Our BUFFALO Plus BILLS Mock Draft: TRADES, Wide Receivers & some HELP on DEFENSE

Summary

Buffalo Plus Podcast: "Our BUFFALO Plus BILLS Mock Draft: TRADES, Wide Receivers & some HELP on DEFENSE"

Date: April 16, 2026
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

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Episode Overview

This episode is a deep-dive mock draft special from the Buffalo Plus crew, laying out their projected picks for the Buffalo Bills ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. The panel debates draft philosophies, trade possibilities, roster needs, and specific prospects round-by-round, blending insider analysis with friendly banter and behind-the-scenes insight. The episode aims to provide grounded expectations and lively discussion for Bills fans prepping for draft week.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Draft Philosophy and Strategies

(02:34–06:36)

• Mike Catalana: Picks based on what he would do within the real constraints of Bills’ resources, not pure hypotheticals.
• Jenna Cottrell & Dan Fates: Weigh the difficulty of "guessing" strategies due to high draft class variance and value of trading up vs. letting the board fall.
• On Trading: Both Jenna and Dan discuss how packaging later picks to move up is more challenging than fans expect due to draft capital disparities.
• Big Needs Identified: Edge rusher, run defense, wide receiver, safety, and linebacker.

Quote:
"Smock drafts are tough. Like we are guessing and I'm curious if any of us have the same player because...the variance...feels even more wide than in years past."
— Dan Fates (05:22)

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2. The Unusual 2026 Draft Landscape

(05:25–07:25)

• Fewer first-round quarterbacks contribute to unpredictable prospect order and more trade talk.
• Position runs (especially WR) could start fast and create tough choices for the Bills at pick 26.

Quote:
"In this draft...everybody believes quarterbacks go one and then it's the wild west from that point on."
— Mike Catalana (05:34)

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3. First Round Picks & Rationale

(09:03–14:00)

Mike Catalana — Edge (Malachi Lawrence, UCF) [10:01]

• Versatile edge rusher, good against the run. "This team needs to be better against the run, but they really need to get to the quarterback. I think that's what this guy does." (10:04)

Jenna Cottrell — DT (Kaden McDonald, Ohio State) [10:31]

• "The dude is described as a sized roadblock. He's a throwback, nose tackle, talented run defender…you can work your defense around." (10:31)
• Focus on giving new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard a foundation piece.

Dan Fates — WR (Denzel Boston) [14:04]

• Sticks with offense: "I wonder where teams view the Bills as Josh Allen. That is how they view the Buffalo Bills and they have never given him a top first round wide receiver." (14:11)
• Also mentions Casey Concepcion and Omar Cooper Jr. as likely board options.

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4. Post-First Round Debate: Trades and Wide Receiver Runs

(16:00–20:14)

• Discussion on risk of WR run, Rams at pick 13 possibly starting it.
• Key Insight: Importance for the Bills to "love" a receiver enough to pick him rather than just trade down for value.
• Jenna, Mike, and Dan all wrestle with balancing “need” and “value,” and note the advantage of being aggressive when “their guy” is available.

Quote:
"I just want them to love a receiver that they say, I love them. I'm taking them."
— Mike Catalana (20:07)

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5. Day 2 & 3 Strategies: Trading Back Into Rounds, Targeting Specific Prospects

(20:21–28:00)

Mike's Trade-Up:

• From 91 to 71 with Washington, giving up 126 and a 2027 sixth-rounder to nab WR Chris Bell (Louisville):
  "He is a dog. 6'2", 220, plays that way. If he was healthy, he's a first round pick." (21:47)

Jenna's Trade:

• Up to 82 for LB Josiah Trotter (Missouri). Likes the Trotter football lineage and “instinctual, physical” playstyle. (22:48–23:39)

Dan Holds at 91:

• DT Dominique “Big Citrus” Orange (Iowa State). “His name is Big Citrus… he is a run stopper.” (24:43)

Late Round Gems Discussed:

• Malik Benson (WR, Oregon): Dependable, fast, special teams value
• Jalen Kilgore (S, South Carolina): If available, fits the “big nickel hybrid” mold. (27:39)
• Ephesians Price (CB, Washington): Traits over production, “physical ability to grow into a high-end corner.” (31:09)
• Michael Taffy (S, Texas): Walk-on, five-generation Longhorn, “hidden gem" (34:59)
• Andre Fuller (CB, Toledo): Top 30 visit, size, speed, and special teams acumen

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6. Late Round & UDFA Philosophy

(31:57–38:30)

• Value of visits (Top 30, combine, private workouts) is discussed—teams mix “gamesmanship” with genuine study.
• Emphasis on role players for special teams, developmental position fits, or pure athletic traits.
• Several prospects with notable nicknames ("The Godfather," "Big Citrus") or Buffalo connections are explored.

Memorable Moment:
Jenna notes loving prospects who collect "awards" in college and show “instincts,” as opposed to being just athletes (24:15).

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7. Quarterback Depth and Final Picks

(40:09–41:32)

• Mike takes Haynes King (QB, Georgia Tech) with pick 220: "The quarterback room is both elite and weak on the Bills...It's not a terrible idea to get a young guy on the roster." (40:40)
• Dan targets return specialist Kaden Wetgen (Iowa).
• Overlap noted on Andre Fuller and Malik Benson as mid/late round faves.

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8. Meta Discussion on Mocks, Realism, and Bills’ Draft Outlook

(39:10–43:38)

• Mock draft “variance” leads to insecurity in picks—Dan: "Hate my mock draft. Just gonna be honest. I like my first two picks a lot." (28:47–28:53)
• All agree the gap from pick 26 to 91 is tough. Cheaper to move up in third/fourth rounds than to aggressively trade up for a second-round player.
• Rapid-fire on sleeper names, player meetings, and the likelihood of a trade down in Round 1 (more skepticism after running simulations).

