The Buffalo BILLS '24 Draft RECAP: What they HIT, what they MISSED and WHERE they are NOW

Summary

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

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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

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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.

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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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For more in-depth Bills analysis, subscribe to Buffalo Plus on YouTube or visit BuffaloPlus.com.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

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[C]

Yeah, he texted me, you know, the day of. I was like, you know, you the guy I wanted. I watched a lot of receivers and, you know, I won't play with you. And I'm like, I've been saying the same thing. I want to go play the guy that went number 17. And, you know, he a great quarterback. I think he's one of the best in the league right now, and I would love to be catching passes from him. I'm ready for that. Y' all have a great day. Yeah, I can grab some of them.

[A]

This is the Buffalo plus podcast, brought to you by Connors and Ferris.

[B]

All right, welcome Back to the Buffalo Plus YouTube channel, presented by Connors and Ferris, Mike Catalana, Dan Fates. I am Jenna Cottrell. We've made it. The NFL draft is now over. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe, as well as share. So let's talk our general thoughts on the draft. But I do.

[A]

Oh, people seem to like loopy podcasting.

[B]

Oh, okay.

[A]

We are. We are tired. We're loopy more than usual.

[D]

You guys had loopy. Jenna and I had loopy last night. Both of us.

[B]

I think I didn't go, like, I had to post the pod, so I think I went to bed at 2.

[D]

Oh, that wasn't too bad.

[B]

No.

[A]

Cuz you called me at 11:30 and I was already. I was unconscious.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Last night you were asleep. Yes.

[A]

I covered the Amer.

[D]

Yes.

[B]

Who won?

[A]

Yes.

[D]

Winners.

[B]

All right, let's talk about it. So, Michael.

[D]

Yes.

[B]

One wide receiver drafted Keon Coleman, their first pick in the second round, the first pick that they took at 33rd overall. What do you make of this pick? I love it.

[A]

As. As you heard from the Open, he's a. A likable guy.

[D]

He is.

[B]

He is a character. I love it.

[D]

Okay, so here's the way I look at Coleman. I like his skill set. I like 85% of his skill set.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

And I understand that there are certain guys in this league who are built for separation. I think lad McConkey can do that. He's great. Route runner. Right. There are guys who can get open. And I'm not saying Josh Allen doesn't want guys like that.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

But there's a reason he was what then? How many wide receivers he was the eighth one taken.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Is because he doesn't have that top end speed. And he wasn't known as a guy who can beat you with the route running and the speed. He is known more for going up and getting the ball, those type of plays. But I do think, you know, when Dan Orlovsky compares him to Brandon Marshall.

[A]

I got so excited.

[D]

Yes. What I'm saying is, and I'll repeat this, these guys have heard, like many things I say repeated over and over again. When you do a comp, it doesn't mean the player is that guy. It means he plays like that.

[A]

Or has moments. Or has moments.

[D]

Yes.

[A]

That remind you of that player.

[B]

The potential of that.

[D]

Yes. And so when I see that kind of player, I'm like, not everybody is a burner.

[B]

Not everybody.

[D]

You know, And Jenna, as we mentioned in last night's podcast, when you asked him about speed, he's like, nobody's caught me. And there are guys with football speed. It's a lot about angles. Listen, it's great to run the 40 and be the fastest. That ain't football.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

There's elements of that that apply to football, but you're. It's about angles and it's about football speed. Wearing the pads, wearing the helmet, doing it average. And I think he has a lot of that.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Got a long way to go. He's a young guy, but 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.

[A]

Yeah. And I think if there's people that have probably already are commenting at this point about guys ever would get caught. Maybe some of the older viewers. Jerry Rice never got caught.

[D]

And that was the whole thing.

[A]

That was. That was the whole thing. He ran a 4, 7, 4 6.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

It wasn't impressive. But they always said Jerry Rice never got caught. So I was.

[D]

Did you just say Keon Coleman is Jerry Rice? Oh, my God.

