Buffalo Plus Podcast: Buffalo Bills Draft Plan – Will Beane Move Up, Move Back, or Stay Put?

Date: April 2, 2024
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell (Dan Fetes on vacation)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Buffalo Bills’ upcoming NFL Draft strategy. Hosts Mike Catalana and Jenna Cottrell break down General Manager Brandon Beane’s tendencies and weigh the possible options at the Bills’ disposal: trading up (slightly or aggressively), staying put at pick 28, or trading back to amass additional picks. With past drafts as context and detailed scenarios, the conversation offers exclusive insight into the Bills’ decision-making process, roster needs—especially at wide receiver—and the broader 2024 draft landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brandon Beane’s Draft Aggression & Trade Patterns

• History of Trades: Beane has traded up in 4 out of 5 drafts as Bills’ GM (Kincaid - 2023, Elam - 2022, Allen & Edmunds - 2018).
  • Mike: "I think it's Beane's nature to be aggressive." (03:40)
• Tendency: Prefers small jumps up the board rather than large, costly leaps—except when targeting high-value positions (QB).
  • Jenna: “If Brandon Beane was going to make a move to go forward a little bit, it would be just a little bit and not a huge jump.” (06:05)
• Cost Analysis: Moving up comes at a real price. Moving from pick 28 into the teens or single-digits requires significant assets.

2. Trade Up Scenarios: How Aggressive Will Beane Get?

A. Slight Move Up (24–22 Range)

• Dallas Cowboys at 24: Bills offer pick 28 plus 128 (a fourth-rounder) to jump four spots—Beane’s classic move for a “last top prospect” on their board.
  • Mike: “That’s similar to what it's been...right in that mode of what teams are going to look for in order to move back a few spots.” (07:08)
• Possible Target: Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU, WR) if he’s slipping.

B. Big Swing: Top 10 Jump

• Chicago Bears at 9: Package includes pick 28, two fourth-rounders (128, 133), plus next year’s first for a shot at Rome Odunze (WR, Washington).
  • Jenna: “This is a super aggressive move...but you could make a point...you want a guy that can become your #1.” (10:31)
  • Mike: “Trading your future number one is always risky...are the Bills willing to do that? That's a lot.” (09:49, 11:20)
• Risk vs. Reward: High cost, star potential, fits if Bills see themselves as ‘one-player-away.’

C. Jumping to the Teens

• Seattle Seahawks at 16: Bills trade this year’s first (28) and second (60), leaving a gap until the fourth round. This scenario “hurts” due to the absence of a 3rd-round pick.
  • Mike: “I think I'd rather give up the future one than the two this year...they need the youth and the players.” (14:19)
• Impact: Would secure WR1 but thins out valuable middle-round picks where Bills have found key starters.

D. Edge/DT Options

• Philadelphia Eagles at 22: Trade up for UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu, offering picks 133 & 163. Medical questions may cause slide.
  • Jenna: “The reason I think he could be passed up on is there was neck injury concerns...” (17:20)
• Green Bay Packers at 25: Trade up for DT Byron Murphy II (Texas), using a fourth-rounder.

3. Trade Back or Stay Put: Patience or Opportunity?

A. Staying at 28

• Mike: “I think that is the least likely scenario. I just don't think he's going to be sitting there at 28 and not be itching to move up.” (25:31)

B. Trading Back (Early Second)

• Arizona Cardinals at 35: Move back, pick up 104 & 162 to re-enter sweet spot of draft (picks in 100s).
  • Mike: “That hole between 60 and 128...huge for this draft for them.” (27:00)
• Washington Commanders at 36: Drop to get pick 100, re-entering the third round—a valuable range for the Bills recently (Bernard, Williams, Knox, Singletary).
  • Jenna: “I had them picking Keon Coleman...you can get a guy that would be an asset to your offense.” (29:17)

C. Going Too Far Back

• Indianapolis Colts at 46: Gain multiple mid-round picks (46, 82, 117), but risk waiting too long for a first impact player.
  • Mike: “That's too far down, I think, for them to go that far down...I don't like this scenario." (30:29)

D. Value of Third Rounders

• Bills’ strong draft history in 3rd round (Spencer Brown, Terrell Bernard, Knox, Singletary) means recouping a Day 2 pick is “massive.”

