Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane met with the media last week to answer questions about the 2024 NFL Draft starting this Thursday night in Detroit.
While answering a question about the possibility of trading up in Round 1, Beane said if there is a guy they like, he would love to go to bed that night knowing they got their guy.
Me too, Brandon! That's why you have to do everything in your power to get the wide receiver you covet.
Sure, the Bills have other needs to take care of, and I'll get to those in just a moment, but I'm obsessed with the idea of adding a desperately needed true No. 1 wide receiver in the first round.
Beane said the Bills would like to add to the receiver group, but added the team doesn't feel they have a glaring hole.
Related
He pointed to Terrel Bernard stepping up at linebacker and filling the spot that opened up a year ago when Tremaine Edmunds bolted via free agency for the Chicago Bears. It is true that Bernard came in and had a huge season, but I just don't see anyone currently on the receiver depth chart putting up numbers similar to the recently-departed Stefon Diggs.
Over his four years with the Bills, Diggs averaged 111 catches, 1,343 yards receiving and nine touchdowns each season.
Beane and the Bills' brain trust have to strengthen the offense, because the defense is likely to take a step back as they attempt to overcome the losses of Leonard Floyd, Tre'Davious White, Jordan Poyer and perhaps Micah Hyde.
The good news is the Bills still have running back James Cook, who had a breakout season in 2023, as well as tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox.
The receiver room isn't devoid of talent, but this reminds me of 2020 when the Bills had talent in John Brown and Cole Beasley, but added star power when they traded for Diggs from the Minnesota Vikings.
This is why Beane has to figure out a way to move up come Thursday night.
Getting up high enough to draft Marvin Harrison Jr., the consensus best receiver available, probably isn't realistic. However, I don't think it's out of the question for the Bills to get into the top-10 for either Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, who are in that top tier along with Harrison.
Please don't let the Sammy Watkins trade, made by a different regime in 2014, cloud your judgement, Bills fans.
In 2011, the Atlanta Falcons gave up a ton to move up from the 27th pick to the sixth overall selection to draft Julio Jones. Imagine getting that type of player, and putting him on the field with Josh Allen at quarterback.
As I mentioned, I know there are other needs and other positions Beane and company might address with the Day 1 selection.
If it isn't a wide receiver, I would think the Bills would look to add a safety. Even if Hyde does decide to return next season and signs with the Bills, they need to bring in a long-term answer at, what is, a critical position on their defense.
The depth chart at safety currently reads as follows: Taylor Rapp, Mike Edwards, Cam Lewis and Damar Hamlin.
We lived a charmed life having Poyer and Hyde together back there for seven seasons. Safety isn't more important than wide receiver, in my opinion, but it is a priority for this draft.
You can never go wrong if you guess defensive line as a position that will be addressed at some point over the three days. Beane and head coach Sean McDermott are big believers in building a team up front along both the defensive and offensive lines. They need to add young talent at both edge rusher and tackle.
If I had to pick one position over the other, I'd say edge rusher. The loss of Floyd is huge. The Bills do have their top edge rusher in Greg Rousseau and they re-signed A.J. Epenesa this offseason.
But will Von Miller look like the Von Miller from before his most recent ACL injury or not? No one knows.
Related
I would expect the Bills to add a cornerback, because you never have enough corners in a league that favors strong passing games.
The Bills are in good shape with their top-three in Rasul Douglas, Christian Benford and Taron Johnson. After that, you have Kaiir Elam, who hasn't shown the ability to play in the league on a regular basis yet, and Ja'Marcus Ingram.
Beane will likely draft someone for the offensive line, as well. He should be looking to add a center/guard to his roster since its unknown how Connor McGovern will fare as he steps in for Mitch Morse in the middle.
Who knows if David Edwards will be the answer at left guard too, where McGovern started every game last season.
The Bills have 10 total picks, but they don't have a third-round selection. That went to the Green Bay Packers this past season in the deadline acquisition of Douglas.
Find out all you need to know about the draft by listening to our coverage on WGR Sports Radio 550 this week, including all three days of the draft on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
