Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane had the tough task of trying to add to his Super Bowl-contending team with a low spot in each round of the draft this year, and due to trades, a meager total of only 5 picks. Through another series of trades on draft weekend, Beane added an extra late round pick and acquired extra draft capital for 2024. Here’s how he fared adding players for this year’s roster competition:
Round 1 – Dalton Kincaid (TE, Utah) – after a wide receiver run just ahead of them depleted that position, Beane traded up and grabbed the best of the tight end class in Kincaid. He’s an excellent route runner who can line up in multiple positions and be a safety valve for QB Josh Allen once he earns playing time. His blocking skills are also good.
Round 2 – O’Cyrus Torrence (G, Florida) – considered a first round talent, the Bills were lucky to get this mountain of a man in the second round. Equally tough in pass protection and run blocking, he gave up 0 sacks and was charged with 0 penalties in his 2023 college season. He could be a plug and play starter on the offensive line, where the Bills need to improve.
Round 3 – Dorian Williams (LB, Tulane) – the Bills drafted Terrel Bernard in the third round last year so picking another linebacker was a bit of a head scratcher, but with a big hole to fill after Tremaine Edmunds departed in free agency, the more competition for his spot the better. He’s known as a physical player.
Round 5 – Justin Shorter (WR, Florida) – this pick must have been made using traits rather than production. Shorter is a big target at 6’4 and 230 lbs. but his production in college was limited. He was, however, a blue chip prospect coming out of high school so there’s a massive amount of untapped potential with him.
Round 7A – Nick Broeker (G/C, Mississippi) – more competition for the offensive line. According to Beane, he isn’t athletic and doesn’t look impressive but on film he rarely gets beat. A solid prospect for a seventh rounder.
Round 7B – Alex Austin (CB, Oregon State) – the obligatory late round cornerback prospect choice by Beane. He has good size at 6’1 and 191 lbs. and was a 4 year starter so he has plenty of experience and is a solid locker room guy.
The team is always late in announcing added undrafted free agent signings, but with leaks from agents and the players themselves a few interesting additions are Alabama defensive tackle D.J. Dale, wide receiver Jalen Wayne from South Alabama and 3 offensive linemen – tackles Noah Henderson (East Carolina) and Joshua Donovan (Arizona) and guard Richard Gouraige (Florida). With the Bills thin on the interior defensive line, Dale could have a shot at making the roster. Wayne is the nephew of former Colts receiver Reggie Wayne. Gouraige was an O-line teammate of draftee Torrence. Wide receiver Tyrell Shavers from San Diego State is a big 6’4 target with special teams experience which should help him. Also, Buffalo is bringing in a running back candidate in Fresno State’s Jordan Mims.