NFL draft preview coverage

This is the first in a series previewing each position in the 2022 NFL draft. Today’s installment looks at wide receiver.

The flood of speed receivers into the NFL is coming again in the 2022 NFL draft.

Eight wide receivers timed at less than 4.40 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in February, which tied for the most at any combine in at least the last 17 years. A ninth – Alabama’s Jameson Williams – is a certain sub-4.4. speedster, but he has not run for NFL scouts because he’s recovering from major knee surgery.

Last year, 36 wide receivers were drafted, which tied an all-time high, and the past two years have seen 16 and 15, respectively, taken on the first two days of the draft. That’s an uptick on the average of 12 in the first three rounds the previous decade.

“It's a great wide receiver draft,” said NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah. “I feel like we could copy and paste the comments on wide receivers and use it for the next 20 years, because the college game is giving us a ton of these guys every year.”

Expect another 15 wideouts to go in the first three rounds again this year.

“We see receivers that are first-round guys fall out of the first round every year, and part of it's just because we have the sheer numbers,” Jeremiah said. “But if you look at the wideouts that have been taken in the second round over the last handful of years, you're going to see a ton of studs – just look at Ole Miss, from D.K. Metcalf, A.J. Brown to Elijah Moore -- those three wide receivers from one school. ... Deebo Samuel. Every year we see guys with big grades that end up falling into the second round just because of the sheer number of wideouts that we have.”

Of course, finding one that fits seamlessly into a team’s offensive system – especially on Day 3 – still is no sure bet. The Bills made an excellent pick in the fourth round in 2020 to get Gabriel Davis. But a slew of receivers drafted in the fourth round in the past five years have done next to nothing in the NFL – including players fans might already have forgotten – such as J’Mon Moore, Jaleel Scott, Hakeem Butler, Gary Jennings Jr. and Riley Ridley.

Overall position ranking: 8 out of 10.

Bills' view: Buffalo easily could justify drafting a wide receiver in the first two rounds. The Bills need a third outside receiver to replace Emmanuel Sanders and to go along with Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. While proven veteran Jamison Crowder was signed to replace Cole Beasley, he’s on only a one-year contract. And as Kansas City’s Andy Reid has shown, more speed on offense always is a good thing. An attractive wideout is very likely to be on the board when the Bills draft at No. 25.

It would be hard for the Bills to pass on Alabama’s Williams, even though he probably won’t be 100% for the start of the season, because he’s so elite. It will be a mild upset if he lasts until No. 25. If one of the following three are on the board – Arkansas’ Treylon Burks, Ohio State’s Chris Olave or Penn State’s Jahan Dotson – should the Bills pick one? Burks is 6-foot-2 and 225 and draws comparisons to Titans star A.J. Brown. Olave ran 4.39 in the 40, and Dotson ran 4.43.

Bills' need ranking: 8 out of 10.

The best: The choice here is Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson, who draws comparisons to Diggs because of his burst and acceleration. Southern Cal’s 6-4 Drake London might be the first wideout drafted. He’s No. 2 on this list because we favor receivers who get great separation.

Names to know: If the Bills want to wait until Day 2 of the draft, prospects to consider include Boise State’s Khalil Shakir (a slot WR who ran 4.43), Memphis’ Calvin Austin (a 5-8 slot who ran 4.32), Tennessee speedster Velus Jones (4.31), Alabama’s John Metchie (a Robert Woods type), North Dakota State’s 6-4 Christian Watson (4.36), Kentucky’s Wan’Dale Robinson (a 5-8 slot who ran 4.44) and South Alabama’s 6-1 Jalen Tolbert (4.49). Western Michigan’s 5-9 Skyy Moore (4.41) and Watson probably will go early in the second round.

Big mitts: Arkansas’ Burks has such big, thick hands, he needed to get specially made, size XXXXL (that’s 4X) gloves. Nike’s biggest size is only 3XL. The big hands helped him as a youth growing up hunting in the woods near his home of Warren, Ark. He liked to fish and hunt deer and feral hogs, which he hunted with a knife.

“You have to go out there with dogs, and the dogs find them and we come up behind them and tackle them and take them out,” Burks said of hog hunting during his interview at the NFL scouting combine.

Sleepers. There’s a bunch. Jequez Ezzard starred for three years at Howard, then spent two years at Sam Houston State, averaging 21.3 yards on receptions and 16.3 yards on punt returns over two years. Northern Iowa’s Isaiah Weston did a lot of blocking on a running team but had 883 receiving yards and ran 4.42 at the combine. Both might be free agents.

Top 10 WIDE RECEIVERS

1. Garrett Wilson, Ohio State  5-11 3-4, 183

2. Jameson Williams*, Alabama 6-1 1-2, 179

3. Drake London*, USC   6-4, 219

4. Chris Olave*, Ohio State 6-0, 187

5. Treylon Burks*, Arkansas 6-2, 225

6. Jahan Dotson*, Penn State 5-10, 178

7. George Pickens*, Georgia  6-3, 195

8. Christian Watson, N. Dakota St. 6-4, 208

9. Skyy Moore, Western Michigan 5-9, 195

10. Calvin Austin III*, Memphis 5-7, 173

*-underclassman

This is the second in a series previewing each position in the 2022 NFL Draft. Today’s installment looks at running back.

Options are limited for do-it-all running backs in the 2022 draft class.

“There’s not a single back in this class where I say he’s the next guy who’s going to take the league by storm,” said ESPN analyst Todd McShay.

That’s the glass-half-empty view.

The glass-half-full view? Almost nobody in the NFL cares about having a do-it-all back anymore. The committee approach is the way most teams handle the position, and the 2022 running back crop is loaded with prospects who excel at one element of the game or another.

“I love this running back group,” said NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah. “I don't think there's going to be one that goes in the first round. I think this is a really deep group. I was talking with a personnel director the other day who said, ‘Let's just circle the fourth round.’ You're going to get a great back in the fourth round, especially if you want a bigger back.”

Over the past 10 years, an average of 22.5 running backs have been drafted per year, well under one per team. Last year, there were 19 taken and in 2020, it was 17. There will be great value at running back this year in the third to seventh rounds.

Overall position ranking: 7 out of 10.

Bills view: Buffalo has a need at running back because Devin Singletary is entering the last year of his contract, and the coaches signaled their desire for an impact receiver out of the backfield with the attempt to sign free agent J.D. McKissic.

