Buffalo Plus: The Buffalo BILLS '24 Draft RECAP Episode Date: April 28, 2024
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Buffalo Plus team offers an in-depth recap and analysis of the Buffalo Bills' 2024 NFL Draft. They break down each selection, their expectations, and discuss what the team hit, missed, and where it stands moving forward. The discussion is lively, honest, and rich with both expert insight and Bills fandom, blending evaluation with optimism and some unease about the wide receiver group.

Main Draft Themes

• A focus on the Bills’ lone selection of a wide receiver, Keon Coleman, and a nuanced discussion about his strengths, fit, and the concerns related to the Bills’ overall receiver room.
• Detailed evaluations of each of the Bills’ 2024 draft picks, with an emphasis on character, positional needs, and potential impacts.
• Reflections on the organizational approach—particularly prioritizing culture and “betting on potential”—and honest skepticism about whether the offense has enough proven playmaking weapons.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Keon Coleman Selection and Wide Receiver Room

Keon Coleman Pick (2nd Round, 33rd Overall)

• Strengths & Style

  • Viewed as a likable character who brings energy and personality to the team.
  • Not a classic “separation” or speed receiver; he’s more of a contested catch specialist with an “above the rim” style, drawing comparisons to Brandon Marshall and Mike Evans for contested catches, not necessarily overall play.
  • “He’s big and he’ll go up and get the ball. And his drop rate was really low. There’s a lot of things to like about him.” —Mike (04:02)

• Concerns & Upside

  • Raw as a route runner due to Florida State’s offense; less developed at creating separation.
  • “If you can’t separate against 19 and 20 year olds, are you going to be able to … separate in the NFL?” —Mike (06:27)
  • At just 20 years old, seen as a high-upside developmental player: “He is 20. He’s going to be 21 this season. So you talk about raw, the potential there…” —Jenna (06:58)
  • Expected to excel in red zone and scramble situations with Josh Allen.

• Bills’ Ongoing Receiver Needs

  • “Of course they’re going to be in the market for a wide receiver. … They need another player on this roster.” —Dan (08:24)
  • Skepticism persists there’s enough quality/depth at the position.

• Room Comparison & WR Investment

  • The Bills have not invested in WRs for Josh Allen—until this pick. “Since 2018… the Bills took zero [receivers in the first three rounds].” —Dan (14:04)
  • Across the league, teams have invested heavily in WR, pointing to a perceived deficiency in Buffalo’s approach.

2. General Disappointment Over WR Depth

• The trio openly voice disappointment about the Bills taking only one WR:
  • Jenna: “Are you disappointed that it was only one wide receiver taken?”
  • Mike: “Yeah, I still think that this (WR) room is… a bottom tier wide receiver room now. … I would have liked to see a Javon Baker. I would have liked to see a Troy Franklin. The speed is just the concern.” (16:30)
• Lingering doubts about whether Khalil Shakir or Curtis Samuel can be a true WR1.
• “I don’t want just another guy. I want a dude. Stefon Diggs was a dude.” —Mike (21:05)

3. Philosophy: Culture vs. Talent

• Strong emphasis on “high character” picks in this draft, with multiple references to player backgrounds, leadership, and adaptability.
• Reflects a transitional period for Buffalo: “They are betting a lot on culture over talent right now. And when those two things come together, it’s a beautiful thing.” —Mike (22:43)
• Acknowledges risk as proven talent (e.g., Diggs, Gabe Davis) depart, leaving projections and hopes rather than established production.

4. Individual Draft Pick Reactions

Cole Bishop, S (Utah) – [28:17]

• “I love the Cole Bishop pick.” —Dan (28:22)
• Seen as the “turning of the page” from the Jordan Poyer/Micah Hyde era.
• Physical, versatile, “borderline linebacker” safety with high football IQ.

Dwayne Carter, DT (Duke) – [31:27]

• Experienced, high-character leader, three-time captain at Duke.
• Adds depth; seen as solid backup to Ed Oliver.

