Another NFL Draft in the books for Buffalo Bills General Manager Brandon Beane, and another solid draft class the Bills appear to have. The Draft is always easier to critique in hindsight, and with more and more time that passes, the more obvious great selections and poor selections become. Beane has done a fantastic job of finding value in draft classes, with multiple middle to late-round selections becoming key contributors to this Bills team, like Matt Milano, Taron Johnson, Gabriel Davis, and Dawson Knox.
In this article, we will dive into a few of the selections made by Beane and company, while offering perspective on how these players will contribute to the Bills and their ultimate goal of getting over the hump and winning a Super Bowl.
Selection #23 - Kaiir Elam, CB University of Florida
There appears to be a trend between Beane’s first-round selections and by now you’ve probably noticed it, but if not we will lay it out for you. Josh Allen, Tremaine Edmunds, Ed Oliver, Gregory Rousseau and now, Kaiir Elam. What do all of these guys have in common? Well for starters, with most of these guys their potential is one of their main selling points. These guys have intangible athleticism that is hard to replicate. Whether it be Allen’s arm strength, Oliver’s explosiveness off the line of scrimmage, or Gregory Rousseau’s sure size, these guys have traits that you simply cannot teach. Elam fits this mold, showing great size and length for a cornerback, but also elite athleticism.
Not only this but there has been a trend with many of Brandon Beane’s picks when it comes to players' potential draft stock. Rousseau was a projected top ten pick before he opted out of the draft his sophomore year. Ed Oliver was a mocked top three pick before his junior year. Josh Allen was thought to be a #1 pick by some analysts. Even Epenesa, who was a late second-round pick, was a projected first-round pick. Now this year with Elam, who was thought to be a top ten selection before running into some ankle injuries that ultimately hurt his draft stock. Beane loves to find value in his picks and this selection is evidence of that trend.
However, it takes much more than elite athleticism and potential to become a longtime starter in this league. As we’ve seen from these earlier draft picks like Tre White, Allen, and Oliver, you have to be committed to the craft to unlock your potential. A player must act as a true professional and take it upon themself to develop their skills and correct their weaknesses. Elam appears to have the desire to be that professional, and it has already been seen a few times.
While on the phone with the Bills' front office, the cornerback was already demanding the playbook be sent on the plane that was coming to pick him up and bring him to the Buffalo facility. Elam wasn’t just saying this to say it either, he was intent on it. It was what he told Bills Owner Terry Pegula, and what he told Bills Defensive Backs Coach/Defensive Passing Game Coordinator, John Butler. Elam wants to go to work.
If that wasn’t enough for you, Elam showed up at the combine with a backpack full of notes for teams to take a look at. In his meeting with the Bills, the cornerback show-cased the notes, handing them over to Butler, and told the scouting staff “I think I take the best notes of anyone in this draft. I breakdown what hurt us, what explosive plays we gave up, and I write it down because I know it's a copy-cat league… and also, I breakdown everything I did wrong, and the receivers I would say, what technique they gave me, and things I could have improved on.”
Beane later headed to the Pat McAfee show where the two discussed this viral clip. “You want to make sure it's authentic like as you know we checked into him like he’s not just trying to win the 15-minute interview…but what his book was, was him watching opposing receiver’s in the SEC that he was going against. Just his notes of how he was going to play them, what they do well, and so it was legit, from the University of Florida, and it matches up with who he is.”
It's rather obvious that Elam is not only dedicated to the game and wants to become a better player, but he has the competitive drive and desire to unleash his full potential. Another thing that will help him with that is his family's history. Elam’s father, Abram, attended Notre Dame and Kent State before being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2005 and went on to have a seven-year career in the NFL. Elam’s uncle, Matt, also played in the NFL, being a first-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2013. Having two relatives who also had NFL careers is not only impressive but also a resource for Kaiir to utilize. Growing up in an NFL bloodline is likely the reason he is so prepared to be an impact player in this league. He understands what it takes to be successful, and how it isn’t just what happens on the field, but preparation and attitude go into success just as much as anything else.
With all that being said about Elam’s background and his character, I think it’s time we dive into the player he is on the football field. Looking outside of his athleticism and intangibles, Elam is a versatile cornerback who will be able to help the Bills in many ways. Elam played press man coverage against the SEC’s best game after game, and had his wins and losses, which should only benefit him when taking the step to the next level. He was more than willing to play man or zone coverage at the University of Florida and will be able to play a more physical press man coverage on larger receivers, which is what the Bills tend to lack opposite of Tre’Davious White.
