A Bills HALLMARK movie, DIGGS return to BUFFALO and D-LINE draft PREVIEW

Summary

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Buffalo Plus Podcast Summary

Episode: A Bills HALLMARK movie, DIGGS return to BUFFALO and D-LINE draft PREVIEW
Date: March 28, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

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Overview

This episode delivers a lighthearted yet insightful discussion on three key topics affecting Buffalo Bills fans:

• The announcement of a Hallmark Christmas movie featuring the Bills and Buffalo.
• The impending return of Stefon Diggs to Buffalo as a member of the New England Patriots.
• A detailed preview and debate regarding the Bills’ defensive line needs and targets ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.

The hosts balance Bills-focused football analysis with Buffalo culture, giving listeners a taste of locker room banter, behind-the-scenes info, and the fan perspective at every turn.

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1. Buffalo Bills Get a Hallmark Christmas Movie

(Segment starts: 01:17)

Key Points & Discussion

• Jenna Cottrell expresses her unabashed love for Hallmark movies, despite acknowledging their formulaic cheesiness.
  • "Are they terrible? Yes. Are they cheesy? Absolutely. Are they horrific? Usually, yes. But I still love them." (01:21)
• The group playfully theorizes what a Bills-themed Christmas Hallmark movie’s plot might be:
  • Rival chicken wing businesses, enemies-to-lovers storyline, city-to-small-town return, and of course, being snowed in around Christmas.
  • Guesswork on which players might cameo: Dion Dawkins, Khalil Shakir, Damar Hamlin (who helped announce the film), possibly Josh Allen, and even Coach Sean McDermott delivering Christmas presents.
  • The role of local Bills personalities, such as “Brother Bill” and possibly local media, is discussed.
• Reflection on recent Chiefs-themed Hallmark movie – fans didn’t like it due to overexposure, but now it’s Buffalo’s turn.
• Will the Bills win the Super Bowl in the film? Consensus is they might allude to it, but probably won’t show it.
• The movie is expected to weave Highmark Stadium and authentic Buffalo culture throughout, casting real players in “playing themselves” roles.

Notable Quotes

• "There is nobody, I think, that hates Hallmark movies. You like them. I think you like them ironically." – Mike Catalana (03:44)
• "It’s enemies to lovers. I’m calling it right now." – Jenna Cottrell (03:16)
• "If you’re gonna make a Hallmark movie and talk about the Bills, you gotta have Josh Allen in it...is that what he wants, his acting debut?" – Jenna Cottrell (04:26)
• "Even if they're playing themselves, it's still acting, because you're reading lines." – Dan Fates (04:49)

Fun Moments

• Banter about which Bills would be best or worst actors.
• The prospect of local Bills fan personalities making cameos.
• "Players are gonna have their favorite spots. So it’s gonna be like: oh, Dion Dawkins says he loves Betty’s Wings." – Jenna Cottrell (02:42)

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2. Stefon Diggs Signs with Patriots & Returns to Buffalo

(Segment starts: 09:09)

Trade Analysis & Impact

• The Bills “won the trade” with Houston, scoring a second-round pick, while Diggs is now on his third team in two years, landing with New England on a substantial contract despite coming off an ACL injury.
  • "It’s probably a pretty smart move for New England…Diggs did. He's getting paid more than I think he normally would coming off the ACL at his age. So good for him that he got more money." – Dan Fates (09:34)
  • "He was productive in Houston for those seven and a half games...he didn’t fall off a cliff." – Mike Catalana (10:25)
• The Patriots’ locker room may appeal under new coach Mike Vrabel, but the main draw is the money for Diggs.
• Discussion on whether fans will boo or cheer Diggs when he returns to Buffalo:
  • Football fandom is less personal than in other sports; the animosity isn’t expected to match that seen with Jack Eichel’s return to Buffalo as a Sabre, for example.
  • Some Bills fans were “sick and tired” of Diggs by the end, but most will feel it’s “beneath them” to boo him, especially since the team improved post-trade.
  • Analytical comparison to Eichel, noting the very different circumstances for both players.
• The panel expects some boos, but mainly a mixed reaction if Diggs is healthy and playing—and more if he is producing for the Patriots.

Notable Quotes

• "He wants to win. He wants to win. He went to New England. That team stinks...He wanted the money. I don’t begrudge him the money, but...there’s a lot of better circumstances he could have gone to, football-wise." – Dan Fates (15:01)
• "Bills fans don’t forget a lot. And I think you’ll see a lot of 'You sure?' signs." – Mike Catalana (22:21)
• "The impact Diggs had was positive until it wasn’t." – Jenna Cottrell (15:51)
• "I think the people that hate him despise him, but I think most people..." – Jenna Cottrell (17:07)

Noteworthy Segments

• Comparison of Diggs’ departure to that of Jack Eichel, and the dynamics of fan reactions to returning players.
  • "When Sabres fans boo Jack, they're almost booing the front office." – Mike Catalana (23:11)
• Speculation on when the Patriots-Bills games will fall on the 2025 schedule and how/if the NFL will “play up” the Diggs storyline.
• Discussion of possible jersey-wearing among fans and social media fallout.
• General consensus: Bills fans grateful for Diggs’ past, even more grateful he’s not part of the current team.

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3. Bills Defensive Line State and Draft Preview

(Segment starts: 25:43)

Current State of the D-Line

• Roster includes Greg Rousseau, Joey Bosa (recent addition), DaQuan Jones, Ed Oliver, plus recent picks Javon Solomon and Dwayne Carter, and veterans A.J. Epenesa.
• Key concern: the need for more difference-makers and reinforcements, given age, health, and recent suspensions.
• Bosa expected to play more snaps than initially assumed—a likely starter at end.
  • "His...the way that he sounded was definitely being more of a...he's expecting to be a starter and to have an impact on all three downs." – Mike Catalana (27:45)

Draft Considerations & Prospects

• High probability they take at least one defensive lineman in first three picks.
  • "They have three picks in the top 60...They have to take one somewhere in those three picks. I don't think...it's guaranteed at 30, but they have a need." – Dan Fates (28:42)
• Discussion of fit is critical—what kind of player pairs best with current lineup (Ed Oliver, Rousseau, etc).

Defensive Tackle Prospects Discussed

• Kenneth Grant (Michigan):
  • 6'3", 340 lbs, massive “block eater”; slimmed to 332 at Combine.
  • "He’s a guy that I think of...first and second down player that will tell you, I can be a three-down guy." – Dan Fates (33:39)
• Deone Walker (Kentucky):
  • 6'7", 331 lbs, “enormous human with elite size and length”; considered more of a project.
• Alfred Collins (Texas):
  • 6’5”, 332 lbs, concerns with pad level due to height, probably a later-round option.
• Derrick Harmon (Oregon, formerly Michigan State):
  • NFL comp: DaQuan Jones; “blend of size, length, strength that makes him tough to move.”
• Darius Alexander (Toledo):
  • Noted as potentially older (turning 25), but a physically dominant presence.
  • "He just appears to be the type of player that's been in that system, plays that way...he might be there [at pick 30]." – Mike Catalana (39:55)
  • Jenna adds, "Darius Alexander – wrestler," highlighting the team's affinity for former wrestling standouts. (40:17)
• Great, funny quote from Harrison Phillips:
  • "A defensive tackle is like a fire hydrant at a dog show. You've got a role. You're the guy who's gonna get pissed on." – Mike Catalana recounting Harrison Phillips (37:54, 38:04)

Edge Prospects & Others

• Mike Green (Marshall):
  • NFL comp: Alex Highsmith; 17 sacks in 2024, “plays with violence” but potential character red flags with off-field accusations.
• James Pierce Jr. (Tennessee):
  • Highly athletic, first-round talent, but flagged for “uncoachable” and “had one foot out the door.”
• Others mentioned: Shamar Stewart, Mason Graham (another wrestler), Jack Sawyer (Ohio State; likened to A.J. Epenesa), Tyleik Williams (Ohio State), and Walter Nolan.

