Buffalo Bills 7-round mock draft, no trades, nets small-college gems

Round 2: Pick 54- Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne

What he offers:

Kyle Dugger was an NCAA Division II standout and is now one of the more interesting prospects in the 2020 draft. He is very athletic to go along with the ability to play safety or a hybrid linebacker-type in the NFL.

Dugger ran a 4.49, 40-yard dash, put up 17 reps in the bench press, and had the second-best vertical jump of 42 inches, at last month’s NFL Combine. The athleticism is there for Dugger, which will transition seamlessly in the NFL.

Dugger used his size and speed to dominate in Division II but will need to be more instinctual rather than reactive, to keep up in the NFL. One big question mark with Dugger is the level of competition he played in college.

"“(Dugger) must prove production carries over against better competition.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com."

The Fit: 

Most people would say that Buffalo doesn’t need another safety, considering they have one of the best tandems in football, Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. Brandon Beane is always looking for playmakers, and will often take the best player available, regardless of position. Head Coach Sean McDermott wants versatile players on defense that can do multiple things asked of them.

Even if Dugger isn’t an instant starter, McDermott will find packages to best utilize Dugger’s abilities. He could play either as a safety or hybrid-linebacker when called for, to cover a running back or tight end. Then there are the things he can do on special teams, as shown in the video below’

The need for Buffalo might not be there, but Dugger is a playmaker with too much upside. I don’t see Beane passing on him with this pick if he’s still available.