Buffalo Plus Podcast: Bills MOCK DRAFT, Who We LOVE for Buffalo

Date: April 17, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell (remote), Dan Fetes
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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a deep dive into the Buffalo Bills' upcoming NFL Draft strategy, featuring Mike Catalana’s detailed mock draft, expansive discussion of draft needs (especially at cornerback and defensive tackle), and lively debate about value and fit for various prospects. The crew previews the team’s draft week coverage, debates trade-up vs. trade-down scenarios, and evaluates day three draft gems. The tone is a blend of humor, insider insight, and analytical nerding-out—the trio’s signature style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Veteran Cornerback Visit & “Setting the Floor” (02:17–06:03)

• The Bills brought in veteran CB James Bradberry for a visit—a move seen as due diligence, not a solution.
• Main Insight: Teams "set the floor" by signing experienced vets, creating roster flexibility but not restricting draft choices.
  • “You bring veterans like this in now, it's like Dane Jackson…sets you up to draft a corner.” – Mike (03:31)
• Jenna: Reminds listeners not to overreact to these visits during roster build-up to 90-man camp:
  • “That doesn't mean or deter you from what you're going to do in the draft.” (05:04)

2. Draft Strategy: Trade-Backs, Needs, and Mock Draft Variance (06:28–14:12)

• Late 1st round uncertainty: This year's draft has unusual “openness” for the Bills (possible picks: CB, S, WR, DT, DE).
  • “Do you remember... it being so wide open with a pick of what direction they could go in?” – Jenna (15:14)
• Mike predicts Brandon Beane might trade back from pick 30, depending on how the board falls.
  • “I think they're going to pick on Friday...I think they're going to trade back.” – Mike (16:49)
• Trade-back logic: More picks in rounds 2 & 3, particularly if a QB-needy team wants to jump back into round 1.
  • “Just trade back, that's easier said than done.” – Dan (11:39)

3. Key Mock Draft Picks (17:26–38:51)

First Two Rounds:

• Trey Amos, CB, Alabama projected at pick 36 after a trade-back
  • “I have them taking cornerback Trey Amos...played in the SEC, played against top competition and I think he's. He would be the type of player they would want.” – Mike (18:32)
  • Both Mike and Dan LOVE Amos as a fit.
  • Dan’s concern:
    • “Is the six picks worth the risk...what if then somebody swoops up at 33 and takes Amos?” (21:22)
  • Tiresome of prospects lacking size or run support—Bills prefer “bigger” or more physical corners.
• Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo at pick 56
  • “Darius Alexander is there at 56. ... Production wise, he did not dominate at Toledo... But Greg Cosell... just raved about the skill set.” – Mike (23:14)
  • Note: Both Dan and Mike select Amos and Alexander—the only difference is trade mechanics.

Additional Early Picks:

• Jaden Higgins, WR, Iowa State at 62 (Mike’s mock)
  • “He is physical. He's fat. ... goes up and gets the ball. ... plays on the outside and I scream: That seems like a Buffalo Bill.” – Mike (28:45)
• Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame mentioned as possible late second-round pick (Dan’s alt)
  • “Too good of a player that if he is on the board at the end of the second round to pass up.” – Dan (33:32)

4. Draft Philosophy: Instincts vs. Athleticism (39:25–43:43)

• Jenna:
  • “I think instincts are more important [than athleticism]. … What they've been able to do with guys that do have better instincts has been more impressive.” (40:03)
• Mike: Agrees the Bills value smarts, communication, and trust, particularly in the secondary.
• Dan:
  • “I'd like them to have that freakish athletic ability to make up for their lack of instincts.” (41:08)
• All agree: Best-case is players with both, but instincts/fit matter most in Buffalo’s system.

5. Day 3 & Sleeper Picks (44:08–50:44)

• Favorite mid/late picks:
  • Dorian Strong, CB (convert to S), Virginia Tech: Physical traits; possible Poyer-like conversion.
  • Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska: Run-stuffer, wrestler—fits McDermott's grit mold.
  • Maliki Matavayo, TE, UCLA: Not a receiver, but a blocking specialist.
  • Jeremy Crawshaw, P, Florida: Australian punter with “incredible mustache.”
  • Brew McCoy & Isaac Tesla, WRs: Big, physical, developmental wideouts (Tesla: converted QB, D-III roots).
• Draft themes: Take “swings” on athletic/developmental size-speed prospects at WR and in the secondary.

6. Trade-Up Candidates and First-Round “Big Swing” Names (51:46–53:54)

• Unlikely to trade up, but wild-card targets could be:
  • Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M: Freak athlete with low production but big upside.
  • Walter Nolan, DT, Mississippi: Productive, projected anywhere from mid-first to early second.
  • “If the draft could fall in a way... you make a move because you think he's a difference maker?” – Mike (53:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On evaluating the mock draft:

  • “How would you grade yourself before you get into the mock draft?” – Dan (07:54)
  • “I'll say A minus.” – Mike (08:44)
  • “B plus, Buffalo plus.” – Mike (08:49)

• On fan overreaction to Bradberry visit:

  • “Chill. ... He may very well sign. ... But just chill a little bit. It doesn't mean that.” – Mike (06:02)

• On evaluating college prospects’ projections:

  • “I think there's 450 players who are projected to go in the first round and there's not that many picks, is there?” – Mike (09:28)

• On the mock draft madness:

  • “I am deep in mock draft simulators. ... I have done the work two-for-three rounds.” – Dan (06:54)

• On importance of instincts on defense:

  • “I think being a freak athlete is is important, but I think instincts are more important.” – Jenna (40:03)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:17] – James Bradberry visit analysis, “setting the floor,” veteran roster building
• [06:28] – Draft strategy, player visits, and trade talk
• [07:54] – Mike Catalana’s self-grade on his mock draft
• [17:26] – Start of detailed mock picks: Trade-down, Trey Amos at CB
• [23:11] – Darius Alexander at DT, production/fit debate
• [28:13] – Trading up and taking Jaden Higgins at WR
• [33:30] – Xavier Watts, safety value in round two
• [39:25] – Debate: instincts vs. athleticism in Bill's defensive philosophy
• [44:08] – Day three/sleeper pick discussion
• [51:46] – "Big swing" first-round trade-up targets (Stewart, Nolan)
• [54:09] – Summing up the likelihood of trading down

Tone, Chemistry, and Listener Engagement

• Playful jabs over social-media “unfollows” and mock draft hubris
• Listeners are encouraged to comment with their preferred Bills draft strategies
• Emphasis on the chaos, unpredictability, and fun of draft season
  • “We're all in the same diva, Dan.” – Jenna (07:52)
• Running theme: There's no clear, consensus “right answer” this year
• “I have lost track of the people that have visited Buffalo.” – Dan (06:28)

Final Takeaways

• Bills draft plans are wide open: There’s broad consensus that anything could happen, with positional focus on CB and DT, but wild cards at WR, S, Edge, and even RB on day two.
• Buffalo’s ideal additions: Instinctive, athletic, and versatile prospects who can contribute early but also develop—especially in the secondary and trenches.
• Trade-down is the popular scenario: Both for maximizing draft capital and fitting the unpredictable nature of late round one.
• Fan advice: Enjoy the confusion and debate, and trust that Beane and McDermott will value fit, trust, and communication—even more than raw testing numbers.
• Podcast team’s spirit: Insights, jokes, and an open call to the audience to weigh in.

“This draft to me is fascinating because listen, you guys all know, you look around and you see where players are projected to go. … So you're going to see so many times, 'We stole this guy in the third round, he was projected as a one.' ... That's going to happen."
— Mike Catalana [09:26]

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