Strategic Draft Thoughts

• Emphasis on need for “large humans” to plug run gaps and provide Ed Oliver with a stout, space-eating counterpart.
• Hosts are in favor of doubling up on DL picks—swing on two if value and opportunity present.
• Historical reference to previous second and third-round swings (e.g., Basham and Rousseau).
  • "So the last time they swung, the two of them was Basham and Rousseau. You hit on 50% of it." – Mike Catalana (49:17)
• Banter about trading up, late draft chaos, and the unpredictability of the Bills’ draft board approach.

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4. Notable Quotes & Fun Moments

Hallmark Movie Plot Theories

• "At some point, there will be somebody stuck in snow...and the guy gets her out. They get into an argument. Enemies to lovers.” – The crew.
• "Dion Dawkins says he loves Betty’s Wings. Dion’s in it.” – Jenna Cottrell (02:50)

On Diggs’ Return

• "I think a lot of fans are just like, okay, yeah...you’re so hungry to win, you sign with a team that’s obviously rebuilding—again.” – Jenna Cottrell (17:32)
• "Bills fans don’t forget a lot. And I think you’ll see a lot of 'You sure?' signs." – Mike Catalona (22:21)

On Defensive Tackles

• "A defensive tackle is like a fire hydrant at a dog show. You've got a role. You're the guy who's gonna get pissed on.” – Harrison Phillips quote via Mike Catalana (37:54, 38:04)
• "You want your D-line, you want guys that'll get after—right? This close to getting arrested." – Mike Catalana (31:05)

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5. Key Timestamps

• 01:17 – Hallmark movie segment begins
• 09:09 – Stefon Diggs to Patriots analysis
• 25:43 – Defensive line draft preview starts
• 33:39 – Deep dive on Kenneth Grant
• 37:54 & 38:04 – Harrison Phillips fire hydrant quote
• 39:55 – Darius Alexander draft breakdown
• 49:17 – Final thoughts on defensive line draft strategy
• Throughout – Banter about wrestling backgrounds as a Bills draft plus

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Conclusion

This episode was classic Buffalo Plus—equal parts playful, passionate, and deeply knowledgeable about Bills culture and football operations.

• The Hallmark movie is already sparking speculation and local pride (with plenty of jokes).
• The Diggs conversation offered fresh perspective on NFL fandom and the limits of sports grudges.
• The D-line segment gave listeners a working board of the best, biggest, and most “violent” draft prospects for Buffalo.

For listeners or readers, this is an engaging way to stay caught up on Bills news, roster moves, and draft talk—while feeling like you’re hanging out with friends in Western New York.

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Transcript

[Dan Fates]

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[Jenna Cottrell]

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[Dan Fates]

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[Jenna Cottrell]

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[Dan Fates]

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[Mike Catalon]

What Harrison Phillips said that a defensive tackle is like a fire hydrant at a dog show. You've got a role. You're the guy who's gonna get pissed on that is his quote.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, my gosh.

[Mike Catalon]

This is the Buffalo plus podcast brought to you by Connors and Ferris.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, welcome back to the Buffalo plus podcast presented by Connors and Ferris. Mike Catalon at Dan Fates. I am Jenna Cottrell. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. We're going to talk a little bit about Stefan Diggs going to the Patriots, how a Hallmark movie and the Buffalo Bills are now coming together and D line and prospects ahead as the NFL draft. We know less than a month away. But I want to start with the news.

[Dan Fates]

You always come to me first. You start with this because you were so excited.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. I love Hallmark movies. Are they terrible? Yes. Are they cheesy? Absolutely. Are they horrific? Usually, yes. But I still love them. And when I saw the news that the Bills were going to be featured in a Hallmark movie, a Christmas movie, I was really excited. It's kind of cool to see Buffalo get some shine. And also I'm excited for a viewing party, watching with my family. And I love Hallmark movies.

[Dan Fates]

That's okay. I mean, I know, I know Hallmark movies, they're, they're very predictable.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's why I love them because there's so much insanity going on that I love that. You can sit down. You know, it's a woman who's leaving a situation, trying for a fresh.

[Dan Fates]

She's in the big city.

[Jenna Cottrell]

She's in the big city, she moves back. Okay, let's, let's theorize because I have, I have thoughts on this Hallmark. What, what the plot will be. Okay, here's my thought. I think it's like rival chicken wing businesses and it's like a family business. And then the woman comes back to Buffalo and is like joining the family business and it's. And it's an Enemies to lovers type of situation.

[Dan Fates]

And there's, as always, every year right before Christmas, there's a chicken wing festival in Buffalo.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

Right. They're gonna have a festival.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

I think those movies and, like, the.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Players are gonna have their favorite spots. And so it's gonna be like, oh, well, this player said Dion Dawkins says he loves Betty's Wings.

[Dan Fates]

Dion's in it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I already made Dion in it. If you need a character, you need Dion.

[Mike Catalon]

Yeah. I think at some point there will be somebody stuck in snow.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. Oh, good. Good call.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, yes.

[Mike Catalon]

And squirrel gets him out.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, no, no, no, no.

[Mike Catalon]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

No, no. It's.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's.

[Dan Fates]

The girl is stuck in snow.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Guy gets her out, they get into an argument.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's enemies to lovers. I'm calling it right now.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Enemies to lovers.

[Mike Catalon]

Could it also be somebody goes through a table, is injured, they go to the hospital, that nurse takes care of them?

[Jenna Cottrell]

There's also that.

[Dan Fates]

It is great Hallmark.

[Mike Catalon]

It is great. And sorry for anybody listening at home. My voice is on its last leg. Shout out to Bill's mafia and everybody in Buffalo, like, getting the shine.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalon]

Of a Hallmark movie because they.

[Jenna Cottrell]

So cool.

[Mike Catalon]

Like, there is nobody, I think, that, like, hates Hallmark movies. You like them? I think you like them ironically.

[Dan Fates]

Well, a lot of people hated it last year. Because it was about the Chiefs. Yes, because everybody was sick of seeing the Chiefs.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Then they made a Hallmark movie about him. Wasn't Andy Reid in it?

[Mike Catalon]

I believe so, yeah. Kelsey's mom.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I actually did not watch that one.

[Dan Fates]

I couldn't.

[Mike Catalon]

Shocking, right?

