2020 NFL Draft: Ranking Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott’s draft picks

Here is an updated ranking of the McBeane-era draft picks for the Buffalo Bills. 

Buffalo Bills quarterback Nathan Peterman. Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
  1. TE Tommy Sweeney

Sweeney, a seventh-round pick in the 2019 draft, played in six games during his rookie season. He flashed some nice hands and blocking skills in the preseason, and this carried into some brief time on the field, catching six passes for 114 receiving yards. He is stuck down the current depth chart behind Dawson Knox, Lee Smith, and Tyler Kroft. However, he’ll get a chance to push the veteran Kroft this upcoming preseason. 

  1. S Jaquan Johnson

Johnson played eight games last season, seeing most of his time on the special teams unit. He ended the year with eight total tackles. He will continue to battle for a spot on the depth chart as a reserve safety; however, contributions on special teams could keep him around at the bottom of the active-player chart. Johnson was a sixth-round pick a year ago. 

  1. DE Daryl Johnson

A pass-rush expert from a small-college contributed on special teams and as a reserve on the defensive line. He recorded 15 total tackles and one sack in his rookie season. He will have a bit of a battle this upcoming season, as the Bills brought Quinton Jefferson and Mario Addison to play at defensive end. If Johnson can take a step forward with his pass-rush ability at the pro level, he could be the replacement for Trent Murphy in two seasons. However, Johnson’s snap counts dwindled on defense as last season wore on. 

  1. QB Nathan Peterman

You know the story. Peterman won the open competition leading into the 2018 season, only to show that his arm isn’t NFL caliber. The interceptions ultimately will be Peterman’s story as an NFL quarterback. He was released in November 2018, sporting a 3-to-12 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The 2017 fifth rounder did have some light flashes, including in the preseason, but now resides on the Raiders’ roster. 

  1. Zay Jones

The 2017 second-round pick was supposed to be a player whom the Bills could throw any pass to and he would reel it in. It didn’t play out that way. There were moments where it looked good, but the lack of consistently ultimately made Jones expendable, eventually being traded to the Oakland Raiders last October. Jones caught seven touchdown passes in 2018 to lead the Bills. He couldn’t compete with the signings of Cole Beasley and John Brown, though.