‘That’s why I liked what Buffalo did with its first four picks, using three on players who will directly make Allen’s life easier. They reportedly liked Cody Ford enough to try to trade into the first round, but they ended up getting the guard/tackle at No. 38. He’s a mauler in the run game, and I thought he could go in the top 20 picks. That’s a steal. The 5-foot-7 Devin Singletary (No. 74) won’t be a LeSean McCoy replacement, but he has some burst as a complementary player. Tight end Dawson Knox (No. 96) is all about projection — he only had 15 catches last season. But his measurables (6-4, 254) and testing numbers pop.’
Archives for April 2019
Buffalo Bills a 2019 NFL Draft winner, says SI.com’s Conor Orr
‘Sometimes you play the board, sometimes the board plays you, and sometimes the board drops your way and you don’t have to do much of anything at all. While Ed Oliver wasn’t going to fit in every defense, he fits perfectly in Buffalo. The fact that versatile offensive lineman Cody Ford was available in the second was simply kismet. While drafting a receiver would have placed a cherry on top of the sundae, this is a draft good for both coach and quarterback.’
As a youngster Buffalo Bills rookie OL Cody Ford played as Frank Gore in video games, now the two are teammates
‘“When I was taking my tour of the facilities, I was in the locker room. I looked to my right and there was Frank Gore’s locker. I was like, ‘That’s crazy.’,” said Ford during his Friday press conference from One Bills Drive. “I remember playing on the video games with him, watching him as I was growing up and hearing his name all my life. To be on a team with him is so surreal at this moment.”’
Buffalo Bills were surprised, but happy former UB quarterback Tyree Jackson went undrafted; Bills also sign UB corner Lewis
‘“We’re still working on it. It’s not finalized, but we do have an agreement in place,” continued Beane from his post-draft press conference on Saturday night. “Get him in here, have to pass a physical and all that stuff. But yes, we’re excited to have Tyree (Jackson) if it all works out.”’
Buffalo Bills HC Sean McDermott: ‘It’s an exciting time to be a Buffalo Bill and a fan of the Buffalo Bills.’
‘“I’m excited. The bottom line is I’m excited,” said McDermott. “I’m excited to lead this football team. I’m excited to work with (Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane). I’m excited to work with the great team we have inside these walls and to be a Buffalo Bill. I’m excited to work with our players every day, our coaching staff, our scouts. We’ve got a great group of people and a great staff here.”’
Sullivan: With things finally falling Bills’ way, Shady no longer fits
‘McCoy is the one face that no longer fits on a roster that has been almost completely reshaped under Beane. He’s over the hill. He’s an inconsistent, self-serving leader who got benched for a play for the season finale a year ago. He’s also in the final year of his contract (at $6 million) and has a couple of off-field civil suits pending.’
What they’re saying: Bills earn top grades from NFL Draft analysts
‘Landing DT Ed Oliver at No. 9 may prove a steal for an underrated defense that could now garner deserved attention with ability like his to produce more highlights. After that, GM Brandon Beane returned to his task of upgrading the supporting cast around second-year QB Josh Allen, adding a quality blocker (Cody Ford) a needed tight end (Dawson Knox) and an infusion of youth and ability (Devin Singletary) to an antiquated running back room. This club might be sneaky good in 2019.’
Bills Today: GM Brandon Beane expresses his admiration for UB football
‘“I’ll just say that we think he has some nickel ability so if we’re fortunate enough to add them to our team then, it will be good to have another UB guy,” Beane said. “We told you earlier we love the UB program and if we can find some fits here, we think that’s a cool little stepping ground for them and for us.”’
Bills continue rebuilding of their roster
‘Of the 70 players on the roster from last season — including injured reserve and the practice squad — only 53 remain. However, he added a surprising 18 in free agency and, after this weekend, eight more via the draft.’
Did Bills draft help turn corner?
‘That is to say, with Beane and coach Sean McDermott cleansing the Buffalo roster of the selections made by former GM Doug Whaley, excluding what happened this weekend, only 11 of the 53 returning players were Bills’ draftees, by far the lowest percentage in the NFL.’
Day 3 recap: Bills go heavy on defense, double down on tight end to close out draft
‘On the final day of the NFL Draft, the team looked to the Miami area twice, selecting Florida linebacker Vosean Joseph in the fifth round and Miami safety Jaquan Johnson in the sixth round. Both Joseph and Johnson list Miami as their hometown, while running back Devin Singletary – chosen Friday in the third round – is from nearby Deerfield Beach.’
Vic Carucci: Once again, quarterback factors heavily into Bills’ draft
‘Desperate teams do desperate things. That wasn’t the Bills this year. When you have what you firmly believe is your main cog in place, you can pretty much sit back and allow the draft to come to you.’
What They Said: Beane and McDermott wrap up NFL Draft
‘We like what we have, but we had guys in place on the board that we thought would’ve really added some different elements. There was some size guys, some speed guys, some inside, some outside. Again, we just follow the board. We set the board up and follow it and just try and draft good football players. There were some times there were some receivers there, just like there were other positions, you’re going, “God I like that guy, I think he can help us.” But I just didn’t want to reach. We truly, Derek [Boyko’s] in there, he sits there and watches, we follow the board. It just didn’t work out to take a receiver.’
Bills’ first-round pick Ed Oliver draws from football family, love of animals
‘“Honestly, Ed always needs something to calm him down,” Marcus said. “He loves his pets and he loves the outdoors and stuff like that, so getting a dog was just him having something to care about when he got home. And he always wanted a Great Dane.”’
Good first impression drew Cody Ford to Buffalo
‘The University of Oklahoma tackle said his meetings with Bills offensive line coach Bobby Johnson made him hope Buffalo would be his NFL destination, a feeling he expressed to a reporter in Norman, Okla., last week.’