
Loading summary
A
Well, that was a long night.
B
It's like a movie. I like the first. I didn't like the sequels.
C
I know value is the name of the game, but I'd rather throw a dart in the first round than the fourth round. Now, from the Connors and Ferris podcast studio, this is the Buffalo Plus Podcast.
A
All right, welcome back to the Buffalo Plus Podcast. Mike Catalana, Dan Fates. I am Jenna Cottrell.
C
Please wait a second. Brandon Beans traded back again.
B
That was a good interruption.
A
That was good. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. We are recapping NFL draft night number one, where the Bills ended up trading back three times. From 26 to 28, from 28 to 31, 31 back to 35. So they did get a haul of pick back. I do think that's important to note. But, Mike, not quite the sizzle you love from night one.
B
Okay, we've seen this before. Two years ago, this is what they did. They moved back. They moved back. They moved in the second round. They took Keon Coleman. I'll say this to begin before I say exactly how I think about all of it. If you pick the right player at 35, you'll feel better about it. I'm saying it again. They didn't pick the right player the last time they traded back. Joe Brady can say all he wants. He's the coach. I get that. I don't think they picked the right player in this case. I really like Bean's first move from 26 to 28, you picked up extra draft capital. You pretty much knew in that span. Then I got anxious when they moved back and trading with the Patriots and then they move out again. So I like the like, I like the original. I just didn't like what you got in the secondary picks. I just didn't see the reason for it. I wanted to see him come out with a player in the first night.
C
This felt like the reaction. Like I said, appreciate everybody that followed along on our hour and a half live show. Really cool. A lot of people chiming in. This feels like one of the more polarizing draft nights for Bill's fans because it feels like it is black and white for a lot of people. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of gray area. And again, we've had about 20 minutes to digest from the live show and kind of how I was at the end. Maybe I've changed a little bit, but it feels like some people absolutely love what Brandon Bean did by adding so many picks and being able to trade Back. And some people absolutely hate it. And that's where it feels like you're on one side of the fence or the other. So comment in what you think and your thoughts are on Brandon Bean's work. I will say this. I'm impressed. I'm stunned that he was able to find partners to trade back as much as he did.
A
Yeah.
C
So that, to me is astounding because I lost the bet with Mike on the fact of I owe you now a. A 12 pack of white claws.
B
Because how many trades did it end up being? The first round was there like.
A
Well, the Bills had.
C
The Bills almost hit the over themselves.
A
The Niners had two.
B
Yeah. The Cowboys traded up.
A
Yeah.
C
The Chiefs traded up.
B
So Eagles traded up.
A
Yeah.
C
So, yeah. So again, I. My thing is, and I go, I feel like to understand both sides of where people are. This was never viewed as a draft that had a ton of high impact talent.
B
Right.
C
That wasn't seen as the high end talent, especially at the top of the draft. So to Jenna's point, like, it was a meat and potatoes draft. There was depth in this draft and to some effects. I didn't want depth players. I wanted a difference maker.
B
Okay, Yes, I see what you're saying is it's not necessarily depth players.
A
There's depth at position.
B
At position. Yes. In terms of. That doesn't mean they can't start. What did you think of his moves?
A
Oh, and in terms of what I thought, I thought the first time, I was like, wow, I was impressed that he was able to find a trade partner. I do think that was something that we kind of looked at. We're like, all right. After Casey Conception came off the board, I was like, all right, there's options here. You have Denzel Boston, you have Omar Cooper Jr. You still had a lot of the edge rushers out there, defensive tackle. I felt like the trades after that I got frustrated by. Because I just felt like we were talking about this off camera. Dan and I and some people will talk about how, oh, you know, you're getting more lottery tickets, which is great. And Dan was talking about how, but not all lottery tickets are the same. Right. And so it's the frustration of wanting top end difference makers on this roster and this team needing that. We're talking about a team that's trying to go over the top. And it's frustrating when you're like, they're trying to do that, but they're also trying to get as much depth as possible. I'm not saying those two things can't exist. But I do think at the end of the day, it's just the frustration level of you saw talented players that the Bills could have had at multiple positions that would have been effective for them and help them, and they decided to continually trade back. Now, I do think it's important to know that they did pick up a lot of picks. So they now have pick number 35, which is in the second round. They have pick number 66, which is in the third round. And then they have two fourth rounders, 125 and 126, two fifth rounders, 167 and 168, a six rounder and 182 and a seventh rounder in 220. It's a lot of picks, so you could always try to package them up and go after a guy you really like.
