2023 Buffalo Bills Overall Draft Grade

[Rigotz]

Let’s see what you all think!

 

Would love to hear your explanations below as well.

I’m going B+ as I love the scheme versatility we’re getting on Offense and it feels like we became a significantly better short yardage team over night. A few points dinged off by some very “meh” middle round picks.

[Milanos Milano]

First 2 picks were good. Outside of that left a lot to be desired. C+ 

[Success]

2 instant starters/upgrades.  Kincaid will be a match-up problem for DC's, and Torrence really upgrades the line.  Our running backs may finally have some holes to burst through.

 

3rd round is the wildcard - but let's see how McD's new scheme is.

 

Some guys late that are proverbial "high ceiling."  I could see Shorter making the roster, and even being a contributor his rookie year.  We don't have a WR like him.

 

Both 7th rounders could be surprising, imo.  I love that Broeker can play anywhere. I saw a few pundits saying that they had him going much earlier.

 

Gave this an "A."

 

[Milanos Milano]

Given McDermotts propensity for bringing in quality CBs, I have at least some hope for the 7th rounder. 

[Chaos]

I am going to cheat and use PFF's justification for an A grade:
 

BUFFALO BILLS

R1 (25): TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
R2 (59): G O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida
R3 (91): LB Dorian Williams, Tulane
R5 (150): WR Justin Shorter, Florida
R7 (230): OG Nick Broeker, Ole Miss
R7 (252): CB Alex Austin, Oregon State
 

Day 1: The Bills make a small jump but land the premier pass-catching tight end in the draft in Kincaid. The 10th overall player on the PFF big board, this is a huge value pick. Kincaid was the focal point of the Utah offense and led all players at the position with a 91.8 PFF receiving grade.
 

Day 2: Like the Giants just a few picks ago, this could have easily been the Bills’ first-round pick. A mountain of a man at the position, he can still move better than his size would suggest. After starting his career at Louisiana, he made the move to the SEC with ease, finishing 2022 with an 89.9 PFF run-blocking grade, which was the best in the Power Five last season.
 

The Bills trade up to secure Williams, a player with legitimate range and a huge wingspan. Those traits helped him morph into one of the most impactful players at the position against the pass throughout his college career. Williams produced a top-10 coverage grade among FBS off-ball linebackers in two of his last three seasons at Tulane.
 

Day 3: Shorter is one of the bigger wide receivers in this class, coming in at 6-foot-4 and 234 pounds with nearly 34-inch arms. He was a big-play threat for the Gators and averaged 19.9 yards per reception in 2022 without a dropped pass. He’ll likely fill a similar role for Buffalo and compete to be on the receiving end of Josh Allen bombs.
 

Most of Broeker’s 3,323 offensive snaps at Ole Miss came at left tackle, but he kicked inside to left guard in 2022. He was a reliable pass protector for the Rebels with 70.0-plus PFF pass-blocking grades in each of the past two seasons.

Austin produced 70.0-plus PFF coverage and run defense grades in his final season in college. On the field for 476 coverage snaps, he allowed 42 receptions for 529 yards in 2022.
 

DRAFT GRADE: A

 

[Process]

Like the first two picks. But not loving this habit of throwing third rounds picks in the trash can. So going with a B.

[78thealltimegreat]

I’d say a solid B* as I also include the trade backs that give the front office the ammo to make future moves 

[Nephilim17]

People who know way more than I do about O-linemen here say that Cyrus is not a scheme fit. If true and we wasted as second round pick, I'd say a C-.

 

If Cyrus is a good fit and player B+ as I love the Kincaid pick but not confident about the the LB pick.

[Chandler#81]

Obviously this is all conjecture, but I think we were quite fortunate to find 3 of these guys we didn’t imagine would be there for us. So, B+

[Freddie's Dead]

B for me.  I got some sweet revenge for the O'Cyrus pick, took a lot of crap for picking that one a number of weeks back.  Really wanted a huge OT in the 3rd round instead of an undersized LB.  Hope I'm wrong.  I like the potential in the late-round guys.  Josh got at least one sure-fire weapon, hopefully 2, and we got 1 solid, hopefully 2 solid OL.  Decent draft on paper. 

[Kmart128]

1: Kincaid- A

2: Torrence- A+

3: Williams- C+

5: Shorter- C

7: Broeker- B-

7: Austin- B

 

Overall Average is a B 

[Alphadawg7]

2 minutes ago, Nephilim17 said:

People who know way more than I do about O-linemen here say that Cyrus is not a scheme fit. If true and we wasted as second round pick, I'd say a C-.

