Brandon Beane - failing Josh Allen

[UKBillFan]

For all the finger pointing at Beane, he doesn't draft in a silo. McDermott surely has a big say on who he wants too, particularly on defense and where he wants to focus picks when it comes to the roster? Plus wasn't Josh the one who asked for Coleman?

[Dr.Sack]

Beane 0 WRs rd 1. That is an epic failure. 

[Simon]

1 hour ago, mjt328 said:

 

So how do you judge a General Manager, if not for the success of the players he brings in and the construction of the roster?

 

How many failed players does Beane need to bring in (let's say at the WR position), before you start to question whether the guy actually has any clue what he's doing? 

• His draft selections at the position (in order) include Ray-Ray McCloud, Austin Proehl, Gabe Davis, Isaiah Hodgins, Marquez Stevenson, Khalil Shakir, Justin Shorter, Keon Coleman and Kaden Prather.  In other words, he hasn't picked a SINGLE STARTING CALIBER outside WR in his eight years of running the team.  I like Shakir, but he's a slot who doesn't seem to be good for more than catching screens and getting YAC.

• His first year with tons of cap space, Beane landed Cole Beasley (another good slot receiver) and John Brown (solid #2 and deep threat for 1 season before completely falling off).  Since that point, he's wasted money on names like Emmanuel Sanders, Jamison Crowder, Deonte Hardy, Trent Sherfield, Mack Hollins, Curtis Samuel and Josh Palmer.  Again, almost zero help on the outside.

• In trades, he watched Kelvin Benjamin up-close for years, and decided he was the trade target for his rookie QB.  That worked out great.  Beane's best decision ever at the WR position was then trading a 1st Round Pick for Stefon Diggs.  And even then, we got to watch the Vikings use that same pick on Justin Jefferson, and then have Diggs force his way off the team 4 years later.

 

So in 8 years, Beane's only success at finding an outside WR for his future Hall of Fame Quarterback was to trade a 1st Round Pick for a disgruntled veteran with a history of throwing teammates under the bus.  Which of course he eventually did here too.  He got one good season from Smoke Brown.  One solid season from Sanders.  Nobody else he's brought in is better than a #3-4 WR in the NFL.  

 

I can do this at almost any position on the roster.  How many infinite resources will it take to finally assemble a strong D-Line?  And how was Beane doing at building that O-Line before Aaron Kromer single-handedly fixed everything.  How has that secondary been since the players Beane inherited (Tre White, Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde) aged out?  

 

 

My response was not to the OP, it was to a thread that has now been merged into this one.

1 hour ago, Pete said:

So is this a reactionary thread that we need WRs that can separate quickly?  I thought I have read 1, or 100s of Posts that Josh needs better WRs

 

That was response was to a different thread that has now been merged into this one.

[starrymessenger]

33 minutes ago, UKBillFan said:

For all the finger pointing at Beane, he doesn't draft in a silo. McDermott surely has a big say on who he wants too, particularly on defense and where he wants to focus picks when it comes to the roster? Plus wasn't Josh the one who asked for Coleman?

Not just that. McD doesn't just evaluate the prospects but I suspect he prioritizes the D over the O. In Josh he trusts. If it wasn't for Allen he'd be out of a job. 

[mjt328]

2 hours ago, fitzMASTERchief said:

Well if the metric is did BBB draft a hall of famer? That would be Josh.

 

Good picks were: James Cook, Taron Johnson, Wyatt Teller, Shakir, Edmunds, Benford, Oliver...Maybe Walker

 

Notice that most of the positions Beane actually hits on are "non-premium" positions.

 

It's a lot easier to draft a Running Back or Guard than a #1 Outside Receiver or Left Tackle. 

It's a lot easier to draft a Linebacker or Nickel Cornerback than an Edge Rusher or Shut-Down Outside Cornerback.

 

Beane was gifted a LT (Dawkins) and All-Pros on the back-end (Milano, White, Poyer, Hyde)... all by the previous GM.

He lucked into Allen with his #1 Pick, traded for Diggs... and pretty much hasn't done anything worthwhile since.

Benford and Bernard are proving to be one-year wonders.

 

Can't hit on Edge Rusher.  Can't hit on Outside WR.  Can't hit on CB.  

Now that his team is aging out, he can't hit on Safety or LB either.

