‘”We do think we have filled a lot of holes between free agency and the draft, but I do think there are still spots that we can improve and get stronger. If there’s ways that I can at least add competition; we’ll pay attention to what happens. There will be some guys that will be released this month that teams drafted a player at their position and maybe their cap number is a little higher now than the team wants to hold on to or take a chance on an injury. There will be some guys out there still and if we think there’s a guy that fits, we’ll still look to add more competition between now and when we get to St. John Fisher.”‘
WGR
Marino: Ed Oliver “knows how to get in the backfield and make plays”
‘”Jerry Hughes used to be the only guy getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Now, you have at least two of those guys with [the addition of] Oliver.”‘
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.’
Bills to sign former UB QB Tyree Jackson; Anthony Johnson to Bucs
‘The quarterback wasn;t the only former Bull to agree to a deal with the Bills. He’ll be joined by cornerback Cam Lewis.’
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 trade up, select OT/G Cody Ford in Round 2 of the NFL Draft
‘Ford missed the majority of the 2016 campaign with a broken fibula suffered in his fourth game of the season.’
Bills grab RB Devin Singletary in Round 3 of the NFL Draft
‘While at Florida Atlantic, Singletary appeared in 38 games across three seasons. He posted a career year in 2017, wherein he rushed for 1,918 yards and scored 32 rushing touchdowns. Singletary also added a single receiving touchdown in ’17; the only receiving touchdown of his collegiate career. Singletary’s collegiate rushing total was just south of 4,300-yards over those three seasons in the Conference USA (4,287).’
Bills trade back into third-round, take TE Dawson Knox in the NFL Draft
‘Knox is a converted quarterback, but spent parts of three seasons at Ole Miss at his current position of tight end. His collegiate numbers are not eye-popping by any measure, but it is important to remember that there were numerous other high-tier offensive talents on the Ole Miss roster during Knox’s time at the school. He reeled in 39 career receptions for 605-yards, including a career-high 321-yards receiving in 2017.’
Capaccio: Bills hoping major turnover means big turnaround for OL
‘The big question may be, where does all this leave Dion Dawkins? Dawkins started the last two seasons at left tackle after the Bills traded up to get him in the second round in 2017. Some believed he was more suited for guard. After some struggles last year, it’s possible the Bills move him inside to compete with the other names mentioned, Or they could gauge the trade market to try and fetch an asset for him. Or, of course, Dawkins could simply trot back out as the starting left tackle once again, protecting Josh Allen’s blind side.’
Oliver: ‘I don’t think I found my home. I think my home found me’
‘”I won’t be playing nose tackle, I’ll be playing three-technique. I feel most comfortable at nose. I feel like my skillset is rare. I can help guys on the outside by getting pressure up the middle. You get sacks, you win games… What I can do better than anyone else is simply run around and play as hard as possible.”‘
Bills select Ed Oliver ninth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft
‘”No one is going to replace Kyle Williams. I want to temper expectations right off the bat. Ed is going to have to bring his lunch pail to work every day and earn everything he gets. We’re excited to see Ed in our system and integrate him with our group. We’re anxious to get Ed in here so he can learn the defense and take things one rep at a time. He’s an energetic, young man with a good smile and will definitely energize the guys early on. You could feel him. That’s presence; that’s energy. When Ed worked out, you could feel the quickness and power and the juice. More than anything, this young man’s competitive nature showed through.”‘
Capaccio: Board fell perfectly for Bills to get their man
‘Beane added that in all the mock drafts his staff did in pre-draft preparation, they never had Oliver falling to them if only one QB was taken in top 8, had him sometimes falling if two QBs were taken, and was usually there if three QBs were selected. Two QBs and a non-QB surprise happened. He added that they thought a team could trade with the Lions into the No.8 spot and take him once he got there. That didn’t happen.’
Capaccio: Plenty of talent available for Bills on Day 2
‘Here’s my list of some of the best available players at positions they’d most likely consider…’.