Coach Joe Brady's Buffalo Bills are dealing with the aftermath of safety CJ Gardner-Johnson's spitting incident and subsequent suspension, which will keep him out for Week 8's home clash with the Baltimore Ravens. Gardner-Johnson is a talented player, but the Bills were linked to a star Georgia safety in the latest Clutch Points 2027 NFL Mock Draft, which could spell the end of his tenure in Buffalo.
The Bills were projected to select Georgia Bulldogs safety KJ Bolden, who has been dealing with injuries but is a possible participant in the Bulldogs' Week 9 game against the Florida Gators.
“The Bills' secondary is a mess right now, and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson has solidified his situation as a one-year player in Buffalo,” Clutch Points' Tim Crean wrote.
“The Bills need DB help, be it at corner or safety. In KJ Bolden, the Bills would get an excellent deep safety who also has some formational versatility,” Crean said.
“He would be a perfect partner for Cole Bishop and immediately upgrade the back end of the Bills' D.”
Article Continues BelowBolden is a 6-foot, 185-pound safety who is in his junior season with the Bulldogs. He's recorded 22 tackles this season with one interception, returned 29 yards, and two pass break-ups.
The Bills also lost backup safety Sam Franklin Jr. during the spitting incident, showing the importance of cultivating depth within a team's secondary. Bolden would add depth, athleticism, and sound positional play to the safety spot for coach Brady's team, making him a strong candidate to be taken by Buffalo heading toward the 2027 NFL Draft.