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Notable & Memorable Quotes

• "Mock drafts are really tough...you're just throwing darts."
  — Jenna Cottrell (28:53)
• "I just want them to love a receiver that they say, I love them. I'm taking them. Not trade him back anyhow."
  — Mike Catalana (20:07)
• "I'm still just team offense. I'm still just team wide receiver."
  — Dan Fates (20:14)
• On late round DB Ephesians Price:
  "Physical traits also. He started 42 games. Love that on the field. Didn't get hurt over three seasons."
  — Mike Catalana (31:13)
• "At this point...you're looking to fill the role of, like, a Jamarcus Ingram. If you end up with a starting corner in the fifth or sixth round, that's so much extra cherry on top."
  — Dan Fates (37:32)
• "The quarterback room is both elite and weak on the Bills."
  — Mike Catalana (40:40)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:34–06:36 — Draft philosophy and how to approach mock drafting
• 09:03–14:00 — First round choices and rationale
• 16:00–20:14 — Risks of WR runs and trade-back scenarios
• 20:21–28:00 — Third round and mid-round trade philosophies
• 31:09–34:59 — Day 3 picks: corners, safeties, and the value of meetings
• 40:09–41:32 — 7th-round QB talk and closing out picks
• 43:29–46:47 — On the possibility and value of trading back vs. staying put
• 46:47–48:47 — Lightning round: past picks, player personalities, and outro banter

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Episode Tone & Takeaways

• Playful, Bantering Tone: Lots of inside jokes, role call of draft nicknames, and friendly ribbing.
• Insider Analysis: Well-tuned to how the Bills’ front office truly thinks. Emphasis on matching resources to needs and real-world draft day mechanics.
• Practical Realism: Reluctance to assume a big trade up, focus on scenarios where Board falls favorably, and understanding of "value" at each point.
• Mock Draft Reality Check: Acknowledge that as much as fans (and media) might hope to dictate picks, the NFL draft’s inherent randomness and league-wide variance make certainty impossible.

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Conclusion

This episode thoroughly walks through each host’s mock draft for the Buffalo Bills, providing insight into targeted positions, likely strategy, and draft-day calculation. Along the way, it highlights the importance of balancing need versus value, the unpredictability of the 2026 class, and the stress of nailing those mid-round picks. Ideal for Bills fans who want to prep themselves for draft week, anticipate realistic moves, and enjoy some classic Buffalo Plus banter.

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For more extended Bills draft coverage, the Buffalo Plus team teases multiple shows during draft week, including a Wednesday night livestream for instant fan reactions.

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Transcript

[Mike Catalana]

But just imagine that scenario that Dan's talking about and the Bills not taking a receiver.

[Jenna Cottrell]

My thought was you would be losing.

[Mike Catalana]

A couple of those guys could be gone, including Concepcion.

[Dan Fates]

Now, from the Connors and Ferris podcast studio, this is the Buffalo plus podcast.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, welcome back to the Buffalo plus podcast. Mike Catalana, Dan Fates, I am Jenna Cottrell. Please be sure to like, comment, subscribe and share. We are here in the Connors and Ferris podcast studio. Today we will be doing our mock drafts, going round by round, the picks that we have for the Bills to take as the 2026 NFL Draft is just about a week away. And Michael, we're going to get to our draft in a moment. But you have a big shows, some big shows, I should say, coming up.

[Mike Catalana]

Well, let's start with the one we're going to do on Wednesday. So this will be Wednesday, 22nd April. It's the night before the draft brought to you by White Claw. We'll be doing it live from here in the Connors and Ferris podcast studio. This is when we want to react with you. We want your comments, who you think they should pick. We're giving our mock drafts now, but you know we always reserve the right to change. You never know what's going to happen, right? Yes, we could change. Oh D. But we want to have this. We want to have a little fun. We want to do it on Wednesday because it gives everybody a little chance because once Thursday gets started, everybody's trying to stay ready until pick 26 or whatever the Bills do. So that Wednesday and then again, we're going to do the wrap up also brought to you by White Claw on that Saturday evening that's not going to be live. We're going to wrap it up that night. You'll have all weekend to slip away from whatever the family's doing and listen to your friends at Buffalo Plus.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Love it.

[Dan Fates]

That's why he's a pro. Yeah, it was like, hey, Mike, I'm gonna come to you first and you give us all the info. Well done.

[Jenna Cottrell]

So we'll have a bunch of shows though. It's gonna be a lot of fun. Make sure you tune into Buffalo plus for all your draft coverage as well as again, like comment, subscribe and share. We really appreciate it. So we're doing our mocks today and I, before we get into it, what do you want to say?

[Dan Fates]

Mike and I are matching.

[Mike Catalana]

I know. I noticed that today.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Are you?

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, usually. Sometimes we talk about it and say like, usually it's more like A jacket. And we both went with the black with the white. I have black pants, you have gray pants.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. But we both.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's very cute.

[Dan Fates]

It feels like step brothers again. When we were at the combine, I just had one of those moments again.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That was pretty good.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

All right, so we're gonna get into our picks for the. This mock draft, but before we do, I think it's important to kind of set up the context. So I feel like you can go a couple different ways. You can. You can draft from the point of view of the Bills, or you can do what your picks for Buffalo would be, or you can kind of do a combo of that. Mike, what was your draft philosophy as you looked at this?

[Mike Catalana]

Well, I've been good at this. You h. So. So the reason I say is I'm going to pick the way I would do it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay.

[Mike Catalana]

Right. Left to what they have for resources. I can't just create that. They have, I don't know, a second round pick for this year because I've barely harped on that.

[Dan Fates]

If I wanted to, I would just say, well, trade next year's third to get this year's second or next year's first. I would have. I would have weaseled my way if I wanted to be.

[Jenna Cottrell]

If you wanted to do it, to

[Dan Fates]

do it that way.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Full on troll.

[Mike Catalana]

I know.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You know what is one of the things that I think we forget about, but when I was doing my mock and putting it together, trying to get trade back up into the second round, I really wanted the Bills to be able to do that. When I'm looking at my mock, it's like, it takes a lot of points. And you think some of those picks in the later rounds are like, oh, if you package them up and you do this and it's like the difference between the top two rounds to essentially 4, 5, and 6. The drop off is pretty dramatic in terms of the point system. So you have to put a lot of resources in to move up. And I think sometimes it's something you're like, oh, we'll just like trade up and do that. And it's like, it takes. It takes capital to do it.

[Mike Catalana]

Especially when you look at the draft as I. Let's just say the beginning is 100 picks. The top 100. Because we tend to think, oh, early in the second round. Okay, it's 33.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

I mean, the bills are picking 26. That's why we always think about this. You know, moving a few spots in a round is one thing. It feels different Especially first round to second round. Because it's not just first round, it's Friday, you know, your Thursday or Friday. So. Yeah, I agree with you on that. And it's, and it's finding that partner that makes sense for both teams. And why would they do it?

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, you have no trades, no moves in mine.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's fair. What was your philosophy when you were putting it together?

[Dan Fates]

They're big needs that we've kind of addressed and those are how I view them because I think there always ends up being maybe one or two positions that they see a focus on. And that's also thinking down the line like I was, I tried to shoehorn a safety in and things like that. But it's also the immediacy of this year. And I'm with you Jenna. At times smock drafts are tough. Like we are guessing and I'm curious if any of us have the same player because of the, the randomness of it, the very, you know, variation, variety of it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

The variance.

[Dan Fates]

This year where that was the word

[Jenna Cottrell]

I was looking for, where prospects are being projected feels even more wide than in years past.

