WGR

‘Beane added that in all the mock drafts his staff did in pre-draft preparation, they never had Oliver falling to them if only one QB was taken in top 8, had him sometimes falling if two QBs were taken, and was usually there if three QBs were selected. Two QBs and a non-QB surprise happened. He added that they thought a team could trade with the Lions into the No.8 spot and take him once he got there. That didn’t happen.’

‘Here’s my list of some of the best available players at positions they’d most likely consider…’.

‘Metcalf measured in at 6-foot-3, 228 lbs. and is widely belived to be the best wide receiver prospect in this year’s draft. The Mississippi native was limited to just seven games in his third and final season last year at Ole Miss due to a neck injury; but, still managed to record 26 catches for 569 yards and five touchdowns. While the numbers aren’t eye-popping, Metcalf is highly-touted prospect due to his strong showing at the combine and incredible physique.’

‘With the signing of T.J. Yeldon last week, there’s just no need for the Bills to draft a running back now, even though the prevailing thought (including from yours truly) has been that they needed to do that and get younger at the position. Yeldon represents exactly that. He’s only 25. In fact, he was the youngest of all the unrestricted free agents in this year’s RB group. That means the Bills signed the oldest free agent RB (Frank Gore, soon to be 36) and the youngest (Yeldon). And they still have LeSean McCoy, Marcus Murphy, Keith Ford, Senorise Perry, and former rugby player Christian Wade, who doesn’t count against the roster since he was allocated as part of the International Pathways Program.’

‘But the Bills also want their tight ends to block and Hockenson developed into an elite level blocker. Iowa tight ends regularly lined up across from defensive ends and were required to seal off the edge on run plays. Iowa ran the ball on 55% of their plays last season and they liked to run out of the two tight end set with Hockenson and Noah Fant, who would also be a good first round option for the Bills should Hockenson be off the board. Hockenson’s position coach at Iowa was Brian Ferentz who former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski credits with teaching him how to block.’

‘9. Buffalo Bills – DL – Christian Wilkins (Clemson).’

‘Yeldon will join a Bills running back corps that consists of LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore, Marcus Murphy, Keith Ford. Senorise Perry, and Christian Wade. At the age of 25, Yeldon adds a little bit of youth to the team.’

‘Also, with all of the additions made over the last month or so, it’s going to be hard for some of the Bills’ late round picks to even make the roster. That’s a good problem to have for any team, but one which may entice Beane to decide he doesn’t need to keep all of those selections and use one or more to package together to move up early. He may be comfortable with only coming out of this draft with seven or eight total players instead of the ten he’s scheduled to select.’

‘So, I say it’s about 50/50 that we hear commissioner Roger Goodell read a card turned in by the Bills with a player’s name on it at No. 9.’

‘Former Iowa Hawkeyes T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant are two names that sit atop the tight end prospect rankings; and both have been connected to the Bills. Both players have first-round potential and could make history on Thursday, April 25 as the first tight ends from the same school to be selected in the first round of the same draft.’

‘This is a softball game that has been being played for 13 years. Hyde played in it when he was with Green Bay, and now he wants to host it. The Bills safety said, “In my opinion the Bills Mafia is louder, prouder, more excited about their football than what they have a little bit up north, so I feel like these stands can get filled.”’

‘9.) Buffalo Bills – WR – D.K. Metcalf (Mississippi).’

‘Most of Buffalo’s games, save for Thanksgiving Day and Week 16 against the New England Patriots, will have a 1:00 pm kickoff.’

‘If Sean McDermott’s team isn’t at least .500 after those first six games, it might be time for fans to brace for a tough season, because it doesn’t get any easier the rest of the way.’

‘Buffalo Bills (via Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – DT – Quinnen Williams (Alabama).’