Beane is good at drafting after all -- A look at 2022

[RoscoeParrish]

28 minutes ago, DabillsDaBillsDaBills said:

 

Benford is an interesting player, I think Bills fans tend to over-rate him and the rest of the NFL tends to under-rate him. 

 

ESPN put together a survey of NFL execs, coaches, and scouts to rank the top 10 CBs for the coming season. Benford did not make the top 10, and in fact, didn't receive even a single vote (29 players received votes). 

 

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45531014/top-10-nfl-cornerbacks-execs-scouts-2025-espn-jeremy-fowler-position-rankings

 

I think he's an above average starter, but not really elite. I could see him in the top 20, but not a whole lot higher than that. 

I think Benford should have gotten a mention or a vote but I also don’t think he’s elite yet.

 

I don’t really buy that he’s elite and completely under the radar either because of scheme or because it’s Buffalo. Peak Tre White was second in DROY voting and a 2 time All Pro here.  
 

I think Benford is a rung or two below that, personally.

[Mark Vader]

On 7/21/2025 at 11:42 AM, RoscoeParrish said:

Dorian got 200+ snaps playing defense two years ago.

 

hes not going into year 2, he’s going into year 3. 
 

and just like year 1, he was spinning like a top out there on misdirections. He never saw a play fake that he didn’t want to bite on.

 

He is running out of “he needs to practice more” time.

Can’t agree with the Matt Milano take. Milano could never play another down and still be a HR pick (by McD, not Beane.)

 

a handful of seasons at all pro level at any position for a fifth round pick is a gigantic W, 

Dorian Williams needs to play more, period.

 

Matt Milano's best years are behind him. I love the guy, and he's always given his all. We just need to move forward, and I think Williams is the better choice at linebacker than Milano is.

[RoscoeParrish]

18 hours ago, Mark Vader said:

Dorian Williams needs to play more, period.

 

Matt Milano's best years are behind him. I love the guy, and he's always given his all. We just need to move forward, and I think Williams is the better choice at linebacker than Milano is.

I think there’s an argument there.

 

to me, I’d make it an open competition. I’m not convinced Dorian wins that. 
 

Regardless, he will probably get a ton of chances to play, sadly. 

Edited July 23 by RoscoeParrish

[GunnerBill]

19 hours ago, RoscoeParrish said:

I think Benford should have gotten a mention or a vote but I also don’t think he’s elite yet.

 

I don’t really buy that he’s elite and completely under the radar either because of scheme or because it’s Buffalo. Peak Tre White was second in DROY voting and a 2 time All Pro here.  
 

I think Benford is a rung or two below that, personally.

 

I think he played at a borderline elite level in 2024. But it will take a repeat of that for me to put that him fully in that top tier. That said he is better than Jaycee Horn today, tomorrow and yesterday. 

19 hours ago, Mark Vader said:

Dorian Williams needs to play more, period.

 

Matt Milano's best years are behind him. I love the guy, and he's always given his all. We just need to move forward, and I think Williams is the better choice at linebacker than Milano is.

 

He needs to show he can play his responsibility more consistently for me before I am committing to him as a starter. He still makes way too many mental mistakes. 

[BillsShredder83]

On 7/21/2025 at 3:11 AM, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

I think it's less about talent evaluation and more about talent development and how they transitioned at the next level. Kaiir Elam is the only selection that felt like it was a reach to me where we took him. Players like Tremaine Edmunds and Dalton Kincaid were considered downright steals where they were selected. Ed Oliver, although not a trade up, was another college blue chipper that was not expected to be on the board where we selected him.

 

But back to the OP, the 2022 Draft was a home run, regardless of the Elam whiff and the Araiza fiasco. Getting Christian Benford, James Cook, Khalil Shakir, and Terrel Bernard and them turning into what they turned into was massive. 

Hoping our DL development pays some dividends.  Rousseau, Basham, Carter, Solomon, Epenesa,  are all the DL we've taken in the last 5 years (not counting '25 class).  

 

Groot- has played well, but ton of meat on the bone

Basham- barf

Carter- rough year 1

Solomon - wait and see

Epenesa - not awful for bottom of 2nd, but not a game changer

Oliver- (2019 pick thrown in); flashes, but hasnt met expectations either

 

Its probably scheme and development, but its been underwhelming.  I knew, and am glad we did it, but drafting so heavy on the DL this year is a bit of a gamble that we can make use and develop these players.  Its absolutely crucial that this class hits year 1 and develops overall, at a better return than we've previously seen.