 

If Cyrus is a good fit and player B+ as I love the Kincaid pick but not confident about the the LB pick.

 

I have seen this by posters here too, but quite honestly I think it goes without saying our coaches, scouts, and front office knows quite a bit more about who fits their scheme.  So them taking him in the 2nd makes a pretty strong statement they aren't worry about him fitting into our scheme and kind of nullifies that pre-draft concern by anyone around here.  And there were other players at a number of positions we could have taken at that spot that would have made sense if they felt he was a scheme fit issue.  

 

[Warriorspikes51]

An OT or DT in the 3rd would have made this an A.  I’d give it a B+

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, Freddie's Dead said:

B for me.  I got some sweet revenge for the O'Cyrus pick, took a lot of crap for picking that one a number of weeks back.  Really wanted a huge OT in the 3rd round instead of an undersized LB.  Hope I'm wrong.  I like the potential in the late-round guys.  Josh got at least one sure-fire weapon, hopefully 2, and we got 1 solid, hopefully 2 solid OL.  Decent draft on paper. 

Dawand Jones could have been worth the risk 

Edited April 30, 2023 by Warriorspikes51

[oldmanfan]

I’ll go B.  Kincaid and Torrence each have the potential to be very good.  The LB puck seemed odd given we have several other guys like that.  The rest are guys that probably hit the practice squad.  I wanted to see a DT drafted and would have preferred that in round 3.

[Alphadawg7]

24 minutes ago, Rigotz said:

Let’s see what you all think!

 

Would love to hear your explanations below as well.

I’m going B+ as I love the scheme versatility we’re getting on Offense and it feels like we became a significantly better short yardage team over night. A few points dinged off by some very “meh” middle round picks.

 

I gave them an A given we got such good value and some potentially great picks for us while also boosting our draft pick arsenal next year.

 

Kincaid and O'Cyrus were both guys I thought could be off the board (and most pre-draft mocks had the same) before our 27th pick, and we got them both.  Kincaid should be an immediate impact weapon for us, and he better be for Dorsey's sake, and O'Cyrus just bolstered our OL potential significantly.  We added players at positions we needed to and we added a lot of size and toughness to this team on the offense, something that was sorely lacking last year.  

 

I did not know a lot about Dorian prior to the draft, mainly because I thought we might go LB earlier in the first 2 rounds, but after digging around on him since we drafted him more, I am intrigued and look forward to see if can make an impact this year.  I also liked the Shorter pick, adding size to the WR room like him is nice, especially since it sounds like he can play ST and earn a spot that way.  

 

Pretty excited about this draft to be honest.  All I know, is I wanted to this team get tougher in the trenches, redzone, and in bad weather.  And I think Beane did a good job overall this whole offseason on that.  

[BillsFanForever19]

A-

 

The values we got on Kincaid and Torrence were out of this world. Kincaid shouldn't have been on the board and was NFL Network's 9th ranked prospect overall.

 

Torrence was someone who was widely mocked to us at 27. To get him at 59 was incredible.

 

But when the 3rd Round arrived, I said to myself "alright, this is where Beane likes to just throw a headscratcher of a curve ball and deviates from the consensus boards". Sure enough, that's what he did.

 

I've come around to Williams after remembering the dropoff we had in coverage from the LB position when Milano would go down. We can't assume Milano is always going to be available. So it's good to have someone with the athletic skills of Dorian.

 

Day 3 as far as selections go was a bit of a wash. Shorter is intriguing to me. A #1 HS recruit at WR with prototypical size for the outside and decent play speed for someone his size. Could be a project that pays off.

 

Then the 2 picks in Round 7, eh whatever. Practice Squad developmental players who may or may not even make the PS.

 

But getting two teams to give us 7th Rounders plus 6th Round picks in a better Draft next year in exchange for 6th Rounders this year in a lesser class was amazing. Beane having 10 picks in next year's class, giving us the ability to move around the board or move picks for players was a masterclass.

 

The only thing keeping it from being an A+ to me was that the ability to go Kincaid, Torrence, Simpson in the first 3 Rounds was right there for the taking. Should have moved up. Getting 3 players that were mocked at 27 to us would have been absolutely insane.

Edited April 30, 2023 by BillsFanForever19

[Big Blitz]

PFF has spoken

 

 

[Floydboy12]

We got a game changer in Kincaid. That alone gives it a B+ for me. I’m lukewarm on the Torrence pick but do like the Williams pick. I have doubts any of the others make the team. 

