Have they reshaped their ring-chasing window, or is Josh Allen doomed to forever be in
Mahomes’ shadow?
Part 1: The Buildup
In the aftermath of another devastating playoff loss to the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs, a looming salary cap decision forced GM Brandon Beane to make several cuts, including C Mitch Morse, S Jordan Poyer, and CB Tre’Davious White. Although re-signing DEs Von Miller and AJ Epenesa plus extending LT Dion Dawkins were good moves, shipping star wideout Stefon Diggs to Houston in a blockbuster deal immediately created expectation to take a WR with their first pick as a replacement. With these major losses, hitting on several contributors from this draft was a priority.
Day 1: Shying from the Spotlight
As Draft day crept on and the Bills came closer to being on the clock, the top WRs had all come off the board, with no report of Buffalo making any moves to grab one. Instead, GM Beane elected to drop back to pick 32, allowing their archnemesis Chiefs to land WR Xavier Worthy, the FASTEST receiver in the draft. Now, I don’t know about you, but allowing the team that KEEPS beating you to load up with even more weapons does not seem the smartest move to me. However, after another swap with the Carolina Panthers to acquire the 1st pick of the 2nd round, the extra 3rd rounder Beane acquired makes it reasonable to drop back if they still can get the WR they wanted. Still a B- for trading with the Chiefs though.
Day 2: Shaping the Future
As Day 2 of the draft dawned, the Bills FINALLY made their first selection in contested-catch artist Keon Coleman out of Florida State. Now I’ll be honest, I didn’t love Keon in the draft for a lack of long speed, but his fit in Buffalo also seems a bit… iffy. He figures to play the “big slot” role in the league, which is unfortunately where incumbents Dalton Kincaid and Khalil Shakir make the big bucks. Following this Beane grabbed S Cole Bishop out of Utah in the late second. His size and great instincts should let him start Day 1 in their depleted secondary. Finally, they used their acquired pick from Kansas City on DT Dewayne Carter. He could serve as valuable depth, but I felt there were better options available as Carter profiled mostly as a run-stopper at the next level. Overall this was another B- day in my book.
Day 3: Hunting for Pearls
In the 4th round, the Bills’ next selection ended up as RB Ray Davis from Kentucky. I thought there could be a CB here to replace White, but Ray Davis could be the thunder piece to the lightning of third-year back James Cook in the backfield. Next, the Bills landed a steal in C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger from Georgia. I had him as a 3rd round prospect, so the fact he was still here was unbelievable to me. His intelligence/quick hands should propel him to being the anchor of the Bills’ line in time, just like in college. Their last 5 picks profile as mostly depth pieces, including LB Edefuan Ulofoshio (man spellcheck came in clutch), DE Javon Solomon, OT Tylan Grable, CB Daequan Hardy, and OG Travis Clayton. One I would watch out for is Solomon, as his speed as a rusher could be a solid assed on passing downs. An A grade on Day 3.
Part 5: The Outlook
As the dust settles on this offseason for the Bills, I have to say that the way they have done things feels wrong, but ultimately might set them up with their best chance to catch that elusive Lombardi at the end of the day. Trading and cutting your key assets might bring you down this year, but ultimately that extra 2nd rounder from Houston next year could play a part as their younger players develop into the stars they were destined to be. Ultimately this draft class will hinge in Coleman and whether he pans out, but if he hits as Josh Allen’s new “best friend”, the ceiling for the Bills is a ton and a ton and more of that sweet, sweet moolah. Oh, and maybe some of them jewelry, too. :) Thanks for reading (at least this line), and hope to catch you in the next one!