2021 NFL Mock Draft: Trey Lance to Panthers, Packers nab big OT over 3 full rounds

There was a time when Alabama linebacker Dylan Moses was expected to be the second linebacker taken after Micah Parsons. He’s a smart and efficient player who seems to always be in the right spot. He’s also very good at wrapping up the ball carrier and avoiding the missed tackles. For those reasons, and more, Moses was thought to be a top-20 pick for much of the season.

Then, he started to slide back. Part of the reason is the de-emphasis on linebackers in a pass-happy NFL where teams are looking for players who are more of hybrids. Another reason is the ascension of other linebackers such as Jeremiah Owusu-Karamoah — who went above him in this mock — as well as Zevn Collins from Tulsa and Nick Bolton from Missouri. Some mocks now have those two ahead of Moses with him falling out of the first round. As for this mock, Moses still makes it into the first round and he finds himself on a great team.

The Buffalo Bills made huge strides this past season and ended up in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterback Josh Allen was the catalyst for their success as he and Stefon Diggs proved to be great together. However, their defense started to slide some, which is something head coach Sean McDermott will want to correct.

He aims to do that here with the selection of Moses, who would replace Matt Milano as he enters free agency. There’s still plenty of talent for Buffalo on defense but they just need to upgrade a few spots and they can make some serious noise, especially if Allen keeps improving.