4. The Big Picture: Team Needs & Draft Board Dynamics

• Wide Receiver Priority: “They want a stud receiver. They want a guy that can be that guy now and eventually be the guy.” (31:53, Mike)
  • Curtis Samuel’s signing doesn’t change the pressing need for a playmaker.
  • Jenna: “The guy that has an outstanding skill set that makes defenses fear them.” (32:11)
• Edge/DT Possibilities: Despite WR focus, there’s recognition of needs for pass rush help if the right offensive talent is gone.
  • “There's always a chance. At 46, you get a great player, there's probably a better chance. You get a Great player at 26 or 16 or whatever.” (31:02, Mike)
• Mock Draft Variability: The class at WR is so broad, almost any pick through second round could have first-round grades somewhere.
  • “There are so many wide receivers...about 15+ are being mocked into the first round.” (32:25, Mike)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Beane’s Aggression: “I think it's Bean's nature to be aggressive.” – Mike (03:40)
• On the stress of draft night: “I can't imagine being Brandon Bean because I feel like it is so hard to wait things out when you see players coming off the board...” – Jenna (08:11)
• On patience with future picks: “Sometimes when you trade away future picks, it's like...that's a future Jenna problem.” – Jenna (15:34)
• On the Bills’ WR need: “They want a guy that can be that guy now and eventually be the guy. That's what they want.” – Mike (31:53)
• On gamesmanship in trade talks: “Are you obligated to tell the team who you're going to pick? ...He can ask me. I ain’t telling him...You trade me the pick, it’s my guy.” – Mike retelling Bean’s approach (24:04)

Segment Timestamps

• Brandon Beane’s Draft History – 03:40
• Bills’ Scenarios for Moving Up – 06:05, 07:08, 10:31
• Cost Analysis of Trading Up – 09:49, 14:19
• Aggressive Bears Trade-Up Scenario – 10:31
• Philosophy of 'One Player Away' vs. Depth – 11:57
• Trading into Teens (Seahawks/Eagles) – 14:19, 17:05
• Green Bay/DT Scenario – 18:08
• Pre-draft GM Negotiations – 19:54
• Possibility of Staying at 28 – 25:31
• Trade Back Possibilities – 27:00, 28:06, 29:17
• History/Importance of Third Rounders – 14:40, 29:00
• Reiterating Bills’ WR Needs – 31:53, 32:11

Memorable Moments

• Mocking Trade Scenarios: Playful back-and-forth with wild and conservative trade-up/down proposals.
• Jenna Joking About ‘Future Jenna Problems’ – 15:34.
• Hosts Asking Beane for a Peek at the Big Board: “I'll make cookies.” – Jenna (18:36).
• Wide Receiver Jokes: “Bean joked...I’m going to take a wide receiver in every pick.” – Mike (33:48)

Closing Sentiment

The hosts stress the enormity of the draft for the Bills, given their current roster and the deep WR class. Trading up (a little) for a targeted wideout seems most likely, but flexibility is key. The loss of Day 2 picks stings, and Beane’s ability to extract value will help define the team’s outlook into 2024 and beyond.

In Memoriam

• Vontae Davis: Hosts pause to honor the former Bills cornerback after news of his death at 35, remembering his career beyond just the headline “retiring at halftime.” (35:50–37:39)

Final Takeaway

Brandon Beane is expected to be aggressive—most likely, a modest trade up or a creative trade back to pick up Day 2 capital. The need for an impact receiver dominates the conversation, but with multiple needs and 11 picks, Buffalo’s approach will remain dynamic up until draft day.

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