[Dan Fates]

But. So they do that. But now it's about the bill. So now it's. Now it's good. Yeah, now it's good. So the big question is, does 17 make an appearance in the movie 100?

[Jenna Cottrell]

So Skydance Sports is a part of it. We know that Josh recently signed with Skydance. Now, could it be for a completely different project? Probably. But I feel like if you're gonna make a Hallmark movie and talk about the bills, you gotta have Josh Allen in it. Although, is that what he wants, his acting debut? It's a completely different story.

[Dan Fates]

So I also said to you guys, even if they're playing themselves, like, I think demar is the one who announced it. So demar is going to be in the movie.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

Even if you're playing yourself, it's still acting because you're reading lines, so you still have to act. Josh, we already know, probably be a pretty good actor.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, yeah, agreed.

[Dan Fates]

He will play the role like, what's his name? Who's. He always does the bits.

[Mike Catalon]

Oh, Chris Pratt.

[Dan Fates]

Chris Pratt. Chris Pratt.

[Mike Catalon]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

Can you be that in a Hallmark movie?

[Jenna Cottrell]

He is Chris Pratt, so.

[Dan Fates]

Right. Dion will be good.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, we are already putting Dion. Dion is not officially in this movie.

[Mike Catalon]

Dion's in the movie. No, no.

[Dan Fates]

Zero chance.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No way.

[Dan Fates]

No.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No way. I will bet on it. What do you want? What's the wager?

[Dan Fates]

I could absolutely see Khalil Shakir being in the movie.

[Jenna Cottrell]

He, like, pulls up in his Subaru.

[Dan Fates]

Shakir, do you have it in there?

[Jenna Cottrell]

I can't read that.

[Mike Catalon]

Best friend.

[Dan Fates]

He's.

[Mike Catalon]

He's a good person in whatever the. The scene is.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

People are gonna be like, oh, that's so. That actor is so good at playing a football player. And you're like, that's actually a football player.

[Dan Fates]

By the way, he probably watches some Hallmark movies.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I could definitely see that.

[Dan Fates]

Who'd be a bad actor in it?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Who's gonna be on. I don't think he's to himself.

[Mike Catalon]

He'll make a cameo. I'm not saying he's got a role. He's got a cameo.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't. Does he have a line?

[Mike Catalon]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, you know who.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't think so.

[Dan Fates]

Ed Oliver.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, Ed would be great.

[Dan Fates]

Who's gonna be bad in it?

[Mike Catalon]

Like a bad guy.

[Dan Fates]

Bad. Bad actor in it. Like, just. We'll.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, I would say, like. I mean, these guys are actors. Imagine it's gonna be some bad acting.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalon]

Dawson Knox is also going to be in it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I could see Dawson being in it.

[Dan Fates]

How many? I have no idea how many were in the movie.

[Mike Catalon]

There will be another cameo from Slick Rick. Slick Rick's in the movie?

[Dan Fates]

Somehow I don't think it goes that deep into the.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't think so either.

[Dan Fates]

It's produced by the Bills.

[Mike Catalon]

I think that there will be an appearance. And you may not know it, but I think they're. I think they are trying to incorporate. It's going to be shot around High Mark Stadium.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. If you don't think could. Could have a spot. Yeah, yeah, he'll. Oh, he'll be delivering Christmas presents. Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's sweet.

[Dan Fates]

That would be nice.

[Jenna Cottrell]

In his new car.

[Dan Fates]

That would be nice.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

McDermott. He makes a pretty.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, I could see McDermott. Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Not sure Coach delivers the line. Well, I don't know. We saw him do a little acting for us.

[Mike Catalon]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

The podcast.

[Mike Catalon]

The stairs.

[Dan Fates]

Doing the stairs. The dad stuff. Tells a dad joke. Maybe.

[Mike Catalon]

And I'm going to try and get some in inside info because what if brother Bill gets in it? Oh, yeah, Brother Bill, another guy, friend of the pod. The channel. He's also been. He's betting enough commercials.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalon]

Well known.

[Dan Fates]

See, this is. You got to keep in mind, this is. This is a Hallmark production. This is not a Buffalo Bills production.

[Mike Catalon]

But it's in partnership with the Buffalo Bills.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. I just don't know how much like.

[Dan Fates]

It could be playing fans, you know, they're gonna. You're definitely gonna have.

[Jenna Cottrell]

In the Chiefs movie, I was told that there's a part where like Jenna Bush was like doing commentary on the Chiefs and like, there you go. Jenna Cottrell say, I would love to do that. I'm casting myself. I don't know. I love Hallmark movies because like the time of year and you're right, it's. They're very predictable. But it's fun to just sit down, watch, you know, it's going to be a happy ending. It's gonna be hilarious. At some points, ironically so. And then other moments you're like, this is heartwarming. So, yeah, it's cool to see the Bills get that attention. And I know a lot of people in western New York are excited about it.

[Mike Catalon]

Will the Bills win the super bowl in this Hallmark movie? Is that tied into.

[Dan Fates]

Well, it's a Christmas movie, so maybe that's just like at the end you.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I feel like they'll like allude to it, but they won't like have it.

[Mike Catalon]

Yeah, they gotta win.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Well, yeah, they. They have to win for so many reasons.

[Dan Fates]

Throw some out there. Jim Kelly may make an appearance in it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I could see that.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yep.

[Dan Fates]

I could see Jim make an appearance. There's also, at the same time, there's gonna be a horror movie starring the New York Jets. So it's amazing.

[Mike Catalon]

And that kicks off September 7, right?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, Michael, that was great.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay, let's talk a little bit. Other news stuff going on.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, there was more than the Hallmark movie.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Well, there's some other news. Stefan Diggs signing with the Patriots. A three year deal worth a lot of monies and coming off the ACL injury. So he will now be playing against Buffalo twice a season at least for the next couple years. At least. How that's ex. How is it? It is. At least that's how it's expected to play out.

[Dan Fates]

So let's start with this. The Bills won the trade. Texans gave him a. What ended up being Minnesota second round pick. Played not even a year, obviously. Unfortunately for Diggs, he got hurt so before he was even still with the Texans, the Bills are getting that pick from Minnesota, so they'll use it in this year's draft. So he's gone from there, goes to New England. Listen, it's probably a pretty smart move for New England. They need a player they weren't going to get. A lot of guys who want to go running there. Diggs did. He's getting paid more than I think he normally would coming off the ACL at his age. So good for him that he got more money. I think he'll help Drake may. I don't know if he's not going to help him to the level that he helped Josh Allen. I don't think at this point of his career. I get it from both sides. Diggs gets more money and the Patriots get a legitimate receiver.

[Mike Catalon]

And much like we've heard from a lot of these contracts, I think Albert Brear had it that it there's an opt out after one year. So like again, you can cut ties. Who knows how it, you know, all works out with Diggs. But he was productive in Houston for those seven and a half games. Like it wasn't like he fell off a cliff once he left Buffalo. So I think this makes a lot of sense. I think Diggs is by far their best wide receiver in that room right now. They needed guys to catch passes and New England had a ton of money to give. They've given out a lot of it and I think there is a little bit, I think like what we expected with Vrabel. Guys do want to play for variable money helps. But I think Vrabel is also a big enough name that has earned the respect of being a well known coach that guys like to play for.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I feel like that is a bonus. But if I'm Diggs, the market for him, I can't imagine was that especially.