Ray Davis, RB (Kentucky) – [32:22]

• “Ray Davis… talk about incredible perspective.” —Jenna (32:53)
• Incredible backstory: overcame foster care after both parents were incarcerated.
• Physical profile: 5'8, 211 lbs – “That is like James Harrison… not tall but just, just incredible athletically.” —Dan (33:52)
• Productive rusher and “surprisingly better in the passing game than you may think.”

Cedric Van Pran-Granger, C (Georgia) – [35:35]

• Anchor of Georgia’s line, high-character, “will not find a person say a bad thing about him.”
• Concerns about short arms, but ample big-program experience.

Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB (Washington) – [36:34]

• Called “Eddie U” on the pod, a student of the Bills’ defense with a big football IQ and major respect for Bills LB Terrel Bernard.

Javon Solomon, EDGE (Troy) – [37:15]

• Productive college pass rusher and wrestler, considered undersized but relentless.

Tylan Grable, OL (UCF) – [37:38]

Daquan Hardy, CB (Penn State) – [37:42]

• Punt returner with competitive fire; lauded by Lewis Riddick as a “dog competitor.”

Travis Clayton, OL (International Pathway, England) – [38:06]

• True developmental pick: played rugby, soccer, and boxed but “never took a snap of football.”
• Athletic marvel: 6'7, 300 lbs, ran a 4.8 forty.
• “Sometimes it’s better to have guys with no habits than bad habits.” —Jeff Stoutland, via Mike (39:13)

Insightful Quotes & Notable Moments

• On Football Speed vs. Track Speed:
  “It’s great to run the 40 and be the fastest. That ain’t football.” —Dan (03:50)

• On the Bills’ WR Investment:
  “Since 2018, when Josh entered the league, … 86 wide receivers were taken in the first three rounds. The Bills took zero of them.” —Dan (14:04)

• On Needing Playmakers:
  “There’s gonna be a third and 14 that you just need a dude to get open. … Stefan Diggs was a dude.” —Mike (21:05)

• Transition Theme:
  “…the Bills are a team in transition and they've got to fill some holes. … They're confident in the leadership that they have… betting a lot on culture over talent right now.” —Mike (22:42)

• On High-Character Picks:
  “Every guy I feel like they've taken is a high character guy.” —Mike (32:17)

• On Ray Davis’s Story:
  “He wanted to set an example for kids … his story and there is proof that opportunity exists.” —Jenna (33:49)

• On the Fun of Keon Coleman:
  “He’s got a little bit of a Tre’ White innocence… like excitement, joy.” —Mike (27:37)
  “I just love Keon Coleman with the snacks.” —Jenna (27:33)

Notable Timestamps

• Keon Coleman Analysis & WR Philosophy: 01:52–17:00
• Collegiate Production Maligned vs. NFL Projections: 08:48–11:00
• Bills’ Draft Investment in WRs: 12:57–14:17
• WR Room Concerns: 15:07–17:39
• Culture Over Talent Discussion: 22:33–23:37
• Cole Bishop Pick: 28:17–30:06
• Dwayne Carter Pick: 31:27–32:22
• Ray Davis Background & Analysis: 32:22–35:25
• Cedric Van Pran-Granger: 35:33–36:31
• Edefuan Ulofoshio & Others: 36:34–38:06
• International Pathway (Travis Clayton): 38:06–39:41

Tone

• Honest, conversational, upbeat yet occasionally anxious about the team’s offensive firepower. The chemistry between the hosts brings in inside jokes, some good-natured “loopy” energy, and authentic Bills-fan perspective.

Conclusion: Where Are the Bills Now?

The hosts largely approve of the draft but have “wish lists” still unresolved—chiefly, more proven WR talent. The Bills' focus on high character, leadership, and raw athleticism is evident, perhaps at the expense of immediate “star power.” The team is betting on development and culture, hoping this new approach, amid considerable roster transition, leads to postseason breakthroughs.

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