With the 2023 NFL Draft in the rear view, it’s time to look ahead. But, not before we honestly assess the draft class which Brandon Beane hauled in for the Buffalo Bills.
The team started out with a first-round trade, but Beane wasn’t done dealing there, making a trade later on in the weekend. If anything, Beane showed he was active in finding players he desired.
As a whole, the Bills’ 2023 class looks to be an average one at first glance. There is certainly potential within a couple of guys to be great at their position, but did Beane do the absolute best he could have done?
Let’s look a bit closer at each pick and give some honest grades.
Honestly grading the Buffalo Bills’ selection of Dalton Kincaid in 2023 NFL Draft
First of all, let’s establish the fact that the Bills wanted an offensive playmaker in the first round, if not an interior lineman. Dalton Kincaid certainly qualifies as a weapon, as he’s the best receiving tight end in this draft.
However, tight end is one of the toughest positions to develop in the NFL. They typically take a couple of years, and the Bills don’t want to wait that long to compete. So, while Kincaid is a very talented player, there is a chance he doesn’t quite break out as a rookie and takes a while to get to his potential.
For a Bills team wanting to win a Super Bowl right now, Kincaid doesn’t necessarily fit that mold. Had Buffalo went with one of the better pass rushers still on the board, a bigger need might have been met, and the team could have gone with an electric wide receiver a little bit later on.
Notable players available: DE Myles Murphy, DE Nolan Smith, CB Joey Porter Jr.
Grade: B
Honestly grading the Buffalo Bills’ selection of O’Cyrus Torrence in 2023 NFL Draft
Over the past couple of months leading up to the draft, Bills fans probably remember seeing many mocks where Buffalo was given O’Cyrus Torrence, only as a first-round pick. Even as a first rounder, Torrence would have been an acceptable selection.
The fact that he fell so far is actually pretty surprising, to be honest. He was Bucky Brooks’ top interior lineman in the draft, and somehow the Bills managed to get him late in the second round. Torrence should be cemented as Beane’s best pick of the draft, no question.
This is a guy who gave up zero sacks throughout his college career and is a 6-foot-5 mammoth. Weighing 330 pounds, Torrence is a brick wall. He doesn’t get moved off his anchor easily, but by contrast, is the one who moves opposing defensive linemen. This pick was a total home run by Beane, and it feels odd trying to justify any other notable player being selected at this point in the draft.
Notable players available: CB DJ Turner, WR Tank Dell, WR Jalin Hyatt
Grade: A
Honestly grading the Buffalo Bills’ selection of Dorian Williams in 2023 NFL Draft
The Bills needed to find a replacement for Tremaine Edmunds, and they just might have in Tulane linebacker Dorian Williams. A bit undersized and looking more like a safety, Williams will have to adjust to the NFL size he’s going to be playing against. That could present challenges early on, but if Williams can put on some more functional weight, he should be fine.
Posting ridiculous production in college, he ended his last season with Tulane tallying 132 total tackles. He was all over the field, and again, looks more like a box safety out there.
Notable players available: TE Darnell Washington, C Ricky Stromberg, CB Kelee Ringo
Grade: B-
Honestly grading the Buffalo Bills’ selection of Justin Shorter in 2023 NFL Draft
If you ask NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein, Justin Shorter was drafted right where he should have been. However, if you look at an outlet such as ESPN’s big board, Shorter was taken over 100 picks too soon. They had him no. 263 on their big board, and Shorter was taken at pick no. 153 overall.
While Shorter’s big, 6-foot-4 frame is appealing, he had far too many mental errors to be drafted this high. Too many drops and not enough easy plays made have made this a difficult pick to agree with. Only time will tell, but the Bills could have had much better value at this point.
Notable players available: C Olusegun Oluwatimi, LB Owen Pappoe, RB Chase Brown
Grade: D+
Honestly grading the Buffalo Bills’ selection of Nick Broeker in 2023 NFL Draft
In Round 7, you are hoping to find the best value you can possibly find. Buffalo needed to continue working on their interior offensive line depth, and they did so with Nick Broeker. At no. 230 overall, Broeker beat most of his scouting reports. ESPN had projected him at no. 185 overall, while NFL Media thought he’d be a fifth-round pick.
Broeker is a strong drive blocker with hands that pack a punch. He’s only semi-athletic, and doesn’t move as well as you’d like in a scheme like Buffalo’s. However, as a seventh rounder and likely a depth piece, this was great value by Beane.
Notable players available: S Anthony Johnson Jr., RB Kenny McIntosh, CB Corey Trice
Grade: B
Honestly grading the Buffalo Bills’ selection of Alex Austin in 2023 NFL Draft
This pick was all over the place in terms of grades. Oregon State’s Alex Austin has excellent size at the cornerback position, standing 6-foot-1. He’s a physical corner who plays hard-nosed in style. Austin was close to being the last pick in the draft at no. 252 overall, but an outlet like The Draft Network had him as their no. 97 prospect.
Meanwhile, ESPN had him projected to go undrafted. This is exactly the type of pick you’d expect in the seventh round; one who gets many split evaluations. Nonetheless, Beane had to add more cornerback depth to this team in order to give some guys competition. With Austin, he at least accomplished that.
Notable players available: WR Ronnie Bell, C Alex Forsyth, DE Desjuan Johnson
Grade: C+