This may be a good year for the Buffalo Bills to not have a first round pick.

Top-30 pre-draft visits and private workouts are out the window thanks to COVD-19. Instead, teams will be holding FaceTime and Zoom meetings with prospects ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft.

SI.com’s Monday Morning Quarterback laid out the process:

One team I talked to has had about 100 of the allowable draft calls—teams are permitted three per week with each prospect, with each call limited to an hour—via Zoom already. Another’s getting started tomorrow, but did dry runs last week. Soon, all will be conducting them because of the loss of what are commonly referred to as “30 visits,” the de facto job interviews that teams are allowed to fly up to 30 players in for.

The early returns? Well, a team can get a pretty good idea of a player’s mental aptitude and ability to learn over the technology. What’s harder is reading body language and presence. As one veteran scout said, “There’s an instinct you have ... you’re gonna miss that now.”

But the biggest thing lost is that teams, during those visits, are allowed to have kids meet with their doctors and trainers, and to put them through a physical to close their medical files. Not having the ability to do that—and we’ll get back to this—is an awfully big deal.

Knowing that things will look a lot different this year, NYUP and Syracuse.com will be tracking all of the latest news, reports and rumors on the Bills’ interest in prospects. Bookmark this page as we will be updating this page whenever news becomes available.

Cincinnati TE Josiah Deguara - FaceTime Meeting

The Bills have six tight ends on their roster ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, but that is not stopping the team from doing their homework on some of this year’s prospects.

Justin Melo of The Draft Wire reported that Buffalo recently held a video conference meeting with Cincinnati TE Josiah Deguara. Deguara could go as early as late on day two of the draft, but most draft projections have him doing on day three.

Deguara is coming off of a season in which he recorded 39 receptions for 504 yards and seven touchdowns. Deguara could play H-back in the NFL.

Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins - FaceTime Meeting

Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reported that the Bills were one of many teams to hold a pre-draft video conference with J.K. Dobbins. Dobbins is considered to be one of the top three backs in this year’s draft class.

It’s possible that Dobbins is available at No. 54 with runs on wide receiver, offensive tackles, cornerbacks and quarterbacks likely, but the Bills may need to move up if they truly want to land the Buckeyes running back.

Louisiana IOL Robert Hunt - FaceTime Meeting

Robert Hunt recently held a FaceTime meeting with the Bills per Draft Wire’s Justin Melo.

Hunt is viewed as a day two pick in this year’s draft and has been compared to Cody Ford.

Here is what Lance Zierlein wrote about Hunt:

“Like Cody Ford in last year’s draft, Hunt is a plus athlete with a big man’s frame who could be considered at guard or tackle. Inconsistent footwork and pad level are the primary culprits when he fails to win the rep, but there aren’t any physical limitations that should prevent him from improving in both areas. Pass protection traits are present but getting the skill level up to par is going to take time. He’s a little raw but has the necessary talent to become a solid future starter at right tackle.”

Charlotte OT Cameron Clark - FaceTime Meeting

Jordan Reid of The Draft Network reported that the Bills were one of 12 teams who had a video conference meeting with the Charlotte prospect.

Reid is viewed as a day three prospect in this year’s draft class. He mainly played at left tackle at Charlotte, but is viewed as a guard prospect in the NFL.

Appalachian State RB Darrynton Evans - FaceTime Meeting

Add Appalachian State RB Darrynton Evans to the Bills’ pre-draft meeting list. Josh Edwards of CBS Sports listed the Bills as one of many teams who have met with the running back.

Evans is viewed as a late day-two, early day-three draft pick in this year’s draft class and has been mentioned as one of the top 10 backs in this year’s class. Evans ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the combine and has been compared to former second-round pick Ronald Jones II.

Wisconsin LB Chris Orr - FaceTime Meeting

Melo also reported that the Bills held a FaceTime meeting with Wisconsin’s Chris Orr. Orr is viewed as a day three prospect in this year’s draft class after a solid pro day. Here’s a look at his results.

4.65-second 40-yard dash, 4.08-second 20-yard shuttle, 6.99-second three-cone drill; 9-foot, 2-inch broad jump; 36½-inch vertical; 20 reps on bench

Orr recorded 78 total tackles, 11.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss and five passes defensed in 2019.

Minnesota CB Chris Williamson - FaceTime Meeting

Justin Melo reported that the Bills recently held a FaceTime meeting with Minnesota CB Chris Williamson.

Last drill of the day for the West practice: a 1v1 gauntlet



Up first, @GopherFootball CB Chris Williamson (@chris_will8) goes lockdown for the INT 🙌🔒#ShineBowl pic.twitter.com/3drSt2Tkog — The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) January 13, 2020

Williamson had a strong week at the East-West Shrine Game. The physical cornerback could be a potential day-three target for Buffalo.

Pro Day meeting with Clemson guard John Simpson

Jon Ledyard of Pewter Report said that the Bills were one of four teams to have personnel meet with Clemson guard John Simpson.