[Mike Catalana]

100% this year. There is, there's always a little bit of pushback. Part of the reason is in this draft, okay, we, everybody believes quarterbacks go on one and then it's the wild west from that point on. And there's teams low in the draft that are keep hinting will trade back because I think there's a lot of, you know, sometimes there's a little group think there but sometimes there's just not that player that sits out there as 2, 3, 4, 5. And so teams go, okay, what are you going to give me? And they still want the value of trading the second pick in the draft, but it's different. And the, and it's the fact that there's limited quarterbacks.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Quarterback is what makes it so different. I think this year the lack of quarterbacks, the lack of like really thought of like top end talent and just the, the, the surplus. It feels like up depth makes it so that I feel like this, this could be a draft where you see the projections and you see what actually happens. And there's a difference between the two.

[Dan Fates]

Exactly. And Mike, you know, nailed it because I thought about the quarterbacks. The thought of wanting to trade back is great. But are you really going to trade up into late first round into the bill spotted 26 to get a safety? Like are you really doing that? Because I think of they talk so much about the depth in this safety class but if there's so much depth, why do you feel the need, or why should teams feel the need to then jump up and spend more draft capital to get somebody in the first round that they could get in the second or third round? So, like, that's where this year feels very strange, because I still think. I think Ty Simpson will go in the first round, but I don't know where.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

And there aren't going to be five, six quarterbacks going in the first round, which usually kind of frames a draft. And because of that, it just feels like can go a million different directions.

[Mike Catalana]

And I will so, you know, try to put yourself in the mindset of Brandon Bean in this case. Right. So you're saying safety is a fascinating position, some pretty deep draft and safeties. Right. The Bills have penciled in the starters, right. Well, I think Cole Bishop is a starter, and obviously Chauncey Gardner Johnson is considered the other starter. They brought him in for this year. I think when you're in this draft, if it falls to you, if that guy is rated that high, absolutely. You could take a safety like this idea sometimes that it's like. And I know you're drafting for need. Everybody tries to say they don't, but you. You kind of are. But at the same time, if you feel like, wow, this kid fell to us as a safety, we can get him in our system, we can find a way to get him on the field, and he's going to be a starter. We feel like going forward in a year, you'll have no problem doing that. But if they come. But if they come out of the draft without that safety and. And address the other things, I think you'll still feel like if it was there, I know it might be considered a year early, but we're taking them. Yeah, it's. It's the way you need to look at it. It's like you mentioned other positions. It's like, you know, running back. Like, are you desperate? No. But if a player was really high on your board and he's sitting there, you have to judge whether it make sense or to go what you consider more of a need, an immediate need.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But maybe a player that you don't have is ranked as highly.

[Mike Catalana]

Right.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. There's the. The p. Push and shove that goes between those two. All right, so let's go to our first round. So no trades for you? Did you have a trade or you

[Mike Catalana]

not in the first round? And believe me, I'm with you. I looked at it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I did, too.

[Mike Catalana]

And I was like, I don't think this works. And I didn't feel like I looked at the Cardinals if they were going to get Ty Simpson, and actually I heard Jeremy White say it today. Like, if you're the Cardinals, you might be the only one that wants to trade up to get a quarterback there. You know what I mean? Like, are you trading into the first round and giving up assets for this fifth year option that we always talk about with quarterbacks? Yeah, because I think that world has changed too, where you're like, I'll know by the fifth year, no, by the third year, whether this quarterback can play. So I didn't make a trade. I just went with Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay.

[Mike Catalana]

Pass rusher edge.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Got it.

[Mike Catalana]

To me, looking at where they're picking, it's a need. It is a guy with a skill set that I don't really think they have on the edge, and I think he can play the run. This team needs to be better against the run, but they really need to get to the quarterback. I think that's what this guy does. So I have Malachi Lawrence of Central Florida going to the bills at 26.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay, do you want to go next or do you want me to go? Okay. So looking at my mock, originally, I had them picking Casey Concepcion, but when I looked at it, I was like, it just isn't as deep of a need at wide receiver as it is for other positions. And the way I looked at it was, if I'm Jim Leonard, you brought me in, you want to change the defense, and what do you do? What's the first thing you build when you're building a house? It's. You build the foundation. And for me, that is why I have the bills picking Kaden McDonald, the defensive tackle out of Ohio State. 6 3, 326, was All American last year. Big Ten defensive lineman of the year, first team all Big Ten in 2025. The dude is described as a sized roadblock. He's a throwback, nose tackle, talented run defender. And I just think for the Bills, it's like he is someone that you can work your defense around. We know that this is going to be looking different. So it's like, why don't you have the piece that. And look, I get it. It's not like the sexiest pick ever, but I think that this is a draft where the Bills reworking their defense. It's not just reworking. You're completely revamping this defense. So you need to go more meat and potatoes. Even if it's not as sizzly of a pick. Spicy as a pick.

[Mike Catalana]

Can I ask you guys this? Because I look at him too, and I thought to myself, the Bills have addressed. It's not that specific physical space that he takes up. They have drafted Dwayne Carter in the third round last year. Deon Walker and TJ Sanders, they got limited but good play out of Dion Walker. Pretty decent amount, I would say.

[Dan Fates]

Good play.

[Mike Catalana]

TJ Sanders, pretty limited the amount he played, and they've got nothing out of Dwayne Carter yet. Do you think they believe defensive tackle is a priority in this system? I'm not saying that that's a bad because they may very well be sitting there going, we need that dude in the middle. They have used three. They've used a two, a three and a four. Right on defensive tackles.

[Dan Fates]

I'm with Jenna. I think they view it as they need to get better against the run.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

I think that's. However that is.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That was one of the first things that Jim Leonard said, like, they have

[Dan Fates]

to be better against the run. And so that. I agree with you 100% that if they do go D line, I think that's more of an immediate need of being better against the run. Stout. More stout up the middle. I think that that makes a lot of sense.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I. I definitely hear what you're saying.

[Mike Catalana]

That's like you saying, fix the run game, not the pass game. I want to get to the quarterback. They don't get to the quarterback enough. They need more guys who can get to the quarterback.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's totally fair.

[Dan Fates]

I.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But I also think that they've been able to be.

[Dan Fates]

That gets.

[Mike Catalana]

That's supposed to get to the quarterback besides Greg Rousseau.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, okay. So.

[Mike Catalana]

So friend of the pod, right?

[Dan Fates]

Fred of the pod. So he needs some help.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I like Mike Malachi Lawrence as well.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I do think that if I'm being though. I wanna. I wanna give Jim Leonard a guy that he's like, this is my guy. Like, we. I think about when it was Sean McDermott, obviously, how important the secondary was, him drafting Trey White as his first pick. Like, I think when you're a new defensive guy, it's like, hey, I want my. My person that I know that I can build my defense around.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, I agree.

