Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘While the Bills will be playing in the current Highmark Stadium this upcoming season, it doesn’t hurt to take a look at what’s to come.’

‘Cook created some waves when he announced on social media that he believed he was worth a contract extension that would pay him $15 million per season. That was quite a bold ask, and Beane was asked about it at the scouting combine in late February and again at the NFL owners’ meetings in late March.’

‘Of the 12 players they selected in the first round of the 1970s drafts, seven were flat out busts.’

‘Nothing should surprise Bills fans when the draft commences Thursday. It’s possible that Beane will use some of his draft capital (he has 10 picks) to move up in the first round to get a player he covets with a first-round grade. He could stick and pick the best player available at 30. Or he could trade out of the round, get better value in the second round, and possibly pick up a much-needed third-round pick in the process.’

‘During the 1970s, the Bills made history by losing 20 consecutive games to the Miami Dolphins, a futility record that may never be matched. One of the reasons for their struggles against Miami and so many other teams (51-91-2 record for the decade) was their horrible track record on draft day. Of the 12 players they selected in the first round of the 1970s drafts, seven were flat out busts.’

‘The more pressing need for the Bills is defensive tackle, but there’s certainly a case to be made that edge rusher could use a bump from an early-round pick. If general manager Brandon Beane spent two of his first three picks – currently No. 30 in the first round, Nos. 56 and 62 in the second round – on one of each, no one should be disappointed.’

”The Beane/McDermott regime has unearthed several mid- to low-round success stories, but so have previous Bills’ regimes.’

‘Buffalo is in need of help at the position because 2023-24 starter Rasul Douglas is an unrestricted free agent and there has been no apparent interest from the Bills’ side in bringing him back.’

‘Beyond that, a running back, a tight end and an offensive lineman would be ways to create more depth and competition, and though it seems unlikely any of those potential prospects would contribute much to the 2025 team, the draft is never about just the upcoming season.’

‘The Bills have two no-doubt needs at defensive tackle and cornerback, and they could even go wide receiver if that’s how the board falls. Beane must stay focused rather than getting cute and leaning on the old “best player available” mantra.’

‘This year, the Bills have two clear-cut needs: Defensive tackle and cornerback, and unless there’s a player at one of those positions who the Bills absolutely love, and the only way to make sure they get him is to trade up, they should probably stay put at No. 30 and pick the best tackle or corner available.’

‘With two picks at Nos. 56 and 62, and a general manager in Brandon Beane who is always open to trading his way up or down the draft board, the Bills – even with their primary needs on defense – could be a team to watch when the second round gets underway, especially if a run at the position starts to develop.’

‘Their top two priorities in the first round should be either defensive tackle or cornerback, but if the board falls a certain way, it wouldn’t be crazy if Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden was gettable.’

‘Throughout the laborious lead up to the NFL Draft, one of the players the Buffalo Bills have shown heavy interest in is wide receiver Isaiah Bond.’

‘The top corners including Travis Hunter, Will Johnson, and Jahdae Barron will most likely be gone before the Bills make their scheduled first-round pick, but there is a cache of players who could be available for Buffalo on Day 2, especially if Beane found a way to trade up into the high 30s.’