The Bills' secondary has also lacked speed which has cost them in the past. As great as White is, he isn’t the fastest cornerback. Tyreek Hill has been able to expose the Bills partly due to this. Now that we face him twice a year, it has become even more important to add speed to our secondary and Elam brings that. The cornerback ran a 4.39 at the combine, compared to Tre White’s 4.56 40-time. His speed will bring something to our defense that we have lacked. Along with this, he is listed at 6’2’’. Compare this to Tre White and Dane Jackson’s height of 5’11’’ (Levi Wallace is 6’0’’), Elam also brings size and physicality to our secondary that we haven’t had. This should help with covering some of the bigger receivers and even tight ends that the Bills face.
Being opposite of an All-Pro level cornerback in White, Elam will be targeted and at times picked on by other teams. Also, with the possibility of White missing time at the beginning of the season because of tearing his ACL last year, Elam will be playing significant time immediately. The Bills will likely start the season with Elam and Jackson before the All-Pro comes back. Because of all of this, the rookie cornerback will likely be baptized by fire, and we should get to see what he’s made of immediately.
In a long term look at the cornerback room, Elam appears to become the number two cornerback some Bills fans have been pounding the table for. McDermott has made a reputation for being a great defensive backs coach, and has helped players take their game to the next level on various occasions. Hopefully Elam will be another name on that list. If the cornerback were to unlock his potential, the Bills very well could have an elite cornerback duo for years to come.
Selection #63 - James Cook, WR University of Georgia
For those who were pounding the table calling for the Bills to draft a running back, you got your wish. For those who did not want a running back, I hope you still like this pick. As someone who would fall in the middle of those two arguments, I love the pick.
Through the 2020 season, it was clear that the Buffalo running game needed to be addressed. The passing offense was dominant with Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen becoming a star duo, but the running game was still a weakness for the offense, with most of the blame being placed on the offensive line rather than the running back room. In the 2021 season, the running game started slow yet again, with Devin Singletary and Zack Moss struggling to get things going. The Bills looked to Matt Breida to change things around but didn’t find a ton of success outside of a few explosive plays. As the season continued Singletary and Allen became the running game, with the Bills relying on those two heavily towards the end of the season. Heading into the 2022 offseason it was apparent that Buffalo would need to address the running game issues. Signing Rodger Saffold and bringing back Ryan Bates certainly helps, but adding competition and talent to the running back room seemed to be a must as well. That’s where James Cook comes in.
Personally, I think Beane and co. knocked it out of the park with this pick. James Cook, the brother of NFL super-star Dalvin Cook, is a versatile running back who will be able to contribute to the Buffalo offense in various ways. James is certainly not a clone of his brother, who is an elite running back at the NFL level, but he does possess some similar skills, while also having a unique playstyle.
Cook has turned heads because of his receiving ability, being a huge mismatch for teams who want to cover him with a linebacker, but even when teams cover him with a cornerback or safety he can create explosive plays. Whether it be lining up in the backfield or outside the numbers, teams will need to respect Cook as a receiver. There were times when Georgia would line up five wide, and Cook would beat defenders with a double move, proving his route running ability to be elite for a running back. As a ball carrier, his match of speed and agility makes him tough to catch from sideline to sideline, but he is also a patient and smart player, who will have no issue sitting behind blocks while the play develops.
Cook immediately projects to help the Bills’ offense in a few ways. First off, Buffalo has lacked receiving production out of the backfield in the past few years. That is exactly where Cook excels, creating explosive plays as a receiver because of his elite speed and agility. Although Allen does not check the ball down often, he has learned to take what the defense gives him as opposing defenders continue to take away the deep ball, respecting his arm further. Cook is the kind of player who creates plays with the ball in his hands, and a simple three-yard check-down can turn into a huge play, something Singletary and Moss have struggled to contribute to the offense.
With Cook being added, it will be interesting to see what is to come from the Bills running back room. I believe the jury is still out on Singletary and Moss, and with the addition of Cook, there will surely be some competition in the room. Regardless of who comes out on top though there will be multiple runners who contribute to this offense, with each runner working as more of a compliment to each other than direct competition.
Moss is a solid pass blocker, who is a strong runner in short yardage situations. He has an underrated pair of hands but struggles to be consistent. Singletary improved a lot last offseason and showed more explosiveness out of the backfield, finishing the year strong and the team's number one running back. Taiwan Jones has been a special teams ace for the team and played in all 17 regular season games last season. Now Cook gets added to the mix. Duke Johnson and Raheem Blackspear are also newcomers, with Johnson also bringing experience as a pass catcher. The Bills likely hang on to four, with one of them being Taiwan Jones who hasn’t been involved in the offense through his time here, only playing special teams. Versatility will be key to staying on the roster, a trait McDermott and Beane harp on.