[Mike Catalana]

What do you got? Which wide receiver?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Denzel Boston.

[Dan Fates]

I really think that they'll have an option for three wide receivers.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't think that's.

[Dan Fates]

I think they will have an option between Denzel Boston, Casey Conception and Omar Cooper Jr. I. I would like them to go with Denzel Boston that I'm going to stick to it. It's who I've liked, the. The ability to beat man coverage. And I understand all of these things that we've talked about on defense and revamping the defense, but I don't want to feel naive to what the offense was last year, where it is. And Jenna, you were making the point, I think a podcast or two ago of like the clock's ticking. And. And I wonder where teams view the Bills as Josh Allen. That is how they view the Buffalo Bills and they have never given him a top first round wide receiver. And whether or not that is the move, moving on from Sean McDermott and a change in culture and Joe Brady becoming the man in charge, if that is what is finally the straw that pushes them and gets them there, I would be happy with any of those three. I think all three will be on the board. I think I would like them in my mock draft. I have them going with Denzel Boston.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay.

[Mike Catalana]

It's kind of wild to think that those three could be on the board because you see a lot of stuff.

[Dan Fates]

I've also seen Omar Cooper Jr. Going like 15 to the Jets. Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Again, the swath of like, where players are going, very good. You can spell that.

[Dan Fates]

S, W, A T, C, H, swat, It's.

[Mike Catalana]

Where did you get the C from?

[Jenna Cottrell]

I thought that was a layup.

[Mike Catalana]

There is no layup.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, my God.

[Mike Catalana]

W, A, T, H, H, H, F.

[Jenna Cottrell]

How do you exist?

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, my God.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay.

[Mike Catalana]

But to. But you know what complicates it a little bit? Wide receiver thing is, I think The Rams pick 13th because they have that extra pick. They could be just sitting there going, we got Matthew Stafford. We don't know what's going on with Puka. Like, one of these guys could go early and then it starts to go fast. But just imagine that scenario that Dan's talking about and the Bills not taking a receiver.

[Jenna Cottrell]

My thought was you would be losing.

[Mike Catalana]

A couple of those guys could be gone, including Concepcion. This is also the point I want to make you. Conception can play on the outside, and I think he can be a devastating player on the. In the slot.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

This is where I go back to my Khalil Shakir conversation.

[Dan Fates]

My Khalil Shakir conversation.

[Mike Catalana]

Either way, explain our Khalil Shakir conversation. The idea of saying. The rose right there, the thorns right here. Well, I go back to saying, is he good enough to keep you from going for that player? Listen, you can make it work. I think Concepcion's really talented.

[Dan Fates]

They don't have anybody like Denzel Boston.

[Mike Catalana]

No, that's.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, they just don't have it.

[Mike Catalana]

And I'm not disagreeing with you on Boston. I'm just saying if the receivers start going fast, this is what Mike does.

[Dan Fates]

I drafted how I want them to draft. I also realized looking through this, I don't think I have an edge.

[Mike Catalana]

Well, you don't have to.

[Dan Fates]

So I'm sitting there.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Do you need that in football?

[Dan Fates]

And I'm sitting there trying to, like, pretzel my way and to be like,

[Mike Catalana]

well, you have six wide receivers.

[Dan Fates]

I don't. I have two. I have two.

[Mike Catalana]

All right. So that, hey, I may have three linebackers. I would say of these three picks, I love all three of them in a sense of. I think each one of them is. Is important to your point, Jenna? It is funny to think about them as wide receiver and not being like, priority one. It's like. It's like three. Maybe on the priority list of what you would think they need, but it's a long term. And when I say long term, I mean like, next year and the year after.

[Dan Fates]

Well, that's priority. And I guess that's where I. I understand the big change this off season was on the defensive side and the feeling of ramping, you know, revamping it and turning the leaf and bringing in Jim Leonard and all of these things. And I just feel like we've lost a little bit of, like. And I get it. And we've talked about this before in the EPA and all this stuff. This offense struggled to complete passes down the field, like, and for as bad as they were against defense, they still had chances, and they were throwing the ball to Brandon Cooks in spots. Yeah, Like, I still just looked at. And I go, screw it. Outscore some teams. And that's where I'm looking. And I go, at what point do you finally say. And we did the podcast before about, do you trade back? Do you trade up? Do you go all in? At some point, you have to push some chips in and go, this is. This is the time that we make a move at wide receiver and give Josh Allen what we think is the guy. And for whatever you want to say about Keon Coleman, you still traded back twice. So you didn't love him so much to just take him where you were.

[Mike Catalana]

Well, your point is this falls to them in that scenario. Yes, that'd be great. Being the great. And then, I mean, Concepcion came in for a visit. I think Cooper,

[Dan Fates]

he may. I knew that Conception was a top 30 visit. And I think they've done. They met with Boston. I know. At the. Yeah. At the Combat.

[Mike Catalana]

But it would be very interesting if they were put in that spot.

[Dan Fates]

So that was the other thing too is that's a big reading.

[Jenna Cottrell]

The.

[Mike Catalana]

If they have three receivers sitting there, they will and they trade back. I know people are going to be mad if there's three of them sitting and those.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But I.

[Dan Fates]

People are.

[Mike Catalana]

If Denzel Boston was the only one that we think of sitting there and for whatever reason they don't think he's a fit, then that makes sense.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But I would get. Why. Because you're like, well, there's still three of the top guys on the board. There's going to be more depth later on. Like I get why you could make the argument to trade.

[Mike Catalana]

I just want them to love a receiver that they say, I love them. I'm taking them.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Not trade him back anyhow.

[Dan Fates]

I'm still just team wide receiver. I'm still just team offense. I'm still just.

[Mike Catalana]

Does anybody have a trade now post

[Jenna Cottrell]

first round, they did meet with Malachi Lawrence at the combine as well. I don't know if you had that, but I had a third round trade.

[Mike Catalana]

I have a third round trade too because they're not in the second round. As I've mentioned, DJ Moore. So here's where I had him making a move. I have them moving up from 91 to 71.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, okay.

[Mike Catalana]

With Washington and the reason I end up making that move, they're giving up 126.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh.

[Mike Catalana]

And a 2027 sixth round pick, which I was kind of reading in the way the league looks at those picks. They actually look at them as it be more like a fifth because you're waiting a year for the player. This is if this guy is on the board and he could go earlier than this. But there's a reason why he slips back. Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell. I have him getting him because he's available. The New Orleans Saints pick, I think 73rd.

[Dan Fates]

Okay.

[Mike Catalana]

They have been mocked to him. This is where Bean goes, I got my pass rusher. I want another receiver. I'm going to give up some assets and I'm going to move up.

[Dan Fates]

She gave up 91, 126 and a 6.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. Well, they give up the 91 obviously, and then 126 and a 27 sixth rounder.