 

[Big Blitz]

 

Isaiah McKenzie (re-signed)
- Brandon Powell
- Lance Lenoir
- Jake Kumerow (re-signed)
- Jamison Crowder
- Deonte Harty
- Trent Sherfield
- Andy Isabella
- Tyrell Shavers
- Curtis Samuel
- Mack Hollins
- Quintez Cephus
- Chase Claypool
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Deon Cain
- Damiere Byrd
- Jalen Virgil
- K.J. Hamler
- Laviska Shenault Jr.
- Elijah Moore

 

Drafted:
Day 1️⃣: 0
Day 2️⃣: 1
- Keon Coleman (R2)
Day 3️⃣: 6
- Gabe Davis (R4)
- Isaiah Hodgins (R6)
- Marquez Stevenson (R6)
- Khalil Shakir (R5)
- Justin Shorter (R5)
- Kaden Prather (R7)

 

Acquired:
- Amari Cooper (half-year rental)

 

 

Yikes.  

Edited Wednesday at 04:01 AM by Big Blitz

[Mikie2times]

2 minutes ago, Big Blitz said:

 

Isaiah McKenzie (re-signed)
- Brandon Powell
- Lance Lenoir
- Jake Kumerow (re-signed)
- Jamison Crowder
- Deonte Harty
- Trent Sherfield
- Andy Isabella
- Tyrell Shavers
- Curtis Samuel
- Mack Hollins
- Quintez Cephus
- Chase Claypool
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Deon Cain
- Damiere Byrd
- Jalen Virgil
- K.J. Hamler
- Laviska Shenault Jr.
- Elijah Moore

 

Drafted:
Day 1️⃣: 0
Day 2️⃣: 1
- Keon Coleman (R2)
Day 3️⃣: 6
- Gabe Davis (R4)
- Isaiah Hodgins (R6)
- Marquez Stevenson (R6)
- Khalil Shakir (R5)
- Justin Shorter (R5)
- Kaden Prather (R7)

 

Acquired:
- Amari Cooper (half-year rental)

 

 

Yikes.  

If you really want to jump off a bridge look at his history in Carolina. This is who he is. Diggs is the absolute crown jewel of his WR acquisitions over his entire career. 

[DJB]

 

[TheFunPolice]

On 10/14/2025 at 9:47 AM, UKBillFan said:

For all the finger pointing at Beane, he doesn't draft in a silo. McDermott surely has a big say on who he wants too, particularly on defense and where he wants to focus picks when it comes to the roster? Plus wasn't Josh the one who asked for Coleman?

 

I also thought this, but then it seems like McDermott often is reluctant to play the guys Beane drafts, especially early rounders. 

 

Later round guys seem to do much better, which is odd. It makes me wonder if someone is more involved early and less involved late or something. It defies logic. 

 

IMO McDermott is going to get Allen's entire career, so the best we can hope for is a GM who does a better job at building the roster and has a little bit of independence from McD. 

 

I have major issues with McDermott's defensive scheme, but no doubt it would look better if Beane's DL or S picks were better. 

Edited Wednesday at 08:42 PM by TheFunPolice

[Success]

He can atone for everything w/ a blockbuster trade this week.

 

[Big Blitz]

If you traded every one of those firsts we’d be better off.  Maybe one them goes for Maxx Crosby idk.  
 

 

 

The other problem is the second contracts to guys that aren’t all pros.  Just nice players. 
 

That’s fine, arguably.  But your drafts better produce more than what we’ve done.  
 

Example - maybe Shakir should have been expendable bc of the 2024 draft.  You take Ladd let Shakir go.  Money saved and position upgraded.  
 

Im not saying that was the move to make.  But that’s the kind of approach we didn’t take when it came to the second contracts and roster construction - only Benford and Cook are truly worth it.  

 

[Niagara Dude]

On 10/13/2025 at 10:33 PM, Big Blitz said:

First question.  

 

How much of this is Beane’s roster or McD?

 

 

They say it’s Beane.  That’s what I’m operating on.  Coaching is an issue for sure especially on defense.   
 

But this is 2025 it’s tough to build and maintain a great defense that lacks Hall of Fame D lineman.  
 

And he’s had 8 years to find that centerpiece.  
 

Fail.  
 

