Round Five, Pick 137: Nick Coe
After spending three of the top four picks on the offensive side of the ball, Beane decides to shore up the defensive line. Battles are won in the trenches and assuming Beane focuses on that aspect in free agency, it provides the Bills the luxury of waiting till the fifth round to pick up good depth at the position.
Nick Coe is a bigger defensive end playing at 6’5″ and 291 pounds but he’s the type of edge defender that excels in Sean McDermott’s system. In 2019 he had only 15 total tackles, but his tape suggests that he eats up holes allowing other defenders to feast. He‘s more ideally fit for being an inside defensive tackle.
Coe needs to work on his pass rushing skills if he wants to become a starter in the NFL. He’s more of a depth player and that’s alright in the fifth round as this is the point in the draft to start taking some chances. McDermott and newly added defensive line coach Eric Washington will get the most out of Coe.
Nick Coe is a young player still trying to figure out how to use his hands to become a better defender. Brandon Beane gets an excellent role player to spell Ed Oliver and giving him a breather in some situations.