Two Bills Drive

Buffalo Bills News and Discussion

Archives for April 28, 2019

Bills continue rebuilding of their roster

‘Of the 70 players on the roster from last season — including injured reserve and the practice squad — only 53 remain. However, he added a surprising 18 in free agency and, after this weekend, eight more via the draft.’

Did Bills draft help turn corner?

‘That is to say, with Beane and coach Sean McDermott cleansing the Buffalo roster of the selections made by former GM Doug Whaley, excluding what happened this weekend, only 11 of the 53 returning players were Bills’ draftees, by far the lowest percentage in the NFL.’

Day 3 recap: Bills go heavy on defense, double down on tight end to close out draft

‘On the final day of the NFL Draft, the team looked to the Miami area twice, selecting Florida linebacker Vosean Joseph in the fifth round and Miami safety Jaquan Johnson in the sixth round. Both Joseph and Johnson list Miami as their hometown, while running back Devin Singletary – chosen Friday in the third round – is from nearby Deerfield Beach.’

What They Said: Beane and McDermott wrap up NFL Draft

‘We like what we have, but we had guys in place on the board that we thought would’ve really added some different elements. There was some size guys, some speed guys, some inside, some outside. Again, we just follow the board. We set the board up and follow it and just try and draft good football players. There were some times there were some receivers there, just like there were other positions, you’re going, “God I like that guy, I think he can help us.” But I just didn’t want to reach. We truly, Derek [Boyko’s] in there, he sits there and watches, we follow the board. It just didn’t work out to take a receiver.’

Good first impression drew Cody Ford to Buffalo

‘The University of Oklahoma tackle said his meetings with Bills offensive line coach Bobby Johnson made him hope Buffalo would be his NFL destination, a feeling he expressed to a reporter in Norman, Okla., last week.’

Five things about Bills fifth-round pick Vosean Joseph

‘A hamstring injury limited some of Joseph’s workouts. He did make a pre-draft visit to the Bills. He did not take part in the drills at the scouting combine and took part in the 20-yard shuttle and the position drills at his Pro Day. He did not run the 40-yard dash. “Whoever wanna draft Vosean Joseph, just draft him and you gonna get a dog,” he told reporters at Pro Day. “That’s how I see it.”‘

5 things about Bills sixth-round pick Jaquan Johnson

‘n 48 career games at Miami, he had 252 tackles. 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, eight interceptions (one returned for a TD), seven passes defensed and six forced fumbles. He finished the 2018 season with 92 tackles (ninth in the ACC) and was named second-team all-conference.’

5 things about Bills seventh-round pick Tommy Sweeney

‘Sweeney caught more passes in each successive season, playing all four years and starting 47 of 50 games. He had 26 receptions for 353 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore, followed by 36 catches for 512 yards and four TDs as a junior and 38 receptions for 348 yards and three scores as a senior. His receptions and yards as a junior led the team and e caught seven passes for 137 yards in the Pinstripe Bowl against Iowa.’

Vosean Joseph: 3 things to know about Buffalo Bills 5th round draft pick

‘“Whatever they want me to play, I’ll be up to the challenge to go out there and do what I can to help the team win,” Joseph said. “I’m somebody who’s going to come in and compete at every level, try to give my all and contribute to the team in any way I can. They’re getting someone who really loves the game and wants to be exceptional in everything he does on and off the field.”’

Jaquan Johnson: 3 things to know about Buffalo Bills 6th round pick

‘“Johnson plays quick and decisive and covers a lot of ground, accounting for 14 turnovers in 29 starts. He is an eager run defender with the toughness required for downhill work, although his overaggressive appetite and lack of length lead to mistakes. Overall, Johnson is the type of tone-setter who affects the game with his passion and intangibles, but his lack of ideal size and speed will create limitations in the pro game, projecting as a special teamer and back-up safety.”’

‘I could have played in NFL’ two years ago

‘“I feel like it’s a long time coming,” Oliver said of the 2019 draft. “I feel like I could have played in the league after my freshman year. It’s just another waiting game. I had to play two more years before I was able to come out.”‘

Buffalo Bills pick Miami (FL) safety Jaquan Johnson in sixth round at No. 181

‘Johnson was named second-team all conference in 2018 after collecting 92 tackles and tying for the lead lead with four interceptions. He was a team captain for Hurricanes and showed aggressive ball skills when attacking the football. His leadership and and physical style likely appealed to the Bills front office.’

Surprised that UB’s Tyree Jackson went undrafted, Bills’ Brandon Beane had to go after him

‘Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane was busy working his draft board — which included Jackson despite a full quarterback room of his own that includes franchise staple Josh Allen. But every once in awhile in between his own picks of linebacker Vosean Joesph (fifth round) and his final selection tight end Tommy Sweeney (seventh), Beane scanned back to the quarterback rankings on his board to see if Jackson was still there.’

NFL Draft 2019: The Buffalo Bills continue to win this draft, says B/R

‘Time will tell how this draft class stacks up across the league, but the team is receiving plenty of praise for their first four picks. After moving up to the end of the third round to select Ole Miss tight end Dawson Knox, Bleacher Report’s Connor Rogers, Matt Miler and Adam Lefkoe praised Beane and the Bills. Rogers and Miller both went as far as to say that Buffalo is winning the 2019 NFL Draft.’

3 Gators selected on final day

‘Joseph played both inside and outside linebacker for the Gators and likely will start out on the outside at the next level.’

Who is Vosean Joseph, the Florida Gators linebacker drafted by the Buffalo Bills?

‘“Over the last three years, I’ve developed so much as a player but even more so as a person, and things like that is what makes me appreciate the University of Florida so much more,” Joseph wrote in his goodbye letter to Gator Nation on Twitter. “… I’m a Gator for life and I’ll be back to watch my boys ball out in the years to come and to finish my degree down the road.”’

Who is Jaquan Johnson, the Miami Hurricanes safety drafted by the Buffalo Bills?

‘“He’s the heart and soul of our secondary,’’ University of Miami coach Manny Diaz once said of Johnson, a 2018 Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist who led the team with 92 tackles, adding two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick. “The guy is unbelievable. When you need a guy to make a play, that’s the guy. That’s the guy.”‘

A&T defensive end Darryl Johnson drafted in seventh round by Buffalo Bills

‘Johnson, however, might have to bide his time. An edge rusher with outstanding footspeed, he is relentless in pursuit and an exceptionally hard worker. But despite adding 13 pounds to his A&T playing weight, he is still small by NFL standards. The average pro defensive end is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 279 pounds, and the Bills will seek to add muscle to Johnson’s tall, long-limbed frame.’