[A]

The comp is Jerry Rice. Like, the one thing that I do find. Find funny is everywhere you look, if there's a guy with a basketball background and you look at anybody they say plays above the rim, like it's, it's the cliche of punching their ticket like, like to the, to the NCAA tournament or moving day on a golf tournament, it's like what you automatically say. I, I looked at it because it. I went back and I looked at what comps were for Mike Evans.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

I looked at comms, what Brandon Marshall, like a lot of them, they'd say like play above the rim. Now Evans was. Is six five Marshall bigger too? Marshall is also a bigger guy.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

And we were talking about it before the second round. Obviously I wasn't on the pod yesterday, but just the fact of I wasn't so sure Orlovsky really swayed me. Like, like, go figure. I love whatever Dan Orlofsky says and I thought that was. Was poignant. I talked to one of my friends who played football, the acc, and he talked about how Florida State like their offense. He didn't run routes. Like, he's very raw. Like a lot of the plays were go in a jump ball and he did like he is a. The fact of he's not fast shouldn't take away from the fact that he's a freak athlete. Like, and for me it was when you think about the, the basketball background, like Stefan Diggs had some of that release to him and some of that Allen Iverson like crossovers at times. Cole Beasley had a lot of basketball background in his game. So when you think of speed, sometimes you automatically think of quick twitch. He has, he has that. He has great footwork, which with the.

[D]

Words I was going to use, which.

[A]

Which is very exciting to play basketball at the Division 1 level at Michigan State in the Big Ten. Like, you have to have good feet.

[D]

Right.

[A]

And that's a big part about it. So I think that because he's raw in that sense, I, I am excited for the ability that he can be in the red zone, for the ability of. Like I have said before and I think we talked about one of ours. I do want a guy that can separate because my fear is if you can't separate against 19 and 20 year olds, are you going to be able to necessarily separate in the NFL. But I think the tools are there. I'm. I'm in on it. It. It took me a little bit. I'm in on it.

[B]

He is 20. He's going to be 21 this season. So you talk about raw, the potential there. I totally see it and I feel like it's. It pairs so well well for this Bills offense because we have seen in so many plays Josh Allen, A play breaks down and there you see Allen running around scrambling and the ability to have Coleman down the field bail, be able to have that kind of pitch and catch type of thing, I think that is huge. And also in the red zone, just a guy who's big, who's physical. If you watch some of the, the catches on his tape. It is honestly unbelievable. Unbelievable. Some of those catches and just that. That ability to come down with the ball in a tight space with hands in your face, all these things. I think I definitely see the upside. And I also am excited for just the. The personality that he does bring, because when you're a wide receiver, you know, there. There is that. And Brandon Bean talked about him having that bravado. You know, the Bills are lacking kind of star power. Obviously. You have Josh Allen. You have the name that Von Miller is. But, like, when you talk about someone that, you know can have the cameras in his face, have that draw. And I'm not saying he's there yet, but you see the potential of him becoming that type of player. Player. That type of guy. And I just think it's. At first I was kind of unsure because I was like, yeah, he isn't really a burner.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

And Brandon, Ben has talked so much about wanting speed, but then you think of the yards after the catch and everything that it. That could be there. And it makes. It does make a lot of sense.

[D]

First of all, they're still in the market for a wide receiver. Of course there's going to be a. They. They will bring in a veteran. There is no question in my mind. They need another player on this roster.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

They need another player.

[A]

Now. I don't know if I want obj.

[B]

I don't think that's time for another.

[A]

That's. That's another pod.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Well.

[A]

But I'll just say that.

[B]

Okay, well, talking about receivers, Dan, I know that this is not Roma Dunze.

[A]

It is not.

[B]

Are you sad?

[A]

Yeah, I'm. I'm sad because I talked myself into Rome. I then talked myself into Brian Thomas. I then came to grips with.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

With Xavier Leggette.

[D]

Right.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then I was like, again, before the draft, I was one of the guys. I remember talking to Matt Miller, if you haven't seen that one. It's kind of funny now to go back and kind of look at some of the things. Like Matt Miller straight up told me that Rome wasn't going to get past nine. He was right. He was spot on. He was phenomenal on the coverage. I know. You tweeted it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Having a friend of the pod on ESPN is.

[B]

Yeah, agreed.

[A]

But I ended up kind of, you know, settling in on. I remember I asked Matt Miller. The point was, I was saying is, I asked Matt Miller is Keon Coleman boom or bust? And he was like, no. And he was like, I think he's got the Potential to be really solid. And the fact that he was a returner on special teams shows the effort, shows the character of what he shows. And while he's not necessarily the prototypical yak guy, once he gets the ball in his hands, he. He's a returner.

[D]

How tall is he? Six.

[A]

Three.

[B]

Three.

[D]

Punt returner.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Kick returner. You don't say it. All right, so Dan.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

We felt a little bad about Rome, and we know how close you two were, and so punch me up here. This is for Dan.

[B]

A nice Roma Dunze framed photo.

[D]

He's smiling.

[A]

Good looking guy.

[B]

Say, have that right on your desk. You know, could have been.

[D]

Honestly, it fit right on the shelf. It really would.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[D]

It really would.