B
But the most impactful thing is going from 91 to 66.
A
Yeah.
C
Yes.
B
Right. Because now that, that's. That's a whole thing. And that also puts you in a position. Take that 66 pick and maybe, maybe even with some draft capital for next year, depending what you want to do, to try to jump into the second round and get another player.
A
Yeah.
B
Who do you guys. Do you think there was somebody out there? And I'm talking. I'm not talking about the top of the draft. I'm talking about when it gets into 18, 19. Casey Concepts, were they in on them?
A
Maybe it's just because we talked about him so much.
B
Well, they brought him in for a 30 visit. They talked to him at the combine.
A
Yeah. I just. I do believe that once he was off the board, it just felt like Bean was like, I don't know who to pick or I don't have a guy in particular I want to take.
B
But you say once he. He was off the board because the Browns moved up and took him. Yeah. Well, that's available. And I know they don't always have the draft capital, but if you really wanted him. Right. Yeah, he was available. Do you think they would have been? I mean, if he. If they were sitting there at 26 and he was still there, Are they taking Casey Concepcion or they trade him back again? I'm just thinking of what would it take for him to move up.
C
And Bean had said too, like, they thought it was going to be harder to trade back. That's part of, you know, where you have to find somebody that wants to move up. But he said that he felt confident that they could find a player that would be an impact at 26. Like he would feel comfortable if they sat 26 and made the pick. So I don't know who wasn't there. I don't. I don't know.
A
I. I do think for the fans that are frustrated by this, I do feel like there's a bit of that deja vu back to the Keon year, where it was like they traded back twice, had the first pick in the second round, and they. They ended up picking the wrong guy in Keon. And I think for a lot of people, there is that fear that with it not being in the first round, that it won't be the correct guy. Now, that's. Obviously, that story is still yet to be written, but I do understand why for some fans, it just feels like that you're getting a taste of the Keon Coleman situation.
C
And my point is, too, as we've talked about it, like, this isn't like, revisionist history or this isn't hindsight. We talked about value a lot heading into this draft on this channel, and how it's like, value is fine. Like, but good players are good players. So to leave day one and go, well, they added value. Yeah. And yes, you.
B
You.
C
You got more darts to throw. You got more lottery tickets to scratch
A
bites at the apple.
C
Yeah, but like, to Jenna's point, like, I was explaining, like, there are $scratchers and then there's $25 scratchers and then there's $50 scratchers.
B
Like, yeah.
C
And those don't all have the same odds of hitting. Like, that's where this. You need to have more lottery tickets. That's where I said, like, yes. And guess what? Dion Walker was in the fourth round last year. And, and, and Bean has done well with Taryn Johnson. And it could also be Marquez Valdez or Marquez Stevenson. Like, yeah, people pointed out, like, well, they've had success with Taron Johnson and these guys and they, They've listed off players. Those are the ones that hit because you remember them. There are a lot of players that. It is. Historically, it is harder and it is less likely that fourth round and fifth round picks become all pros. That's part of why they're in the fourth round. That's not to say that it doesn't happen. It's just less likely historically. Yeah, that's not my opinion. That's just how it is.
B
And they haven't gotten highly impactful players early in the draft since.
A
Who you're talking about first round or just first round? First round?
B
First or first pick in the second round or, you know, their first first pick of the draft. I mean, because Ed. I mean you could say Ed.
A
You could say Dalton when he is healthy.
B
Right. But that's a big part of like
A
K. They obviously already traded away. Yeah, you have Keon, that has not worked out up into this moment. Max Han, who this past rookie season had the injuries. Trey White beat him out to be CB2.
C
And like to your point, and I thought you it was really good explanation when we talked about it leading up to this. Like, this is just me rehashing like kind of our talking points leading into the draft. So not to be like, oh, you're just prisoners of the moment or just, you know, that kind of thing. Like James Cook would have been a. For a good first round pick.
B
Right.
C
Okay so to say like you got value. And I would also say like Boogie Basham was good value, bad player.
B
Right.
C
AJ Epanessa was good value, bad. Not a great player. Okay, so like Cyrus Torrance was. Is good value and a good player. So like I'm not sitting here saying this can't work.
