Buffalo Bills: Brandon Beane hiring impressive player personnel department

Brandon Beane was tasked with the challenge of rebuilding the Buffalo Bills’ front office and scouting department.

So far, Brandon Beane has put together an impressive front office and scouting department for the Buffalo Bills to replace Doug Whaley and his staff — who were all fired following the NFL Draft.

The scouting department is very important to an NFL team year-round. Essentially, there are two different kinds of scouts — college and pro. Obviously, one half of the scale grades college players for the draft and the other half grades potential free agents.

Most teams elect to have a Director of Pro Personnel (DPP) and a Director of College Scouting (DCS) that both report directly to the General Manager (GM). Under them are a number of scouts that report to either the DPP or DCS.

When the Buffalo Bills fired Doug Whaley and his staff, they had none of that.

Now about three weeks removed from the firing of Doug Whaley and a little less than two weeks removed form the hiring of Brandon Beane (GM), the scouting department is starting to fill up.

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Right now, the scouting department consists of 13 very intelligent pieces to the front office and each will bring unique qualities that will benefit the Buffalo Bills‘ roster selection — short term and long term.

First, we have an Assistant GM that will work closely with Beane, Joe Schoen. Under him is Brian Gaine, who will act as the VP of Player Personnel. The other big hiring was the Bills’ new Director of Pro Personnel, Malik Boyd.

They haven’t named a Director of College Scouting, but did hire Lake Dawson and the team’s Assistant Director of College Scouting.

Under all of those guys, Brandon Beane has hired two national scouts, two pro scouts, two college scouts, one area scout and two player personnel assistants.

Let’s get a closer look at the Buffalo Bills‘ new scouting department so far. Keep in mind, there are still a few hirings that need to be made!

Joe Schoen – Assistant General Manager

Comes from the Miami Dolphins, spent the last three seasons as the Dolphins’ Director of Player Personnel. Also was the team’s assistant director of college scouting and national scout.

Brain Gaine – Vice President of Player Personnel

Gaine was originally interviewed for the Buffalo Bills‘ GM vacancy, but was hired as the VP of Player Personnel after the Bills chose to go with Beane.

Over the past three seasons with the Texans, Gaine has “supervised all pro player evaluation, the advance scouting process, free agency and the monitoring of player transactions,” according to Sal Maiorana.

Malik Boyd – Director of Pro Personnel

Boyd joins as the Buffalo Bills‘ Director of Pro Personnel. After spending a few years with the Colts early in his scouting career, Boyd has spent the last 12 years with the Cardinals. He held positions including Assistant Director of Pro Scouting, a Western regional scout and area scout.

His 14 years of NFL scouting experience will benefit Buffalo.

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Lake Dawson – Assistant Director of College Scouting

Dawson brings 22 years of NFL experience with him to Buffalo. Starting as a wide receiver for 6 years, he spent the last 16 as a scout.

Despite being a national scout last year for the Browns, Dawson has also held positions including Director of Pro Personnel, VP of Football Operations and VP of Player Personnel with the Titans and Seahawks.

Marvin Allen – National Scout

With 24 years of NFL scouting experience, Allen spent the last four years with the Chiefs as the Director of College Scouting. He also spent 16 years (1993-2008) with the Patriots as an area scout.

Brian Adams – National Scout

Spent last season as the Cowboys’ Midwest regional scout and could’ve had a little bit of say in drafting Dak Prescott. With a total of 30 years experience as a scout, Adams had a chance to work with Brandon Beane in Carolina and get some familiarity with the Bills’ new GM.

Gerald Dixon – Pro Scout

A former cornerback that joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Lions and later was a part of the Bills’ 2004 training camp. He would also spend time in Europe and Canada, as well as coaching a High School football team.

Dixon is a native of Jamaica and will be re-joining the Buffalo Bills‘ scouting department as one of three members returning from Whaley’s staff.

Curtis Rukavina – Pro Scout

Curtis Rukavina interestingly enough went to Erie Community College’s south campus, which is located just across the street from New Era Field. He will be entering the NFL for the first time, spending his entire career in the CFL.

He was most recently the Director of Pro Personnel for the Toronto Argonauts.

Brian Fisher – Midwest College Scout

Fisher is another scout that will be returning from Whaley’s staff. He has spent a total of 10 years with the team after being hired in 2007 as a college scout.

Dennis Hickey – Senior College Scout

Hickey joins the Buffalo Bills as a senior college scout, but don’t be fooled — this guy was actually a GM for the Miami Dolphins from 2014-2015. He was even the Director of Player Personnel for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three of his 18 years with that team.

Hickey also has experience working with Joe Schoen, which should benefit the Buffalo Bills.

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Doug Majeski – West Area Scout

The third scout that will return from Doug Whaley’s staff, Majeski will be entering his 28th season with the Buffalo Bills.

Jason Barbarino – Player Personnel Assistant

One of two members that managed to survive the purge of the scouting department, Barbarino will re-join the Bills in the same position as he was in.

Collin Dotterer – Player Personnel Assistant

Dotterer was the second person to survive the massive firing of the scouting department and Whaley. Him and Barbarino re-join the team as Player Personnel Assistants.

Next: A list of every rookie the Bills will play this season

How do you think the scouting department looks right now? Leave your thoughts below!