Simpson is viewed as a day two prospect in this year’s draft class. Although the Bills re-signed Quinton Spain and added Daryl Williams this offseason, the team could be looking for depth and competition along the offensive line.

Source: Bills hold FaceTime meeting with South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw

A source tells NYUP that the Bills held a FaceTime meeting with South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw. This meeting is a case of Brandon Beane doing his due diligence on a prospect that he has no chance of landing in the draft, but could sign down the road if Kinlaw ever hits the free agent market. Kinlaw is regarded as a potential top-10 pick in this year’s draft class.

Buffalo also met with Kinlaw at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.

Southern Illinois S Jeremy Chinn - FaceTime Meeting

NYUP was able to confirm that the Bills recently held a FaceTime meeting with Southern Illinois S Jeremy Chinn. Justin Melo of the Draft Wire first reported the meeting. Chinn could end up being the first safety off the board in this year’s draft class. The wildly athletic Chinn to Minnesota’s Harrison Smith.

Jeremy Chinn’s spider chart is ridiculous pic.twitter.com/MDf04Xx0EH — michael crawford (@abukari) March 28, 2020

Chinn is considered a top-50 prospect in this year’s draft class.

LSU G Damien Lewis - FaceTime Meeting

The Draft Wire’s Melo reported the Bills were one of nine teams who had FaceTime meetings scheduled with Damien Lewis. Lewis is viewed as a possible day two prospect in this year’s draft class.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Lewis to Gabe Jackson of the Las Vegas Raiders.

“The run-blocking tape shows a forklift dressed as a right guard with the power and leverage to move some of the best interior defenders in the conference," said Zierlein. "The pass-blocking tape shows a heavy-footed guard who lacks length and lateral quickness to hold up if asked to block on an island. Lewis needs to play for a team heavy into gap and inside-zone concepts. He can hold his own against bull rushers but will struggle to move and recover against moving pieces in pass protection. He’s a one-position prospect who lacks height/length but he’s a plus run blocker who should outperform his draft slotting.”

Michigan St. DL Raequan Williams - FaceTime Meeting

Melo reported that the Bills were one of five teams to recently hold a FaceTime meeting with Michigan State’s Raequan Williams. Williams, projected to be a day-three pick in this year’s draft, may not be a priority for Buffalo after the team added Quinton Jefferson and Vernon Butler in free agency.

Baylor WR Denzel Mims - FaceTime Meeting

After Melo reported Buffalo’s FaceTime meeting with Denzel Mims, NYUP learned that the meeting was held after the team had acquired Stefon Diggs from the Minnesota Vikings.

The Baylor product is currently viewed as a late-first round pick after turning plenty of heads at the combine. Mims ran a 4.38 second 40-yard dash at the event and turned in a 6.66 second three-cone drill. It was the third fastest 40-time at the combine and the fastest three-cone time among wide receivers.

In addition to stealing the show at the NFL combine, Mims also produced on the field at Baylor. Mims caught 66 passes for 1,020 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2019. In the past three seasons, Mims had over 2,900 yards receiving.

Miami LB Shaq Quarterman - Top-30 visit planned

All pre-draft visits were cancelled, but Miami’s Shaquille Quarterman was scheduled to make a pre-draft visit to Buffalo.

In his career with the Hurricanes, Quarterman recorded 356 total tackles (46.5 tackles for loss), 12 sacks, one interception and 13 passes defensed.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Quarterman to Andre Smith, a 2018 7th round pick of the Carolina Panthers.

Georgia WR Lawrence Cager - Meeting scheduled

Georgia #WR Lawrence Cager met informally w) 31 teams (excl/ the #Patriots) at the combine.



The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted his private visit/workout sked, but he was be able to get a mtg in w/ the #Jets. He had additional mtgs set w/ the #Jets (a 2nd mtg), #Bills & #Lions — Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 17, 2020

It’s likely that the Bills followed through on their meeting with Cager, but it likely came in the form of a FaceTime meeting.

Cager is viewed as a day three pick in this year’s draft class. He has good size (6-feet-5-inches) and can make plays at all three levels on the field, but past injuries could hurt his draft stock.

NFL SCOUTING COMBINE & SENIOR BOWL

In addition to the information above, the Bills also met with various prospects at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine and Senior Bowl. Below are the confirmed meetings that were held in a formal setting at the combine.

Javon Kinlaw, SC IDL

Yetur Gross-Matos, PSU EDGE

Ross Blacklock, TCU IDL

D’Andre Swift, Georgia RB

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU RB

Tristan Wirfs, Iowa OL

Chase Claypool, Notre Dame WR

Tee Higgins, Clemson WR

Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma LB

K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU LB

Jonathan Greenard, Florida EDGE

Bradlee Anae, Utah EDGE

Kenny Willekes, MSU EDGE

Senior Bowl meetings included the following players:

Michigan EDGE Josh Uche

Utah EDGE Bradlee Anae

Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk

Notre Dame WR Chase Claypool

Liberty WR Antonio Gandy-Golden

Arizona State RB Eno Benjamin

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