[B]

What's that meme where it's like the shot.

[A]

He could just be over. Maybe we'll move the Dan is. Is right mug down.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Oh, that's so good.

[D]

It's more of the. Dan is sad.

[B]

Yeah, Dan is very sad.

[D]

There he is. Yeah, he's looking over your shoulder.

[B]

Look at that.

[A]

We'll get a key on one, too.

[B]

Okay. Yes, that's fair.

[A]

But I mean, because it goes well with the Gabe Davis jersey.

[D]

Yes. I just think of as. It's the. What might have.

[A]

Hey, thanks, man. I didn't bring the beer. I got to. I got to bring the beer.

[D]

That's fine.

[B]

That's true.

[D]

That's fine.

[B]

Eagles drafting Cooper De Jean.

[D]

I know. So I get a six pack and Cooper Dean, they got him at 40. And by the way.

[A]

And the other guy, the other corner.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

And by the way, the trade was with the Washington commanders. Eagles moved up to 40. Commanders gave him the pick they got. Now he may be a bust. They got him ahead of the Packers. Commander's going to see him twice a year now. If he's good, that's a big deal. If he's not, so be it. But just saying trading with teams in.

[B]

The division commanders are a little different than it's a rival.

[A]

I know we can get to the rest of the class and, you know, as we recap this, this whole draft class. But I want to ask you guys the question, because Jenna is such a great host of this all the time, but I want to set you up for a question.

[D]

Here we go.

[A]

Are you disappointed that it was only one wide receiver taken?

[B]

Yeah, I. I think because first of all, we had put so much effort.

[A]

Into figuring out so much effort.

[B]

Right. Wide receivers would be a good fit in Buffalo. But, yeah, I did expect them to kind of Take a swing on someone else. Because I thought, okay, you see Keon Coleman, you see the upside, the raw potential, all the things that we've talked about. But Dan, like you mentioned, the speed factor. Was there a guy that kind of came to mind? You know, when Javon Baker was still on the board, he was like that. When I saw Troy Franklin go, I, I was a little upset because I thought ah, I could, I could really see the Bills making a play for a guy like that. So I was, I was disappointed. I mean they made a lot of picks in, in day three. More than I honestly way more than I thought. I, I thought there was no shot they made as many picks as they did.

[D]

I am not usually the research guy, but I was like, when we were talking, I was like, they have not invested in wide receiver for Josh Allen. We knew that. We all know Stefan Diggs first round pick to get him. I got it. So I did a little research today. I was watching the draft and I tweeted it out. Since 2018, when Josh entered the league, every team this is up to this year had drafted a wide receiver in the first three rounds except the Bills and the Tampa Bay Bucks. And I looked at it. Tampa Bay the year before had drafted Mike Evans and Marquis. Not Marquise Goodwin.

[A]

Godwin.

[D]

Godwin had been the year before. I think they one was the year before. They were the two guys. Of the other 30 teams. Every team took multiple players in the first three rounds except Detroit and Miami. And Miami traded 14 first round picks to get.

[A]

I was trying to think of the Packers. That's Watson.

[D]

This is one, two and three rounds.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Okay. Overall that time, during that time, 86 wide receivers were taken in the first three rounds. The Bills took zero of them.

[A]

Is that a lot?

[B]

It's pretty unbelievable.

[D]

So yes, I know you had digs and Gabe Davis. I will give Gabe credit for this. I think he played maybe to a third round level for this team. I would say at times you thought it was going to be better played a little above that fourth round. They never invested higher than that. They went with a tight end last year, which is good. And it is a pass catcher. And then this year going in the second round. But that's incredible to me. And some teams, multiple, multiple good teams. Baltimore, Kansas City. Kansas City is whiffed. They keep throwing them out there.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

And they keep winning the Super Bowl. I think this has been a fault for being the entire time. And so now you're sitting here going, do they take another one? I don't Know what they're going to do on that wide receiver room. I'm glad they have a young, athletic, big wide receiver.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

And I'm glad Shakir looks like he can be a player at whatever level. And I think Curtis Samuel is a nice veteran player. But that's still wanting because. Oh, and they have Justin Shorter, fifth round.

[B]

Got it.

[A]

Yeah, it's in there.

[B]

What do you. What about you?

[A]

Yeah, I still think that this room is. I know we, I feel like our video on after day one caused a lot of comments.

[B]

Yeah, people were big mad.