B
Well, even Bean said it when he was explaining what he was doing. He goes, you got. We got to take good. We got to take good players. I mean, that is the end of it, right? Because there's all these picks that were made and there's guys that go in the top 10 that end up being not very good or a bust on whatever it is. I just think when I think back to being in his early years and I know the franchise was different, he was aggressive, he was moving up. And I'm not talking about two spots. I'm like finding the guy. I want this one. And I'll give him this. He wanted Tremaine Edmonds. He obviously wanted Josh Allen. He went up and got him. He wanted Stefon Diggs. He traded for him. He has been highly effective when he's been that way.
A
It feels like there is a difference between like pre2020 Brandon Bean and post 2020.
B
You know, the expense. The roster got expensive for different reasons. Obviously paying Josh is part of it. We. That is part of it. And then, you know, spending some money and draft capital on some defensive linemen that weren't at the highest level. So they've made it work with some other guys that are good players. I just think it wasn't like we were so in love when there was. There was superstars guaranteed.
A
Correct.
B
But there are players like that, I think were there. As opposed to saying, well, now I'm going to pick 35th. Now look, pick a good player at 35. And that's what we should really talk about. Like, what are they going to be looking.
A
I think that frees them up to take Jacob Rodriguez, the linebacker.
B
I, I will be happy if they get Jacob Rodriguez, even if it is at 35, which probably is right around where he should be picked.
C
Yep.
B
Because I think that is a position of need. I think you guys have said it multiple times. Jim Leonard is sitting there going, give me somebody. Yeah, Kaden McDonald. Now we're talking about defensive tackle. Now we're talking about in.
C
Yeah.
B
Offensive line comes into play now.
A
Yeah. I mean, there's still. For safety, there's Emanuel, McNeil, Warren, AJ Halsey, Denzel and Denzel Boston. There's still, There is still Cassius Howell and TJ Parker.
B
In terms of edge, some people think of. When they think of Denzel, they think of Denzel. All right. I, I, Dan does not. He thinks it's Boston. That's his guy.
A
Are you ready to get hurt again?
B
He's hurt now.
A
I, like, genuinely have a headache. I'm not even trying to be funny.
C
I'm hurt now.
B
Yeah.
C
Because Jenna was talking about in the live show, and it, it's a little, it's a, it's a hair cynical, but I think it's also truthful. Whoever they take there is the thought of, like, we love this guy.
B
First choice.
C
You weren't the second or the third choice.
A
I mean, they realistically passed on him three times.
B
Yeah.
C
So, like. And I know you could always say, like, well, the Patriots passed on Tom Brady, all these types of. They didn't know what they had. But, like, that's where I. Even if they take Denzel, Boston, who I like so much, they just take him at 31. Like, if you, if you believe in that. And so now it feels icky. If they take Denzel, he says poo, poo and icky. Like, it just would feel a little.
B
Here's the way I look at the draft.
A
Really. I know you don't exactly what you're saying. Like, no, we wanted you the whole time.
B
It's like you were our guy.
C
It's like you're asking, you're asking the third girl to prom, and you're like, this was what I wanted.
B
We were surprised he was on the board. We were surprised he was on the board four times.
A
Yeah.
C
Right.
B
Okay. So here's.
A
I feel, honestly feel like you know what I'm saying?
C
And I get it. You're adding value in top of that, we're going to get A nicer limousine to go to promote.
B
But like you're on this prom thing. Here's what I was going to say. The Chiefs, now I know they had a higher pick. They jumped up, they got delayed in the corner. I look at the 10th pick, it's the Giants, but that's where the Bengals got Dexter Lawrence.
A
Yeah.
B
And then you look around the Dolphins, Kaden Proctor, that's a smart. They need to get offensive linemen. I know there was other guys they could have taken there, but you know, the Ravens picked up a big time offensive lineman. I'm looking at their competition and the guy, the teams that they're always fighting against. And then the Chiefs came back again and ended up getting a defensive. Yeah. Defensive tackle. And Peter Woods Patriots got a much needed offensive lineman because they still have issues and an offensive tackle. Maybe with getting their offensive tackle they can move last year's pick into guard. Like I'm thinking of all those things of the teams they're competing with and them right now.
C
Yeah.
B
Addressing needs and seeing what they have.
C
Yeah. Like it's just so.
B
Well, he's got to have a good day tomorrow. He's got to have a good day. He's got two picks.