It’s well established that running backs grow on trees and never should be signed to a second contract unless it’s a cheap one or the back is a Hall-of-Fame talent. Singletary had a nice end to his 2021 campaign but he is replaceable after the 2022 season. To make up for losing McKissic, the Bills signed Plan B option Duke Johnson, who has averaged 51 catches over his six full NFL seasons. That’s not likely to preclude them from drafting someone who could bring juice to the offense.

Adding a difference-making receiver out of the backfield would be a way to help exploit the shell coverages the Bills see, out of respect for Josh Allen’s deep passing ability.

There are a bunch of good pass-catching options to be had in the middle rounds. Excellent receiving backs who could fill a McKissic-like role include Arizona State’s Rachaad White, Notre Dame’s Kyren Williams, Georgia’s James Cook and North Carolina’s Ty Chandler. Later on Day 3, throw in Baylor’s Trestan Ebner, who is good in pass protection, ran 4.43, had 124 career receptions and had only five drops on 156 career targets.

The Irish’s Williams might be a good value with the Bills’ No. 130 pick, if available. He has natural hands, was split out some by Notre Dame and is the best pass-protecting back in the draft class. He’s not electric but he fits the Bills’ character profile, and he even served as a lead blocker on QB runs. Chandler, a transfer from Tennessee, averaged 14.4 yards on 15 catches last season.

Bills need ranking: 7 out of 10.

The best: Iowa State’s Breece Hall is a do-it-all back. He had 82 receptions in the last three years and at least 23 every season. He had 51 rushing TDs the past two years. He has good patience, vision and contact balance. He’s not elite in any category and not sudden. But he’s a three-down NFL starter. He would look good in the Buffalo offense. The question is value. He won’t be available at No. 57. Given the depth at the position, it would be a controversial move to take him in the first round. The other do-it-all back in the class – who will be No. 1 on some team’s boards – is Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III, the Doak Walker award winner as the nation’s top back in 2021. He led the nation with 89 forced missed tackles last year. He runs behind his pads and can pass protect. But he only has 19 career catches.

Names to know: Cook, the brother of Vikings star Dalvin Cook, catches like a wide receiver. He’s a change-of-pace back and a 10-touch-a-game guy early in his pro career. He could go late in the third round.

The best zone-scheme runners in the class: There are a bunch, but at the top are Baylor’s Abram Smith, who is decisive and has good vision, and Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller, who isn’t super explosive but who started as a true freshman and who has vision and patience.

Looking for a runner to get the tough yards? Two of the best are Florida’s 220-pound Dameon Pierce and Alabama’s 226-pound Brian Robinson Jr. Mississippi’s 222-pound Snoop Conner is another.

Sleeper: Pierre Strong Jr. isn’t a deep sleeper because he will be a mid-round pick but he starred at Football Championship Subdivision power South Dakota State. He led FCS with 1,686 rushing yards and had 10 career rushing TDs of 50-plus yards. He ran 4.37 in the 40. He didn’t excel as a receiver.

TOP 10 RUNNING BACKS

1. Breece Hall*, Iowa State 5-11, 217

2. Kenneth Walker III*, Michigan St. 5-9, 211

3. James Cook, Georgia 5-11, 199

4. Isaiah Spiller*, Texas A&M 6-0, 217

5. Rachaad White*, Arizona St. 6-0, 210

6. Kyren Williams*, Notre Dame 5-9, 194

7. Dameon Pierce, Florida 5-9, 220

8. Brian Robinson Jr., Alabama 6-1, 226

9. Zamir White*, Georgia 5-11, 214

10. Abram Smith, Baylor 5-11, 211

*-underclassman

This is the third in a series previewing each position in the 2022 NFL draft. Today’s installment looks at quarterback.

The Buffalo Bills will be rooting hard for quarterbacks to go early and often in the first round of the NFL draft.

With Josh Allen signed to a long-term contract extension – one that’s looking better by the day as other quarterbacks around the league sign their deals – the Bills don’t have to worry about extensively scouting the most important position on the field.

Instead, they’ll hope that as many quarterbacks as possible are chosen between the first overall pick and when their turn comes up at No. 25, because that will drop players at other positions down to the Bills.

Just how many quarterbacks will go in the first round remains anyone’s guess.

“I think it's different than some of the years we've had recently where from a quarterback standpoint I don't know we have the star power,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. “I don't know that we'll have a top 10 pick there.”

Jeremiah made those comments before the start of the NFL scouting combine last month. Since that time, quarterbacks have steadily risen up the board in many mock drafts.

That’s to be expected. If your team doesn’t have a quarterback in the NFL, it’s nowhere. Inevitably, that can lead to overdrafting – a classic example of which came when the Bills drafted E.J. Manuel in the first round in 2013. Manuel was the only quarterback taken that year in the first round. Given the Bills’ need at the position, it’s understandable why they chose him, but it proved to be a mistake.

With Allen, the Bills can sit back and watch as other teams talk themselves into quarterbacks in the first round – even if it may prove to be a mistake.

The best: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty.

The best quarterbacks in the NFL today – Allen, Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, the Chargers’ Justin Herbert, Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers – all have superior arm talent and can make plays with their legs. Willis has the most enticing set of physical tools in this year’s class.

“In terms of the upside, I don't know how you'd see anybody other than Malik Willis just in terms of what he can do once he gets it all figured out,” Jeremiah said. “He's got a huge arm. Not real tall obviously, just a little over 6-feet tall, but he is built. He is a powerfully built guy who can drive the ball. You saw it at the Senior Bowl when it was raining and everybody else was struggling. He didn't have any issues whatsoever. This guy can really power the football. He can make off-platform throws. He can create. You can use the design-quarterback run game with him and he's outstanding with that. He's just so strong and physical.”

Overall position ranking: 3 of 10.

This isn’t a great year to need a quarterback. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Willis No. 16 on his list of the top 25 available prospects. Fellow ESPN analyst Todd McShay ranks Willis 21st, just ahead of Pitt’s Kenny Pickett at No. 22.

“We all know this isn’t the best QB class, but consider this: Four 2021 signal-callers had better grades than our best 2022 guys,” McShay wrote in a recent article on ESPN.

Added Steve Muench of Scouts, Inc.: “If Willis and Pickett were in the 2021 class, I would have felt comfortable ranking them Nos. 6 and 7, slightly behind Mac Jones. It’s just that type of year. The real questions isn’t about rankings or grades, though. It’s how early they will get drafted. Does a team fall in love with one and reach? That could make for draft-night intrigue.”

Names to know: Pickett, Ole Miss’ Matt Corral, Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder, North Carolina’s Sam Howell, Nevada’s Carson Strong.

