Which players had 'Top 30' visits with Buffalo Bills before the NFL Draft? What we know
A reported 18 2024 NFL Draft prospects RSVP'd to meet in-house with the Buffalo Bills in recent weeks as part of the team's "top 30 visits," which allow teams to get to better know up to 30 draft-eligible players.
Buffalo is tied for the league high with 10 picks in this year's draft, which begins Thursday in Detroit with the first round. The second-fourth rounds will be held Friday, and the fifth-seventh rounds Saturday.
The Bills will pick 28th overall, though general manager Brandon Beane could try to trade up. Many expect Buffalo to draft a wide receiver or two or three after it traded Stefon Diggs in early April.
What is a 'Top 30' NFL Draft visit?
Each team is allowed up meet in-house with up to 30 draft-eligible players. There are many restrictions on the visits. On-field workouts are not. Teams often use them for off-the-field tests, interviews, to review game film with players and for medical checkups.
The "top 30" aren't necessarily the 30 best players on the Bills' draft board, but rather players they wish to learn more about.
Who visited the Buffalo Bills?
Below is the list of the reported "top 30" meetings the Bills have had, as well as players who privately worked out for the team:
Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
Height, weight: 6-foot, 216 pounds
Draft projection: Third round
FYI: Two-time second-team All-ACC back led Seminoles in rushing in 2022, 2023 (combined 1,896 yards, 23 TDs on 310 carries).
*Top 30 visit
Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa
Height, weight: 6-4, 317
Draft projection: Day 3
FYI: The 24-year-old spent six years at Northern Iowa and is one of top "small school" prospects. Associated Press FCS Third-Team All-American, All-MVFC First-Team.
*Top 30 visit
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Height, weight: 6-4, 210
Draft projection: Second or third round
FYI: Mock drafts have Coleman landing all over the map. Versatility makes the first-team All-ACC receiver, all-purpose and special teams selection attractive.
*Top 30 visit
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Height, weight: 6-0 1/2, 203
Draft projection: Mid- to late-first round
FYI: Concensus All-American, First-Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten DB of the Year, Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year. Returned three interceptions for touchdowns in 2022. Missed end of last season with broken fibula.
*Top 30 visit
MJ Devonshire, CB, Pittsburgh
Height, weight: 5-11, 186
Draft projection: Day 3
FYI: Second-Team All-ACC led team with four interceptions, including one returned for TD.
*Top 30 visit
Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame
Height, weight: 5-11, 221
Draft projection: Fourth round
FYI: Associated Press Second-Team All-American. His 18 rushing TDs tied him for third at the FBS level last season, set Notre Dame single-season record.
*Top 30 visit
Ryan Flournoy, WR, Southeast Missouri
Height, weight: 6-1, 202
Draft projection: Day 3
FYI: All-Ohio Valley Conference First-Team. Junior college transfer led his team in receiving yards (839) and receptions (57) and receiving TDs (six).
*Top 30 visit
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Height, weight: 6-2, 176
Draft projection: Late first round
FYI: AP Second-Team All-American. First-Team All-Pac 12. Single-season school record 14 receiving TDs tied for third in FBS. His 1,383 receiving yards also a school single-season record. Also owns school career record for TD catches (25).
*Top 30 visit
Marshawn Kneeland, DE, Western Michigan
Height, weight: 6-3, 267
Draft projection: Day 2
FYI: Second-Team All-MAC. Led his team with 4.5 sacks. Had 7.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
*Top 30 visit
Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA
Height, weight: 6-5, 259
Draft projection: Mid- to late first round
FYI: Lombard Award winner as top college lineman. AP First-Team All-American. First-Team All-Pac 12. Pac-12 Defensive POY. Had FBS-best 21.5 tackles for loss. Also had 13 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
*Top 30 visit
Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington
Height, weight: 6-1, 197
Draft projection: Day 2
FYI: A knee injury cost him four games, and maybe some draft stock. Honorable Mention All-Pac 12 in 2022.
*Private workout
Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona
Height, weight: 6-5, 311
Draft projection: Late first round, early second round
FYI: First-Team All-Pac 12 in 2022, 2023. His 84.3 overall blocking grade led the Wildcats' OL and was fifth in the Pac-12.
*Top 30 visit
Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon State
Height, weight: 6-2, 216
Draft projection: Fifth round
FYI: Second-Team All-Pac 12 2023. Had two interceptions, three tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble.
*Private workout
Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
Height, weight: 6-4, 294
Draft projection: Third round
FYI: Third-Team All-ACC 2023. Had 25 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks last season. Emigrated to U.S. from Nigeria when he was 9 years old. Did internships with Synnex and Adobe.
*Top 30 visit
Patrick Paul, OL, Houston
Height, weight: 6-7 1/2, 331
Draft projection: Third round
FYI: First-Team All-Big 12 2023. First-Team All-ACC 2021, 2022. Team captain. Fourth highest pass-block grade (90.2) of all OL in draft. His brother Chris was drafted by the Washington Commanders in the seventh round of the 2022 draft.
*Top 30 visit
Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky
Height, weight: 5-11, 190
Draft projection: Third round
FYI: Reese's Senior Bowl, NFL Combine invitee 2023. Had 47 tackles, five pass breakups last season. Brother C.J. played football for Morehead State.
*Top 30 visit
Maason Smith, DT, LSU
Height, weight: 6-5, 306
Draft projection: Third round
FYI: Had 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks in 2023. Was rated nation's top defensive line prospect in 2021.
*Top 30 visit
Qwan'Tez Stiggers, DB, Toronto Argonauts (CFL)
Height, weight: 5-11, 203
Draft projection: Day 3
FYI: Did not play college ball. Was named CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie last season for Toronto Argonauts to become the first DB in 25 years to do so. Could become the third common NFL draft pick who didn't play in college.
*Top 30 visit
Tez Walker, WR, North Carolina
Height, weight: 6-1 1/2, 193
Draft projection: Third round
FYI: Third-Team All-ACC 2023. First-Team All-MAC 2022 at Kent State. Played only eight games after being ruled eligible by NCAA for transfer violations.
*Top 30 visit
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Height, weight: 5-11, 165
Draft projection:
FYI: AP Third-Team All-American All-Purpose. First-Team All-Big 12 WR 2023. Second-Team All-Big 12 2022. First-Team All-Big 12, Big 12 Offensive Freshman of Year 2021. Broke NFL Combine 40-yard dash (4.21). 75 catches, 1,014 receiving yards 2023.
*Top 30 visit
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Which players had 'Top 30' visits with Buffalo Bills? What we know