 

Weapons on offense.  He recognizes we needed Diggs.  Then felt Josh is so super human we’re going to go with guys at WR no one should ever fear.  
 

And that along with a bunch of other moves on defense is why this season is about to spiral out of control.  Rapp.  Bishop.  CB2 was going to be a rookie or Tre White. 
 

We banked on Mr. Glass Milano who’s already next to an injury prone Bernard.  
 

 

Mess.  A total mess of a roster.   
 

 

CREDIT - he got Oline right.  After 6 years of trying - realizing Quinton Spain was a bad idea.   
 

And James Cook has developed.  
 

This isn’t on coaching.  At least half the league has a better roster than us.  And some significantly so.  

End of the day he missed last season in getting a true #1 receiver,  traded Diggs and said give him and then used argument this season no help needed because we scored points last year

 

 

[JP51]

Great question and the answers to me are illusive... Like I really dont know how much over ride impact McD has on drafted players... couild be a lot... not sure... bottom line is that the Bills as an organization are absolutely failing Josh and if they dont improve their WR situation so he actually has a target open before 4 seconds elapse they just might get him killed... because he was running for his life.... 

[frostbitmic]

Josh Allen > McDermott

 

Pour all assets in 26 into getting Josh the weapons he needs to win a Super Bowl. Pouring it into the McDefense isn't helping that unit at all, the same issues on that side of the ball from 5 years ago are the same issues still today. Rush Defense, 3rd and long Defense, the yearly long list of injuries, pitiful tackling. Nothing changes there.

[JP51]

On 10/14/2025 at 9:47 AM, UKBillFan said:

For all the finger pointing at Beane, he doesn't draft in a silo. McDermott surely has a big say on who he wants too, particularly on defense and where he wants to focus picks when it comes to the roster? Plus wasn't Josh the one who asked for Coleman?

Thats the rumor but I have no idea if its true... Bottom line, If Beane is letting Josh make what amounts to 1st rd draft picks... probably a further indictment of Beane... 

On 10/13/2025 at 11:06 PM, The Firebaugh Kid said:

He can’t draft. The only reason Dion Walker fell into our laps is because of the injury concerns. Landon Jackson looks absolutely ***** lost.

I had such high hopes for LJ... clearly thats why they dont allow me to make picks either LOL 

[TheFunPolice]

One could conclude that McDermott doesn't like many of Beane's picks 

[Gregg]

6 minutes ago, JP51 said:

Thats the rumor but I have no idea if its true... Bottom line, If Beane is letting Josh make what amounts to 1st rd draft picks... probably a further indictment of Beane... 

 

I can't see Beane staying here to be a McDermott/Allen puppet. If he left the Bills, he would be unemployed for about 5 seconds before landing another GM job. Same goes for McDermott with another HC job. Even though both men owe most of their success to #17.

Edited 13 hours ago by Gregg

[JP51]

1 minute ago, Gregg said:

 

I can't see Beane staying here to be a McDermott/Allen puppet. If he left the Bills, he would be unemployed for about 5 seconds before landing another GM job. Same goes for McDermott with another HC job. Even though both men owe most of their success to #17.

Honestly I dont either... I do think there was this perception in his 1st year here as he got here after McD and McD was clearly involved in Whaleys drafting... but even in watching the Draft Room videos he is consulting with McD but not asking him...  now it does seem like he needs to explain every pick to Pegula when I watch... Its his team... but man would I hate him in the draft room...  

[Coach Tuesday]

If Pegula is paying any serious attention (a big "if"), Beane had an abysmal 2025 offseason.  Only one acquisition on offense who hasn't moved the needle.  A bunch of money spent on defense - including two suspended players (!) - with no measurable improvement to point to on that side of the ball.  And most of the 2025 draft class (also almost all consisting of defenders) is sitting on the bench or the training room, not helping improve the team.  

 

Beane has totally crapped the bed.  And the 2024 draft looks like a complete wash at this point.

 

Again, I don't know if Pegula actually cares as long as the PSLs are selling for 2026 and the team is competitive in the sense of being part of the expected playoff pool.

 

But yes, unequivocally yes - Beane has failed Josh Allen, plus every other Bills player, plus the guy signing his paychecks, plus the fans. 

[Julio Hopkins]

20 hours ago, DJB said:

 

Still awful to listen to months later.