Buffalo Bills: Recapping Beane and McDermott conferences at Combine

These were the key takeaways from Buffalo Bills’ GM Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott’s press conferences from the NFL Combine.

As the NFL world takes over the city of Indianapolis for this week’s NFL combine both Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott took time on Tuesday to talk with the media about how the offseason is going so far. As always neither will divulge exactly what the Buffalo Bills plans are as they head into free agency and the draft, but dissecting their words closely revealed their thinking.

Bills Twitter is all about drafting a wide receiver in Round One of the NFL Draft. While that isn’t a bad idea, fans shouldn’t get their hopes up. Beane mentioned how deep the wide receiver draft class is. He even mentioned that a wide receiver on Day 3 could step in and make an immediate impact.

While Beane wouldn’t say they are looking for a particular skill set, McDermott mentioned the need to find guys that can catch the ball. Speed is nice, but being a reliable target for the quarterback is of most importance and that starts with being able to make catches. With the wide receiver depth being a unique trait as compared to years past it seems likely the Bills will look to the later rounds for a wide receiver.

Lorenzo Alexander was another hot topic on Tuesday as he provided both leadership and solid play throughout his time with the Buffalo Bills.  Not only that, but he was able to play multiple positions and Beane specifically mentioned Alexander’s ability to play stack linebacker, be an edge rusher, and kick inside and rush the passer while lining up over the guard.

Unsure how they’ll replace the on-field production they did have thoughts on the leadership. However, players such as Lee Smith, Micah Hyde, Tremaine Edmunds, and Josh Allen were all singled out as players capable of filling that void.

With the ongoing discussions of a new CBA between the players and owners, Beane admitted that has slowed discussions with existing players on new deals. While the Buffalo Bills are open to getting something done, it’s the agents taking the extra time seeing how things will develop. As it is now, the Bills are operating as status quo and will be ready when a new CBA comes to fruition.

Beane did note his previous experience of re-signing players after the draft as things tend to slow down, so either way Bills fans shouldn’t expect new deals for Tre’Davious White, Matt Milano, or Dion Dawkins anytime soon.

Other quick hits from the press conferences:

• Bills have held discussions with Josh Norman but nothing is imminent. Bills are interested
• Depending how the offseason goes Bills are open to moving Cody Ford to guard. While they have a feel for where he’d be most successful they won’t force it
• Re-signing Shaq Lawson and Jordan Phillips won’t preclude the Bills from drafting a pass rusher
• Beane said just because a team has $80 plus million in cap space, it doesn’t mean they have to spend it all. Rather his philosophy is to draft, develop and re-sign

As always Bills mafia we must trust the process. With two playoff appearances in three years the front office has earned that right and Soon we’ll see how this offseason unfolds.

To listen to Brandon Beane’s full press conference, click here and to listen to Sean McDermott’s full press conference, click here.