Selection #89 - Terrel Bernard, LB Baylor
The Bills’ defensive scheme heavily relies on two linebackers who are versatile. The Buffalo defense needs linebackers who can plug the run, but also drop back into coverage, read the quarterback’s eyes, and make a play on the ball. Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano have proven to fill that role, with Edmunds using his size and speed to do just that, and Milano being an elite coverage linebacker, but also a willing blitzer and run stuffer.
Behind Edmunds and Milano was AJ Klein, a more aggressive linebacker who was used mainly in run support and short yardage situations, but also saw special teams snaps. Klein was third in line when Edmunds or Milano missed time, but earlier this offseason the team decided to part ways with Klein, releasing the linebacker to free agency. This was more of a business decision based on Klein’s salary and Buffalo’s cap situation, rather than a representation of the linebacker’s play.
Behind Klein, the Bills had special teams aces, Tyler Matakevich, Tyrel Dodson, Marquel Lee, and Andre Smith, who all played significant snaps on special teams throughout the season. Buffalo added Joe Giles-Harris earlier this offseason, another linebacker who specializes in special teams production.
So what does all that mean for the newest Buffalo linebacker, Terrel Bernard? Well, Bernard appears to be another linebacker who can produce on special teams but is also a depth piece for the Bills’ defense. Through his time at Baylor, Bernard was known for his mix of athleticism and football IQ. The linebacker was known to be a “film junkie”, speaking to his ability to read the play and pursue the football. These attributes made him a capable run defender, but also a linebacker who could make plays while dropping into coverage.
The biggest knock on Bernard is his size or lack of size for that matter. At 6’1 224 lbs, Bernard is a bit small for the position, but linebackers have begun to become smaller in frame as the game continues to progress with offenses throwing more and more, and teams wanting more athleticism from the position for pass coverage. For example, All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard is only 6’2, 229 lbs. Milano himself is listed at 6’0, 221 lbs.
With all that being said, it appears that Bernard was drafted to become a depth linebacker for the Buffalo defense, because of his versatility and athleticism, but also because of his character off of the field, being a good fit for the Bills’ locker room and their scheme.
In his post-draft interview, Bernard was asked about being a smaller linebacker, and if he thinks his size will be an issue at the next level. The linebacker stated “I think you’ve seen a shift in the last few years of the NFL of more of a run and chase style, you know more coverage aspects to combat the passing game now. It's been crazy to model my game after guys like Matt Milano, who’s probably one of my favorite players I’ve been studying through this whole process.”
Hearing that directly from Bernard makes it evident what his role will be with this team. Buffalo sees him as a depth linebacker, who can support the passing defense if Milano were to be injured, but his mix of athleticism and football IQ gives him the skill-set to contribute on special teams too.
With Matakevich, Smith, Dodson, Lee, and Giles-Harris, there will be competition in the linebacker room. I do not see a scenario where Bernard finds himself on the outside looking in, especially because the team used a third-round pick to select the linebacker. Therefore, there will be a battle for special teams spots, with likely only three being left for the remaining five linebackers. Again, versatility will play a huge role in decision-making, a trait McDermott and Beane love in players.
Selection #148 - Khalil Shakir, WR Boise State
There have been many stories surrounding the Bills’ wide receiver room following the loss in Kansas City. From Stefon Diggs' massive new contract, to Gabriel Davis breaking out with four touchdowns against the Chiefs, to the Cole Beasley trade rumors and the slot receiver eventually being released. There are a few new faces in the position room, and many opportunities for all players to step up and contribute.
The biggest question as of right now is who is going to fill Beasley’s role? Through his three seasons with Buffalo, the slot receiver acted as Allen’s safety net. When the team needed a play on third and a few yards, Allen was going to Beasley or Diggs. When the team was close to the endzone, the Bills used Beasley’s crafty route running to pick-on slot corners and have an easy walk into the endzone. With the slot receiver now in free agency, there are a few options the Bills have in filling that role.
Diggs getting more snaps in the slot could be the answer, but one of the newest Buffalo receivers Jamison Crowder seems like the likely replacement. When Beasley missed time in previous seasons, the Bills looked to Isaiah McKenzie, and the crafty and quick receiver produced. But will McKenzie be able to do that for a full season? Who knows.
Buffalo’s fifth-round pick Khalil Shakir could also be the answer. Shakir showcases quickness and craftiness in his game, doing some of his best work from the slot.
