Buffalo Plus: "Bills draft BREAKDOWN of Beane's PICKS & PLAN"

Date: May 1, 2022
Hosts: Mike Catalana (A), Jenna Cottrell (B), Dan Fetes (C)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode provides an in-depth analysis of the Buffalo Bills' 2022 NFL Draft. The Buffalo Plus team (Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes) discusses their favorite picks, potential future impacts, and the remaining needs for the roster. With their combined decades of experience covering the Bills, the hosts offer both immediate reactions and long-term perspectives on Brandon Beane's draft decisions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Overall Impressions & Best Picks

• Addressing Needs, Especially Cornerback and Wide Receiver

  • The Bills made eight selections: four on defense, three on offense, and one punter.
  • There was consensus among the hosts that the team addressed its most glaring needs, especially at cornerback with the first-round selection.
  • Khalil Shakir Pick Praised
    • Both Mike and Dan highlight Khalil Shakir (WR) as a standout pick for fit and value.
    • “I really like the pick of Khalil Shakir, the wide receiver. I just think that's a fit...for what they need for the offense.” — Mike (01:34)
    • Dan, who had been advocating for a wide receiver throughout the pre-draft process, also praises Shakir’s polish and versatility, noting his potential both in the slot and on the outside. (03:00)
    • Jenna notes that getting Shakir when he was still available made good sense, addressing a longstanding need. (04:05)

• Kair Elam at Cornerback

  • The team agrees that Brandon Beane’s move to trade up and select Kair Elam (CB) filled the most pressing hole.
  • “To be aggressive—to get your guy Kair Elam in the first round—I liked the move and I think that set the rest of the draft.” — Dan (05:27)
  • Discussion of whether Bean’s pre-draft hesitation at cornerback was a calculated smokescreen; post-draft, Bean admitted he’d wanted to get a corner early. (05:26–06:33)

• Running Back Strategy

  • The Bills’ investment in James Cook (RB, 2nd round) fits their pattern of adding running back talent over recent years.
  • Dan notes, “Don’t kid yourself, the Bills were interested in Breece Hall. …They have been adding them constantly.” (08:24)
  • Cook’s skill set as a pass-catching, deep-threat RB is highlighted. “[Cook] brings an element … he can give them a playmaker, a pass catcher, a deep threat...” — Dan (08:24–08:39)

2. Picks that Are More About the Future

• Terrel Bernard (LB, 3rd round) and the Linebacker Plan

  • Both Mike and Jenna see the selection of Bernard as a forward-looking move, potentially as a future replacement for Matt Milano, not Tremaine Edmunds.
  • “Is that a plan to eventually, if you need to move on from Matt Milano in two years, is that the plan?” — Mike (11:06)
  • Bernard is described as a ‘McDermott type’, modeling his game after Milano.
  • “He talks so much about Matt Milano and modeling his game after him. I just think that's something that screams future.” — Jenna (16:15)

• Matt Araiza (“Punt God,” P, 6th round)

  • Dan explains the intrigue and risk with Araiza—his booming punts but low hang time may not translate to the NFL.
    “He'll either be great or below average. Don't think there's anything in between.” (13:21)
  • Conversation includes concerns about his ability as a holder and the unique pressure on a rookie specialist. (14:19–15:08)
  • Mike notes that as a sixth-round pick, Araiza is low risk; “If he doesn't make it, he doesn't make it. And they'll find another punter.” (14:46)

3. Evaluating Beane’s Draft Patterns

• Review of Day Two Decisions & Draft Trends

  • The hosts noticed puzzling trade-downs on day two, but after-the-fact, see the rationale in acquiring more picks and moving up for Shakir. (09:39, 24:06)
  • Mike provides a retrospective on the fate of past 2nd and 3rd round picks: “...you start looking at that going, that's the spot. First round picks, really good. Second and third round, there's reason to question.” (20:59)
  • The team observes that the Bills have repeatedly tried to find impact defensive linemen and running backs on day two, and keep “shooting their shot.” (21:13)

• Accountability and Front Office Criticism

  • The hosts stress it's healthy to question Beane’s decisions, especially outside the first round.
    “It's okay to question Bean...this isn't a team controlled podcast.” — Dan (21:13)
  • Jenna summarizes: “The leash [for Beane] is long, but there's still questions that you can have.” (22:47)

