‘The next two picks – both offensive tackles – were more curious.’
Archives for May 3, 2021
Production hasn’t always matched investment on Bills’ defensive line – Rousseau must change that
‘In three of Beane’s four years running the draft, he’s used his first selection on a defensive lineman. Rousseau follows fellow defensive end A.J. Epenesa, who was chosen in the second round of the 2019 draft (the Bills traded away their first-round pick as part of a package for wide receiver Stefon Diggs), a year after Beane used the No. 9 overall pick on defensive tackle Ed Oliver. Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips was also chosen in the third round of Beane’s first draft in 2018.’
Analysis: Edge rush development key for Bills vs. NFL’s speed arms race
‘“None of these skill guys grow up playing defense, from junior high, high school, whatever,” Saban said. “So all of the best athletes end up playing offense. One of the best corners on our team is him. This year in camp, I trained him at corner. He can cover anybody, and he never played defense in his life because he was on the offensive side. You don’t think Jaylen Waddle would be a good defensive back?”’
News’ writers grade how the Bills fared in NFL draft
‘After that, this draft fell off a figurative cliff. The Bills virtually ignored cornerback. They ignored running back and tight end. Those two mammoth offensive tackles, Spencer Brown and Tommy Doyle, don’t figure to see the field anytime soon. Everyone else might find their way into the mix on special teams.’
Keeping track of the Bills’ undrafted free agents
‘Following the draft, the Bills’ roster stood at 78 players, meaning they could sign as many as 13 undrafted free agents. The limit is 91, as running back Christian Wade still counts as a roster exemption as part of the NFL’s International National Player Pathway program.’
Draft grades: Experts mixed on Bills draft, Mel Kiper says no RB is ‘head-scratcher’
‘The Bills have been flirting with this position before, tapping A.J. Epenesa in the second round last year. Now, they return to the position with both Gregory Rousseau and Carlos Basham; a pair of high-upside talents who Buffalo hopes can sharpen one another into a platoon that hits. A pressure element to this Bills defense, which is already led by two talented corners and two heady safeties, could lift them to the kind of place where they’re expected to compete with Kansas City instead of considering getting that far as a victory in itself.’
A look at Bills’ later draft picks; signings
‘Summary: Stevenson enters the league as a pure speed guy with the feel of a playmaker (three kickoff returns for touchdowns in college) and the ability to develop into a more well-rounded receiver.’
Bills 2021 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper grades Buffalo’s ‘boom-or-bust’ class
‘It was far from a flashy draft, but the team had few pressing needs to address. With every pick made, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. weighed in on how Buffalo fared. The team earned a B- grade from Kiper with the draft analyst referring to the team’s draft class as “boom-or-bust.”’
BGSU’s Morris signs free agent contract with Bills
‘Morris, a 6-foot-2 and 251-pound tight end, finished with the 24th most receiving yards in the history of the Bowling Green football program.’
Bills 2021 draft much different than in previous years, and that’s a good thing
‘Beane has emphasized his style of drafting as taking the best player available rather than drafting for need and that rang true once again. And because of how they’ve built this roster and the guys they have returning, they can afford to do that. While it seems like these players are long-term, big picture focused, some of them could see playing time come the fall.’
Pinto Ron says he’s doing well after undergoing open-heart surgery
‘“I’m a real high-energy person. I really didn’t have any symptoms at all. I keep telling everyone that if I kept not having symptoms, I really wouldn’t have known. Since I had the surgery and now that it is 2-3 months later um I can say they (the doctors) were probably right I was probably having some symptoms. Like there are some things, my feet don’t get cold anymore. I just thought that was because I was 63 and my energy it looks like it is higher than it was before,” said Johnston.’
One-on-one: Julianne with Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi on why Damar Hamlin will make an impact with Bills this season
‘”I’m really confident he’s gonna make that team. Damar will go up there, show his skills off. I think he’s so versatile. I think he can play the safety position, obviously I think he can play a nickel spot, and he can play quarter, based on what kind of coverages you’re playing, so I think he’s going to be smarter than most guys in camp.”‘
Beane recaps the Bills 2021 draft
‘”We brought back a lot of our guys that started and played a lot of minutes for us on a team that went to the AFC Championship,” said Beane. “It’s harder to crack the line up and harder to make the roster which is what I want.”‘
Spencer Brown baptizes himself into Bills Mafia
‘By jumping through a folding table.’
NFL analysts provide these grades for the 2021 Bills draft class
‘Analysis: GM Brandon Beane stood pat in the first round and found a promising edge rusher available in Rousseau to add to the team’s depth up front. He doubled up on the line with Basham in the second round. He was the best player on the board, though other areas of the roster might have benefitted from an investment at that spot. The selection of Brown — a swing tackle who could become a starter — hit one of those areas of need, however, continuing the team’s solid roster construction.’