[Jenna Cottrell]

So you're not concerned about the ACL tear.

[Mike Catalana]

Well, I think that's why you're getting him where you're getting him. And then I Say to myself, I look at him at wide receiver and I say, it is not day one. He's got to be starter on the field. But I love that he plays on the outside. I love his speed. And I'm taking a shot at getting a player, a distressed asset of a player because of his injury. That I think. And he's a dog. He is a dog. 6, 2, 2, 20 plays that way. Little fired up. Sometimes I just think he's a player they would love. And I think he fits what they need in offense. And if he was healthy, he's a first round pick.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Big physical target.

[Mike Catalana]

Yep.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay, interesting.

[Dan Fates]

What's your trade?

[Jenna Cottrell]

So I traded with Minnesota to move from 91 to 82. Okay. So I traded 91, 168 and 182.

[Mike Catalana]

Okay.

[Jenna Cottrell]

So I have them picking linebacker Josiah Trotter out of Missouri. Top 30, visit with the Bills, met with Buffalo at the combine. 62, 237 pick, good pick. First team all SEC in 2025. Big 12 defensive freshman of the year in 2024. Now, he did have a knee injury in 2025, minor surgery, and he missed 2023 with an ACL. But talk about lineage. I mean, I know you're obviously an Eagles guy. Son of Jeremiah Trotter, four time Pro Bowler, two time all Pro linebacker, older brother won a Super bowl with the Eagles as well.

[Mike Catalana]

The ax man. That was Jeremiah Trotter. He get a sack, does that. Like the axe into the ground. This kid's that will be having that when he's making plays.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Physicality shows up immediately. Guy to set the tone, stop the run. Instinctual, which I, I love instinctual.

[Dan Fates]

Yep.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Because I've seen so many players that have all the physical attributes. And I honestly think of a guy like Tremaine Edmonds, who, you think like his skill set in terms of what he can be as an athlete, jump off the chart. But I think when you have to take that little second to think about stuff in the NFL, you're that much behind and that can impact your play. So I, I, I think instinctual is a big point of emphasis for me when I look at a player I like. I like a couple things. I like awards. I like awards. I like for players to be exceptional at the college game and be awarded an honor because of it. And I like instinctual.

[Mike Catalana]

Love to pick, Love the pick.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay.

[Dan Fates]

I stayed put at 91 and I now looking back on it, you guys were so much smarter. You guys had to do less.

[Mike Catalana]

Feel like the Grand Canyon between 26 and 91. Yeah, it's gonna hurt.

[Dan Fates]

But you guys were also those picks. Yeah, you guys are just smarter because you had to look up less players by trading away picks that. I'm envious of what you guys did, but I. At 91, I have them taking Dominic, Dominique, Big Citrus Orange.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, that's so good.

[Dan Fates]

Dominique Orange. Defensive tackle, Iowa State.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, Big dude.

[Dan Fates]

His name is Big Citrus. 633-25-7 has done a top 30 visit with the Bills. He is a run stopper like that. That is what he does. So really like the fact of, okay, you get your wide receiver, you improve your offense, then you. You get that cornerstone. It's like having the catcher on your baseball team. You build defensively from home plate up the middle. So I thought that he fits that the size. He's not like Dion Walker, who's much more shifty, but he's been able to eat blocks. Run stopper. That's what he does. So I like to get that defensive tackle in round two.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, it makes sense to me.

[Dan Fates]

Round three.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Big, Big Citrus.

[Mike Catalana]

That's nice.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Love the nickname. I'm gonna say one of the guys just talking about another cool nickname that's a defensive tackle is Dante Corleone. The Moth. Yeah, but I'm like the mafia. Bill's mafia. Getting a Dante Corleone would be awesome.

[Mike Catalana]

That's good.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Defensive tackle, 6135. Nickname the Godfather. Sweet, squatty, rundown defender. He did have blood clots though, so something to look into. But I, I in terms of the nickname, love it. Okay. Do you want to go to your next pick?

[Mike Catalana]

Well, mine's a little ways because I made a trade. So.

[Dan Fates]

So I'm. I still have 126.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I still have 126 as well.

[Dan Fates]

Who's your.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You're gonna like this. I think so. In the fourth round at 126 overall. Okay. I had too good a posture there. I am taking wide receiver Malik Benson out of Oregon.

[Mike Catalana]

Visited them.

[Dan Fates]

Visit.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Did visit them. 6 foot 195. And not to take your line, but he's really fast. Fast eight. Former track star, exceptional ball tracker. Played at four different programs. Produced, produced at each spot. Fast, dependable, constructs the field and adds punt return potential.

[Mike Catalana]

Can I just say I again we talk about variance. I had him considerably later.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Now, see, this is what sucks.

[Mike Catalana]

Well, it does because he could also. All it is is you had him that what I have him at 182.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Wow. Okay.

[Mike Catalana]

But he. It's so many players you try to get A gauge on what people around the league are saying. And you go, he was in some mox. He's the second round.

[Jenna Cottrell]

And some.

[Mike Catalana]

He's, you know, it's like, yeah, everybody's got their own opinion. This is the type of player that I think there would be a bit of a difference of opinion around the league. But he was highly productive, as you said.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes.

[Mike Catalana]

And that speed. So.

[Jenna Cottrell]

And went to juco.

[Mike Catalana]

Yes.

[Dan Fates]

126 for me as I. I originally put in a linebacker here. Caleb Elarms or from tcu.

[Mike Catalana]

Okay.

[Dan Fates]

But in a dream world, I get my safety here in the fourth round. And again, this goes back to that variance of if he's there and things like that. Jalen Kilgore from South Carolina. So he's that saferid.

[Mike Catalana]

Safer.

[Dan Fates]

I just short circuited there for a second.

[Mike Catalana]

Sacred safety.

[Dan Fates]

Big nickel hybrid.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

So that came out as safe Rid. So. But he is seen as a dynamic. He's rounds two to three. So does he fall that far into the fourth possibility? That'd be my dream spot. What?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Open one hand?

[Mike Catalana]

You're just hoping if he's there. It's just like when I made my. When I made my trade, it was for a guy.

[Dan Fates]

You drafted a guy way too early.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, no, no, it wasn't. I think Mike was. I'm just saying I might be a

[Mike Catalana]

little late on it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Like when I'm in the Bill in the fifth round. The Bill suck. KC Conception.

[Mike Catalana]

Well, when I'm making the deal for Chris Bell, I'm giving up those assets because that guy's on the board.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Somebody may have the same idea and say we're taking him in the second round. So. So we won't kill you for that.