[Mike Catalon]

Coming off the ACL.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Coming off the ACL. He's going to be 32 years old this season and they were gonna pay him money that would be hard to say no to. So I think Vrabel is like, oh, that's great. But I don't think that to me was, oh, that's a huge selling point.

[Dan Fates]

They're, they're like the Bills used to be. They're overpaying for a guy because they're not going to get players. Listen, I don't begrudge the guy the money. You can give him whatever they want.

[Mike Catalon]

Correct.

[Dan Fates]

I'm glad he got his money. He did bet on himself. He tore his ACL that's tough, but that's the way it goes in the NFL. But like for the Bills, they move on from Diggs. Josh wins the mvp.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

And now you get a second round pick still to try to add to the team. So it worked out for them, him playing them twice a year. That means very little to me. It doesn't. I think the games will be something. I. I just think the NFL is very different that way.

[Mike Catalon]

How so?

[Dan Fates]

It's not like baseball or basketball. I guess even hockey is. In hockey, you know, when the guys got the puck, I. I just don't think the reaction. Maybe a little pregame, first time he's there. But Diggs was cool with the fans in, like, at the stadium. He's always done that stuff. You know, he'll do the playing catch with fans. He'll do that again and all, and everybody will play nice like they did in Houston. I just think football is just different. It's harder to, like, get after a player. Like, I know you were talking about them booing him. I guess people will boo. I just don't see that that much in NFL games.

[Mike Catalon]

You don't think after he catches his first pass back in Buffalo that there will be applause now?

[Dan Fates]

There'll be booze. But I just, I don't think it's.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't think it's gonna be the whole stadium booing him.

[Mike Catalon]

It's just shocking how, like, quickly we are forgetting the celebration in the. The backlash that digs got from whether it was the you sure tweet, whether it was him showing him up at the sidelines. Like my tweet. And what you're referencing is what we're kind of starting to talk about is I said sabres fans still boo Jack Eichel when he comes back to Buffalo. So I said, I can only imagine what a return to Orchard park will be like because, like, what you said, it wasn't Houston, like, it wasn't in Buffalo, and it wasn't this primetime game. And I'm not saying a New England Bills game is going to be a primetime game, but, yeah, Diggs didn't leave with, like, love, you guys. This was awesome. I had a blast. Like, as I've said, and I've been on Stefan Diggs side. Like, I've been sitting there like, Diggs wants to win so badly. And I think that was a big part of Josh's growth and all of those things. And we're not going to rehash who made who, but when it comes down to it, and I Was talking to Giardi about it because he texted me when New England was bringing him in for a visit. And I thought Giardy said it best. Diggs wants to win very badly. And you want guys like that in your locker room.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalon]

The problem is, is that Diggs thinks the only way to win is by throwing him the ball a ton. And at this point in his career, he's not that guy. But I still see this as a marriage that went south. It didn't end well. They can all be cordial and stuff like that and press conferences and talking about one another. But I still don't think that, like, all is forgotten for some of Diggs antics to the fans, I could care less. We've always been on here being like, diggs can tweet whatever he want. Diggs said, stay off my social media. But there was some sense of animosity and there was some bad blood when he left. So the fact that he'll come back two years later wearing a New England Patriots jersey and everybody will be like, it's fine. Thanks for those four years. Diggs, I don't see how.

[Dan Fates]

I'm not saying it's all fine, and I'm not saying there won't be some animosity. I think there'll be some. I think Diggs was still very popular in the comparison to Jack Eichel. Jack Eichel was the consolation prize when they thought they were going to get McDavid. He never embraced the city. He's very good player, but he was the focal point of the city. Just was a cranky guy the whole time he was there. Diggs was really loved for a while and then it went south. But honestly, maybe it's just. Maybe I just look at it. I don't know if Janet does. I guess people are mad at him, I guess. But the Bills ended up trading him and they moved on from him. And I, you know, and he said, and I know he wants to. He wants to win. He wants to win. He went to New England. That team stinks. And they may get better. He went to New England because they paid him. He wanted the money. I don't begrudge him the money, but, you know, there's a lot of better circumstances he could have gone to, football wise.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I just think too, it's such a different circumstance comparing Eichel to Diggs because Eichel was drafted by Buffalo and. And also the success that he has had since leaving. Like, I think he was in Buffalo so much longer. Like Mike said, he never embraced Western New York, the city. Like, he was a ornery type of guy and made that very well known. Whereas Diggs was beloved by fans until things went south. And I. I just think the impact that Diggs. Diggs had was positive until it wasn't. Whereas, like, I don't know. I just don't think it's the same. I don't expect it to be the fervor that you hear with Eel being in town. And Echel is still booed because he even taken shots of like, oh, this is the loudest I've heard this arena. Like, I don't expect Diggs to do that, and I don't expect it to be like, will people. Some people boo. Absolutely. But I feel like it's almost. When you talk about the marriage gone south of, like, the Bills have done so much better.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Where it's kind of like beneath them. I think a little bit to. To boo.

[Mike Catalon]

I think you're giving a little bit too much credit to Bills fans.

[Dan Fates]

I think a lot of Bills fans. There'll be a good percentage wearing their 14 digs jerseys to the game.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't know about that, but if.

[Dan Fates]

They still own a Diggs jersey, people would. I. I think he's still pretty well liked. I don't think he was hated.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't. I think the people that hate him despise him, but I think most people.

[Mike Catalon]

I think people hated him when he was on the Bills and were sick and tired and wanted him gone after the Cincinnati game.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. But then I feel like, because he left. Because he left, because he tore his. His acl, because he now is signing with the Patriots team that is obviously a shell of what New England has been. It's like, we don't need to boo you. You are a. The circumstances that you are in are a direct result of your actions.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I think a lot of fans are just like, okay, yeah, you're. You're back in Buffalo. Yeah. You might catch that pass from Drake May, but what are you actually gonna do? You're so hungry to win, you sign with a team that's obviously rebuilding again.

[Mike Catalon]

I was always on Jack Eichel's side with his whole surgery, wanting to have.

[Dan Fates]

The surgery on his own body.

[Mike Catalon]

And I always remember telling people like, Jack wanted to have a somewhat experimental surgery. The team didn't want him to. He pretty much was forced away out to trade so that he could have the surgery that he wanted. And I always make that comparison of, if Josh Allen wanted to get a surgery, the team would let him Get a surgery.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, I would say that you're right. That was at the end. That's just the way it ended. It was bad leading up.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, it was. It was already bad.

[Mike Catalon]

And again I understand the circumstances of the team being different but like Jack wanted to win, Jack made them relevant. Jack made the sabers relevant for a decent amount of time. They didn't win. And we can always argue the fact of just like in football, just like in hockey, one guy can't. It's not LeBron. One guy doesn't can dictate the whole game. So I was always on the side of Michael, I was always on the side of Diggs, of he is who he is and he's a guy that at the time you wanted in your locker room because I thought his play outweighed kind of that noise in stuff. But as I said with, with digs like it's an expiration date, you move on. And I get it. Jack has probably thrown a few more jabs on the way out. I think it was much more bitter but I think fan wise both were felt annoyed by the player at the end.

