Two Bills Drive

‘This year’s cornerback draft class presents an interesting challenge. There are nine or 10 cornerbacks who could land in the top 60 on some NFL teams’ boards. But not many of them could be considered A-plus tacklers.’

‘The market for Cooper is speaking loudly. To this point, he has not even taken any reported visits to teams. If the Bills wanted to bring him back, they seemingly would have already done so – unless the sides were so far apart on money that it became clear no deal was going to happen. Cooper turns 31 in June and it’s fair to wonder exactly how much he’s got left. Would the Dolphins be willing to find out if they decided to move Tyreek Hill? That’s a reasonable idea. My sense is that wouldn’t scare the Bills all that much.’

‘But does the top-30 list provide clues on the Bills’ draft plans? Not in the last two years.’

‘The 2025 class of receivers is thought to be significantly less impressive than the 2024 group, when nine of the first 34 overall picks played the position, including the Bills using the first pick of the second round on Florida State’s Keon Coleman..’

‘The Buffalo Bills have their starters, but they could use depth and injury insurance. Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox are set to return, with Zach Davidson and Armani Rogers rounding out the room. The Bills are just two drafts removed from taking a big swing on Kincaid, and the hope is he’ll take a step up in Year 3.’

‘The partnership revenue is important in a couple of ways. First, it helps the team – and owner Terry Pegula – bring in more revenue at a time when the stadium’s costs have ballooned by almost 50%. All of those cost increases are borne by the team under the terms of the fi nancing deal that provided $850 million in public funding for the new stadium.’

‘Safety would have been a priority if the Bills didn’t need immediate contributors/starters at cornerback, edge and defensive tackle. Starter Taylor Rapp is entering the final year of his contract, projected starter Cole Bishop is in his second season (four starts as a rookie), backup/2024 starter Damar Hamlin is on a one-year deal (team-high 14 missed tackles) and newly signed veteran Darrick Forrest is more of a special teams player. Yes, depth is an issue, but it may not be addressed until Day 3 of the draft (rounds 4-7).’