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ESPN’s NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. had a decent review on the work the Buffalo Bills did at the 2022 NFL draft.
The one selection that lowered Buffalo’s final grade from Kiper is the one that had many curious: Linebacker Terrel Bernard in the third round.
In the end, Kiper gave the Bills an overall mark of ‘B.’ Not too bad, but after explaining how much he liked other selections made by Buffalo, including their first two in cornerback Kaiir Elam and running back James Cook, it’s clear to see Bernard is the big question mark.
First, here’ is Kiper’s full breakdown on the Bills:
I thought the Bills might be the team to take a first-round running back; I agonized in my final mock draft, toggling between Breece Hall and cornerback Kaiir Elam. I settled on Elam but didn’t feel great about it. And then Buffalo traded up for Elam (23) when the real thing started, so I feel much better now.
Elam had been rising recently, and he is a great press-man corner with speed and physical tools. He fills a huge hole on the other side of Tre’Davious White. The Bills went running back with their next pick, and I think James Cook (63) is a nice accent player with Devin Singletary. Cook has stellar hands and will open up some checkdown options for Josh Allen. As I mentioned Friday night, the pick of undersized linebacker Terrel Bernard (89) was a reach on my board, even if it was a need. I like Brian Asamoah and Leo Chenal, who were both available, more than Bernard, who does have some read-and-react ability.
On Day 3, wideout Khalil Shakir (148) is super interesting, because of his work out of the slot. I know the Bills added Jamison Crowder, but Shakir could fill that role in 2023 while playing mostly special teams this season. Christian Benford (185) is another late riser at corner, while Matt Araiza (180) is my third-ranked punter, and he went right around where I expected. Araiza is going to boom some punts in Buffalo and flip the field position.
All in all, the Bills filled their biggest needs with their top two picks, and if Shakir or Benford break out, this class could be one of the best when we regrade it in five years.
Elam and Cook’s roles with the Bills are clearly laid out. It’s not as easy to see where Bernard fits and that’s why the selection by Buffalo has been the criticized one.
That and many draft analysts predicted that he could be available later on. Not just Kiper.
On Bernard, he is going to be tasked with filling AJ Klein’s job, who was released in a salary cap move earlier this offseason. Bernard will contribute on special teams, but more importantly, fill in for both starting linebackers in Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano, when needed.
There’s also a chance that Buffalo has something up their sleeve with Bernard. He’s a strong pass defender and the Bills could employee all three linebackers on certain occasions.
Regardless, we have several years to give Bernard and the rest of the team’s 2022 rookie class before we can give them a true grade.
At least Buffalo did receive better reviews than some of their closest rivals. The New York Jets, who had three first-round picks, unsurprisingly received the AFC East’s top mark from Kiper, an A.
But the Bills edged out both the Miami Dolphins (B-) and New England Patriots (C+).
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