[A]

I think we've talked about it again. We can agree to disagree here again. Comment in as people so well do with some of the things I say. Again, I still think this wide receiver room is a bottom tier wide receiver now. I think that Keon Coleman has the potential to be a top 15 wide receiver in the league with his skill set at some point. At some point, yes. But there are a lot of other teams just like what you said that I went through and I was like trying to find some that I thought were below the Bills. It's, it's tough right now. Again, I think they've made the step with Keon Coleman. I would have liked to see a Javon Baker. I would have liked to see a Troy Franklin. The speed is just the concern. You mentioned it. They talked about. I went back and I looked through some of my, my, my tweet history of like bean speed. He talks about it every single year because the Chiefs, the Dolphins, the league is getting faster. The Bills have adjusted defensively to the speed. They don't need a 65 middle linebacker. They need somebody that can cover speed. And for as good as I think Khalil Shakir can be, I don't want to put these unrealistic expectations of people thinking that Khalil Shakir can be this elite number one guy.

[D]

I want some. I'm sorry, Jenna. I was going to say I want somebody to give me the comp. I know I interrupt you. I wanted somebody to give me the comp of Khalil Shakir as an, as a number one receiver.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Physically the computer. I, I don't, I don't see that guy in the league.

[B]

Yeah, I, I just think Khalil Shakir is a nice player, but he is also, when you talk about the grand scheme of things, untested in terms of what he can do on a wide receiver, number one wide receiver. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B. Like he is a nice piece, but just because something is nice doesn't mean it can take all these steps. I, I, we all want him to succeed.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

And also there is the fear that his ceiling, where he's at, it's, it's, it's a nice ceiling, but who can say he can go that much far beyond it? And I think the draft also is a testament to the emphasis on offense. And I get it. Like, you look at the first round, you look at the first 14 picks, lot of quarterbacks in there. But there's also emphasis on, the NFL is so geared towards offense. The rules, they, they, it favors the offense. And we've seen every other team, I feel like, try to adapt and try to push the barrier and ad speed and all these talented players. And I think the Bills have nice pieces. But the fear is, yeah, where they're at right now. And again, it's the end of April, but also it needs to be better.

[A]

I, Jenna and I read a lot of the comments. Sometimes I need to stop.

[B]

I do.

[A]

And listen. I like the comments, and a lot of people that are angry are upset. And then when I respond and say, I understand your point, I can see things differently. A lot of times, the next message after is, sorry, that was kind of rude. And how that came across. It's all, I understand what we're doing here. I'm giving, we give our opinions here. And I remember after the postseason and after the playoffs in the super bowl, everybody was like, chiefs did it with no wide receivers. The Chiefs did it with this in defense. And I came in here and I was like, I'm doubling down on offense because you're one drive away from beating the Chiefs.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

So for as good as the Chiefs have been and they won on defense, I don't think they're necessarily the model that teams are going to try and emulate and say, hey, we don't need any wide receivers. What are you talking about? Look at how the Chiefs did it. That's not a realistic way for 99% of the league to be successful. So I know that people joked around already. Keon Colburn makes that catch that dig straps maybe, like, okay, sure, yeah, again, but, but that's where I'm looking at is where I'm like, I don't want Trent Sherfield being the guy that has to make plays late in the postseason. I want more depth. And I know it is a little bit of a punchline. You talk about what, like, Khalil Shakir is, like, untested to that extent, to.

[B]

That expectation to dig at him.

[A]

No, we don't know what Justin Shorter is either. Like, I know we do joke around about that, but he is a big, pretty fast white, like, so maybe there is a little bit of.

[D]

Right.

[A]

We've never seen him.

[B]

That is the concern, though, is that.

[A]

The injuries and you can hope in one hand and shit in another, and.

[B]

That'S what we'll see which one fills up.

[D]

And he went on IR for the whole year with a hamstring.

[A]

They were keeping them.

[D]

Well, I mean, they did. They kind of stashed. I mean, though, you can, you know, you could put them. But they. They. I get it. Yeah. They did put him on there for the whole year. But it's funny. I have faith in this franchise. And maybe it's McDermott that give him anybody on deep. I shouldn't say anybody give him a defensive guy.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Coaches them up.

[A]

Yep.

[D]

That team, their defense, whether it was Leslie calling the plays, McDermott calling the.

[A]

Plays, people are going to be big mad at that comment.

[D]

Well, if Bobby Babich is calling the plays, this team coaches guys up.

[A]

That's why I said, and you can.

[D]

Do it on defense.

[A]

Yep.

[D]

But on offense, sometimes you just need a man to whoop the other man.