[Dan Fates]

I think some of it's going to depend on the circumstance too. If New England. First of all, I don't think he's going to play in the beginning of the year. But say they don't come to Buffalo till November 17th and they come in at 8 and 5 and he's having a great year. I think the fans may be a little more pissed off at him just because it's agreed it's working out for him.

[Mike Catalon]

Right.

[Dan Fates]

I think it's more likely he.

[Mike Catalon]

I don't think it's going to be as bad as they were last year.

[Dan Fates]

No, they were really bad last year. But they should have had the number one pick.

[Mike Catalon]

Yep.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, they'll be, they'll definitely be better and better coached and it doesn't. I don't even know what kind of success he'll have.

[Mike Catalon]

You coming in with your thoughts on Diggs being back in New England and whether you think the reception or the his return to Orchard park, what you think it'd be like, I will tell you this.

[Dan Fates]

I think the main reason I thought of it is I just don't see that that often in a football game, especially when the guy's a wide receiver. Maybe it's a boo when he catches the ball. There's very few players who bring like Deion Sanders had that when he left the Cowboys. Went to the. When he was with the Niners and all that. There's certain guys. There's a little bit of that. It's just very different in other sports. That's the only reason I kind of look at is, like, might be that moment pregame. I think it's a mixed reaction and dep. And I think it depends on when it is. But, yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I mean, like, I'm expecting the player. Like, fans always boo the opposing team running out.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

May it sound a little bit louder when they see Diggs. Yes. When he catches a pass. Yes. But I don't expect it to be everyone, like, the whole stadium booing him. Is that what you think?

[Mike Catalon]

I think it'll be. Didn't Beasley come back and everybody didn't know if it was booze or bees?

[Dan Fates]

Oh, yeah. Who was he?

[Mike Catalon]

I can't remember who he finished with, but it was because Beasley came out and said that, you know, Josh wasn't that good of a. Wasn't his. Is that what it was?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Giants? Yeah. After.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalon]

I don't know. I. I'm just saying. I. I think that's. That is the beauty of fandom. Like, you talk about hate.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalon]

You have talked about hate. I think the way that things kind of went south at the end, I think. I think it still irks a lot of Bills fans, and rightfully so.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. No, I. I agree with you. I think there's people that were that way. But to Jenna's point, like.

[Mike Catalon]

And he was great with the Bills.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I just also think they're thankful that he's not on. They're thankful for what he did, and they're thankful he's not on the team. That's where I feel like it's different.

[Dan Fates]

And they're thankful he's not.

[Jenna Cottrell]

He hasn't had success last year. I want a Stanley Cup. Like, it's so.

[Mike Catalon]

And I agree. If he went to the Ravens.

[Dan Fates]

Different.

[Mike Catalon]

Different story.

[Dan Fates]

Because a real threat or to.

[Mike Catalon]

So. So I understand Chiefs. I understand that he's on the free.

[Dan Fates]

Charts and he took the money. Good for him.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. No, I agree.

[Mike Catalon]

He's with Mac.

[Dan Fates]

What.

[Jenna Cottrell]

What week do we think he even plays Diggs?

[Mike Catalon]

They were saying they may. They were hoping he'd be back towards the start, so maybe it's two or three.

[Dan Fates]

Well, they might put him on the PUP list.

[Mike Catalon]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

And he comes back, what, week five. It makes more sense. It's like, I. I mean, I know there's always that. We always see this. Well, he's gonna be back for week one. Week one. I know that's. That's a Lot to ask of a 30 plus year old wide receiver.

[Mike Catalon]

Bills fans don't forget a lot. And I think you'll see a lot of you sure signs. I think you'll see a lot of those things because it felt like it was a shot at Josh Diggs threw. It felt like there were shots at Josh at the end when Josh, as we said, was always doing the right things, was always defending him.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalon]

And I know Diggs said some nice things when he first got to Houston, but that was kind of after the dust had settled when it was still really dusty. It felt like Diggs was not sticking up for his guy and his team.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I'm gonna be. It's so apples and oranges to me. Like I saw your tweet and I was like, huh? I would never think about it that way.

[Mike Catalon]

He was so polarizing.

[Dan Fates]

And Jack goes and wins the cup and the Sabers are a freaking dumpster. Like I feel like that that doesn't help. Whereas Joshua won the MVP digs tore his acl.

[Mike Catalon]

Well, I always think about it too is if when Sabres fans boo Jack, they're almost booing the front office.

[Dan Fates]

I agree with you.

[Mike Catalon]

They're booing the owners of Jack is now one of the best. Five players is on Team usa is an incredible talent, has turned into a two way player that he never was in Buffalo and that's how it went.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. Yeah. All right.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay.

[Dan Fates]

We'll see. We'll see. When. Ooh. Because that's, you know, part of the schedule when we do the draft.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Do we think they don't come initially to Buffalo and like do we think the latter half of the season to ensure that Diggs is out there? That's kind of what I'm envisioning.

[Dan Fates]

I don't think the league gives a crap about it. Just like last year they didn't care about it as the. It's New England. It's more about New England, I think. I'm thinking New England's a good team. You know, they're going to play there. They're going to get them back there late in the year. We always go to Foxborough late in the year. Yeah, it.

[Mike Catalon]

No, you already have that game circle.

[Dan Fates]

How early did they play a division game this past year? I'm trying to remember Two.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Two is Miami.

[Mike Catalon]

Miami.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, that's right. Yeah.

[Mike Catalon]

And we hated them going to Miami.

[Dan Fates]

In September so they could play New England relatively early.

[Mike Catalon]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I just meant do you think they would wait a little bit to ensure that Diggs is on the field?

[Mike Catalon]

Diggs isn't that big of a name anymore.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I just feel like if I were them, I would wait till like October. Just so you're. You're got to play that game anyways. Why. Why not wait a little bit?

[Mike Catalon]

So there would be some animosity, think built up.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, but I think they will play it up. Like last year, I said I think the NFL. The NFL always tries to push narratives. Whether or not that's true, you don't think they push the narrative about Josh.

[Mike Catalon]

And Diggs, A one o' clock Sunday game.

[Dan Fates]

Credit to me last year I said that you're not a network game, Right?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay, fine.

[Dan Fates]

Because people didn't care as much. And that's. And that held the matchup itself. Should have been a bigger game.

[Mike Catalon]

Correct.

[Dan Fates]

Is Houston and the Bills, that was a really good team against a really good team. And they did this year. I think the division games come out the way they come out.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. I just. If you're already gonna try to make it something. It's already a division game. Maybe my.

[Mike Catalon]

It's not anything.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I honestly thought your argument was a straw man.

[Dan Fates]

Wow. Well, there was a little straw.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, there was. There was like. To me, I was like, that is not the same.

[Dan Fates]

Okay, all right, we gotta get him going because his voice is cracking.

[Mike Catalon]

I only got so many words left.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, do we want to talk def. Do you want to set it up where they're at now or do we want to jump into.

