Tag: buffalo bills draft

Report: RB Darrynton Evans had pre-draft interview with Bills

According to CBS Sports, Darrynton Evans could be that guy. The outlet reports that the Bills have a virtual pre-draft meeting Evans in lieu of an actual meeting due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic:

The 2020 NFL Draft looks like it could be a perfect stomping ground for the Buffalo Bills to add a complementary piece next to running back Devin Singletary.

According to CBS Sports, Darrynton Evans could be that guy. The outlet reports that the Bills had a virtual pre-draft meeting with Evans in lieu of an actual meeting due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic:

Evans is an under-the-radar prospect having attended Appalachian State. But he fits the mold many speculate the Bills could add. Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane recently said that the Bills played Frank Gore over TJ Yeldon last season because of his size. Evans has that type of size at 5-foot-10 and 203 pounds. To really reach Gore’s size, Evans could stand to bulk up a bit more, but he’s already taller than the vet, at least.

In addition to that size comes some speed. Evans ran the second-fastest 40 time at the recent combine, a 4.41 second clip. He also had the fifth-best broad jump among running backs, 125 inches.

The junior average 6.0 yards per carry in his college career, including a 5.8 average in 2019. Last year he also flashed as a receiver adding 21 catches. In total, Evans had a massive 23 scores in 14 games last season. That combines with zero total fumbles in 482 total carries in his college career.

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The Athletic’s 7-round mock starts Bills with defense

The Athletic sees the Buffalo Bills offense as a product that’s close enough to a finished one in their latest seven-round mock draft.

The Athletic sees the Buffalo Bills offense as a product that’s close enough to a finished one in their latest seven-round mock draft.

NFL Draft Insider Dane Brugler did a prediction piece which included all seven rounds worth of picks at the 2020 NFL Draft. The mock draft covered all 255 selections, including the seven the Bills are currently slated to make.

In the mock, the Bills, who don’t pick until the second round, continue to fortify their defense, waiting until the fourth round to add anyone on offense. Getting things started off, the Bills add a cornerback:

54. Buffalo Bills – Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

While the Bills did add Josh Norman and EJ Gaines to their No. 2 cornerback fold, Buffalo is in a place with their roster they love being. The Bills can take the best player on their board and if this scenario unfolded, it could very well be Gladney. Norman and Gaines will compete with Levi Wallace for playing time across from Tre’Davious White in Buffalo’s defense. Gladney would instantly be tossed into that mix with the Bills too and be considered a long-term option at the position.

Gladney was a First-Team All-Conference selection, recording 31 total tackles, 14 passes defensed, and an interception last season.

Continuing, the Bills stay on defense, addressing their pass rush:

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Report: Bills have interest in QB prospect James Morgan

According to Yahoo Sports, Florida International quarterback James Morgan has several teams interested in him at the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft. Among them is the Bills, per the report:

Josh Allen doesn’t have any competition for the Buffalo Bills’ starting quarterback job. Matt Barkley could be getting some for the backup job, though.

According to Yahoo Sports, Florida International quarterback James Morgan has several teams interested in him at the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft. Among them is the Bills, per the report:

Morgan will most likely be a Day 3 pick at the upcoming draft. While the Bills don’t have a first-round pick, Buffalo does still have seven total picks in the seven-round selection process thanks to a couple of extra Day 3 picks. Could Morgan be a move there?

Morgan is a true blue football guy, having grown up very close to Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The 6-foot-4, 229 pound senior appears to have some similar traits to Allen. Big arm, but the accuracy is an issue at times. Last season, he only completed 58 percent of his passes, but in 2018, he completed 65.3 percent of them. Last season the FIU QB had 2,585 yards, 14 touchdowns and five interceptions in 12 games played.

But unlikely Allen, he’s not exactly a rusher of the ball. He has three career rushing scores but his total rushing yards for his college career is in the negatives, minus-168 yards. But for what it’s worth, Allen wasn’t known as much of a rusher until the NFL himself.

Along with potentially pushing Barkley for a No. 2 spot, Morgan could be a No. 3 QB as well since Buffalo only has Allen and Barkley, who’s also entering the final year of his contract.

 

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PFF tabs Bills’ best-case draft scenario

Pro Football Focus writes that Boise State defensive end Curtis Weaver falling to them at No. 54 would be the best-case scenario for the Bills.

The NFL Draft is fewer than two weeks away. Teams are in the initial phases for finalizing their draft boards. In addition, front offices are running various scenarios to help prepare for anything that may come their way on draft night.

Teams quietly have their ideal draft situations squared away. Pro Football Focus examined the ideal scenario for every team as the rookie selection process inches closer and closer. For the Bills, PFF argues that their ideal situation will help further develop a team strength.

