The Buffalo Bills have already taken steps to improve the club that was just one catch, one play away from the AFC Championship Game. With free agency behind them, the focus is now ahead to the NFL Draft in April.
Though a lot of the focus is on what will be done with their first-round pick, there is another area of focus that general manager Brandon Beane must address: guard depth. The good news is that the Bills have the luxury of addressing that need later in the draft.
Bills need answers at guard after letting David Edwards walk in free agency
Coming into the offseason, one of the biggest questions centered on the offensive line. Would the team be able to re-sign center Connor McGovern and guard David Edwards? Would they be able to sign either?
That was solved early in the offseason as McGovern agreed to a contract friendly to the team. That also meant the writing was on the wall about Edwards and his future with the Bills. He signed a four-year, $61 million contract with the New Orleans Saints not long after.
It may not have been the preferred move, but it was certainly the necessary one. Paying Edwards that kind of money simply wasn’t feasible, not with the litany of holes to be filled elsewhere on the roster.
It created a minor need on the offensive line, though there are solutions in-house. Alec Anderson and Sedrick Van Pran-Granger could certainly compete for the spot, though the latter may be a better fit as backup center.
The Bills have other plans for their lone premium pick. In reality, drafting a prospect in the fifth or sixth round seems more prudent. And these are the best options.
Beau Stephens, Iowa
If there are two things the University of Iowa knows, it is tight ends and offensive linemen. Stephens excels as a zone run blocker and has both good toughness and quickness. Stephens shows good pop off the snap, works hard, and utilizes a snatch-trap technique effectively against bigger defenders.
Like any mid-round prospect, he comes with flaws. He could be better against power and struggles to reach more slippery second-level defenders. His size, strong recruiting profile, and the Iowa pedigree make him worth checking out, however.
Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame
A two-year starter for the college football powerhouse, Schrauth became a team captain, showing good power and leg drive. He was actually starting to show substantial growth until a sprained MCL limited him later in the season.
On paper, Schrauth has all the tools to be a successful NFL lineman. He needs to work on handling more skilled pass rushers, but the biggest knock on him is his durability. If he can stay healthy, Schrauth has all the makings of a potential starter at the NFL level, especially if he can learn behind an experienced, talented group of offensive linemen.
DJ Campbell, Texas
A five-star recruit in the class of 2022, Campbell started three seasons for the Longhorns. He has shown consistent growth since his first season, and his arm length allows him to get into defenders before they have a chance to counter. His experience, especially against SEC fronts, is an asset.
Discipline, particularly holding penalties and false starts, became an issue as a senior. He lacks the refinement of someone with so much starting experience, but has the physical tools to be potentially coachable behind a veteran group.
Kage Casey, Boise State
Casey is an interesting one in that he enters the draft as a tackle but may be much better suited for guard. His 6-foot-6 frame has room to add size, and he can handle power well. He’s smart about his angles, has good hand placement, and has shown excellent durability as a three-year starter.
He doesn’t have the kind of foot speed to stay outside and hold up against speed rushers, making him a better fit inside. His versatility could be attractive for the Bills as they seek depth across all five positions; Casey could certainly play four of them.
A Cheap Option with Upside
At worst, the Bills take someone late in the draft that can fill in as depth while one of Anderson, Van Pran-Granger, or Tylan Grable claims the starting spot. On the upside, Beane has been good at unearthing gems later in the draft. Finding a solid backup with starter potential isn’t out of the question and comes at virtually no cost.