In an interview with Terrell Owens and Matthew Hatchette, the two former NFL receivers asked Shakir where he thinks he is the best when on the football field, inside or outside? The rookie receiver stated, “When I’m on the inside, in the slot, that’s when you get the full toolbox. Yeah, I can line up outside too, but when you’re in the slot, you have so much more space to work with. At the end of the day, when you’re lined up in the slot you have a nickel safety guarding you, and safeties get recruited to college to tackle.”
It’s clear that Shakir not only feels the most confident in the slot but also feels like his skill-set is best suited for the slot. Now, that does not mean the rookie receiver will take Beasley’s slot role? No, but between Diggs, Crowder, McKenzie, and Shakir, the four are all capable of taking snaps in the slot. My best guess would be that the Bills use a combination of receivers to fill that Beasley role, while also allowing these receivers to showcase their versatility and lineup outside at times.
Shakir is much more than just a slot receiver though. Boise State saw his athleticism and found ways to feed him the ball, almost like Buffalo did with McKenzie. Shakir would catch a two-yard pass and the coaches could count on him to make a man miss and gain yards. The rookie receiver has a good set of hands too, showcasing that ability with some highlight reel one-handed catches, and can stretch the field vertically from the outside, proving his versatility. Shakir also has punt and kick return experience, and mentioned in the interview with Owens and Hatchette that he would be willing to play special teams in the NFL.
The wide receiver room will be an interesting position group to pay attention to as the offseason progresses. Diggs and Davis are obvious locks to make the team in the fall, and it would be hard to see Crowder on the outside looking in, with the veteran being so talented and versatile.
The Bills seem to really like Shakir, and it was reported by Ryan Talbot of New York Upstate that Beane received some angry texts from opposing general managers when Buffalo took the Boise State receiver off the board. That would leave two roster spots between Isaiah McKensie, Jake Kumerow, Marquez Stevenson, Isaiah Hodgins, Tanner Gentry, Malik Williams, and Neil Pau’u.
Being able to play special teams will be of value in the decision-making, and the best returner will likely earn a roster spot. Regardless of how things shape out, there's plenty of young talent in this receiver room, and the Bills will be in a good spot come the fall.
Selection #180 - Matt Araiza, P San Diego State
It’s not often that a sixth-round pick becomes a fan favorite. It’s also not often that the fan-favorite sixth-round pick is a punter. However, if you turn on the film of Matt Araiza it’s obvious why he’s already become a notable addition to the roster.
The punter can be seen punting balls for what seems like a country mile, with his longest punt in college being 86 yards! It’s not just a strong leg that makes Araiza stand out though. You can often find the punter sprinting down the field to make a tackle, wanting to ensure that no one returns one on him. At 6’2 201 lbs, and having a bulky stature, Araiza is not only a willing tackler but he’s been known to lay the boom on smaller returners. Because of these two traits, the rookie punter has been compared to Pat McAfee, who was named the Punter of the Decade (2010-20) by Pro Football Focus. Another similarity between the two is that they had no holding experience coming out of college, with Araize also serving as San Diego State’s kicker, and McAfee doing the same for West Virginia.
Not having any experience holding kicks is a flaw of Araiza’s game, with most NFL teams using their punter as a holder. The other flaw in the punter’s game is his overall accuracy and placement of punts. Although Araiza was one of the most notable punters coming out of this year’s draft, placing a ball in the winds of Buffalo is much different than the calm weather of San Diego, where the punter already saw issues with touchbacks and poor placement based on the special teams' coverage.
Heading into the draft many Bills fans wanted to see a punter drafted. Buffalo’s current punter Matt Haack had blunders at times, making it difficult for the team to rely on him, but other times placed punts well, being known for pinning opposing teams inside their own 20. Regardless, it's the inconsistency from Haack that made Beane look at other options, and with Araiza available in the sixth, Buffalo’s General Manager made the call to bring in another punter.
Araiza’s spot is certainly not guaranteed and the competition between the two punters will be interesting to watch. It’s not the first time Beane took a specialist in the draft, with the team drafting kicker Tyler Bass in the sixth round of the 2018 Draft. Bass, also known for a strong leg, has worked out well for Buffalo through two years with the team. If Araiza works out like Bass has so far, the Bills could have their kicker and punter locked in place for years to come.
Summary
All in all, Beane comes out of another draft with selections that fans can get behind. The general manager has excelled at finding value in selections, while also adding one of the best players available and addressing team needs. The Bills found ways to address their weaknesses, and add competition in spots in position rooms where the team already excels.
Hopefully, the newest Buffalo Bills can help get the team over the hump, and take the next step towards winning a Super Bowl.
Go Bills!
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