A
This is you.
B
Right. And he's got to have a good day again.
C
I understand value. I understand that is the name of the game, how you enter the draft, what you're able to do on draft weekend. All of those things make sense to me. It just is a little bit disappointing because I get it. It's the bites of the apple. It's all those things. But there are guys you're a first round or a second round pick be because of what your measurables are, what you've put on tape. And those are better usually than the day three guys.
B
Yeah.
C
So like. And again people will say look, we got Taryn Johnson. You got these guys in all these rounds. It's like I hate that you point out the exceptions because you could find hall of Fame quarterbacks in the sixth round. It's like that's.
B
That's one guy.
C
That's one guy.
B
I will say this. I do think if we look at the draft like the first hundred picks, they move from 26 to 35, which is substantial. And they picked up draft capital. Hear me out.
C
Absolutely.
B
I think that's. It does hit harder for all of us and all of you guys who are watching and are Bills fans that it's day two. So you're waiting a whole nother day and you sit there if second Round was like the old days and the second round just started and they made the pick. I do think it would feel a little different. I think if you traded from 17 to 23, it would feel. That's farther back. But they went on as nine picks. It's nine's a lot. But they ended up picking up the capital and get. So if you're being. This is the way I think he's thinking, I went from 26 to 35. Forget the round. That's what he did. We did talk about this draft and not being. You know, how there was a lot from like 10 to 50 where there was a lot of players that were. So he's thinking, I got that and I got to 66.
C
Yeah.
B
I'll give him that.
C
It was well done.
B
He now has two picks. Jenna, you mentioned it.
C
I took the three shots the wrong time.
B
It's late. It's a long day.
A
Sorry. I was. If you're listening to the podcast, I just.
B
So that was what tonight was. I am. I am not spinning this to be positive. I have been negative. I think we have been saying, like, they need more dudes.
A
Yes.
B
But I will say this. Find one at 35, find the right player at 35, and then at 66, it's a lot better than being at 91.
A
And also we are. The draft is three days. Yes, we are. After night one. We'll know a lot more after tomorrow. And I get what Dan is saying about difference makers as opposed to depth. I totally hear that. I also think that it's. Right now I'm just curious what they go with. I do think it's going to be defense. I just want to see the guys that they end up picking. And we'll know a lot more tomorrow. But the short list I feel like is Denzel Boston. It's. I'm trying to think. It's. C.J. allen, the linebacker safety Amelia Emanuel. McNeil Warren. Defensive tackle Kade McDonald. Edge rusher. Cash's Howell. Edge rusher, T.J. parker.
B
So these. There's a series of players there that we talked about in the first round.
A
Yeah.
B
Potential.
A
So that's very true.
C
Again and all I. I hope we. I am not. I am. I am. Honestly. We talked about, like, how this is such a polarizing day one and how it feels like people are on one side of the fence or the other. I'm firmly standing on top of the fence like that. That's how I feel like I am. I am. I am tiptoeing on the fence. I'm Doing like the high wire act. Because I. You're right. Every. This goes back to what we've always said, like, everybody loves picks until they're players. So this thought of, you know, everybody loves picks so they're players. And then it's like, well, we got more picks. Yeah, that, that's great. You don't have a player yet. So I guess it's always that thought too. Where. And Bean's problem has never been rounding out a roster. That has never been it. He is a phenomenal job. Practice squad throughout. That is one of his best talents is building roster. But it's rosters through five to 53. It's the top end guys. And maybe it wasn't even possible to get a top end guy and maybe it was never a possibility to move up to take Malachi Lemon or, you know, do anything that impactful because of this draft. And the way of the class was I just sit back there and I go, it's, it's, it's fourth rounders. Like fourth rounders don't. They don't get me jazzed up. Maybe it does for, for you watching and people have liked, commented and subscribed. But, like, that just doesn't. We'll see.
A
Yeah.
C
It just doesn't fire me up.
A
No, I, I hear that it's, it's more exciting when they pick a player on day one. That's just a fact. That's not. That's. That's how it is. We'll see what they do in day two.
B
The.
A
The Bills are going meat and potato. They're doing the steak as opposed to the sizzle. I think that's clear from today. And sometimes steak isn't bad in terms of. As opposed to.
