The Reese’s Senior Bowl is one of the first signs that the offseason has begun. The annual all-star game is set for 2:30 p.m. this afternoon in Mobile, AL, and you can tach the game on the NFL Network or the NFL app.

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott referenced the importance of having two or three “difference makers” on each side of the ball. The Bills appear to lack a few of these difference makers, and the 2025 NFL Draft is a chance for Buffalo to fill at least one of those voids.

After watching the Senior Bowl practices this week, here are some prospects I find intriguing for the Bills at the 2025 Senior Bowl. These prospects aren’t ranked by “value.” To keep it simple, I listed a handful of prospects at various positions I think One Bills Drive might have interest.

Offensive Line

Jalen Rivers (Miami)

Rivers took reps at every position along the offensive line throughout the week at the Senior Bowl. Buffalo’s offensive line is pretty stacked right now, but having a capable player in the wings in case of injury is important. Rivers provides some versatility and we know the Bills covet that. I don’t expect Buffalo to spend any picks on an offensive lineman until Day 3, and Rivers should be taken around that time.

Ozzy Trapilo (Boston College)

One of the only offensive linemen at the Senior Bowl that is truly pegged as a tackle only, Trapilo is one of the biggest guys in Mobile, AL — standing a massive 6’7 1/2” and weighing 321 pounds. Does this remind you of anyone on the Bills? Spencer Brown is 6’8” and 311 pounds. Buffalo loves their athletic freaks and anomalies, and Trapilo fits into that mold as a late-round flyer.

Running Back

Every year I don’t believe the Bills will draft a running back before the last couple of rounds, and every year they seem to do it anyway. Their running back stable is set if Ty Johnson comes back, which I assume he will. However, James Cook’s contract is up after the 2025 NFL season and he will need to be paid a pretty penny. Having a back developing in the wings like Ray Davis and another rookie this year might serve them well.

Damien Martinez (Miami)

A bigger back who has some burst to make things exciting. Would be a fun Day 3 option for the Bills to see what he can bring to the table.

Marcus Yarns (Delaware)

Yarns had 62 receptions for 807 yards and 11 TDs in three years at Delaware. He also excelled in his one-on-one matchups out of the backfield at the Senior Bowl. Ty Johnson holds the “third-down back” role for the Bills, but his contract is up. If Johnson doesn’t return, the Bills could look for another option in the NFL Draft.

Wide Receiver

Jayden Higgins (Iowa State)

Higgins is 6’3 3/4” and moves like he belongs in the slot. He’s silky smooth and his size makes him even more intriguing.

Tez Johnson (Oregon)

Johnson is another small-slot wide receiver who excels in route running. Standing just over 5’9” and only 156 pounds, Johnson looks to continue the successful run of receivers with his body type. Tank Dell and Xavier Worthy have found success in the NFL with their slender body profile, can Johnson do the same? His size is semi-concerning, but his separation ability would give the Bills something they lack right now.

Jalen Royals (Utah State)

Royals is just under 6’ but has a sturdy build weighing 210 pounds. Royals showed off his strength and propensity to get open during Senior Bowl practices. Royals is a likely Day 2 pick but could wind up being one of those second- or third-round receivers who find success early in the NFL.

Defensive Tackle

Deone Walker (Kentucky)

6’7” and 340 pounds is monstrous. The Bills do not have this type of size at the DT position. They have some taller guys at EDGE like Greg Rousseau (6’7”) and A.J. Epenesa (6’6”), so why not continue the theme on the inside? It’s pretty amazing there are people that big in the world who are able to move the way Walker does. If Walker makes it to the end of the second round he could be an option for the Bills.

Darius Alexander (Toledo)

Alexander is one of my favorites after his showing at the Senior Bowl. He’s almost 6’4” and weighs 304 pounds. He played all over the defensive line and even took reps as a standup EDGE player during practice. His upside is sky-high and a prospect who would be exciting to see in a Bills uniform.

Joshua Farmer

Farmer doesn’t have the freakish measurements or flashy traits that some of the other defensive tackles in this class have, but Farmer is a workhorse. It seemed like every rep he had at the Senior Bowl was a productive one. If the Bills want to double-dip or even wait until later in the draft to get a DT, I believe Farmer should be considered.

EDGE

I will note that there were quite a few top EDGE rushers present at the Senior Bowl. I do believe the Bills need to find more production from this position, so everyone should be on the table. However, for this article, I will only pick a few favorites from the Senior Bowl.

Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M)

Only 4.5 sacks in his college career is a little worrisome, but Stewart impacted the game in more ways than just sacks. Stewart has all the traits to become dominant, and if the Bills can get their hands on him I believe they would be delighted about his current skill set and his future potential. Measuring in at 6’5” and 281 pounds, he would continue Buffalo’s line of tall pass rushers.

Mike Green (Marshall)

Speed and bend around the edge, that’s what Green does. However, he did show some other ways he can win in Mobile. Getting Green at the end of Round 1 would be a win for Buffalo. This guy knows how to get after the quarterback. Plus his wrestling background gets brownie points from McDermott.

Barryn Sorrell (Texas)

Sorrell improved his draft stock at the Senior Bowl. The 6’3 5/8” and 253-pound EDGE player was an explosive disruptor throughout the week.

Cornerback

Maxwell Hariston (Kentucky)

Lots of eyeballs were on Hariston this week to see if he was fully healed from his injury earlier this year. He didn’t disappoint. Hariston competes in every rep and his athletic skill set is off the charts. Excited to see what this guy does at the NFL Scouting Combine. However, if he does too well he could place himself out of Buffalo’s range.

Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State)

A tall corner (6’1 1/2”) with sound movement skills for his size. Thomas was consistently in the mix, winning multiple one-on-ones as a defensive back this week at the Senior Bowl. He stays patient at the line of scrimmage and doesn’t panic throughout the route. Thomas would be a nice addition to Buffalo’s secondary.

Quincy Riley (Louisville)

Riley won the National Team’s Player of the Week for the defensive back group. Riley was sticky in coverage all week and has a knack for getting his hands on the football.

Safety

Billy Bowman Jr. (Oklahoma)

Slightly undersized at 5’9”, regardless Bowman is a natural playmaker. He picked off 11 passes in his college career and he is a solid tackler. The Bills need safety help and will be on the lookout for it in the NFL Draft. Bowman is likely a Day 3 pick.

Honorable Mention – All Positions

• Kyle Williams – WR (Washington State)
• Jack Bech – WR (TCU)
• Walter Nolen – DT (Ole Miss)
• T.J. Sanders – DT (South Carolina)
• Jeffrey Bassa – LB (Oregon)
• Trey Amos – CB (Ole Miss)
• Dorian Strong – CB (Virginia Tech)
• Maxen Hook – S (Toledo)