If Willis isn’t the first quarterback off the board, it’s a good bet that honor goes to Pickett. Despite plenty of hullabaloo about his hand size, which measured 8 ½ inches at the scouting combine, then grew to 8 5/8 inches at Pitt’s pro day, Pickett is considered by almost every draft analyst as the most NFL-ready quarterback in the class.

“Ready to play right now, I would say Pickett,” Jeremiah said. “He, to me, is somebody when you watch all these guys and you kind of watch them all one after another, he's just different with how quickly he operates, just getting through progressions, getting the ball where it needs to be. He doesn't have ‘wow’ arm strength. He doesn't blow you away with that, but he's got really good vision. He throws with anticipation and timing. I think he'd be ready to come in and play right away.”

The Lions (No. 2 overall), Texans (No. 3), Panthers (No. 6), Falcons (No. 8) and Seahawks (No. 9) are all teams picking in the top 10 that may be interested in adding a quarterback in the first round.

Last year, quarterbacks went 1, 2, 3 at the top of the draft. Over the last six years, at least three quarterbacks have been chosen in the first round, topped by the five chosen in both 2018 and 2021. Last year, all five of those quarterbacks went in the top 15 picks. A good over/under on the number chosen in the first round this year would be 3.5.

Bills view: Nothing to see here. The Bills won’t consider a quarterback until late in the draft, if they do at all. The team traded for Case Keenum to serve as Allen’s backup, and brought back Matt Barkley to compete for the No. 3 quarterback job, either on the active roster or, more likely, the practice squad. It’s possible the Bills could use a late-round pick on a developmental quarterback to compete with Barkley, but it’s hardly a need.

Bills need ranking: 1 of 10.

Sleeper: Cole Kelley, Southeastern Louisiana.

A 6-foot-7, 249-pounder, Kelley is a former four-star recruit who signed with Arkansas out of high school, then transferred back to his home state and put up huge numbers, winning Southland Conference Player of the Year after the 2021 season, along with being named a first-team FCS Associated Press All-American.

TOP 10 QUARTERBACKS

1. Malik Willis*, Liberty – Height: 6-2. Weight: 219.

2. Kenny Pickett, Pitt – Height: 6-2. Weight: 217.

3. Matt Corral*, Ole Miss – Height: 6-3. Weight: 212.

4. Sam Howell*, North Carolina – Height: 6-1. Weight: 218.

5. Carson Strong*, Nevada – Height: 6-3. Weight: 226.

6. Desmond Ritter, Cincinnati – Height: 6-3. Weight: 211.

7. Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky – Height: 6-1. Weight: 215.

8. Skylar Thompson, Kansas State – Height: 6-2. Weight: 217.

9. Kaleb Elerby, Western Michigan – Height: 6-1. Weight: 208.

10. Cole Kelley, Southeastern Louisiana – Height: 6-7. Weight: 249.

* – Underclassman

This is the fourth in a series previewing each position in the 2022 NFL draft. Today’s installment looks at offensive tackle.

Big men will have their moment in the sun later this month at the NFL draft.

Up to three offensive tackles might be chosen in the top 10 picks, including No. 1 overall – something that hasn’t happened at the position since the Kansas City Chiefs selected Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher first in 2013.

Last year, there were four offensive tackles chosen in the first round. That number is likely to be exceeded this year, although it might not match the six tackles chosen in the first round in 2020.

“This tackle group features potential star power in Evan Neal and Ickey Ekwonu, with both Charles Cross and Trevor Penning grabbing 6.4 marks in my grading system, projecting them as good, early starters,” NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote this week in ranking each of the positional groups. “But once we draft past those five, it gets shaky real quick. Day 2 and Day 3 depth is below average, with many of the prospects on the wrong side of the line dividing their ceiling from their floor.”

Analytics website Pro Football Focus is a bit more bullish on the offensive tackle class, grading 10 players at the position inside its top 75 prospects.

Position ranking: 5 of 10.

Buffalo Bills view: The Buffalo Bills are in good shape, with Dion Dawkins coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance at left tackle and Spencer Brown emerging as a pleasant surprise last year as a rookie at right tackle. Brown, chosen in the third round from Northern Iowa, pushed veteran Daryl Williams inside and, eventually, off the roster entirely. If Brown can take another step in his second season, that pick will start to look even better for general manager Brandon Beane.

Depth could be a bit of a concern. Currently, the swing tackle projects to be Tommy Doyle, a fifth-round draft pick in 2021. He’s unproven, but the draft won’t be any help if it’s experience that the Bills seek in a player at that position.

None of the Bills’ projected starters along the offensive line are former first-round picks.

“When you look back at the Bills, they've built that offensive line to be a serviceable offensive line, and they've done it without a first-round pick,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. “There's other picks in the draft to be able to go and address that. You know, it kind of gets to the philosophy on how you build an offensive line, which I think has changed.

“I think it was just a few years ago when the Cowboys had the best offensive line in the league and it was all these first-round picks, and ‘OK, you've got to dedicate all these resources and high-value picks to your offensive line,' to now, 'Hey, your offensive line is as good as your worst player, so you don't need five Tony Bosellis. You just can't have any tomato cans out there.’ You can build that in the middle rounds. You can find really good offensive linemen in the second and third round.”

Jeremiah backed up that opinion with some facts.

“If you go back and look up the last five Super Bowl teams, that's Super Bowl winning teams, that's 25 starting offensive linemen. Of the 25 starting offensive linemen, three of them were home-grown, first-round picks,” he said. “Four of them were Day 2 picks; seven were Day 3 picks; one was an undrafted free agent; and four were veterans that were acquired in free agency or via trade. You can build an offensive line without using all your first-round picks to do it.”

If the Bills do address tackle, it would be a surprise if they did so before Day 3.

Bills need ranking: 3 of 10.

The best: Ickey Ekwonu, N.C. State.

It’s been too long since the NFL had an Ickey, although it remains to be seen if Ekwonu can shuffle. The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder has the ability to play guard or tackle, although any player going in the top five – and potentially No. 1 overall – should end up at left tackle eventually. Ekwonu has received positive reviews for what he brings to the locker room, in addition to what he brings to the field.

In ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay’s most recent mock draft, he has Ekwonu going No. 5 overall to the New York Giants as the first tackle off the board.

“New General Manager Joe Schoen would be off to a really, really good start to his tenure if he gets this lucky,” McShay wrote. “A run on pass rushers to begin the draft leaves Ekwonu for the Giants at No. 5 overall.”

Names to know: Evan Neal, Alabama; Charles Cross, Mississippi State; Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa; Tyler Smith, Tulsa; Bernhard Raiman, Central Michigan.

