After focusing exclusively on defense for their first five picks, the Buffalo Bills finally turned their attention to the offensive side of the ball during the NFL Draft. With the 173rd overall selection in the fifth round, the Bills selected tight end Jackson Hawes out of Georgia Tech. Although the team spent the majority of the draft bolstering their defense, they eventually decided to add an offensive weapon — albeit at a somewhat puzzling position.
Hawes will now join a tight end group that already includes Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid. Following the departure of Quinton Morris from the roster, Hawes is expected to step into the TE3 role. However, this choice has raised some eyebrows. Hawes, who transferred to Georgia Tech from Yale in 2024, recorded only 16 receptions for 195 yards during his single season with the Yellow Jackets. Given his limited production, it appears the Bills may have reached with this selection, choosing a player who did not have much opportunity to showcase his talents at the college level.
The concern is not that the Bills chose an offensive player, but rather that they targeted the wrong offensive position. Many felt that addressing the offensive line or wide receiver group would have been far more beneficial. Some even argued that drafting a quarterback to challenge Mitch Trubisky for the backup spot would have made more sense. Instead, the team opted for a tight end — a position that arguably could have been addressed later or even after the draft.
Making matters more frustrating is the fact that talented prospects like running back Devin Neal and quarterback Kyle McCord were still available at the time of Buffalo’s pick. Although it’s possible that Hawes will eventually prove himself to be a hidden gem, this pick feels like a major gamble. General Manager Brandon Beane has a good track record with draft selections, but this particular move seems questionable. Hawes will get his chance to compete in training camp, and maybe he will surprise everyone by eventually overtaking Knox or Kincaid. For now, though, he remains one of the biggest uncertainties — and potentially the worst selection — of the Bills’ 2025 draft class.