Boise State defensive end Curtis Weaver falling to them at No. 54 would be the best-case scenario for the Bills, according to the analytics outlet:

With Shaq Lawson’s departure in free agency and Lorenzo Alexander’s retirement, Buffalo has to beef up its pass-rush unit. And 32-year-old Mario Addison, whom they signed to a three-year, $30 million deal, isn’t going to be enough. Boise State edge rusher Curtis Weaver has had incredible production the past two years, posting back-to-back elite pass-rush grades and a combined win rate over three percentage points higher than anyone else.

Weaver recorded 34 sacks in three seasons for the Broncos. He added 128 total tackles and two interceptions to his career stat line as well.

In Weaver, the defender would fit in as part of a rotational player at the edge position. Buffalo has aging veterans Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison as starters, while Trent Murphy is playing out the final season of his contract. Weaver is a versatile player that showed an ability to play with his hand in the dirt and off tackle. However, he’d be a defensive end for the Bills.

Weaver was the 2019 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, racking up 52 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks last season. In terms of run vs. pass defending, he’s more of a proven run defender.

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Bills draft prospect scouting reports: DE Julian Okwara

Next up in our prospect previews is defensive end Julian Okwara. Here’s a rundown of the what the experts are saying about his game:

As things stand at the 2020 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills will first select at the No. 54 overall pick in the second round and the team has seven picks, in total. If things hold there, the team could have plenty of options to consider when turning in their selection cards.

During the run to up to the draft which starts on April 23, Bills Wire will compile information on prospects the Bills could have interest in. Specifically, what scouting reports say about their game.

Next up in our prospect previews is defensive end Julian Okwara. Here’s a rundown of the what the experts are saying about his game:

DE Julian Okwara | Notre Dame | Senior

Pros

  • Positive length and size for the position (6-foot-4, 252 pounds).
  • Brings runners down in backfield (33 percent of tackles went for loss).
  • High-motor player.
  • Long stride runner who plays a speedy game off the edge against offensive tackles.
  • Put up 27 reps at combine on bench press.

Cons

  • Might be better suited as 3-4 pass rusher/ linebacker.
  • Play strength and frame needs to improve.
  • Could improve as an edge setter.
  • Can struggle as a run defender which could limit early snap counts.
  • Only did bench press at combine due to leg injury.

2019 PFF grades:

  • Pass rush: 90.4.
  • Run stop: 64.0

2019 Stats (9 GP):

  • 19 tackles | 7 for loss | 5 sacks | 2 forced fumbles

Career stats (35 GP):

  • 79 total tackles | 24 for loss | 15.5 sacks | 2 interceptions | 1 pass defended | 4 forced fumbles

Consensus rank: Second-round pick

For more on Okwara, visit:

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Austin Hall has talked with Bills, pre-draft

According to Draft Wire, the Bills have spoken to Memphis linebacker Austin Hall.

The Bills like their versatility on both sides of the ball and chatted with an under-the-radar prospect prior to the 2020 NFL Draft who has plenty of that.

According to Draft Wire, the Bills have spoken to Memphis linebacker Austin Hall:

Very much an unknown prospect, Hall is likely to be a late-round pick or even undrafted. But as the graphic show above, he played all over the defense. At Memphis, he played a position that has made him have to know the roles of safety, slot corner, and linebacker. While he wouldn’t come in and start right away, Hall could be a Lorenzo Alexander type of player for the Bills defense down the road if the team can develop his skillset.

In 2019, Hall had 75 tackles, nine for loss, 2.5 sacks, six passes defended and two interceptions. He was named an All-ACC Honorable Mention.

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Brandon Beane won’t shy away from more draft trades

But their general manager in Brandon Beane says they might not be done in that department. Or at least, it’s business as usual.

The Bills made a draft trade already. Their first-round pick left and Stefon Diggs headed to Buffalo in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings.

But their general manager in Brandon Beane says they might not be done in that department. Or at least, it’s business as usual. He told the Buffalo News that even though he doesn’t have a first rounder, he’s still open to some movement in the draft.

“As far as the Bills are concerned, we’re going to trade just like we normally would,” Beane said.

The Bills are open for business, NFL.

Whether or not they make a move is another thing. The Bills don’t have the sexiest picks left, but they do have a second rounder, No. 54 overall. That might be the ballpark for Beane.

In recent memory, he moved up in the second round for Cody Ford. Just prior to Beane joining the club in 2017, head coach Sean McDermott was on board for a second round trade involving Zay Jones. The Bills moved up there as well.

However, Beane has expressed some concern with moving up in this year’s draft. With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, things will be conducted completely virtual.

That means everyone in the Bills front office must stay at home and be connected digitally, not in the same room, per usual. Beane also recently expressed concerns about that process.