Neal is a behemoth, at 6-7, 350. He’s played both left and right tackle over the past two seasons for the Crimson Tide. According to PFF, he allowed just 25 pressures over the last two years. … Cross is a two-year starter who played at a high level in the best conference in college football. Jeremiah ranks him No. 23 on his list of the 50 best prospects in his class, but there’s a good chance he’s gone in the first 10-15 picks. … Penning is a former teammate of Brown at Northern Iowa who is known for playing with a mean streak. He’ll have to answer the same questions Brown did about taking such a significant leap in terms of the level of competition he’ll face in the NFL. … Smith took 16 penalties this past season, so he’ll have to control himself at the next level. Still, Bleacher Report named him as one of its prospects who might get chosen much earlier than expected based on his physical tools. … Raiman was playing tight end just two years ago, but allowed just 10 pressures this past season, according to PFF, with the hope being his best football is still to come.

Sleeper: Braxton Jones, Southern Utah State. Jones made 11 starts last year at left tackle and was named a first-team All-Big Sky selection. He has a basketball background and the arm length (35 3/8 inches) teams look for in tackle prospects.

Top 10 offensive tackles

1. Ickey Ekwonu, N.C. State – Height: 6-4. Weight: 310.

2. Evan Neal, Alabama – Height: 6-7. Weight: 350.

3. Charles Cross, Mississippi State – Height: 6-5. Weight: 307.

4. Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa – Height: 6-7. Weight: 321.

5. Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan – Height: 6-6. Weight: 303.

6. Tyler Smith, Tulsa – Height: 6-4. Weight: 324.

7. Abraham Lucas, Washington State – Height: 6-6. Weight: 315.

8. Max Mitchell, Louisiana – Height: 6-6. Weight: 307.

9. Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State – Height: 6-5. Weight: 316.

10. Kellen Diesch, Arizona State – Height: 6-7. Weight: 301.

This is the fifth in a series previewing each position in the 2022 NFL Draft. Today’s installment looks at interior offensive line.

The middle rounds are where to find good prospects for the interior offensive line in the 2022 draft class.

That’s the way it usually stacks up.

Almost half the current starters in the NFL at guard and center – 48 of 96 – entered the league on the third day of the draft, either as picks from the fourth to seventh rounds or as undrafted free agents.

Only 15 of 96 interior line starters were first-round picks. Eighteen were second-rounders, and 17 were third-rounders.

“On Day 2 and early Day 3, you can get quality at the guard position this year,” said ESPN analyst Todd McShay. “I think there is some good depth. I think there’s a lot of depth in Rounds 3 or 4.”

It’s possible only three interior offensive linemen will be taken in the first two rounds. Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum and guards Zion Johnson, of Boston College, and Kenyon Green, of Texas A&M, are the top trio.

A bunch of interior line prospects should start flying off the board in the third and fourth rounds.

Overall position ranking: 7 out of 10.

Bills view: Buffalo fortified its interior by signing quality veteran Rodger Saffold and retaining Ryan Bates and Ike Boettger, who is coming off an Achilles injury. Saffold turns 34 in June and is playing on a one-year contract. Backup Cody Ford is in the last year of his contract and will have to battle to make the roster.

The Bills could use a young, mid- to late-round guard or center who new offensive line coach Aaron Kromer can mold into a starter in 2023. The middle rounds are a perfect place to find that prospect. The presumption is the Bills will lean a little more in the direction of mobile offensive linemen under Kromer than they did under former line coach Bobby Johnson, who slanted in the direction of big, people-movers. On the Bills’ needs list, however, a guard ranks behind cornerback, wide receiver, big defensive tackle and running back.

Bills need ranking: 5 out of 10.

The best: Iowa’s Linderbaum is the top center. He was a six-sport athlete as an Iowa high schooler and was the only person to pin Tampa Bay star tackle Tristan Wirfs in high school. Linderbaum finished in the top five at heavyweight in the Iowa state tournament in his junior and senior years. He arguably is the most athletic offensive lineman in the draft, and he will excel on the move in the NFL. The concern is how he will handle the NFL’s biggest two-gapping defensive tackles. He also has shorter arms.

Boston College’s Johnson arguably is the top guard.

“I think Zion is the best guard in this draft class and I like a lot of them,” said Jim Nagy, Senior Bowl executive director. “I think it’s a pretty good interior line class. Zion’s one of the best stories. He started at Davidson in the Pioneer League, which is non-scholarship FCS. He moved to Boston College, one of the best offensive line schools in the country. He went up there and played great. ... He’s an immediate starter on the inside.”

Names to know: Memphis’ Dylan Parham is a converted tight end who is a tad small at 6-3 and 311 pounds but uses his athleticism to get on defenders quickly. He can play on the move and could shift to center, too. Nebraska’s Cam Jurgens is another converted tight end who is an athletic center. Logan Bruss is next in a long line of NFL-ready linemen from Wisconsin. Kentucky center Luke Fortner has two masters degrees and the quickness to fit an outside zone scheme. Lecitus Smith is a later-round pass-protecting guard with movement skills. Tulsa’s Chris Paul is a smart leader who converts from tackle and will go on Day 3. He helped himself with athletic workouts.

Sleeper: Central Michigan’s Luke Goedeke started his college career as a tight end at Division III Wisconsin Stevens Point. After catching 12 passes as a freshman, he decided to transfer. Wisconsin offered a walk-on spot. Central Michigan offered a full ride. He started at right tackle for the Chippewas in 2019 and 2021 but projects as a guard. He missed 2020 with a knee injury. He’s a Day 3 pick.

TOP 10 INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

1. Tyler Linderbaum*, C, Iowa      6-2, 296

2. Zion Johnson, G, Boston College  6-3, 314

3. Kenyon Green*, G, Texas A&M    6-4, 323

4. Dylan Parham*, G-C, Memphis    6-2, 313

5. Cole Strange, G, UT-Chattanooga 6-4, 304

6. Cam Jurgens, C, Nebraska        6-3, 303

7. Jamaree Salyer, G, Georgia     6-3, 320

8. Logan Bruss, G, Wisconsin       6-5, 309

9. Luke Goedeke*, G, Central Michigan  6-5 312

10. Marquis Hayes, G, Oklahoma        6-5, 318

*-underclassmen

Brandon Beane does not share your angst.

Buffalo Bills fans have been clamoring for a move at cornerback – any move – but so far, the team has mostly stood pat. Levi Wallace departed for the Pittsburgh Steelers, leaving the Bills with a potential hole in their projected starting lineup. Siran Neal was re-signed, but he’s been mostly been a contributor on special teams to this point in his career.