[Dan Fates]

Well, let's say where they are now because.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay, so obviously Greg Russo, Joey Bosa, they added Daquan Jones, Ed Oliver, guys like that. And then also they have Javon Solomon, A.J. apanessa, Dwayne Carter.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalon]

And the big ones we talked about were obviously a lot of the people we already know about, but then it's. It's Solomon and Dwayne Carter, kind of. What do they have?

[Dan Fates]

Well, especially like we talked about with the two guys on the suspensions, it's like, okay, so they need these players to be ready to play. And last year I checked on a Carter. Carter had 300 snaps for the season, 14 tackles.

[Mike Catalon]

Jenna's drinking Diet Coke, Pepsi during this.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Five tackles for loss, three quarterback hits. He had that little stretch. Are we interrupting you? He had that little stretch, played, made a couple of plays, and then he got hurt.

[Mike Catalon]

The Tennessee game, he had a big stop or Jacksonville came or one of.

[Dan Fates]

Those games, and actually in the two losses there in the middle, he got a decent amount of snaps. They had a lot of injuries during that time. Javon Solomon, 134 snaps, did have a couple of sacks, 13 tackles. Their contributions were relatively minor. I think they're going to need more out of them. You know, we talk about Daquan, AJ Epanessa, like they already know they need more. And if you can bring in somebody early in the draft that can impact that pass rush, impact the run defense, you know, it's fine to say they have these guys. Those guys weren't good enough. No, it wasn't good enough. And it needs to be better. And you know, after you guys heard Bosa. I'm talking to Bosa. You feel like he's gonna, he's gonna play more snaps than.

[Mike Catalon]

I think so.

[Dan Fates]

Feels like he's starting at that.

[Mike Catalon]

I agree.

[Dan Fates]

Other end, right?

[Mike Catalon]

I agree.

[Dan Fates]

At least that's where the plan would be. You're gonna pay him 13 million bucks.

[Mike Catalon]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

12 million. What it is.

[Mike Catalon]

Yeah. I, I definitely think that they see him as more than I think we all thought, like Von Miller, replacement, third down guy. His. The way that he sounded was definitely being more of a. He's expecting to be a starter and to have an impact on all three downs.

[Dan Fates]

And I think there's ways to give guys breaks. It's not always coming in and out during the series. It's taking a two series off. Like, you know what I mean? Like you, you mix it up and that's where you need for right now. Maybe it is a Javon Solomon who has to step up as a pass rusher or, you know, eventually when they get Hoyt back or whoever it is. Yeah, that is going to be doing that. But there are guys in this draft that I think could on this D line, if they play the way they are projected to play, could. Could impact them right away, percentage wise.

[Jenna Cottrell]

How probable do you think it is that they take a defensive lineman? So I feel like I'm like 65.

[Dan Fates]

So they have three picks in the top 60. Well, they definitely. They have to take one somewhere in those three picks. Yeah, I don't think to your point, I don't think it's guaranteed at 30. There is a lot of players. It is funny. I hear everybody say there's a lot of depth. That's great. You can say there's 30 guys. You better pick the right one. Because just because you pick a guy there and wait and wait doesn't mean you're the one who says, oh, we got the best player. We got a better player. We passed up because, you know, the way the draft goes, you're going to look at all the guys that were taken around him. So it does put them in a spot. And we don't. We'll know. But is it being aggressive? Is there somebody sitting there that they go, if that guy falls to this point, we'll make a play for him. If not, we feel like a lot of these other guys are closer, but they have a need as an edge rusher and they have a need in the interior of the defensive line. They can go either way.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I just feel like it's very probable that they will go D line just because of where they're at and what they need. And then also just, I mean, they've taken so many cracks at it already. I mean, obviously corner. There's other spots, safety if you want to go wide receiver. I don't. I just don't expect them to take wide receiver first round.

[Mike Catalon]

The Javon Solomon piece is. Is interesting as to what. Where they go with the edge.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalon]

Because Bosa seems like right now a rental.

[Dan Fates]

Right.

[Mike Catalon]

So you have to be looking at the future. And when you draft Solomon, do they already have their eye on knowing Vaughn's coming off a second acl? Where is he coming? And we look at the draft and I think a lot of people do so much of this year.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalon]

They've also got to be looking two, three years down the road. So same thing with wide receiver. Like, okay, like you hope Keon progresses and things like that, but you also have to have backup plans. So I thought Solomon has a couple of nice moments. It was in mop up duty of games. He had a strip sack against Jacksonville, recovered a fumble, and the Patriots came in week 18. So kind of things like that. But they need help on the D line, especially because of the suspensions.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

And we always talk about this D line is different than any other position on the field. You play a lot of guys on.

[Mike Catalon]

The D line, you want them this.

[Dan Fates]

Close to getting arrested.

[Mike Catalon]

This close to getting arrested. That's the attitude.

[Dan Fates]

You want your D line, you want guys that'll get after. Right.

[Mike Catalon]

This close is the best line.

[Dan Fates]

Theoretically, not legally that close. Yes, but you do want that disruptors. You know what I found? I swear to God, every player, everyone and I looked up a lot of defensive linemen, tackles and edge rushers. It's almost impossible to find one of those players that somebody doesn't call him a first round player. It's as if there's 70 players in the first round. And it's like. And what will happen is somebody will pick this guy in the Second or third round. Say he had first round grades.

[Mike Catalon]

How about that?

[Dan Fates]

There is. So I, I can tell you, every one of these guys that I was looking at, there are projections from legitimate people, but projections to say that guy could go late in the first. That's what they always say. Yeah, they throw that late in the first round. That protects you to say somebody stepped up and took him or. But then it's always like, then when he goes in second or third, say, well, he could have gone there. I heard Greg Cosell talking about it and he's like, he said he likes to look at the player, who they are, but with the reality that not every skill set works with the way teams want to play and depends on who you have there. Right. If you have a player like Greg Russo, maybe you're looking for a different type of edge on the other side. If you have a player like Ed Oliver, you've got to match him with somebody. If you have Jalen Carter in the middle of your D line, a lot of guys fit on next to him. So it's. I do think sometimes you're looking to go, well, this guy's better than that guy. But the fit has to be right. I would also say pick the best. Pick the best guys. Unless it's. Unless it's a guy that you just don't believe can put his hand on the ground. He can't do those things that you do. But if it's a talented enough player, just put him out there and let him go.

[Mike Catalon]

We don't talk a ton on this channel about three technique, one technique, things like that. The Bills do seem to have new coaching staff coming in a little bit on the D line and.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalon]

And I feel like that could open up the possibility of having guys, especially defensive tackle, that could do maybe something different than what we're used to seeing in Buffalo.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Mike Catalon]

And Michael is pointing at his legal pad.

[Dan Fates]

Well, the reason I'm pointing at Kenneth.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I haven't had a point in a while.

[Dan Fates]

I'm pointing at Kenneth Grant. Is the guy out of Michigan.

[Mike Catalon]

He's over there somewhere.