B
Oh, no, you, you. There's positions. They still, they have needs. And believe me, if you pick, you can get very. I mean, they have done well in the third round, they have done well in the second round. Yeah. But I think we're all just a little. It's just a little disappointing to sit here, go over those players, see them go off, see teams move up, see teams be aggressive.
A
I'm just sad because I really thought they were going to be in play for Casey Concepcion.
B
Yeah.
A
And I really think that that was someone.
B
Poor kids got to be in Cleveland. I like Cleveland. I kind of root for Cleveland because it's so down. But you don't want to play there as a wide receiver. Man, they got nothing.
A
No.
B
They got no quarterback.
A
Yeah.
C
The Bills have more picks. We will see if they become players
B
yeah,
A
sorry, that felt like a weird way to say it.
B
Well, I know what you mean. Okay. Right now, does he still have a shot with Boston? Yeah, I do too, I think.
A
But I feel bad. I feel like he's the guy at prom that was like, you were picked last for dodgeball. But they're circling back. You can be on our team.
C
It's not how I want.
B
All right, we'll take.
A
Yeah, yeah. Like I want.
B
Yeah.
A
I feel like because of that, it's got to be like a. Also, I just want a less sexy pick.
B
Some years we're up in Buffalo. Brandon Bean after this, did not talk with the media. He's got an early pick the next round, so we didn't hear anything in particular. I think, I think we have seen him do this two years ago. We know what the mechanism is to do this.
C
Yeah.
B
And like I said, now pick the right player.
C
He spoke when they traded back with.
A
He did. I wonder. Yeah,
B
I don't know.
A
I don't know either.
B
Okay, that's here. They had the first pick.
C
Correct.
B
Correct. Which is a key place to play. Usually you get trade offers and it's usually pretty substantial because you control the whole.
C
You know, you have time.
B
Yeah. And everybody's got time, but they didn't move because they, they picked up. So. Yep. All right, well, tomorrow,
A
players.
B
Well, tomorrow, as you're watching this today. Yeah. Friday, second and third round starts at 7:00'. Clock. We'll be, we'll be here live on the channel when they're picking and then we'll wrap it all up.
A
Yep.
B
And then the wrap up of the entire draft will be Saturday night. We'll be recording that.
A
Thank you, Michael.
B
Brought to you by White Claw.
A
Thank you.
B
Yes.
A
The pros pro.
B
I could have a White Claw now.
A
I would do a certain apple. I just. I've known you for a long time. The green apple really shocked me.
B
Yeah.
A
Crazy black cherry surge. All right.
C
Been a long night.
A
It has been. Please be sure to like, comment, subscribe and share comment in your thoughts on night one. And if you think or what side
C
of the fence are you?
A
What side of the fence are you on? And what player do you want the Bills to take with pick number 35 or whoever.
B
So they should pick tomorrow Eastern time at about
A
7. I, I don't you think 35.
B
It'll start about 7:15. It starts maybe a little. It's less time in between picks. They're only the third pick of the.
A
That's what I'm saying. 7:30.
B
I'm gonna say 7:40, just because that was time. Cadell would be out there singing.
A
Yeah, Boomi. Yeah. All right. Thanks for joining us. For Mike and Dan, I am Jenna. We'll catch you next time here on the Buffalo plus podcast. YouTube channel, whatever.
C
Buffalo Plus.
Episode: Brandon Beane TRADES BACK & Back & back: The Bills ADD draft VALUE but NO PLAYER on Night One
Date: April 24, 2026
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes
The Buffalo Plus team recaps an eventful—but ultimately playerless—first night of the NFL Draft for the Buffalo Bills. GM Brandon Beane executed three trade backs, dropping from pick 26 to 35, accumulating additional picks but leaving Bills fans without a first-round rookie to celebrate. The hosts analyze the strategy, its divisive impact on the fanbase, its echoes of previous drafts, and what it means for the team’s roster building philosophy and Day Two approach.
The Buffalo Plus crew delivers a thorough, honest reaction to the Bills’ draft strategy on night one, noting the advantages of added draft capital while channeling fan disappointment at the lack of a first-round spark. They emphasize the pressure now on Brandon Beane to deliver at picks 35 and 66, and they encourage fans to comment on which side of the “value vs. impact” debate they land. The episode captures the mix of anxiety, realism, and cautious optimism ahead of Day Two, with the team set to reconvene to break down whether Beane can turn more picks into the right players.