 

Have we had the same DL Coach through all these? Without knowing much, it was a spot I was really hoping to see a Coaching upgrade come in... guy gets a major nod of confidence with this draft class.  McD, Babich, and unknown DL Coach, absolutely have to make this class work/excel!!

[DrDawkinstein]

41 minutes ago, BillsShredder83 said:

Have we had the same DL Coach through all these? Without knowing much, it was a spot I was really hoping to see a Coaching upgrade come in... guy gets a major nod of confidence with this draft class.  McD, Babich, and unknown DL Coach, absolutely have to make this class work/excel!!

 

DL Coach was Eric Washington 2020-2023, then Marcus West took over the spot last year.

[YattaOkasan]

4 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

DL Coach was Eric Washington 2020-2023, then Marcus West took over the spot last year.

Worth noting we brought in Ryan Nielsen this year, and he seems to be the de facto DL coach from all the videos posted of OTAs. 

[DrDawkinstein]

14 minutes ago, YattaOkasan said:

Worth noting we brought in Ryan Nielsen this year, and he seems to be the de facto DL coach from all the videos posted of OTAs. 

 

Interesting. Especially since Marcus West had been a Defensive Asst/Asst DL Coach under Washington for so long before getting the job outright last year.

 

And now Nielsen is listed only as a Defensive Assistant as well.

[BillsShredder83]

1 hour ago, YattaOkasan said:

Worth noting we brought in Ryan Nielsen this year, and he seems to be the de facto DL coach from all the videos posted of OTAs. 

 

1 hour ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Interesting. Especially since Marcus West had been a Defensive Asst/Asst DL Coach under Washington for so long before getting the job outright last year.

 

And now Nielsen is listed only as a Defensive Assistant as well.

Either of yall have more wrinkles than me and have opinions on these guys?  I do remember Washington being DL Coach, glad hes gone from an underperforming unit.... does make me nervous that his successor was the guy under him.  Nielson looks like he's had two DC jobs in two years.  Not awe inspiring, but we'll see:

 

Atlanta Falcons

In Nielsen’s first year with the Falcons, the overall defensive rankings improved from 23rd to 18th in points allowed per game and from 27th to 11th in yards allowed per game.[9] The Falcons also doubled their sack total (42) from the previous season (21).

 

He was Jags DC last year: WOOF (rankings below)

[Mark Vader]

9 hours ago, RoscoeParrish said:

I think there’s an argument there.

 

to me, I’d make it an open competition. I’m not convinced Dorian wins that. 
 

Regardless, he will probably get a ton of chances to play, sadly. 

If a young Dorian Williams cannot win an open competition against an aged Milano, then we have a problem.

[RoscoeParrish]

19 minutes ago, Mark Vader said:

If a young Dorian Williams cannot win an open competition against an aged Milano, then we have a problem.

I really don’t think he can 

[YattaOkasan]

7 hours ago, BillsShredder83 said:

 

Either of yall have more wrinkles than me and have opinions on these guys?  I do remember Washington being DL Coach, glad hes gone from an underperforming unit.... does make me nervous that his successor was the guy under him.  Nielson looks like he's had two DC jobs in two years.  Not awe inspiring, but we'll see:

 

Atlanta Falcons

In Nielsen’s first year with the Falcons, the overall defensive rankings improved from 23rd to 18th in points allowed per game and from 27th to 11th in yards allowed per game.[9] The Falcons also doubled their sack total (42) from the previous season (21).

 

He was Jags DC last year: WOOF (rankings below)

Nielsen started as DL coach for saints in 2017. Had 42 sacks that year. Peaked with 50 a couple years later (we only got 37 last year with an extra game). Got the best out of cam Jordan and developed Trey Hendrickson to get his first 10+ sack season. He did flame out as a DC (though jags last year were a mess) but has demonstrated an ability as a DL coach (ATL doubled sacks too). Happy to see him cook up some new rush packages (stunts have been a focus of his I saw reported). 

8 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Interesting. Especially since Marcus West had been a Defensive Asst/Asst DL Coach under Washington for so long before getting the job outright last year.

 

And now Nielsen is listed only as a Defensive Assistant as well.

Yeah I’m hoping they didn’t want to demote west after one year and that’s why the titles stayed the same. Joe Marino was the one mentioning that he’s teach technique from all the OTA videos. Will be a thing to watch for on hard knocks. God I love that we get that look inside this year. 

Edited July 24 by YattaOkasan

[Victory Formation]

I love Brandon Beane. He is every bit as good as Bill Polian if not better. I have no doubt that he will bring a Super Bowl home to Buffalo.