As of now, Tre’Davious White and third-year veteran Dane Jackson are atop the depth chart, but with the real games not starting until September, there is time for that to change. Complicating matters is White’s recovery from a torn ACL. While he’s believed to be on track in his rehabilitation, it remains to be seen if he’ll be ready to play in Week 1.

“We’ll continue to address multiple positions now, at the draft, after the draft – whatever it takes,” Beane, the Bills’ sixth-year general manager, said last month. “Anything is on the table, for corner or any other spot.”

While free agency remains a viable option, the available options have been pretty picked through. That’s not to say Beane won’t still look there, but the draft is the biggest remaining tool left for him to improve his roster heading into an eagerly anticipated 2022 season.

Another factor is the salary cap. A free agent or trade acquisition might simply be too cost prohibitive for a team tight up against the cap, whereas it’s a fixed cost for a draft pick.

“My main focus right now is the draft,” Beane said last month at the NFL owners meetings. “We're out of money unless you guys have some here. Other than that, we'll always look. After the draft, we'll be looking. We're never satisfied. We got a lot of positions that I still want to get more depth. We're not just waking up every day saying, 'Where's the corner?' We're looking everywhere and we have a lot of time. We don't play games until September. It's my job to make sure we have the roster ready by then and not April 1.”

The good news is, the draft looks to be reasonably well stocked with cornerbacks.

“The five-year average of cornerbacks taken over the first three rounds is 13.4. This year's class should approach – and potentially surpass – that number, but I wouldn't call this a standout position group,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote in his positional preview. “In my estimation, there are more cornerbacks with third-round grades than second-round grades, but overall, the depth and upside look good in Rounds 3 through 5.”

NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah described the available talent as a "solid group of corners."

Overall position ranking: 7 out of 10.

Bills view: Jackson stepped into the starting lineup when White got hurt on Thanksgiving night against the Saints and finished the season strong. Did the 2020 seventh-round draft pick out of Pitt do enough to prove he can be a full-time starter? Is White going to be back to his All-Pro level by September? Those are questions the Bills’ coaching staff and front office have to answer.

“Tre’s doing well – he’s working hard in the building, so we’ll start there,” coach Sean McDermott said last month, though the Bills have not provided an expected timeline for White's return. “I don’t want to forget about Tre. Then Dane, we have a lot of confidence in Dane as well, and the work that he’s put in and shown, and the results on the field to this point – albeit a small sample. Then we’ve got the young guys behind him who are working hard and just got through their first year. … Without getting into everyone, we’ve got a lot of confidence in those guys."

While that may be the case, it still might be time to devote some more draft resources to the position. Over the past four years, the Bills have used a pick in the fourth round or earlier on just one cornerback – Taron Johnson in 2018.

Even if the Bills determine White and Jackson are ready to be Week 1 starters, depth is a concern. A drafted rookie would not provide experience in that regard, but he might provide a viable starting option – especially if drafted in the first couple of rounds. For a team with no real holes anywhere else on the roster, cornerback definitely sticks out.

Bills need ranking: 9 out of 10.

The best: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cincinnati.

A 6-foot-3, 190-pounder, Gardner ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine. A consensus All-American, Gardner won the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year award after not giving up a touchdown in more than 1,000 career college snaps, according to analytics website Pro Football Focus. In 2021, Gardner allowed just 13 catches for 117 yards – for the entire season. He had three interceptions and three sacks, as well, and is a willing tackler. Overall, Gardner is the complete package and figures to be gone within the first 10 picks, at worst.

"Gardner is the long, rangy cover corner every defensive coordinator is looking for to man the island," NFL analyst Bucky Brooks wrote.

Names to know: Trent McDuffie, Washington; Derek Stingley Jr., LSU; Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson; Roger McCreary, Auburn.

Stingley had an amazing 2019 season with LSU as a freshman, but hasn’t duplicated that level of performance since, leading to some evaluators fearing he has bust potential. He’s also played just 10 games over the past two seasons because of injuries.

McDuffie didn’t test all that well and finished college with just two interceptions and 10 passes defensed, but he’s viewed as an excellent option for teams running a primarily zone scheme, like the Bills. He also could be long gone by the time the Bills are on the clock at No. 25. 

According to PFF, no cornerback in college football played more snaps in 2021 than Booth did without allowing a reception of 20-plus yards. Booth already has had a top-30 visit with the Bills, according to the NFL Network. He’s a willing tackler, which is a necessary trait in McDermott’s defense, and fits the physical profile for the Bills at the position.

McCreary was lightly recruited out of high school, and according to scouts, plays as if he’s never forgotten that slight.

“Trent McDuffie may be the safest,” Zierlein wrote. “The positional growth of Derek Stingley Jr. and Andrew Booth could have a big impact on how we view this crop in three years.”

Sleeper: Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston State.

He’ll have to answer questions about his competition level in FCS, but McCollum had 13 interceptions and six forced fumbles in college, showing good production on the football, and ran a blazing, 4.33-second 40-yard dash. He fits the physical profile teams are looking for and was a team captain who has gotten great reviews for his leadership.

TOP 10 CORNERBACKS

1 Ahmad Gardner*, Cincinnati – Height: 6-3. Weight: 190.

2 Trent McDuffie*, Washington – Height: 5-11. Weight: 193.

3. Derek Stingley Jr.*, LSU – Height: 6-0. Weight: 195.

4. Andrew Booth Jr.*, Clemson – Height: 6-0. Weight: 194.

5. Kyler Gordon*, Washington – Height: 6-0. Weight: 194.

6. Roger McCreary, Auburn – Height: 5-11. Weight: 190.

7. Kaiir Elam*, Florida – Height: 6-2. Weight: 191.

8. Marcus Jones, Houston – Height: 5-8. Weight: 174.

9. Josh Jobe, Alabama – Height: 6-1. Weight: 194.

10. Tariq Woolen, UTSA – Height: 6-4. Weight: 205.

* – Underclassman

This is the seventh part of a series previewing each position in the 2022 NFL draft. Today’s installment looks at tight ends.

NFL general managers looking for tight ends in this year's draft won't be striking too early.

Last year, Kyle Pitts became the highest tight end ever drafted when he went fourth overall to the Falcons. He had a standout rookie season, but his trajectory isn’t going to set a new norm. The 2022 class instead will provide options well into Day 3. 

This year, NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah thinks that even without a player of Pitts’ caliber, there are still plenty of worthy prospects.

