Positive signs for the Bills coming out of the draft

Bills first round draft pick Ed Oliver after being picked 9th overall photo courtesy of forbes.com

The 2019 National Football League (NFL) draft just ended in Nashville, Tennessee. The Buffalo Bills are among most of the winners in the draft. Buffalo were going to pick at the number 9 slot with the hopes of either looking to help Josh Allen, or to make help out the Bills defensive line.

There were rumors that Buffalo would trade up to the number 3 slot with the New York Jets. Most likely if they were, they would’ve selected Defensive Tackle (DT) Quinnn Williams. But the Bills stayed put and once again the right player fell into their lap. With the 9th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft the Buffalo Bills select, Ed Oliver Defensive Tackle out of the University of Houston. This guy was projected to be a top 5 pick, so for the Bills to be able to sit and have him drafted at 9 a lot of draft experts. Oliver is most likely to be the starter at defensive tackle. It comes at perfect timing because veteran DT Kyle Williams. He will be a big part of the defensive rotation with Star Lotulelei, Jordan and Harrison Phillips.

The Bills second round pick Buffalo took offensive tackle Cody Ford. They moved up two spots, along with a fifth-round pick to get the Oklahoma tackle. He will put at the Right Tackle position and will fill a huge need. He blocked for the past two Heisman Trophy winners and first overall picks. The Bills even tried to trade back into the first round and to get him in the second round is another great pick by Buffalo.

With two picks in the third round Buffalo decided to go and build their backfield even more. They drafted Devin Singleary out of Florida Atlantic. With LeSean McCoy’s future up in the air it was a smart move to take the running back who people are considered the mini LeSean McCoy. And with a backfield that is loaded with ageing veterans it helps to bring in a young running back to add depth the backfield. The Bills needed to address the tight end position, they drafted Dawson Knox by trading up to the 96th pick to take the Ole Miss TE. He addresses a huge need with only three tight ends under contract before the draft.

They then took Vosean Joseph in the fifth round. He will most likely be used on special teams with the middle and outside linebacker positions set. He’ll definitely ad depth if there happens to be an injury on the starting front. They added depth at the safety position with the only safeties that are notable for the Bills are Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. With both Jerry Hughes and Shaq Lawson coming into their contract years, it definitely didn’t hurt to take an edge rusher. Buffalo took outside linebacker Darryl Johnson Jr. he’ll more than likely make the practice squad but will have much more of an impact next year in 2020. With their last pick they took another tight end, Tommy Sweeney out of Boston College. He will help out the tight end room he is more of a blocking TE which can really help out the running game.

Once the draft was over the Bills signed University at Buffalo (UB) quarterback Tyree Jackson. With a QB room that consists of Josh Allen, Derek Anderson, and Matt Barkley. Anderson will most likely retire Jackson can learn under Allen and Barkley and make the 53-man roster. As of right now Jackson will probably spend the 2019 season on the practice squad. The one big component the Buffalo missed on that they could’ve taken with their last pick. Instead of taking another tight end taking UB wide receiver Anthony Johnson would’ve been a great fit because the Bills have a huge need at WR even though they signed both Cole Beasley, and John Brown. Overall the Bills had a draft where lots of players can make the 53-man roster, and their first two draft pick can easily be day one starters.