A perk of not being a top NFL Draft pick is not ending up with a crappy franchise, and Oklahoma safety Billy Bowman Jr. could reap that benefit.
Ryan Talbot of NYup.com reported that Bowman has emerged as a potential NFL Draft target for the Buffalo Bills. According to Talbot, Bowman had dinner with the Bills before his pro day at OU and also met with them via Zoom.
Keep an eye on #Oklahoma S Billy Bowman Jr. as a potential draft target for the #Bills.
— Ryan Talbot (@RyanTalbotBills) April 8, 2025
Per source, the #Bills had dinner with the #Sooners safety before his pro day. They have also had a Zoom with the prospect.
Bowman Jr. could be a day 2 or early day 3 target.#BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/sQwP2CTAS1
Buffalo Bills showing interest in Billy Bowman Jr. ahead of NFL Draft
Bowman's projections vary, but he could go as early as the second or third round on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. The Bills have two picks in the second round at Nos. 56 and 62, but none in the third. That could be what bumps Bowman up as a second-round pick if the Bills really want him.
The Bills then have two picks again in the fourth round if they wait until Day 3 to try to get Bowman.
The only knock on Bowman during the draft process has been his size at 5-foot-10 and 192 pounds. He's impressed every chance he's gotten, though, including the Senior Bowl, NFL Draft Combine and OU's pro day.
At the combine, he ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, which was the fourth-fastest among participating safeties. His 17 reps on bench press were also the fourth-most from the safety group.
Bowman's prospect grade according to the NFL is a 6.34, which projects him to eventually be a plus starter. Getting a future solid starter in the second round or later would be a steal, but some franchises are still hesitant to draft Bowman because of his size despite all the other dynamics.
At OU, Bowman was a four-year starter with 47 career games, 41 of which he started. He would have more experience than most rookies, including a season in the SEC.
If the Bills take Bowman, he would immediately get to help a team try to make the Super Bowl. The Bills have made the NFL Playoffs six years in a row and got as far as the AFC Championship Game last season. Buffalo is also building a new stadium in 2026.
The 2025 NFL Draft is April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.