“I think it's a pretty good tight end draft,” Jeremiah said on a conference call in February. “There's no Kyle Pitts, but there is a ton of depth.”

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein echoed the balance of quantity versus star power. Though he ranked tight end as 10 out of 11 in his ranking of position groups from strongest to weakest, he feels that the depth of this class stands out.

“Teams are going to find depth well into Day 3, but it's a middle-, lower-middle-class crop this season,” Zierlein said.

Overall position ranking: 4 out of 10.

Bills' view: Dawson Knox is coming off a standout season. He set a franchise record for touchdowns by a tight end, even while missing two games with a hand injury. Beane was candid that he wanted to add depth to compete with Knox, and he did.

The Bills added to the tight end room in the free agency, bringing in O.J. Howard. Howard, a first-round pick out of Alabama in 2017, spent five years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He missed some time with injuries, but expects to benefit from a fresh start in Buffalo.

It is all a big jump from where the Bills stood at tight end a year prior, with Beane candidly calling for improvement. If Knox can maintain this level of play and Howard can work himself well into the offense, the Bills aren’t in huge need of drafting a tight end.

Bills' need ranking: 3 out of 10.

The best: Trey McBride, Colorado State.

McBride was the winner of last year’s John Mackey Award, presented to college football's most outstanding tight end. He’s coming off a 90-catch, 1,121-yard, one-touchdown season as the focus of Colorado State’s offense. He easily led the team in receiving yards and receptions, with both numbers more than double his second-most productive teammates in each category.

His lone touchdown in 2021 is of note, but he had nine touchdowns total in the three seasons prior.

Names to know: Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina. Greg Dulcich, UCLA. Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M. Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State.

Likely’s 12 touchdowns last season led FBS tight ends. His 59 catches for 912 yards in 13 starts helped Coastal Carolina on its way to its first bowl win in program history, and those numbers were good on an individual level for first-team All-Sun Belt Conference.

A former walk-on, Dulcich has drawn comparisons to Knox. He switched to tight end from wide receiver at UCLA, and it shows in his pass-catching abilities. He’s expected to keep improving, as his blocking could use more time on task.

Wydermyer had a rough Pro Day, but his physical skills and catch radius help. He had 515 receiving yards, 40 catches, and four touchdowns in 12 starts last year as a junior.

Ruckert had 26 catches, 309 yards and three touchdowns in a loaded Ohio State offense. Buckeyes receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave are projected as first-round picks this draft, meaning Ruckert was underused.

Both Likely and Wydermyer have been brought in by the Bills for top-30 visits, per reports.

Sleeper: Curtis Hodges, Arizona State.

Hodges had limited playing time at ASU, in large part due to injuries, which will be a concern for teams. Still, he stepped up this past season, and teams could eye him for the practice squad. Hodges had 20 catches for 374 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games, with 10 starts in his senior campaign.

Top 10 tight ends:

1. Trey McBride, Colorado State – Height: 6-4. Weight: 246.

2. Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina – Height: 6-4 1/2. Weight: 245

3. Greg Dulcich*, UCLA – Height: 6-4. Weight: 243

4. Jalen Wydermyer*, Texas A&M – Height: 6-4. Weight: 255.

5. Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State – Height: 6-5. Weight: 250

6. Cade Otton, Washington – Height: 6-5. Weight: 247.

7. Cole Turner, Nevada – Height: 6-6. Weight: 246

8. Jelani Woods, Virginia – Height: 6-7. Weight: 259.

9. Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin – Height: 6-5. Weight: 250.

10. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Maryland – Height: 6-2 1/2. Weight: 238.

* - underclassman

This is the eighth part of a series previewing each position in the 2022 NFL draft. Today’s installment looks at edge rushers.

The 2022 class of edge rushers is loaded. The group is deep and talented, with as many as four projected to go in the top 15.

“This position group has star-caliber potential, plenty of future starters and quality depth ranging well into the fifth round,” NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his position group rankings. “… What I love about this crop is the diversity of the depth. There are speed rushers, long defenders with traits and pure power players – something for every team and every scheme.”

There’s a lot of upside to players who already frazzled quarterbacks in college. The class provides a good mix of options for different team’s needs, and the top prospects should make an immediate impact on defense.

Overall position ranking: 9 out of 10.

Bills’ view: Far be it from Brandon Beane to pass on a chance to draft an edge rusher he likes.

He took defensive ends Greg Rousseau and Boogie Basham in the first and second rounds of the 2021 draft after taking A.J. Epenesa in the second round in 2020. The young group still has some developing to do, but Rousseau, in particular, has shown really solid growth.

The Bills brought back Shaq Lawson, but are without Jerry Hughes, Mario Addison and Efe Obada. Obada signed with the Commanders; Hughes and Addison are free agents.

With the way AFC teams have built up their offenses, Beane believes in countering by getting players who can get opposing quarterbacks to the ground. The addition of veteran pass rusher Von Miller this free agency is a testament to that need. Now, even with the investment in Miller, the Bills could still add depth, and won’t rule other continuing the defense end streak.

“We're still going to take the best player (available) and especially early in the early rounds,” Beane said in March.

Bills’ need ranking: 6 out of 10.

The best: Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan

Hutchinson, the favorite to be the first pick of the 2022 draft, highlights a strong class of edge rushers. He’s coming off a 14-sack season at Michigan, which set a school record. Hutchinson’s productive senior season came after missing the bulk of 2020 after fracturing his leg. He was relentless in his return from injury, and his intense, physical play was rewarded with the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Award, Team AP All-American honors, and the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the best defensive end in college football.

Names to know: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon. Travon Walker, Georgia. Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State.

Thibodeaux is agile and athletic, and he’s coming off a seven-sack season at Oregon. His production may have been lower as he worked through an ankle injury and played in 11 games. Still, he led the Ducks in sacks and in tackles for loss (12). He’s explosive and aggressive.

Walker was part of the star-powered Georgia defense that captured a national championship. His arm length (35.5”) and explosive start help him against the run. Walker started all season for Georgia, registering six sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss and two passes defensed.

Johnson transferred from Georgia to Florida State in 2021, where he tallied 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in 12 games. He played two seasons in junior college before Georgia, but his three-stop journey culminated with ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Johnson stood out at the Senior Bowl, and still has room to develop as pass rusher.

Sleeper: Jeffrey Gunter, Coastal Carolina.

Gunter was a three-year starter at Coastal Carolina, with a year at N.C. State in the middle of his time with the Chanticleers. In 2020, he led the FBS in forced fumbles. He’s got quick bursts, but still needs some refining of strategy to match his athleticism.