[chongli]

 

 

[GymShorts84]

A. 
 

We haven’t drafted multiple starters in a couple years. Kincaid could be an impact player and Torrence should be a solid starter for years. I’m fine with the LB pick. He’s athletic and instinctive, and the LB room was thin. 
 

This board, understandably, has an Ohio State bias. Dawand Jones weighed 374 at the combine then didn’t weight in at his pro day. Speculation is that he gained weight and isn’t disciplined in his conditioning. D-ends will fly by him at that size. 

[SCBills]

I went B+, but readily admit that it’s tinted by us using a RD3 pick on a head scratcher LB for the second year in a row. 
 

Kincaid and Torrence are home run A+ game changing picks.  
 

I actually like a lot of what I see and hear about Dorian Williams, but Bernard being such a year one non-factor bleeds into my view of this pick.  
 

I’m not in love with our WR room.. it has potential, but Shorter doesn’t alleviate my concern that we have Diggs and then question marks..  Can Davis be a high level WR2, can Harty stay healthy and make an impact, can Shakir develop into the receiver so many think he can be?   If the answer to those questions are yes, then we have one heck of a WR room, but that’s a lot of questions.  
 

I love that we traded back accumulating two more RD6 picks next year.  

[DrDawkinstein]

I was feeling B+/B (voted B). Glad to see all the higher grades here and in the press. We'll see how it all works out, but I always take the early grades to look at how the team addressed needs, got highly rated prospects, and maximized value.

 

 

[Rigotz]

We’ve got a pretty interesting normal distribution curve here that averages out to about a B+.
 

Feels right, given the uncertainty after rd 2.

[BillMafia716ix]

Grades are pointless nobody has played a snap. 

[Einstein]

Love Kincaid and Torrence.

 

But I think we’re at the point where Beane shouldn’t be allowed to choose the 3rd round picks.

[Warcodered]

 

[Big Turk]

A-

 

Not sure about another undersized LB on the 3rd round they drafted to start on ST...think they could have got someone that could have contributed more at that spot.

 

Other than that, loved Kincaid, REALLY loved Torrence, Shorter seems like a bigger Davis(perhaps thinking he can fill that role of Davis departs after this year) with better hands but not as much versatility, other 2 picks were decent players for where they were at. Overall feel pretty good.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

G, which is worst than an F.

 

Brandon Beane is not a good GM. 

[John from Riverside]

I gave it a b

 

It looks like they got two immediate starters

 

If you take the GM at his word, the linebacker will start off as the back up to Matt Milano

 

You also have to factor in that the GM did a lot of trading for draft picks for the following years and those later rounds and that Hass to be taken into consideration but it cannot be a valuated until those pics are made

 

We literally have 10 draft picks for next year more if he pulls off some trades

 

That is insane amount of draft capital for the following year and what will be a better draft

[Yantha]

Around the league I’d say we did about as well as any other main competitor, Miami, ny jets, New England, Cincinnati, Kansas city.   
 

Unfortunately, the eagles get an A+ from me….  Hope there isn’t a dynasty in the making over there.

 

I think we make it to the show.   
 

can we beat Philly?  Worth a roster comparison thread if anyone wants to put that together.

[CSBill]

My grade: Very Good = A-

 

Two potential starters, and all the rest of them have a decent shot at making the team, if not the Practice Squad.
 

And gaining some draft capital for next season is an under appreciated bonus.

 

All-in-all, considering our draft position, a very good weekend. 
 

 

Edited April 30, 2023 by CSBill

[T master]

I went C+ i'm hoping int will turn out better but my understanding of the picks & the move up are apparently a fan based wonder why .

[Shaw66]

You know, I think we, including me, have to adjust our understanding of what's going on at linebacker.   If you look back at the history, it's just so clear that McBeane actually believe that the linebackers they want are the slightly over-sized safeties.   Milano's draft profile really doesn't look all that different from Dorian Williams or Bernard.

Quote

 

BOSTON COLLEGE

OLB

Prospect Info

COLLEGE

Boston College

 

HEIGHT

6’ 0’’

WEIGHT

223 lbs

 

Prospect Grade

5.90

Average Backup Or Special-Teamer

 

And despite what we all seem to think what the need is, the Bills simply do not sign free agent linebackers who are in the traditional mode.  

 

I think the reality is that they want over-sized safeties, and we need to get used to it. 