[BillsShredder83]

2 hours ago, Mark Vader said:

If a young Dorian Williams cannot win an open competition against an aged Milano, then we have a problem.

This is a whack take lol Milano avoids some bad luck this season and I expect him to dominate for 15'ish games. He isn't injury prone in the typical fashion. Dude gets banged up and misses starts 2-3xs a year, but he hasn't had recurring serious injury problems.

 

Snapped a bone? Hes not geriatric lol his bones are as healthy as anybody else on the roster. Biceps tear (or chest i forget?)? More concerning, but not some bug creeping up behind him like we have to worry if hes going to rip a pec off the bone at any moment again.

 

14-15 games + playoffs is not earth shattering absenteeism for a player at his position.  Dorian should not beat him out this year, and that's just fine with me. Hell be ready when called upon year 3. Next year? All bets off

3 minutes ago, YattaOkasan said:

Nielsen started as DL coach for saints in 2017. Had 42 sacks that year. Peaked with 50 a couple years later (we only got 37 last year with an extra game). Got the best out of cam Jordan and developed Trey Hendrickson to get his first 10+ sack season. He did flame out as a DC (though jags last year were a mess) but has demonstrated an ability as a DL coach (ATL doubled sacks too). Happy to see him cook up some new rush packages (stunts have been a focus of his I saw reported). 

Yeah I’m hoping they didn’t want to demote west after one year and that’s why the titles stayed the same. Joe Marino was the one mentioning that he’s teach technique from all the OTA videos. Will be a thing to watch for on hard knocks. God I love that we get that look inside this year. 

Helluva write up, thanks! You sold me on it!!

[Mikie2times]

4 minutes ago, Victory Formation said:

I love Brandon Beane. He is every bit as good as Bill Polian if not better. I have no doubt that he will bring a Super Bowl home to Buffalo.

Don’t hate the guy but hard no to Polian comp 

Edited July 24 by Mikie2times

[DrDawkinstein]

Just now, Mikie2times said:

Don’t hate the guy but hard no to Polian comp 

 

It's almost impossible to really compare with the 12 round drafts, little free agency, and no cap of the old days.

[Mikie2times]

3 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

It's almost impossible to really compare with the 12 round drafts, little free agency, and no cap of the old days.

He went to 5 Super Bowls, won one, acquired over half a dozen hall of famers across three teams, including two hall of fame QB’s,  took three separate teams to conference championships including a start up franchise. We compare different era all the time. Its not close, not remotely close.
 

At this time Beane has selected one likely hall fame player. The impact of his roster as far as the weight Allen brings to is significant and you credit him for the move, but his full resume just isn’t near Polian. Not in any measurable way from talent acquisition to results. Maybe one day, but today isn’t that day. 

[Victory Formation]

4 minutes ago, Mikie2times said:

He went to 5 Super Bowls, won one, acquired over half a dozen hall of famers across three teams, including two hall of fame QB’s,  took three separate teams to conference championships including a start up franchise. We compare different era all the time. Its not close, not remotely close.
 

At this time Beane has selected one likely hall fame player. The impact of his roster as far as the weight Allen brings to is significant and you credit him for the move, but his full resume just isn’t near Polian. Not in any measurable way from talent acquisition to results. Maybe one day, but today isn’t that day. 

Now what all of you said may be true, all Beane has to do is win us ONE Super Bowl and he’s better than Polian.

[GunnerBill]

9 hours ago, BillsShredder83 said:

Nielson looks like he's had two DC jobs in two years.  Not awe inspiring, but we'll see

 

I am not going to pretend to be an expert in Nielson's career, but failing as a coordinator does not a bad position coach make. For proof of that look at our other line coach - Aaron Kromer on the offensive side. Widely respected as one of the best OL coaches in football and has done a brilliant job since returning to Buffalo, but his one stint as an OC in Chicago was a failure. Position coaching and coordinating are different skillsets.

[YattaOkasan]

6 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I am not going to pretend to be an expert in Nielson's career, but failing as a coordinator does not a bad position coach make. For proof of that look at our other line coach - Aaron Kromer on the offensive side. Widely respected as one of the best OL coaches in football and has done a brilliant job since returning to Buffalo, but his one stint as an OC in Chicago was a failure. Position coaching and coordinating are different skillsets.

Its his saints stint where he was a DL coach that gives hope.  He got the most out of Cam Jordan and developed Trey Hendrickson into a double digit guy before he left for Cinci.  Those defenses (starting in 2017 through 2022) generated a lot of sacks (42-50 per year).  When he went to ATL they did improve their pass rush, and Jax last year was a super hot mess.