ESPN sees Bills taking Von Miller's replacement in early 2025 mock draft

It’s never too early to look ahead to next year’s NFL draft.

ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller provided an all-too-early projection of how next year’s draft could play out. Using ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Bills ended up with the 26th pick in the first round.

With that selection, ESPN has the Bills selecting Texas A&M edge rusher Nic Scourton.

Miller justifies the pick by stating:

The Bills’ early top needs for 2025 look a lot like they did in 2024. But after selecting Keon Coleman to pair with Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel at receiver, GM Brandon Beane might opt to address the team’s pass rush, Buffalo’s other looming issue, next spring. Greg Rousseau is a talented player, but relying on Von Miller after this season isn’t a given. And Scourton posted 10 sacks at Purdue in 2023 and has the strength at 6-4 and 280 pounds to take over the SEC now that he’s at A&M. Turn on his tape against Michigan from last year, when he tallied two sacks, and you can see the impact he brings to a defense.

Scourton recorded 50 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, three passes defensed, and a forced fumble. Scourton is an elite pass rusher who tied for most sacks in the Big Ten last year.

Scourton entered the transfer portal at the end of the season.

The Bills defensive end position may look very different at this time next year. Buffalo could move on from Von Miller’s contract, which sees the cap hit accelerate up to $32 million by its conclusion in 2027. Buffalo has a potential out at the end of this year, which would put the Bills on the hook for $15.17 million in dead cap considerations.

Depth players Dawuane Smoot, Casey Toohill, and DeShawn Williams contracts all expire at the end of this season.

Scourton could be an interesting piece to go along with Greg Rousseau and AJ Epenesa on the defensive line. General manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott have emphasized the defensive line in drafts during their tenure. Ed Oliver, Rousseau, and Epenesa were the Bills first selections in their respective draft years for Buffalo under the Beane-McDermott regime.