[BillsFanThru-N-Thru]

I gave it an A based on the players they got but a B- for what I thought were moves or players they could’ve maybe picked instead. For example when Sanders and Simpson fell in the 3rd round I thought they could’ve been more aggressive to move up and get them. Now granted not sure if they tried but giving up something next year for both rank rd1-2 ILB this year should’ve been worth it. As for who we chose an A like I said.  
 

RD 1: The Bills make a small jump but land the premier pass-catching tight end in the draft in Kincaid. The 10th overall player on some big boards, so a huge value pick. Kincaid was the focal point of the Utah offense and led all players at the position with a 91.8 PFF receiving grade.

RD 2: Torrence is mountain of a man at the position and can move better than his size would suggest plus he’s different from our current G’s. Had overall grade pff grade of 88 with a run-blocking grade 90

RD 3: Williams, a player with legitimate range and a huge wingspan which made him one of the most impactful LB against the pass in his college career. He had a top-10 coverage grade among linebackers in 2 of his last 3 seasons.

RD 5: Shorter was one of the bigger wide receivers in this class, coming in at 6-foot-4 and 234 pounds with 34-inch arms and was a big-play threat for the Gators with averaged 19.9 yards per reception in 2022 plus not one dropped pass. Kinda in the mold of Gabe Davis.

RD 7:  Broeker’s played mostly at left tackle until 2022 when he was moved inside to left guard.  A reliable pass protector for the Ole Miss and had a  70.0-plus PFF pass-blocking grade his last 2 seasons.

RD 7: Austin has above average height/length blend but average speed. He had very good production with 21 passes defended over the past 2 seasons and only allowed 42 receptions for 529 yards in 2022.  He had a 70.0-plus PFF coverage and run defense grades in his final season in college.

[JMM]

5 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

You know, I think we, including me, have to adjust our understanding of what's going on at linebacker.   If you look back at the history, it's just so clear that McBeane actually believe that the linebackers they want are the slightly over-sized safeties.   Milano's draft profile really doesn't look all that different from Dorian Williams or Bernard.

And despite what we all seem to think what the need is, the Bills simply do not sign free agent linebackers who are in the traditional mode.  

 

I think the reality is that they want over-sized safeties, and we need to get used to it. 

THIS!! People need to understand that Frazier and that D is GONE. It's going to be different type of D this year. Maybe it will be better maybe not, we shall see.

[CincyBillsFan]

I give it a solid A on paper.  For me the 1st & 2nd round picks are A+ guys because they potentially fix big needs on the Offense (a 2nd elite play maker and top end guard) while being among the best players you could pick at that point in the draft. 

 

 

 

 

 

[JK Fan]

I gave an A-.  It looks to me like we addressed multiple needs while taking the best available for each pick.  What else do you expect or want from your GM?

[BarleyNY]

I think the Bills did a good job overall. My big complaints about their team building strategy over the last few seasons were addressed so I’m very happy about that too. My frustrations have included:

 

- Lack of 21 personnel. Check.

- Lack of weapons for Allen. Check.

- Insistence on dedicating resources  (huge FA contracts and 1st and 2nd round picks) to fix every defensive issue. Not this year. 

- Lack of quality additions to the OL to protect Allen and help the run game. Check again.

 

I’d have loved to have seen another quality WR added, but I’m pretty damn happy overall with the Bills approach. 

Edited April 30, 2023 by BarleyNY

[RenoNVBillsfan]

It’s only 1 draft publication but Lindy’s had Kincaid and Torrence as the top rated players at their positions. Dorian as the 12th rated OLB (4th-5th rd grade). Broeker was also rated 12th for the OG position (6th rd grade). Curiously there was a “Could Disappoint” warning attached to Broeker. Shorter and Austin were “Worth Watching”, which typically puts them in 7th rd-BFA territory. 
 

Of note, Alabama DT FA, Dale, had a 6th rd grade so maybe a good p/u by the Bills. 

[The Jokeman]

1 hour ago, Shaw66 said:

You know, I think we, including me, have to adjust our understanding of what's going on at linebacker.   If you look back at the history, it's just so clear that McBeane actually believe that the linebackers they want are the slightly over-sized safeties.   Milano's draft profile really doesn't look all that different from Dorian Williams or Bernard.

And despite what we all seem to think what the need is, the Bills simply do not sign free agent linebackers who are in the traditional mode.  

 

I think the reality is that they want over-sized safeties, and we need to get used to it. 

The NFL is emerging to short passing games to TE and RBs are replacing running the ball. As a result LBs have to be quicker and able to cover. I don't mind the Williams pick yet if we keep running a 4-2-5 base defense we need to find a bigger nickel as Taron Johnson while good in coverage weakens our run stopping.