[Dan Fates]

No, he's over there and over there and over there. Because he's six three, 340 pounds, slim down. He slimmed down 332 at the combine. Yeah, he dropped down Tank. He's one of those guys. He's a guy that I think of. He is a first and second down player that will tell you I can be a three down guy. And that's the big thing with a big player like that. That Is eats up blockers, plays that way. Ideally, if you can keep him on the field and he plays all three downs, tremendous. I think with this defense, let's start with somebody who can get in the early downs and take up blocks, free it up for Terrell Bernard, Dorian Williams, Matt Milano to make plays. That's what he does. He's. You know, he's not a. Some of these guys aren't stat guys. That's the one thing when you look at D tackles, they can play really well and not put up any numbers. So sometimes it's like, oh, did he penetrate? Did he get this. Did he get this number? That number? That's I. And where he'll go, I don't know. You know, again, I've seen as high as 14, 15. Then you see high in the late first round. Is he a player that they. If they would really like, they would make a move for? I think a lot of places have mocked him to the Bills or being close to it. But to Dan's point, that's something they don't really have. They don't have that monster there to put next to Ed.

[Mike Catalon]

Yeah. I look at this draft and then when I look at the D line, especially defensive tackle, because we kind of saw Daquan Jones production go down last year, and especially because Ed is that smaller defensive tackle, which is much more of a penetrator, gets after the quarterback, quarterback hits, which is great. I think you need. And as I go into this draft, I want a large human being next to Ed Oliver. That's where I'm looking at the most. So when I look at all these guys, there's some guys that are 6, 7, 6, 4.

[Dan Fates]

I got two of them for you. Yeah, Jenna mentioned this guy. I think you mentioned or you mentioned him, Walker, Kentucky 7, 3, 31. Now he's looked at like a. More a project quote.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Enormous human with elite size and length. Yes. Lancer line cracked me up.

[Dan Fates]

Another one is to keep an eye on. If you talk about sizes at Alfred Collins, Texas, 6, legit specimen 332. Direct quote, 332. That height's a bit of a concern because Leverage. Yeah, sometimes. And that's some of the things that the scouts have said. But again, if you're grabbing that guy and. Well, I don't know about Collins as much, but certainly Walker would be a guy in. In maybe in a later round.

[Jenna Cottrell]

There's a guy too, Derek Harmon.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oregon. His NFL comp is actually Daquan Jones, which I always think is interesting. Six, four and A half blend of size, length, strength makes him tough to move. And we've seen how Ed can be so effective next to Daquan Jones when Jones is healthy. That's someone that I think was a name that popped out. I saw a couple people talking about him in the Bills and how that would work out, but seeing that comp, I'm like, that is interesting to have a guy that's already on the team.

[Dan Fates]

And if I'm not mistaken, he played at Michigan State.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes. And then transferred.

[Dan Fates]

Transferred over for his final year. So there's. That's another thing. When we talk about production, the way it works with the nil and the transfer portal, you know, guys will go. And I don't blame them. They go for the money, but they end up where you normally be playing in your fourth year in the system. Now you're on a new team, going out there, trying to make plays. But he's physically a monster, too.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's changed so much.

[Mike Catalon]

Yeah. You talked about the stats for defensive tackles, and that's tough to evaluate because if you look at an edge rusher, you're looking at sacks, production in college. Javon Solomon had a lot of sacks at Troy, things like that. And I wanted to make sure I got the quote right. And I've said it before on here, and Jenna's smiling, so I think she knows where he's going. What? Harrison Phillips said that a defensive tackle is like a fire hydrant at a dog show. And I just think that's. I just think that's an amazing quote by Harrison Phillips.

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, my gosh. Very vivid imagery.

[Mike Catalon]

The quote is. I like to call my position the fire hydrant dog show. You know, you've got a role. You're the guy who's gonna get pissed. That is his quote.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, my gosh. Wow. That is funny.

[Dan Fates]

There is, you know, there's a lot of play. I looked at some of the players and fans will know these guys. Jack Sawyer is the guy that made a big play in the national championship game. He is A.J. epanessa to me.

[Jenna Cottrell]

In what way?

[Mike Catalon]

He also doesn't like flags being planted on his field.

[Dan Fates]

Yes, that's true. Yeah, he's.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Who's the guy you really like?

[Dan Fates]

So the guy I like for them is Darius Alexander. Now, here's Toledo. Here's a guy. Toledo. Quinon Mitchell. What are they doing it? Toledo?

[Mike Catalon]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

They can play the issue for him. He's going to be 25 this summer.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Wow.

[Dan Fates]

Now I look at that and I go, okay, D lineman. I mean, Daquan's what, 34, 33, let me tell you, give me five good years at the D line for the Bills and I'll take it in that case. That would take two good years. Yeah. That doesn't concern me as much and I don't know if it does. He's played there. He just appears to be the type of player that has been in that system, plays that way. Again, the knock would be he is not playing against the elite talents week in and week out. But he has the physical skills, the hands, does everything well. He's 64305. He can move and you know, we've seen these guys and that's what Mitchell did. Quinon Mitchell went to the Senior bowl and really showed up and he was number one on Alabama's list. If he was going to stay in school, they were going to bring him in, but he didn't play there. But Alexander is a guy that a lot of people think slip in at the end of the round, might be a second round pick. He might be there. If you're being sitting there at 30 and you aren't sure about moving, that could be the kind of guy. That's who I like. Realistically, for where they're drafting, you know.

[Jenna Cottrell]

What I do when we start looking at draft prospects? The first thing I do, comps. I love comps.

[Dan Fates]

Right.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No. Google who wrestled?

[Dan Fates]

Oh yeah, you got a wrestler.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Darius Alexander as a wrestler.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, I didn't know he was a wrestler. Oh God, Sean's gonna love him.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That was a say, by the way.

[Dan Fates]

Speaking of that, Gable lost.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I know.

[Dan Fates]

Congratulated the other guy on the podium.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's classic wrestler.

[Dan Fates]

Good for him.

[Mike Catalon]

Crazy that he could wrestle, win all those titles, go to the NFL, go to WWE and then go back to college. College is wild these days. College is wild.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Facts.

[Mike Catalon]

Back in my day, you just used to play in college.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay, so my guy also wrestled, but he's an edge guy. I didn't know if he wanted to keep talking about interior.

[Dan Fates]

We talked about some of those guys. I mean you have, you know, Walter Nolan as a productive guy, but that, but these are most of the players. And then look at that notepad. Well, I went notepad this time. I'm going to transfer this in a minute. But I was, I, I would say of the D tackles, those are the guys that I thought of trying to be realistic of. Hey, yeah, you could always say, let's trade up to the.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You don't want to want Mason Graham.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, he's gonna go.

[Jenna Cottrell]

He's also a wrestler.

[Dan Fates]

Damn.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. I just also love looking at draft profiles and some of the stuff that they say is unequivocally hilarious. Greasy hips. What. What is happening?

[Dan Fates]

Oh the other guy was Tylee Williams, Ohio State.

[Mike Catalon]

Yep.

[Dan Fates]

Violent.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Never drafted a guy from Ohio State. Bean.

[Dan Fates]

Really? Yeah. By the way people mention it, how did we forget James a Georgia guy.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

We're like everyone taking Georgia guys as James Cook. By the way Williams from Ohio State. Expert analysis Williams from Iowa State fell during his 40 yard dash at his Ohio State pro day. And that's a big man tumbling down.

