Buffalo Bills rookie draft class has set the new foundation
It's uncertain what the Buffalo Bills will look like in 2023. General Manager Brandon Beane has already forewarned the fandom of a much more frugal offseason, with the exception of re-signing their own as a possibility. Going instead with a focus primarily on the continued draft and development of young and inexpensive talent. This past […]
It's uncertain what the Buffalo Bills will look like in 2023. General Manager Brandon Beane has already forewarned the fandom of a much more frugal offseason, with the exception of re-signing their own as a possibility.
Going instead with a focus primarily on the continued draft and development of young and inexpensive talent.
This past draft was a very good draft looking back. With a handful of current and future starters on both sides of the ball.
At the moment, the Bills have only six draft picks. With potential trades and compensatory picks could come later.
Revisiting the Bills 2022 draft, there were a few first-year hits and some who will be valuable down the line. If they want to continue their success, drafts like this will help.
CB Kaiir Elam
Taking a cornerback in the first round is almost never a bad decision. Good corners are hard to come by. Especially when your number one corner misses most of the season due to injury.
Elam had his highs and lows as a rookie. Allowing 70% completion in coverage, but still making splash plays and getting his hand on the ball as both an inside and outside corner.
The Bills have some questions at the cornerback position between now and the next 12 months. Contracts will be set expire or have and out to where they can add some cap relief. Even at the cost of some of their corners. Elam will be a key fixture in the secondary moving forward.
RB James Cook
Bills RB Devin Singletary may be one of the harder free agents to let walk. A favorite among the players, and has improved as an all-around back into his best season as a pro so far. However, his contract evaluation and the impressive play of their rookie running back may be enough to move on.
James Cook lead all running backs with an impressive 5.7 yards per carry, eclipsing 500 yards on the ground despite less than 100 carries. Even more impressive is reaching these feats despite only having 10+ carries five times in his rookie season.
Cook is the mixture of elusiveness and power Buffalo had using both Singletary and Zach Moss. Assuming Singletary prices himself out of Buffalo, Cook will be the feature back in 2023.
LB Terrel Bernard
Bernard flashed in the preseason and was a player many wanted to see extended playing time. However, he was a core special teams player to start.
Flashing in his lone defensive start with seven tackles, despite being primarily a rotational player for much of the season.
The Buffalo Bills have three free agent linebackers this offseason, and it's uncertain who will be retained. Bernard should likely see more chances to see the defensive side of the ball come training camp.
WR Khalil Shakir
Khalil Shakir has plenty of upside as a low-end WR2, high-end WR3. Only 10 catches to his name as rookie but the building frustrations for the Bills to find a more consistent option across from Stefon Diggs are building.
Used largely as a down-field option, Shakir's necessity increased when injuries started to hit the WR room, but couldn't see the field as much. Relying mostly on Gabe Davis and Isaiah McKenzie.
Expect Shakir to be in the mix to compete for an expanded role in the offense, and not just for splash plays.
P Matt Araiza
We know what happened and won't revisit this.
DB Christian Benford
A steal, Benford actually allowed a lower completion (60.7%) percentage than Elam or even starter Taron Johnson.
Missing time due to injuries, his play was one of the best on a per snap basis was actually one of the best in the entire Bills secondary.
Only a sixth-round, Benford is playing well above expectations and has himself planted right next to Elam for what will be an eventual new-look secondary.
OL Luke Tenuta
Now on the Green Bay Packers practice squad.
He was a long shot to make the roster from the start and will have to go the practice squad route for a while before he'll get his chance.
LB Baylon Spector
Spector only played in six games as a rookie. Almost exclusively as a special team's player.
With six tackles to his name, it will be interesting to see how Spector factors into the linebacker position moving forward. Considering all the names that likely won't be here next season.
Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff of USA TODAY Sports