[Dan Fates]

Hate my mock draft. Just gonna be honest. I like my first two picks. Like, my first two picks a lot.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You realize it's really like, mock drafts are really tough.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

You're just throwing darts.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Well, not even that. But it's like, you look at players, how they would fit, where they are expected to fall. And every guy has weaknesses. Like, that's just a piece of the game. So it's like, what can you live with? What do you want to pivot to? Does his upside outweigh that? Like, especially when you get back in these later rounds, it's really hard to decipher because the ceilings feel about the same. And it's like. But just how low is the floor? You're not really sure.

[Mike Catalana]

And I always go back to this. Take all the GMs together, put every player in the NFL A draft, current players and start picking, you won't know how the draft will go. And these are players we know and we have seen. Yeah, you could guess, you know, I mean Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes are going. You know, they'll go early. But if you just start Dre and you're like, who wants that? Who wants that interior pressure? Who wants Jaylen Carter early? Who wants, you know, Max Crosby? The only reason I say this is that's with players we've all seen and

[Dan Fates]

we all know who wants the Patrick certain.

[Mike Catalana]

Right.

[Dan Fates]

Shut down corner.

[Mike Catalana]

Exactly. So when you look at this and you and teams come at it from different places, it is positions of need. And also when we're looking at a player like I have met 182, you have met 126. Okay. So it's. We're talking about 60 picks here almost. But this is in the fourth. Fourth round. The sixth round.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I mean. Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

So there's so many.

[Dan Fates]

I was just offensive because you guys made fun of me for.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Sorry.

[Mike Catalana]

We have a reason.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You were just defensive or offensive?

[Mike Catalana]

No, he was. It was defensive.

[Jenna Cottrell]

He was. You said offensive.

[Mike Catalana]

He said offensive.

[Dan Fates]

Check the tape. Check the tape. I was just. I was just defensive. I was just offensives. I was just offensive.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I'm pretty sure marking this down.

[Mike Catalana]

So that was 126. Okay.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. Where are you at?

[Mike Catalana]

I'm at 165 and 168.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay.

[Mike Catalana]

That's why 165. The Buffalo Bills select cornerback out of the University of Washington Ephesians prize.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It's a cool name.

[Mike Catalana]

That's a corner.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Correct.

[Dan Fates]

I will never be able to spell that.

[Mike Catalana]

Right. The reason I went with this player, I think the Bills did meet with him.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I will look it up.

[Mike Catalana]

Couple of things that are big positives for him. He's got the traits, the physical traits. He's 6 4, nearly £200, long arms. He has the traits of a high end corner if you want that type. Physical traits also. He started 42 games in college football. Love that on the field. Didn't get hurt over three seasons. Started. So he. I think when you're drafting there now we're talking about 165 picks into the draft.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I don't think he met with the Bills either me.

[Mike Catalana]

But that's. That's fine. He should have. I look at it and say, are we going for some traits? Are we looking at it and saying he ends up being a backup special teams kind of guy can fill in when we need him. And eventually maybe he evolves into it because he has the physical ability to it.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. At this point, two things. The visits are big. We talk about where they. Whether it's a zoom, whether it's a private workout, all these things. Whether it's a player. Puts it on his Instagram story that he visited with the team. Right. Like the team doesn't announce, like, we had this guy come visit.

[Mike Catalana]

Is there.

[Dan Fates]

There's got to be some gamesmanship that if you love a player and you bring him in or don't bring him in, you're probably also having the conversations on the side of, hey, we zoomed with him. Oh, well, they only had a zoom. But this. He met with this team and this team and this team. But like, you wouldn't want to meet with him at the. Not saying you wouldn't, but if you meet with him at the combine, you bring them in for a private workout, you bring him in for a top 30, you zoom with them. Doesn't that tip your hand a little bit that if you really like somebody, it's just, hey, we met with you. We, we trust our scouts and what we saw.

[Mike Catalana]

This is why I go back to Dalton Kincaid. He didn't meet with the Bills. He didn't have a top 30 visit. He had injuries in college and they went with him. Now, do they like the player? Sure, they like the player. He was the, the one that was a little different. Look, you have a lot of chances to meet with players. Some teams are big on the Senior Bowl.

[Dan Fates]

Senior bowl, that's good.

[Mike Catalana]

Teams are big on the. In person. We know the combine is fish in a barrel there. All the players are right there. I mean, you can meet with anybody if you just want it on the record. Met with them at the combine. Yeah, it's pretty easy right there, there. When you're bringing them in, it's a little different. You only have 30 of those. In addition, you have the local players. I do think there's a little gamesman

[Dan Fates]

that's just one out there of just, you know, you think about it when

[Mike Catalana]

you're picking 26, some of that, like, because there's so much. You have to wait to see what happens here. I guess if you're picking in the top 10, you would want to. You'd want to have had as much information as possible. But it's a little different in terms of. It seems. No, I think they, it plays into it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But a lot of 30 visits are not first round graded players.

[Mike Catalana]

No doubt.

[Dan Fates]

Correct.

[Mike Catalana]

Right.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's Why? I. I hear dance boy. And I'm like, that does make sense that you. You want to have meetings with the player and. And see them and interact with them, but you don't want to do too much because that tips your hand. Could tip your hand. Yeah, but also it's.

[Mike Catalana]

But there's. There's.

[Dan Fates]

It's also how comfortable you are with them.

[Mike Catalana]

There's also players.

[Dan Fates]

If you, if you like the player at the Senior bowl. But you're going. There's still a couple things we want to figure out. We want to talk to them in person. Person.

[Mike Catalana]

Because you haven't. Maybe you weren't in on him. You had never met with him, nothing. All of a sudden he pops a little bit or drops in one way or the other.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Like for whatever the consensus is.

[Dan Fates]

So are you 165?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yep. I went with safety Michael Taffy of Texas. I talked about him in our last video. Love him. First team all sec in 2025. All American in 2025. Was a walk on at Texas. Fifth generation Longhorn.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Coverage safety. Really. Instincts. First team, all sec. I think he could be a hidden gem in this draft.

[Mike Catalana]

Calling her shot.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Boom.

[Dan Fates]

So when he goes somewhere and does really well, Jen's gonna be like, I'm. That's my Mike.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Th percent. Although I would say mine would be more challenging because it wasn't a first round pick.

[Mike Catalana]

You mean like when I say Kyle Hamilton.

[Dan Fates]

Kyle Hamilton, Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. And he went 14, 14th. Oh, okay. Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Vils didn't pick 14th that year.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, they haven't done that in a while.

[Dan Fates]

So my two fifth round picks, because it's one, like we said, 165 and 168. I'll just knock them both out because they're both linebackers.

[Mike Catalana]

Hey, I may be with you on one day.

[Dan Fates]

He's got a double up. Jimmy Roller from Michigan.

[Mike Catalana]

Okay.

[Dan Fates]

Another veteran guy that's played a lot of snaps, instincts, all that stuff. And then at 168. Or you can flip them. Alabama linebacker.