[Mike Catalon]

1 Chris Jones fell down.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Taron Johnson got hit in the face.

[Dan Fates]

One so that's two guys who've made all pros. So maybe. And two, I don't care about a defensive tackle running the 40.

[Mike Catalon]

Why not? How much can he jump? How high? How high can he jump?

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. They. They like the word in the description. So violent.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Violent. Yes.

[Dan Fates]

Like we said this close.

[Jenna Cottrell]

So the player I like for the Bills. Mike Green.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Edge Marshall. Wrestler NFL comp. Alex Highsmith.

[Mike Catalon]

I loved Alex High Smith and my voice is we are might sit few.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Plays out here guys plays with violence.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Excelled at the Senior Bowl. No one had more sacks last season than him. 17 in 2024. Now he has two times been accused of sexual assault. So will that make him off of the Bills board? The player I'm saying is interesting what he could do with the Bills but obviously that weighs into the process.

[Dan Fates]

I I don't think there's any question that it does. By the way Marshall most famous football player grad the Green I Randy Moss. Randy Moss and their nickname great nickname.

[Mike Catalon]

Mean wait Marshall heard the Herd.

[Dan Fates]

The Herd thundering her.

[Jenna Cottrell]

The Herd. I just know I like the color green that they have.

[Dan Fates]

Oh very good.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes. It looks nice with my eyes.

[Mike Catalon]

I will tell you.

[Dan Fates]

Oh by the way though. Yeah. So okay. So we're going to talk about some other other players but there's players like Shamar Stewart. I think teams are all over the map with him. Some love them, some don't have them on the high on the board. I. I don't sometimes I try to look and say what is it about this player? And if you get them usually those players have the physical skills.

[Mike Catalon]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

And there's something about them but he's been thought of as being a guy going relatively high dimension.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay.

[Mike Catalon]

The hurt the.

[Jenna Cottrell]

The. Yeah that's fair.

[Dan Fates]

Another edge guy that you'll hear his name and he may very well be on the board because there's questions again. Off the field is James Pierce Jr. At Tennessee. He's 652 45. Can get after it projected in the first round. Don't think he interviewed well at Combine. There are quotes from people around him that say uncoachable had one foot out the door. Not a great character guy. Now this is what others are saying about him. The reason I bring it up, I have no idea. Never talk to the man. Don't know.

[Mike Catalon]

Not in the building.

[Dan Fates]

This does sometimes impact as we know. So then you're sitting there going Mel's top board there is going to have a talent of James Pierce because when Mel Kuiper is looking at the player or whoever the analyst is, they are looking at the player. It's up to the team to then decide if this off the field stuff or coaching stuff is an issue. So you're going to see like how can we not take this guy. And it might be the case these are the type of players that could be out there and maybe the Bills say no or they're not taking or you would take a flyer on him if he fell to the third round. But don't like to hear uncoachable had one foot out the door.

[Mike Catalon]

Was he the guy that was really good last year? I think a freshman. He was really good and then kind of fell off.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. And I do think this happens this day and I'm not blaming it all on the way it is in college, but it really has changed the evaluation. I said before transfers used to be this big red flag and you know, why is this player. Why is this player out there? Actually, I wanted to check one more player.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You need to get a big board.

[Dan Fates]

I should have the big board.

[Mike Catalon]

He transfer Bean should be talking to you. You liked Brian Thomas.

[Dan Fates]

Thomas.

[Mike Catalon]

And you liked Hamilton. Before that Kyle Hamilton.

[Dan Fates]

Kyle Hamilton, yeah. You had to go up to get Kyle Hamilton.

[Mike Catalon]

But you were in on it.

[Dan Fates]

They had to go. And Tank Dell, that poor guy can't stay healthy.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, that's the issue. I mean, hell of a player, but yeah.

[Dan Fates]

By the way, the one thing about Kenneth Grant that would this could come into play if the Bills are in on him is the Chargers pick ahead of the Bills and he's a Michigan guy and Harbaugh is sitting there and he knows. Now sometimes it might tell you something but it depends on the team. But they're sitting there so.

[Mike Catalon]

But they do have 17 fifth, sixth and seventh round picks to if you want to use some of those to move up a couple of spots.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, it depends on how much and you'd have to, you know, maybe you'd.

[Mike Catalon]

Swap picks and then throw in a fifth or sixth and.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yep, I hope they move up.

[Mike Catalon]

His track record hasn't been great when moving up recently.

[Dan Fates]

No.

[Mike Catalon]

It started out Kair and Kincaid are the last.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalon]

But he's moved up for.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, I agree.

[Dan Fates]

Didn't move up for Ed. Didn't move up for Russo. Moved up for Josh.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Move up for Josh, Moved up for Tremaine.

[Dan Fates]

It is funny. Sitting there was better than moving up. Salian sitting where they were. I mean, obviously Josh Allen is the exception, but they sat there for Ed. It was only at 9, but they got him. They sat there. Rousseau. Yeah, got him. But they moved up for Kair. We don't know yet about Kincaid, but.

[Jenna Cottrell]

NFL draft comparison, Zach Ertz. I, I mean, I say I want them to move up because they have so many picks and also full disclosure for our jobs. It's exciting. You know, they move up and the board gives us more time. Last year, last year was all that waiting, then the trade, then the, the second trade back.

[Dan Fates]

How about that? At that moment when it was like, the Kansas City Chiefs are on the clock.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, my God.

[Dan Fates]

I had to look at it twice and thinking, did I miss that? The Bills are up.

[Jenna Cottrell]

The media room. Do you remember that, Dan?

[Mike Catalon]

Yep.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's going nuts.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalon]

I also remember no spoilers, but somebody had. And we had all agreed in the media room we weren't going to tip the picks because there are people that can. And I just remember saying, oh, my God. When it was the Falcons taking panics, and I was like, that was the only one. I'm sorry I'm spoiling that one, but that, that one was crazy. I'm sure we'll have more this year.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes. Okay. Anyone else? Michael, before we.

[Dan Fates]

No, I, I think that's. I mean, there's, there are other players. There's a. This is, there is a lot of defensive linemen, edge rushers in this draft. So. You know what, you've said this before, too. Take a swing at two of them.

[Mike Catalon]

Yep.

[Dan Fates]

This is what they need and this is the time to get them.

[Mike Catalon]

So the last time they swung, the two of them was Basham and Rousseau. You hit on 50% of it. So. And again, large human being.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes. You say being or bean being. He said large human comma, bean being. Okay.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, that's, that's probably how some of our viewers are. They're like dance losing his voice.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, coming in. Who you all like draft wise? D line that stands out to you. Also, comment in what you think the projection for the Hallmark movie is Sweet.

[Mike Catalon]

And Diggs.

[Jenna Cottrell]

And Diggs. Yes.

[Dan Fates]

And also I just like to say this is officially the begin of irrational Dan time. The Atlanta Braves begin their season tonight, this afternoon. Fan, Dan. Fan, Fan Dan.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Have we never said that before?

[Dan Fates]

I don't know.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. All right. For my Catalana and Dan Fates, I am Jenna Cottrell. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. We'll catch you next time here on Buffalo plus, presented by Connors and Ferris.