“I don’t know exactly how that’s going to happen,” Beane said. “First of all, I think you’re going to have people that are going to be a little hesitant. That are just… too many hoops to jump through.”

“We’re going to have to see how complicated is it, compared to what we’re used to, and then what about time constraints? Are there going to be any parameters in the draft, once or twice, where you can ask to be extended two minutes or something like that to execute [a trade]?” he added.

It seems unlikely the Bills would have the capital to move back into the first round. If the Bills were to, it’d cost them their second, third, fourth and fifth-round pick in this year’s draft. The pick value of all those selections is 587. That Chiefs’ first-round pick at No. 32 overall, the final pick of Day 1, has a value of 590. So you’d probably be looking at moving up in the second round, or perhaps the Bills moving back.

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Brandon Beane curious if virtual draft will hurt trade talks

Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane discussed potential draft day trades not happening at the 2020 NFL Draft anymore.

The Bills already made their trade involving the 2020 NFL Draft. Stefon Diggs is now a Bill, and Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane said that’s his first-round last week, since he had to trade his actual one to acquire the wideout.

But as per usual with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, things have already drastically and quickly changed since Beane said that.

At the time of Beane’s comment, he and the rest of the NFL had no idea what would happen with the upcoming draft. Would it be close to status quo? Typically Beane, head coach Sean McDermott and the Bills scouting department would meet at HQ in Orchard Park while the draft unfolds, making all their decisions in one room. But not anymore.

The NFL announced on Monday that the draft would be conducted completely “virtually.” That means everyone in the Bills front office must stay at home and be connected digitally, not in the same room. The same can be said about all other teams. Since that decision was made, Beane has expressed his concerns with that scenario. Something he might have avoided.

“I would love to picking still in the first round, but with that said, if there was ever a year to trade out of the first round, maybe this was the year to give everybody else a night to test the technology,” Beane said on the Adam Schefter Podcast. “See if there are any kinks before our pick in the second round.”

Then there’s another huge layer: draft day trades.

Last week Beane also compared trading for Diggs to moving up in the draft. He said the capital the Bills traded for Diggs would have only gotten the Bills up a few slots. With all that’s unfolded since saying that, Beane also said he’s completely unsure how trades will even go down in the first round now with this virtual setting, adding perhaps teams will shy away from doing so.

“I don’t know exactly how that’s going to happen,” Beane said. “First of all, I think you’re going to have people that are going to be a little hesitant. That are just… too many hoops to jump through.”

“We’re going to have to see how complicated is it, compared to what we’re used to, and then what about time constraints? Are there going to be any parameters in the draft, once or twice, where you can ask to be extended two minutes or something like that to execute [a trade]?” he added.

Beane explained that not only will it be hard just for a general manager to contact another GM, he explained trades run much deeper than that. Maybe Beane’s talking to a team? Maybe one of his assistants is talking to another team? Could there be a third executive talking to a third team as well? That’s where all those hoops come in, plus there’s confirming the trade with the league office.

Based on Beane’s insight, the Bills could be looking at the steal of the draft already by simply not having to worry about the hoopla of Day 1.

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2020 NFL Draft: Full 7-round order, trade values for Bills, NFL picks

Plus, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane hasn’t been afraid to make moves on draft day. Whether it’s an early or late round, could the Bills be on the move? Maybe. 

The 2020 NFL Draft is slowly approaching. The Buffalo Bills don’t hold a first-round pick, but there’s still going to be plenty of picks coming to the team.

Plus, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane hasn’t been afraid to make moves on draft day. Whether it’s an early or late round, could the Bills be on the move? Maybe.

To help consider which moves could be in the works, here’s an updated look at the complete seven-round order for this year’s draft, complete with trade values for every selection:

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2020 NFL Draft to take place in ‘fully virtual’ format

Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, league commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to all 32 teams, informing them that the league will conduct a “fully virtual draft.”

The NFL had already decided that the upcoming 2020 Draft would be done different. Fans were uninvited to the event, something they usually play a big part of.

Now teams have followed suit on Monday, as they also had their invites to any sort of in-person gathering revoked as well.

Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, league commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to all 32 teams, informing them that the league will conduct a “fully virtual draft.” Including in that is no gatherings at team faculties. The Bills’ front office staff, such as head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane, are not allowed to meet at One Bills Drive in Orchard Park this year during the event. That’s what the typically do, and instead, will be kept separately and digitally connected.

Beane recently spoke reporters via video call, and one topic that was discussed was such a scenario unfolding. At that point, the NFL had not given any insight into how things will play out, but he said the Bills would be ready, regardless.

“We’re going to be ready for all scenarios. Sean and I have had meetings with coaches, personnel, our football ops, all sorts of people just planning for whatever hand we’re dealt, and I think that’s the best we can all do no matter what our profession is,” Beane said.

Here is the full release from the league to teams:

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