Top 10 edge rushers

1. Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan – Height: 6-7. Weight: 260.

2. Kayvon Thibodeaux*, Oregon – Height: 6-4. Weight: 254.

3. Travon Walker*, Georgia – Height: 6-5. Weight: 272.

4. Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State – Height: 6-5. Weight: 254.

5. George Karlaftis*, Purdue – Height: 6-4. Weight: 266.

6. Boye Mafe, Minnesota – Height: 6-4. Weight: 261.

7. Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State – Height: 6-2. Weight: 250.

8. David Ojabo*, Michigan – Height: 6-4. Weight: 250.

9. Nik Bonitto*, Oklahoma – Height: 6-3. Weight: 248.

10. Kingsley Enagbare, South Carolina – Height: 6-4. Weight: 258.

* - underclassman

This is the ninth part of a series previewing each position in the 2022 NFL Draft. Today’s installment looks at defensive tackles.

The 2022 class of defensive tackles isn’t the strongest group in the upcoming NFL draft. There are some standouts from a premier Georgia defense, and a few others who broke through this season. But the main knock is that the class lacks depth.

While the 2022 prospects at edge rusher combine high-caliber play and deep options as a group, the defensive tackles class is relatively muted. Still, there are plenty of big guys with notable room to develop.

Overall Position Ranking: 3 of 10.

Bills’ view: The Bills’ defensive tackle group has changed dramatically this offseason. Harrison Phillips is off to Minnesota, Vernon Butler signed with the Las Vegas Raiders and Star Lotulelei is a free agent. The Bills brought back Jordan Phillips and signed Tim Settle and DaQuan Jones. Those three join fourth-year defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who’s coming off a solid season.

"I thought he was our best, most consistent d-lineman all year from start to finish," general manager Brandon Beane said in January. 

"... Grading the D-line, those guys were a big part of what we did, even though we don't have a 15-sack guy or anything like that, a number of tackles for loss. Ed really helped the back end with his disruption, having the quarterback get the ball out, or at least get him off the spot, having to throw on the move turns into an incompletion or an interception," he added.

Settle is entering his fifth year, and Phillips and Jones are older. The Bills could look to add some younger talent, with added time to develop. They could add a big 1-technique prospect if they find one late in the draft. Beane certainly wouldn't count out anything.

"I’m always going to put resources in the front," Beane said in January. "That’s just how I believe it should be built. Don’t ever be shocked if you see us trying to add there, free agency or the draft at any point."

Bills' need ranking: 4 of 10.

The best: Jordan Davis, Georgia.

Georgia's Davis and teammate Devonte Wyatt rise to the top of this class. Davis is massive, and his stout play led to receiving both the Chuck Bednarik Award (best defensive player in college football) and the Outland Trophy (best interior defensive lineman). He played fewer snaps per game last season, but brings a wealth of experience.

Names to know: Devonte Wyatt, Georgia. Logan Hall, Houston. Travis Jones, Connecticut.

Wyatt is coming off his best year with the Bulldogs, his redshirt senior season. He was first-team All-SEC and forced two fumbles. Wyatt is quick and powerful in the pass rush.

Hall is an interesting prospect, as he’s a hybrid defensive tackle and defensive end. His frame may lend more to the edge, but his versatility means teams can mold him however they see fit. Hall had six sacks and 13 tackles for loss last season.

Jones is huge, even by defensive tackle standards. That size leads to power, but he also moves quickly and can be disruptive. Connecticut didn’t play at all in 2020, so he lost that season, and some of his techniques are still evolving. His 4.5 sacks last season led the Huskies.

Sleeper: Noah Elliss, Idaho.

Elliss has played just one full year, with a knee injury in 2019, followed by a shortened season played in spring of 2021. His fall 2021 campaign earned him All-Big Sky honorable mention for his physical play. Elliss’ father, Luther, was a first-round defensive tackle in 1995, who played 10 seasons, mainly with the Lions.

Top-10 defensive tackles

1. Jordan Davis, Georgia – Height: 6-6. Weight: 340.

2. Devonte Wyatt, Georgia – Height: 6-3. Weight: 307.

3. Travis Jones, Connecticut – Height: 6-5. Weight: 333.

4. Logan Hall, Houston – Height: 6-6. Weight: 275.

5. Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma – Height: 6-4. Weight: 292.

6. Phidarian Mathis, Alabama – Height: 6-4. Weight: 312.

7. DeMarvin Leal*, Texas A&M – Height: 6-4. Weight: 290.

8. Kalia Davis, Central Florida – Height: 6-2. Weight: 310.

9. Matthew Butler, Tennessee – Height: 6-4. Weight: 295.

10. Neil Farrell Jr., LSU – Height: 6-4. Weight: 325.

This is the 10th in a series previewing each position in the 2022 NFL draft. Today’s installment looks at linebacker.

The need to defend spread offenses in space can be seen in the speed of the linebackers entering the NFL draft in recent years.

In the six years between 2013 and 2018, four linebackers ran 40-yard dash times faster than 4.50 seconds at the NFL scouting combine.

In the past four years, 14 linebackers have cracked the 4.50 mark.

“Teams are obsessed with trying to find the longer, rangier, off-the-ball linebackers,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said.

The fastest linebackers in this year’s class are: Montana State’s Troy Andersen (4.42), Alabama’s Christian Harris (4.44) and Georgia’s Channing Tindall (4.47).

There are plenty of fast NFL linebackers who don’t quite crack the 4.5 mark.

Bills outside linebacker Matt Milano is a fast sideline-to-sideline player. He ran the 40 in 4.67 seconds entering the 2017 draft. He also showed his explosiveness with a broad jump of 10 feet, 6 inches, which is among the best in any draft class. Colts All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard ran 4.70 ... and showed his explosiveness with a 10-8 broad jump.

The NFL will be looking for more of those kinds of athletes at linebacker in the 2022 draft.

Overall position ranking: 8 out of 10.

Bills view: Looking solely at the 2022 season, linebacker looms as a Day 3 need for Buffalo. However, middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is entering the last year of his contract. He will be very expensive to retain in 2023 and beyond. If an ideal linebacker is on the board in the second or third round, the Bills could pounce and opt not to make Edmunds one of their "cornerstone" financial players. If no LB they love is on the board, they could hold off on a financial decision on Edmunds. Behind Edmunds and Milano, the Bills have Tyrel Dodson, Tyler Matakevich, Marquel Lee, special teams ace Andre Smith and Joe-Giles Harris.