[A]

I was thinking about it. I like all the pieces. Again. I can. I can be critical of this wide receiver room, and I do think they have nice pieces and. And balance and all of these things, but there's going to be a third and 14 that you just need a dude to get open. And I don't want a Jag. I don't want just another guy. I want a dude. Stefan Diggs was a dude. He was a guy that you could say. That's why they threw to him 160 times, because he was the dude.

[B]

And that's why defenses had to worry about where Stefan Diggs was.

[A]

Okay. Yeah, I know this was a long roundabout. No.

[D]

And you're right. And fans will say to us a lot. You have James Cook, you have Dalton Kincaid.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Great. Why are we trying to not do it at the wide receiver position?

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Every other team, I'm telling you.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

The Chiefs, I mean, it's like, load up. I got people telling me Hollywood Brown stinks, and this guy. Okay, maybe he does all. All I know is that's a freaking track team that they're putting out there.

[A]

Now, and they've rebuilt that in two years.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

They went from having nobody last year to getting Rasheed Rice and being like, oh, he's. He's turning into a decent player. And now all of A sudden you got more speed and you got more speed and you got more speed again. That was, that was again the video that we put out. Stand by how I feel. I still feel icky about helping the Chiefs. That. That's the only way I can put it. I just feel icky. I would have hung up the phone.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

But that being said, they got Coleman. They drafted a ton of guys. Brandon Bean after the. He just did his. We're recording this at what time, Jenna?

[B]

7.

[A]

19 on Saturday days have blended together. He. He said that this is a. He said the Bills are a team in transition and they've got to fill some holes. They've got to smooth out some edges. They're confident in the leadership that they have, which I agree in 100%. Just, they are betting a lot on culture over talent right now. And when those two things come together, it's a beautiful thing.

[D]

Special things, culture over proven talent. I would say they do have some younger guys, like, you know, but a lot of talent.

[A]

Whether it was talent on the decline or proven talent, it's. It's out the door.

[D]

Yes.

[A]

So they have to replace a lot.

[D]

Of that so other guys get a chance. I just would like to see. I, I actually think with one more player for this offense, I think it can be pretty good.

[A]

I agree.

[D]

And it's.

[A]

And that's why I'm so. I get so fired up and people call it whining or complaining. I just. Some people say like, oh, they're not one guy away. I think they are, well, one guy.

[D]

To make them just. They need a dynamic element still.

[B]

It's one guy, but he has to be that guy.

[A]

Explosiveness.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

That's what I want. I think I've said it before, like none of these, none of these takes that I have are. Are new. I was saying it last year. It's tough to have a 13 play drive without getting a holding call, without getting a false start and going backwards.

[D]

I, I had the comment about Keon Coleman. I had said I liked him. And then when I heard Bean say about the red zone going up and had somebody comment to me and they go, we don't need that guy. We have Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. And I'm like, do you watch the games? I think they're good football players. Dalton Kincaid was really good last year. They combined for four touchdowns. And show me the highlight of them high pointing the ball. I mean, Kincaid made that. Our Knox made one really nice play. The end zone of Josh rolled. But I'm talking about where you can't guard the guy.

[A]

Yep.

[D]

And hopefully Coleman is that guy to help them. And again, we don't know how Curtis Samuel will be. He does have speed. He is a fast player.

[A]

Not in the building.

[D]

Not in the building. It's true. We don't know. We'll see how some of this plays out. A lot of moving pieces, though.

[B]

Well, I think too, it's. You have the upside of Coleman, the expectations, but sometimes it's like you don't want to put too much on his plate. Also, early on, I, I get it, you, you continually move the goal post back, all those things. But I mean, it is, it is a rookie. He's. He is a rookie.

[D]

Look at the numbers.

[B]

Have played rookies before, all this stuff. But at the same point, I think it would be a lot to have a guy, you know, just coming in and be like, all right, you are our number one.

[D]

Dalton Kincaid had a really good rookie year. Statistically, very good. I don't think you think of him as a dominant player. I think you think of him as.

[A]

I think it's unreal.

[D]

Really good piece.

[A]

It's unrealistic. And that's the one thing and we talked about his progression is development, linear. It's usually not. And I just. Bean talks about it all the time when he talks about drafting players in spots that he never wants to. Even if they love a guy, they love his character, they love his potential. But he's a third round guy and you say, we'll just take him in the second round, then everybody's mind thinks he's a second rounder.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

He has talked about the fact of, like, you don't want to put that unrealistic expectation that's on players. I'm afraid at times fans are like, Don Donkey. K can be, can be Kelsey. Like, you're asking to be a Hall of Famer. You're asking Khalil Shakir to, to be somebody that he may not be. Khil Shakir is a very nice wide receiver. Justin Shorter may be a nice wide receiver. Curtis Samuel could be a nice number two. But I don't want to go into a season expecting Curtis Samuel to have a thousand yards and 100 catches. I, I think that's an unrealistic expectation.

