Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - One word to describe the Buffalo Bills on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft?
Versatility.
Two picks for the team, one on each side of the ball, and both are extremely versatile in what they can do.
First, it was running back James Cook out of the University of Georgia.
Cook, the younger brother of Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, was one the most versatile offensive players in the entire draft. He’s a dynamic running back, able to take it to the end zone from anywhere with his 4.42 speed, but also excels at catching the ball out of the backfield.
Let’s go back to the week free agency began.
The Bills had agreed to a deal with Washington Commanders running back J.D. McKissic, who not only is an excellent receiver out of the backfield, but could even have that be his primary role.
When McKissic changed course and re-signed with the Commanders, Bills general manager Brandon Beane wasn’t happy. Not only because of the way it was handled by the Commanders, but I believe because it tipped his hand, showing that the Bills were interested in that specific type of back.
That was all but confirmed when the team signed Duke Johnson less than a week later, who is of a similar style.
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Beane was clearly after a pass-catching running back to add more firepower to his offense, and that search culminated with Cook as the 63rd pick overall, the 31st pick in Round 2.
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Then, 26 picks later, the Bills stuck to their theme of versatility by selecting Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard with the 89th overall pick, the 25th pick in Round 3.
As Beane explained, at 6-foot-1 and 224 pounds, Bernard would be an undersized middle linebacker, but he’s able to do it all, and he’ll be expected to compete for a backup spot there behind Tremaine Edmunds, as well as Matt Milano on the weakside.
Bernard can also play as a third, nickel linebacker. That would give defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, yet, another option in likely short-passing situations when opponents still use heavier personnel.
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There’s already an indication the Bills may want to play a little more man-to-man defense, when warranted, after picking cornerback Kaiir Elam in the first round, and especially after adding edge rusher Von Miller to get to the quarterback earlier in the down, thus not having to blitz as much.
Versatility creates options.
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