grow into.

James Pearce Jr. – Tennessee
6-5
243 lbs.

In 2023, Pearce notched 14.5 tackles for loss to go with 10 sacks. In 2024 he added 11 tackles for loss with 7.5 sacks. Pearce has length that I think is something that Beane covets, to go along with his rare explosiveness. With Groot extended, could Pearce be the player to pair with Groot for the foreseeable future?

Shemar Stewart – Texas A&M
6-6
290 lbs.

Shemar Stewart may be my favorite possibility at the edge position. While his stat sheets won’t jump off the page, I think he has the type of young, raw traits that we often see Beane target in the draft. The type of player where Beane is willing to take a gamble and bet on upside. With the shape of the Bills’ roster, I think there could be an argument to draft more day one ready players to get as much impact as possible. I see it more as a zebra doesn’t change it’s stripes. Beane has consistently put together a team with a legitimate chance to win it all, and I don’t see him changing his philosophies now.

Mike Green – Marshall
6-4
248 lbs.

Green had an eye-popping 17 sacks in 2024 playing for Marshall. Green also had at least one tackle for loss in 12 of his 13 games. Lastly, Green also has a wrestling background. We all know how Sean McDermott loves his wrestlers. While I don’t think that is something in itself that would make a guy a fit for the Bills, I do think that if they are very close on two prospects that the wrestling background could tip the scales.

Donovan Ezeiruaku – Boston College
6-2
247 lbs.

In 2024, Ezeiruaku boasted a 16.5 sack season while adding 20.5 tackles for loss. Ezeiruaku presents as a high IQ player, who will be coming into the league technically sound. Being able combine his explosive athleticism with high football IQ sounds like a guy that Beane would be targeting. He comes into the league with an arsenal of pass rush moves that shows his success may not just be due to beating up college competition. I think that Ezeiruaku could be that type of high floor rookie that could come in and make an immediate impact for this Bills team.

Mykel Williams – Georgia
6-5
265 lbs.

If we can learn anything from the reigning Super Bowl Champion Eagles, maybe it should be to draft defensive players from Georgia. Williams didn’t stuff the stat sheet, but it is important to remember that he did play as part of a deep rotation in Georgia. He shows the ability to be versatile and reduced down to a DT position, which is something we have seen Beane covet in the past. Williams has a rare blend of speed, size, length and power that could be a potent combination playing across from Groot.

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