[D]

Especially when we just lived it for two years with Gabe Davis. It's not Gabe Davis's jersey.

[A]

It's not Gabe Davis's jersey. But if you.

[B]

That's a fair point, though.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Because we, you were always wanting more from Gab. He had some very Very nice moments.

[D]

The Bills were wanting more, and again.

[A]

He was a really good fourth round wide receiver.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

But I. There was this thought of wanting him to.

[B]

They got him in the fourth round, had that really nice playoff game. They expected him to continue to progress, to go into a more of a number two role, and he was unprepared for that and not able to rise to the expectation.

[D]

Plan their roster around it.

[B]

Correct?

[A]

Correct.

[B]

That is correct.

[D]

All right.

[A]

I feel good.

[D]

You want to keep going?

[A]

Yeah, I just feel.

[B]

Also. Wait, real quick. I just love Keon Coleman with the snacks.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Funny.

[A]

He's got a little bit of a Trey White innocence. Oh, I could see that, like, excitement, joy. When Trey was doing his. His goalie academy and all this stuff. Like, he has that, like.

[D]

Tell me about, Where's Mike?

[A]

Where's my people?

[D]

Didn't say it.

[A]

We're gonna put in the open, too.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. He went for the Wegmans chocolate chip cookies first.

[A]

That's a veteran.

[B]

I literally. That is a pro move.

[D]

And by the way, that food was for the media, right?

[B]

Yeah, it was in the media shoot.

[D]

That he was like, can I take.

[B]

Can I have a snack?

[A]

Yes.

[D]

You could grab one of the reporter's laptop if you want. They don't care. I mean, seriously, they're gonna be like, all right, Keon, take it. You're our top draft pick. Yeah, like, go ahead.

[B]

All right. Do we want to talk about the rest of, like, Cole Bishop?

[A]

Well, let's, let's.

[D]

Let's go through these guys. I love the Cole Bishop pick.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

I think that is. That is the official turning of the page of Poyer and Hyde. Love them. Great. Micah Hyde, in my opinion. I think yours is going to come here to Buffalo and he's going to announce his retirement. I think he's coming back at his softball game. Great Bill. Great Bills player. You need to get younger there. This guy. This is a guy.

[B]

Here's a guy.

[D]

Here's a guy. I like his. I like his traits. I think the guy, he's bigger, short arms. That's what they kept saying about him. He has shorter arms. And they were talking about that impacting him a little bit in coverage, you know, going up to play the ball. But the guy plays borderline like a linebacker. He can get around the field. I like him as an athlete. Dalton Kincaid's buddy, I think that's the kind of player he was. One of the highest rated safeties. I like Cameron Kinsense out of Miami, but they liked him, and Bishop was really Highly rated.

[B]

He says, shoot.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, all shoot.

[A]

I love. He's everywhere.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

He. He lines up the tackling. He's everywhere. He blitzes, and I love it. It's some of these moments. It's not for everybody. Like, they don't do it for everybody. When the pick comes in for the team ahead of them and you get Beans reaction of yes.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, oh, Bean said he wanted to trade up. He was able to get their guy.

[D]

Hold on. That's a fake. McDermott's making the pick. That's right. He's there. He's telling him, bean, get me this guy.

[A]

Puppet strings. Bean doesn't do anything.

[D]

I love all the people that give me that. Bean's run in the draft.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

And he's done a overall very good job.

[A]

But the fact of. I just love it when you get those reactions of being. Being like, yes, call the guy. Because then you have other times where they're like, the clock's running down. What are these things? Hey, should we take a call? Should we take this deal? And it was like, nope, We've been trying to get up here. He fell to us. This is awesome. Get this guy on the phone.

[D]

Yeah. I love that. I wish I. I was telling somebody, I. Maybe when I'm retired, I'll talk the bills, and I want to sit in that room and watch it. I think it's cool.

[B]

Give your phone to them and just.

[D]

Say, I don't care. I'm not reporting. I just. I want to experience it the way they do and. And that. And just to shut up. I would be very easy for me. Just. I want to. I want to listen to it, and I want to. I want them going back and forth. I want them to be a fly on that wall.

[A]

I would pay an absurd, absurd amount of money.

[D]

I think it would be fun. I think it'd be fun.

