Two Bills Drive

Buffalo Bills News and Discussion

Archives for April 2019

Who is Jaquan Johnson, the Miami Hurricanes safety drafted by the Buffalo Bills?

‘“He’s the heart and soul of our secondary,’’ University of Miami coach Manny Diaz once said of Johnson, a 2018 Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist who led the team with 92 tackles, adding two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick. “The guy is unbelievable. When you need a guy to make a play, that’s the guy. That’s the guy.”‘

A&T defensive end Darryl Johnson drafted in seventh round by Buffalo Bills

‘Johnson, however, might have to bide his time. An edge rusher with outstanding footspeed, he is relentless in pursuit and an exceptionally hard worker. But despite adding 13 pounds to his A&T playing weight, he is still small by NFL standards. The average pro defensive end is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 279 pounds, and the Bills will seek to add muscle to Johnson’s tall, long-limbed frame.’

JHS grad Blake Hance signs with Buffalo Bills

‘He played in 13 games for Northwestern this season and made 12 starts at left tackle. Hance contributed in protecting quarterback Clayton Thorson, who threw for 3,183 yards, the third-highest mark in the Big Ten. He also helped pave the way for first-year running back Isaiah Bowser, who averaged 108 rushing yards per game over the last eight games of the season.’

Bills Close Draft Addressing Depth Needs With Final 4 Picks

‘The Bills were relegated to filling depth needs Saturday, a day after trading their two fourth-round selections to move up and select Mississippi tight end Dawson Knox in the third round. Buffalo also traded a fifth-round pick to move up two spots and select Oklahoma offensive tackle Cody Ford at No. 38.’

Bills Show Glimmers Of Luster Under McDermott, Beane

‘With McDermott emphasizing a one-team culture that unraveled under predecessor Rex Ryan, and Beane overturning a roster of over-priced and under-producing players, the two took an unflinching approach in rebuilding the Bills from the ground up.’

Bills land undrafted free agent UB QB Jackson

‘”I truly thought he would be drafted. He was on our draft board to be drafted,” Beane said. “You start sitting there in the seventh [round] and thinking, man, if this guy doesn’t get drafted we’ll have to go after him.”‘

Bills select LB Vosean Joseph in the fifth round

‘Joseph led the Gators with 93 tackles in his junior season, which was also good for ninth in the SEC in 2018. Joseph, 21, joins the Buffalo linebackers’ room as a depth piece after three years with Florida and forgoing his senior season. Joseph played in 37 games in his three seasons at Florida, with 22 starts. Joseph’s three year totals include 161 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 interception.’

Buffalo goes with safety Jaquan Johnson in the sixth round

‘Johnson was a contributor right away for the Hurricanes, playing in 48 total games in his four seasons at Miami and was named to the All-ACC Second team in both 2017 and 2018. Johnson recorded 252 total tackles, 8 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown in his career at Miami.’

Bills take DE Darryl Johnson and TE Sweeney in 7th round

‘At pick 225 in the seventh round, the Bills took Johnson, a defensive end from North Carolina A&T. Johnson was a solid pass rusher for the Aggies, playing three seasons and accumulating 19 sacks and being named to the FCS All American Team and the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. In 2018, his junior year with the Aggies, Johnson racked up 10.5 sacks and 50 total tackles in 12 games.’

Capaccio: Staying true to his word, Beane stuck to his board

‘“Competition is a good a thing,” McDermott said. “I know we both believe in building it up front. If you study the league over the years, as I’m sure you guys do, you’ve got to have it on both sides of the ball. It starts up front. When you look at not only Cody, but really the other picks today and yesterday within (the first three rounds), smart, tough. There’s something to be said for those two qualities right there.”’

Bills add linebacker depth, draft Vosean Joseph in fifth round

‘At linebacker, the Bills really only have special teams assets as their backups in Julian Stanford, Corey Thompson and Deon Lacey. And while Joseph will need to fit in on special teams, he offers some potential as a backup that won’t have as steep of a drop-off if a starter goes down with an injury.’

Bills draft safety Jaquan Johnson in sixth round

‘While the Bills didn’t have a glaring need at safety, it could be a pick with a bit of foresight. Primary backup and veteran player Rafael Bush has only one year left on his contract and is a similar style of player as the Bills’ fifth-round selection in 2018, Siran Neal. Bush and Neal are both candidates to play the ‘big nickel’ role in head coach Sean McDermott’s defense, as Bush did in 2018.’