[Mike Catalana]

No.

[Dan Fates]

Justin Jefferson.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I love that. I saw that. I saw that. And I was like, the Bills get Justin Jefferson.

[Dan Fates]

So I thought that was. I thought that was fun.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

I go, I've seen some people, when you try and find like the five round mock drafts, I saw a couple people had Justin Jefferson, linebacker from Alabama.

[Mike Catalana]

So.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, no, I did see him.

[Mike Catalana]

Who? You got a 168. And then I'll do mine.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I traded mine.

[Mike Catalana]

Oh, you traded?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

I have linebacker. Wow. University of Buffalo.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, Red Murdoch.

[Mike Catalana]

Turnover machine for 17.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Action.

[Dan Fates]

How many?

[Mike Catalana]

What?

[Dan Fates]

How many UB linebackers can one NFL team have?

[Mike Catalana]

How many do they have?

[Jenna Cottrell]

They have Joe Andreessen.

[Dan Fates]

Joe Andreessen.

[Mike Catalana]

Where Joe Andreessen's.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Been. You know, it's been good for that.

[Dan Fates]

Good special teams, right? Special teamer this guy had.

[Mike Catalana]

Talk Red had 17 forced fumbles.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's nuts.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That's cool.

[Mike Catalana]

Yes. I love that turnover guy. 17ub's been good to the Bills.

[Dan Fates]

Yes. At this point, it was funny.

[Mike Catalana]

We lost Jamar. They lost Jamar.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Cam Lewis.

[Mike Catalana]

Cam. Yeah, they need to replenish the ub.

[Dan Fates]

When you were talking about that guy. That's right. Ephesians.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Like, at this point, whether you're in rounds four through seven, you're looking to, like, fill the role of, like, a Jamarcus Ingram. That's what you're trying to find. Now, if you end up with a starting corner in this spot in the fifth or sixth round, that's so much extra cherry on top. But you're looking for guys that can have a couple of traits. So if you're talking about the Ephesians guy, like, the size that he has, can't teach it. And. And if you can teach the other traits that go along with it, I like that idea, too. So.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. Okay. So you did 168.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, that was Justin.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. You did that as well.

[Mike Catalana]

So are we now seventh round, sixth round, 182.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, I traded that, too.

[Mike Catalana]

I had Benson. That's where I had him. I think I took him a little late, but.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay. Malik Benson, the wide receiver out of Oregon. Okay.

[Dan Fates]

And I took. This was also. Mike, this. You'll appreciate this. Got a Toledo Rocket.

[Mike Catalana]

Love it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, who'd you take? Andre Fuller.

[Dan Fates]

Andre Fuller.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I took him in the seventh.

[Mike Catalana]

I had. I had. I had Andre Fuller, and I think he did meet with the Bills.

[Jenna Cottrell]

He did top 30 visit and a private workout with Buffalo.

[Dan Fates]

Yep.

[Jenna Cottrell]

So that seems notable as well.

[Dan Fates]

Good size. And he's like 616261, £200.

[Jenna Cottrell]

First team, all Mac special teams value.

[Dan Fates]

Yep.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Prototypical size.

[Dan Fates]

I like it.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Legitimate speed and a brand of pressman physicality that coaches really like on paper.

[Dan Fates]

So Jenna Kuiper, just with, like, the notebook of stats.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Honestly, shout out, like, NFL Buzz. I want to cite my sources, Lance Zerline, Dane Brugler of the Athletic for some really good stuff. It makes it more fun, honestly.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. This. It's not my favorite.

[Mike Catalana]

Okay.

[Dan Fates]

No, no, no, no, no.

[Mike Catalana]

It. Michael, Jenna, thank you for doing the Research.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. My back hurts actually carrying them. Yeah. What did I say today, too? We decided we were going to do our mocks today, and Dan was like, oh, I need to still put mine together. And I was like, oh, so you need names. Look at that.

[Mike Catalana]

Do. Does. Am I the. Do I have 220 name by chain trade. 220.

[Dan Fates]

I got.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, I took Andre Fuller at 221.

[Mike Catalana]

Whatever it takes, Mr. Mom.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, I've, I. You've like, said that every time I look at you.

[Mike Catalana]

But yeah, Michael Keaton.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, I'm Batman.

[Mike Catalana]

Did a story with Michael Keaton. I know Michael Keaton.

[Jenna Cottrell]

How about that?

[Mike Catalana]

Does.

[Dan Fates]

He's also not Michael Keaton.

[Mike Catalana]

It's Michael Douglas.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, he's not related to.

[Mike Catalana]

Who's not related to Michael Douglas or Buster Keaton?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Can you say your pick?

[Mike Catalana]

With the 220th pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select quarterback Haynes King, Georgia Tech.

[Dan Fates]

Oh, I like Haynes King.

[Mike Catalana]

Big bet on him.

[Dan Fates]

Strong. Quite a bit.

[Mike Catalana]

You did, yes. Oh, well, that's why if you're in

[Dan Fates]

college and you won me money at some point, I'm a fan.

[Mike Catalana]

Physical traits. Guy, Big guy. Runs, had 37 touchdowns.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah. Beast, he's got a little bit of that.

[Mike Catalana]

I'm going to say this. This is nothing personal against anybody. The quarterback room is both elite and weak on the Bills. That's the way I look at it. It is elite. Elite at the top. There is nobody there you're saving space for unless it's. Yeah, you know, I mean, it's just like, you got guys, you got. Josh's buddies are always going to want to come. It's not a terrible idea to get a young guy on the roster.

[Dan Fates]

At times he reminded me a little bit of Taysum Hill.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, he has that feel to it.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

But there are times also when I look and I go, I wouldn't mind if the Bills were stuck, that a guy like Taysum Hill was running the offense and they just used him as a freaking battering ram. If Josh was out for half a game, yeah, I think this guy could do it. I just, at some point, this probably isn't the year, but I'm like, I had Andre Fuller in there. So as a group, we're going to take him.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

But I like throwing it. He's going to be a seventh round pick.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. Because, you know, so crossover, we had Andre Fuller the corner and we had Malik Benson the wide receiver. Anyone else? I don't think so, no.

[Dan Fates]

And then my pick at 220, Kaden Wetgen. Oh, yeah, we talked about the last one. Was the nation's best returner. Had three punt return touchdowns last year at Iowa. He's like 5, 9, 200 pounds.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

What, you're gonna critique anything else?

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, no, I just. Okay, that sounds good.

[Mike Catalana]

I really wanted to get Toledo's Junior Vandross in.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You liked him? Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Luther. I think Luther just got put in the Rock and Roll hall of Fame.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Look at that.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. Do you know who. Luther Vandross.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Luther Vandross. Yes.