[B]

Absolutely. Would love that.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Jenna just would want to know what the snacks are.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

No, no. I just. I'm fascinated by how it. With this Raisin Bran respect, draft day can get really out of hand in terms of what.

[D]

Anyhow, Sorry. All right. I. I just. Was. That was just.

[B]

Camera's blurry. Or is it just because I can't?

[D]

By the way, Dan, where are your glasses?

[A]

And my hoodie?

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. You should have known.

[A]

Team uniform today.

[B]

Call Dwayne Carter.

[D]

So this is the pick they got from the Chiefs move, right? So if third round 90. 95. Was it 95?

[B]

So people were saying in the comments that if Dwayne Carter tackles Or like, sacks Patrick Mahomes in a big moment. Then they'll say, got him.

[D]

It's hard to find those moments. And I hope this kid is good. He's a. He's like, what do you play 14 years at Duke? Was it captain for 13 of them? Yeah. He's a three tech guy they were talking about. He's like. He's an Ed Oliver backup for now and then. I don't know what it is. Got a lot of good qualities as a defensive lineman. They need depth on the D line. They need young defensive tackles. This guy has been there, and he's got a lot of playing experience, you.

[A]

Know, so every single guy I feel like they've taken in this draft is a high character guy.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

It's honestly incredible. Ray Davis, who's the next player? What?

[A]

Awesome. Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt. Doesn't Ray Davis sound like a running back from 1975?

[D]

Oh, it does. Isn't that the name of the running back in draft day?

[B]

I.

[D]

It's. Oh, it's Ray something. I think it is. By the way, did you notice how Dan and I both apologized, but we did cut you off?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Now we're just more polite about it.

[B]

No, it's. It's honestly comical.

[D]

Talk about Ray Davis, because I. I just think, well, it's in some story.

[B]

I feel like the Bills have done a phenomenal job drafting character guys, which is not always the case. But you hear Ray Davis's story, and it's honestly incredible. He grew up in San Francisco. He was in the foster care system. Both of his parents at one point was. They were incarcerated. And to hear him talk about how when he was in foster care, essentially, like, he knew he wanted to find a way through that. The dedication he had to football and how that helped him. He had, you know, friends that he made, like older teachers and stuff that helped him along his journey. But how he wanted to set an example for if. If kids are struggling and they feel helpless and they feel like they can't, you know, find a way out, that there. There is his story and there is proof that that opportunity exists. I mean, talk about incredible perspective. And it makes you realize he's. He says, like, that's how he applies his mindset to. To the game of football. Like, you can be in my way, but you're not going to stop me.

[A]

Love everything about it.

[D]

You know what? When I see an athlete, because it could be anybody but a pro football player, and his numbers are 5 foot 8, 211 pounds. I just think, stay away from that guy. I mean, that is like James Harrison, the linebacker, defensive, you know, pass rusher was just that. Now he's a bigger guy, but like not tall, but just, just incredible athletically. Because when you're 5, 8 to 11, like that is, that's. That's something that's serious.

[B]

That's a refrigerator.

[A]

Yes, it's always that. It's the thing of like, I always find it funny when like an NBA player is like, I defied all the odds. Like you're a tree. Like you're.

[D]

You won the genetic lottery.

[A]

You're 6, 10. Like nobody thought you were gonna be. Nobody thought you were gonna make it.

[D]

No, like everybody does. Yes. Because they look at you and go, you play basketball.

[A]

I can't remember what comedian is, but he has the bit where he's like, everybody doubted me and they stand up. It's like nobody thought you were going to be successful in basketball. Like so, like again, like a guy, you know, Zach Edie. It's like I. He was probably going to be a pretty good basketball player at 5, 8. You are scratching and clawing every ounce of your will. And I love this because it was one of the things I thought. Ty Johnson did a good job in short yardage situations. Ray Davis is going to be a bowling ball coming down, coming downhill. And surprisingly better in the passing game than you may think.

[D]

Caught seven.

[B]

Seven receiving touchdowns.

[D]

Yeah. 94 passes caught. Dan, who's the NEC? The next pick?

[A]

Nope.

[D]

Cedric.

[B]

Cedric Van Prawn.

[A]

Oh, I thought we were going the other one.

[D]

Oh, no. Van Pon. Braun, Granger.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I thought we were a lot.

[D]

It's 20 letters. What do we have? We determined what we're calling him. SVPG or something.

[A]

I like that.

[B]

That's not bad. Svpg. Yeah. Started the last three seasons at Georgia.

[D]

He blocked for James Cook. He's Georgia, look.