With veteran A.J. Klein gone, Matakevich is the backup to Edmunds in the middle. Dodson is the incumbent backup to Milano. The Bills could use another speedy prospect.

Bills need ranking: 6 out of 10.

The best: Devin Lloyd, Utah. Lloyd showed he can do it all in 2021. He made 110 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, eight sacks, 10 passes defensed and four interceptions (two for touchdowns). A former high school safety, he is a three-down NFL linebacker who can play the run and cover sideline to sideline equally well.

Names to know: If the Bills are going to pounce on Day 2, a guy to watch is Wyoming's Chad Muma, a 239-pound converted safety who is super instinctive. He's a mid- to late second-rounder. Muma had a formal interview with the Bills at the combine.

There are a bunch of interesting Day 3 prospects. DeMarco Jackson of Appalachian State is a good one. He’s a squatty, long-armed, good athlete who was a high school state discus champ. He has more than 600 special-teams snaps in college, almost 300 tackles and is a two-time captain. North Carolina’s Jeremiah Gemmel is an instinctive three-year starter. Nebraska’s JoJo Domann is a box safety or nickel linebacker who’s great in coverage and might last to the fourth round. Indiana’s Micah McFadden is a two-time captain who had the most pressures in college football the last three years. Cincinnati’s 6-4, 237-pound Darrian Beavers is a hulking prospect who has the kind of big traits the Bills like and he had 700-plus special teams snaps. He’s really good and fighting through contact to make tackles.

Intriguing: Montana State’s Andersen turned heads with his workout numbers and has an amazing story. As a freshman, he starred at both running back and linebacker and was Big Sky Conference freshman of the year. As a sophomore, he was first-team All-Big Sky at quarterback. He returned to linebacker his last two years and was Football Championship Subdivision Defensive Player of the Year. He was Montana's 100 meters champ in high school. His 10-yard split (1.49 seconds) was one of the fastest ever for a linebacker. He has the traits the Bills like, but he’s probably a late second, early third-rounder.

Sleeper: Sterling Weatherford was a box safety at Miami, Ohio, who has length and coverage skills. He could be a priority undrafted signee.

TOP 10 LINEBACKERS

1. Devin Lloyd*, Utah 6-3, 237

2. Nakobe Dean*, Georgia 5-11, 229

3. Christian Harris*, Alabama 6-0, 226

4. Quay Walker, Georgia 6-4, 241

5. Chad Muma*, Wyoming 6-2, 239

6. Leo Chenal*, Wyoming 6-2, 250

7. Channing Tindall, Georgia 6-2, 230

8. Troy Anderson, Montana St. 6-3, 242

9. Brian Asamoah II*, Oklahoma 6-0, 222

10. Jesse Luketa, Penn State 6-2, 253

*-underclassman

This is the 11th in a series previewing each position in the 2022 NFL draft. Today’s installment looks at safety.

Safety isn’t traditionally viewed as a premium position.

Over the last three decades, only three have been drafted with a top-five pick: The late Eric Turner went second overall to Cleveland in 1991. The late Sean Taylor went fifth to Washington in 2004. And Eric Berry went fifth to Kansas City in 2010.

Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton could join that rare company.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound team captain, described as a “unicorn” at the position by NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein, started just seven games last season before being sidelined by a knee injury. But the junior was nevertheless named a second-team AP All-American and finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defender in the country.

Hamilton is the only safety likely destined to be drafted in the top half of the first round, but a handful of high-impact safeties with upside could go in the late first or second rounds. And there are undoubtedly diamonds in the rough to be had on Day 3.

Overall Position Ranking: 7 of 10.

Bills’ view: The Bills have the best safety tandem in the NFL with first-team All-Pro Jordan Poyer and second-team All-Pro Micah Hyde. But for how long?

Poyer, who turns 31 on April 25 and has one season remaining on his contract, recently hired renowned agent Drew Rosenhaus, who told The Buffalo News he has approached the Bills about a contract extension. Poyer is undoubtedly looking for top money for his position. He was a seventh-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013.

Hyde, 31, signed a two-year extension with the Bills in 2021, keeping him under team control through the 2023 season. He was a fifth-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2013.

The Bills’ roster also includes safeties Jaquan Johnson, Damar Hamlin and Josh Thomas, as well as Siran Neal, who is listed as a cornerback but also plays strong safety.

Bills’ need ranking: 4 of 10.

The best: Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame.

Hamilton could be one of the first picks in the draft. He has the size, athleticism and demonstrated play-making ability to fit any scheme.

Hamilton had a team-high three interceptions and three pass breakups in Notre Dame’s first seven games but missed the last five with a knee injury.

Names to know: Daxton Hill, Michigan. Lewis Cine, Georgia. Jaquan Brisker, Penn State.

ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. has the Bills selecting Hill with the No. 25 overall pick in his latest mock draft, released Wednesday. Hill could be a short-term solution at corner, where the Bills’ secondary has the greatest immediate need, as well as a long-term option at safety.

“NFL teams love his versatility – he played more than 550 snaps at nickelback in 2021 – and think he could play both corner and safety,” Kiper wrote. “He might be a slot corner if he ends up in Buffalo, which lost Levi Wallace in free agency and has Tre’Davious White returning from an ACL tear.”

Cine missed only 11 tackles in 159 career attempts, according to the analytics website Pro Football Focus, which ranks him as the No. 2 safety in the draft class behind Hamilton and a possible late first-round pick.

Brisker is a versatile and hard-hitting prospect comfortable in coverage and against the run. He has been noted for his tone-setting ability, significant tackle radius and closing speed. He’s a potential Day 2 pick.

Sleeper: Smoke Monday, Auburn.

The 6-3, 199-pound senior belongs on the All-Pro name team and could be an impact player as a rookie on special teams. Monday is a two-year starter with an alpha mentality and looks to punish ball carriers. He had nine tackles for loss last season and three career interception returns for touchdowns. He’s a possible late-round pick.

Top 10 safeties

A look at the top 10 safeties available in the NFL draft:

Player School Ht. Wt.

1. Kyle Hamilton* Notre Dame 6-4 220

2. Daxton Hill* Michigan 6-0 191

3. Lewis Cine* Georgia 6-2 199

4. Jaquan Brisker* Penn State 6-1 199

5. Jalen Pitre Baylor 5-10 198

6. Nick Cross Maryland 6-0 212

7. Bryan Cook Cincinnati 6-0 206

8. Tycen Anderson Toledo 6-1 209

9. JT Woods Baylor 6-2 188

10. Verone McKinley* Oregon 5-10 198

* Underclassman