4. Remaining Roster Needs

• Safety and Tight End Remain Unaddressed
  • Safety depth and future insurance for Jordan Poyer is cited as a priority, regardless of whether a new deal is reached. (26:53)
  • “I think a safety and I also think a tight end are two places that I think they could still bring in.” — Dan (26:53)
  • The necessity for more competition at interior offensive line and cornerback depth is also mentioned. (27:54–28:27)
  • Mike notes, “...the way it played out was good for Jordan Poyer staying in Orchard Park.” (28:27)

5. Draft Winners & Losers Among Current Players

• Winners:
  • Jordan Poyer (no immediate safety drafted, more job security)
  • Dawson Knox (no high tight end drafted, confirmed as TE1)
• Losers:
  • Zach Moss (another running back drafted ahead of him)
  • Jamison Crowder (competition for WR snaps, e.g., with Shakir)
    • “Zach Moss.” — Mike (30:54)
    • “Jamison Crowder.” — Dan (30:57)

6. AFC East Context

• Discussion of Jets' draft as impressive and raising the competition level in the division, but Bills remain the favorites. (31:06)
• Jokes about Dolphins quarterback Tua and rumors swirling around AFC East rivals wrap up the main conversation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Shakir’s Value:
  “A lot of people had him as like the 71st overall prospect, so to get him for the value that they got him. ...I liked where they got him.” — Dan (03:41)
• On Beane's Approach to Cornerback:
  “He kind of got to relax and he slept a little bit better knowing that...like the rest of the board can just fall to him.” — Dan (05:27)
• On the ‘Punt God’:
  “He'll either be great or below average. Don't think there's anything in between. ...The biggest question mark will be can he hold?” — D1 Special Teams Consultant (13:21)
• Retrospective on Day Two picks:
  “First round picks, really good. Second and third round, there's reason to question.” — Mike (20:59)
• On questioning Beane:
  “It's okay to question Bean...we are going to question sometimes moves that are made just like fans question 13 seconds.” — Dan (21:13)
• On the 'Addressed Need':
  “[Elam] better be a starter week one.” — Mike (29:34)
• Draft Weekend 'Winners':
  “I think Jordan Poyer.” — Mike (30:32)
  “I'd say Dawson Knox.” — Dan (30:36)
• Draft Weekend 'Losers':
  “Zach Moss.” — Mike (30:54)
  “Jamison Crowder.” — Dan (30:57)

Important Timestamps

• 00:51: Mike’s initial review: best pick, faith in Brandon Beane, preference for WR Khalil Shakir
• 02:05: Dan on wide receiver “team WR,” praises Shakir
• 03:08: Shakir as a McDermott/Beane “coach’s dream” pick
• 05:27: Dan details Beane’s pre-draft approach at CB, Kair Elam selection
• 08:24: Dan on James Cook and ongoing RB investment
• 10:00–12:13: Mike and Dan analyze Terrel Bernard pick and linebacker philosophy
• 13:21–14:57: Dan consults a D1 special teams expert on Matt Araiza; concerns and upside
• 16:15: Jenna on Bernard as Milano's future replacement
• 20:04–20:59: Mike reflects on second/third-round pick trends and future contracts
• 21:13: Dan on draft parallels and the necessity of questioning Beane
• 24:06: Mike explains trade-down strategy and later trade-up to get Shakir
• 26:53: Dan outlines remaining offseason needs: safety, tight end, veteran CBs
• 30:18–31:08: Draft's biggest winners and losers among current players

Tone and Delivery

• The tone is conversational, insightful, and candid—balancing respect and skepticism regarding Brandon Beane’s draft strategy. The banter includes self-deprecating humor about covering the draft on little sleep and story snippets from the team’s trip to Las Vegas.

Final Thoughts

• The hosts agree the Bills addressed their most pressing roster gaps but acknowledge lingering uncertainties, both with the youth movement (e.g., at linebacker and punt) and the need for further veteran depth (especially at safety and tight end).
• They note Brandon Beane’s strong record overall and the organization’s healthy approach to roster building, but emphasize that not all picks are sure things—especially beyond round one.
• Looking ahead, attention turns to undrafted free agents, possible free agency depth signings, and the dynamic within an improving AFC East.

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