[B]

Yes.

[D]

Played a ton of football for Georgia. They were short arms. Another guy they kept saying is, again, sometimes the short arms in certain positions is literally the thing that teams go. It makes them worry. But you know, an offensive tackle, a lot of times where it's like, it does impact certain things that they project out. But this dude played in big time football games for a great program and they were saying, you will not find a person say a bad thing about him. Again, great character guy.

[A]

Tons of high character traffics.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

All right, then there. Yeah. Dan, you want to try Eddie? Eddie.

[D]

We're gonna call him Eddie at a fuon ulofocio.

[A]

See, this was pretty Good.

[B]

That was pretty good.

[D]

That'll be the only time I'm close to.

[B]

Yeah, we're just gonna call him Eddie.

[D]

Eddie, but Eddie you. I say he's Eddie you.

[B]

Eddie you. I do love that. So he played at Washington. He talked about how he was hyped that the Bills picked him because he said while in school, he was essentially just digesting the Bill's defense, studying Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmonds. And I can't remember which reporter asked. One of our colleagues asked, like, oh, like, what do you think of Terrell Bernard? And he's like, that guy's a star. Like, all right, let's touch on some of the other. Other guys as well. Javon Solomon, Edge guy, Mike. He was a wrestler.

[D]

You got to have a wrestler, right. Put up big numbers. A little undersized, which is what has held him back, I think a little bit in terms of where they had him in the draft. But look, get another athlete in there. It's D line. They're going to play a lot of people. They need. They need a pass rusher.

[A]

Called it a blessing to be with the Bills. Also looked a lot about Von Miller. Tape. Right. He was the one that said it was a blessing. And.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Watch a lot of.

[B]

On, yeah. All right. Then there's offensive lineman Tylon Grabble.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Corner Daquan Hardy. Also was a punt. Returner. Led the FBS with two punts.

[D]

Penn State guy Lewis Riddick on the broadcast, loved him. Said a dog competitor. Said, MC. This kind of guy, McDermott, we've seen it, can get out onto the field, so let's see if he can play.

[B]

Well. Another guy that was pretty loved, Dan, was the international Pathways player, Travis Clayton.

[A]

Yeah. I don't know anything about him. Like, I'll tell you this, though. He was on part of my take Daniel Jeremiah. Not. He was. Daniel Jeremiah was on part of my take this week, previewing players, and they asked him about a freak that may go on day three that nobody knows about. And Daniel Jeremiah said, Travis Clayton. And he goes, he's 6, 7, 300 pounds. He goes. And the only thing I know about him is he England, because he's never took a stamp of football. He goes, he rode, played soccer and boxed. And obviously we know.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

But he just said the fact of. He goes. I don't know how any of that translates into football. He ran a 4, 8, 40, and he goes, I did watch 15 minutes of him doing drills and running over a bag. And he goes, I'm convinced he can be A starter in the NFL. Yeah, it was great. And then to see the Bills take.

[D]

Him, Google him and look at the picture of him playing rugby. He's. He's a mountain of a man. Jordan Myallotta is a guy who had never played before Eagles drafted him in the seventh round. Jeff Stoutland is his coach. Albert Breer was quoting Stoutland when he said about these kind of guys. He said sometimes it's better to have guys with no habits than bad habits.

[A]

I like that.

[B]

It makes total sense.

[D]

And I think at this position can be taught the right technique.

[A]

Doesn't mean.

[D]

I mean my. A lot has played really well, but you're starting out with all the athletic traits. And he doesn't have the miles. Well, he does have the rugby miles, but he doesn't have the miles from football. So I'm excited about him. Love the British accent. Anyhow.

[B]

The British accent always hits.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Layup Training camp story.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[D]

There's a couple of you. Ray Davis.

[B]

But yeah, you see the upside. For sure. I'm doing that. Call that. All right. Please be sure to like, comment and subscribe to the channel as well. Share with your fellow Bills friends. Friends. We always appreciate it.

[A]

We did it.

[B]

We did it.

[A]

And we're not too loopy.

[D]

I give us an A for the draft.

[A]

Same.

[D]

I don't know.

[B]

I think YouTube has other comments.

[A]

Yeah, I. I did not.

[D]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

You're so whiny, but content numbies.

[D]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah, we love it. All right, thank you for joining us on the Buffalo plus YouTube channel. Mike, Dan. I'm Jenna. We'll catch you next time here on the channel, presented by Connor Zoo.

[A]

Buffalo plus your interactive look at the week in football, brought to you by Connors and Ferris.