[Dan Fates]

You went to some concerts.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, you told us last time.

[Mike Catalana]

Dad, do I repeat my stories?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Did you not know? You said that last podcast.

[Mike Catalana]

I know. I just was bringing it back up again in case, you know, people didn't get a chance to hear me pontificate.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

God, he died in 2005.

[Dan Fates]

Luther, comment in with what We've done enough now draft prep. And we will continue to do it with our draft shows as well. Coming up next week on Wednesday, the live show. We want to hear from you, but also first round ideas for you and then somebody maybe you like in the later rounds. So like I said, we all kind of had Andre Fuller. Is there somebody else that intrigues you or piques your interest later on that you. That you're going to have your interest on?

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. Do we still so doing this? I also thought when we had talked about it before that the Bills would trade back. We've talked about that a lot. But in doing this exercise, I feel like I'm kind of. Now would be surprised if they do, only because I just don't think there's as much buzz with quarterbacks and how things will look now. That's not to say that that won't be the case, but I don't know. Do you feel that way as well?

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, because I. I looked at and I'm like, well, what are they getting for this? They're moving back. Think about the multiple moves they made. They end up with a late third round pick and it's Dwayne Carter in that deal. So let's see, Dwayne comes back. He has had injuries, hasn't really been able to do much. But you're adding a pick sometimes, I think because they have needs at edge, they have needs at defensive tackle, they have needs at linebacker, they have needs at wide like safety, like you could. I don't think they would take a safety in the first. There's a few players I really like there.

[Jenna Cottrell]

But if you went best overall, I could see them doing that.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah. But at the same Time you look at it and say, man, I just feel like they're going to pick 26th, and then it's like all these guys are coming off the board.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I do.

[Mike Catalana]

I think he's going to get antsy sitting there at 91, and that's a cheaper move to move up. Both of us had him moving up there. I think that's a cheaper move to make.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

If that player drops and then you're sitting there going, let's go get him.

[Jenna Cottrell]

I do think. Oh, I forgot what I was going to say. Good, good podcasting.

[Dan Fates]

No, I did have a player. It's funny, you guys talked about a lot of the players. We like Jacob Rodriguez, you know, as the linebacker from Texas Tech. Like, can you find a way to get into the second, move up in the third, be still on the board after the second round, all those things. Julian Neal is another corner that I

[Jenna Cottrell]

met with the Arkansas.

[Dan Fates]

He's the one that said when he was asked what does he want teams to know about him, said, the King's willing to die on the field.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

He also. He had a top 30 visit with Buffalo.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah, I.

[Dan Fates]

Okay, don't take it that way. But there were so. There were so many cliche answers that we talked about time and time again. I'm versatile. I can play all over the field. I can do everything. This guy wants teams to know he's willing to put his life on the line.

[Mike Catalana]

Did anyone say, send me the playbook now.

[Dan Fates]

No.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, don't do that. I'm just saying, when Kair was like, put the playbook on the plane.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

He just signed with somebody.

[Mike Catalana]

Kansas City.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. The Chiefs.

[Mike Catalana]

God, if he's good there, that's.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That would. That would hurt.

[Mike Catalana]

I'm not rooting against him.

[Jenna Cottrell]

It was a very nice man.

[Mike Catalana]

Nice. Good.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

Sweats a lot.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah.

[Mike Catalana]

That was him telling us that. It was.

[Dan Fates]

That was insane.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah. Training camp, we have to, like, change.

[Mike Catalana]

He was like, I go into yoga classes, I sweat all over.

[Dan Fates]

And he said he had to put towels around him when he would do hot yoga classes because he would sweat so much.

[Mike Catalana]

But, you know, in fairness to him, because he's a worker, it could. It could hit for him at a certain point.

[Dan Fates]

I hope he finds.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

A spot. A role on a team.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Dan Fates]

Just not because he did everything. Like I said, you talk about the difference of. With at times, Keon, and what Kair like. You talk about late round or early picks that the Bills have swung on and missed and, like, Kair did everything right off the field. Prepared, answered all the questions, was steady as they come off the field. Just didn't have it on the field. And now you kind of have the opposite with Keon.

[Jenna Cottrell]

So, yeah, you hope that he's figuring it out. But, yeah, honestly, I give Kair a lot of credit because after some really tough games, when we would go in the locker room, he would talk to us, and that's a. That's a tough spot to be in, but he always was a professional about it.

[Mike Catalana]

Yeah.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yeah, that is tough. All right, well, play more coverage as the NFL draft. I mean, we're doing this on Thursday. We're releasing.

[Dan Fates]

It's Wednesday.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay, well, no. Are we releasing this on Thursday?

[Dan Fates]

Yes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay, so a week from today.

[Mike Catalana]

That's the way time works.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Yes. Also, you definitely said offensive and not defensive, so we're gonna look back at the tape.

[Dan Fates]

I said I got defensive.

[Jenna Cottrell]

No, you said you got offensive.

[Dan Fates]

I have it marked. I'm gonna.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Okay, we're gonna check it. We're gonna check the tape.

[Dan Fates]

And the funny thing is is that I edit it, so even if I didn't say it, I can change it.

[Mike Catalana]

That's diabolical. Don't try to spell that.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You're. You're in timeout. Okay. Thank you for joining us here on Buffalo Plus. For my Catalan, I got diabolical. I'm Jenna Cottrell. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe, and share. What?

[Dan Fates]

D, I, A, B, O, L, I, C, I, A, L. What?

[Mike Catalana]

You.

[Jenna Cottrell]

You were.

[Mike Catalana]

You were driving down the road, and then you just went right off the cliff.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That actually makes me mad. You were so close.

[Dan Fates]

A.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Are you doing this on purpose? No.

[Dan Fates]

D, I, A, B, O, L, I,

[Mike Catalana]

C,

[Dan Fates]

A, L. Yes.

[Jenna Cottrell]

D, I, A, B, O, L, I, C, A, L. You added an extra.

[Dan Fates]

I added an I. Yep. Just throwing letters on pleases, which.

[Jenna Cottrell]

That was diabolical.

[Mike Catalana]

Still better than your mock draft.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Guess who. Yeah. Hey, guess who needed names.

[Dan Fates]

Yeah, I didn't need names. Probably could have. That's probably more accurate.

[Jenna Cottrell]

And the Bills take another linebacker.

[Mike Catalana]

Good work, Kuiper.

[Jenna Cottrell]

Oh, thank you. All right, we will. That'll wrap up. I don't know. Please comment in, guys that you like, who you think the Bills are going to pick in the first round, what you think they're going to do in the first round, all that great stuff for Mike and Dan. I'm Jenna. We'll catch you next time here on the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel, the podcast.

[Dan Fates]

Buffalo plus.