Two Bills Drive

‘Walker brings exactly what the Bills’ defensive line has needed; size to clog up the middle against the run and drag blockers away from both Ed Oliver plus the back seven on run plays. His pass rush is not elite, but he did have 7.5 sacks in the 2023 season when he was named second-team All-SEC.’

‘Hancock will come in and compete to provide depth behind Taron Johnson where right now, the main backup is utility player Cam Lewis. Hancock actually profiles similarly to Lewis in that he can play safety if needed.’

‘With Quintin Morris out testing free agency and apparently not coming back to Buffalo, the third-string TE right now is Zach Davidson behind Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. Davidson is not a good blocker which the Bills covet in their in-line tight ends, but Hawes certainly was in college. That will be his path to the roster.’

‘The strategy at cornerback is clearly to bring in as many candidates as possible and may the best man win. Now, Strong won’t have much of a chance staring up at first-round pick Max Hairston and veteran free agents Tre’Davious White and Dane Jackson, but his goal should be to at least get on the practice squad and spend the season there, then compete for a roster spot in 2026 when White and Jackson will probably be gone.’

‘Lundt will compete for a backup role at tackle with holdovers Ryan Van Demark, Tylan Grable and Richard Gouraige. It will be a tough haul for him to beat out Van Demark or Grable, but he could earn a place on the practice squad where he could develop.’

‘Prather will have a shot to find a place on the practice squad and who knows where it goes from there. If he can play on special teams, that would help his cause, but it’s rare when a seventh-round pick makes much of a dent.’

‘The only corners who went in the first round besides Hairston were two-way star Travis Hunter at No. 2 to the Jaguars, and Jahdae Barron to the Broncos at No. 20. Will Johnson was expected to be gone, but a knee condition dropped him all the way to the middle of the second round, and Trey Amos – a popular mock pick to the Bills – lasted until the end of the second round.’