The Buffalo Bills added six new players in the 2023 NFL Draft and the hope is that these players will develop and contribute to the team's success in the future. However, that timeline is going to be different for every player and where they were drafted may not be the best indication of when or how quickly they become a starter.
It can also depend on what players are already on the roster and where there are needs. Last year, the Bills would draft Terrel Bernard in the third round and he would only play 110 defensive snaps. However, Christian Benford was a sixth round pick and quickly moved up the depth chart with the Bills lacking depth at cornerback and he would have five starts as a rookie and play 363 defensive snaps.
When looking at the Buffalo Bills roster and the players they drafted, this is how I would rank them based on their impact as a rookie.
Ranking the Buffalo Bills' 2023 NFL Draft class by first-year impact
Number 6: Nick Broeker
In the seventh round, the Buffalo Bills would draft offensive linemen Nick Broeker out of Ole Miss. During his time at Ole Miss, he would have starts at both left tackle and left guard and that versatility was probably one of the reasons the Bills were interested in drafting him.
However, as a rookie he is going to have a tough time moving up the depth chart or even making the 53-man roster. The Bills have added free agents like Connor McGovern and David Edwards while also getting veterans like Ike Boettger and Tommy Doyle back from injuries.
In the past two NFL Drafts, the Bills have drafted offensive linemen in the final two rounds with neither making the 53-man roster (Luke Tenuta and Jack Anderson). It wouldn't be surprising to see that happen again this year but the front office will hope Broeker doesn't get claimed off their practice squad.
Number 5: Alex Austin
Similar to Nick Broeker, cornerback Alex Austin will have a tough time making an impact as a rookie. Austin was also a seventh round pick by the Buffalo Bills but the team's depth at cornerback is much better than this time last year.
The Bills top cornerback, Tre'Davious White, is not rehabbing from a torn ACL this offseason and Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford are entering their second season. The team also has Dane Jackson and Cam Lewis as backups, who have been with the team for a few years now and know this defense.
The reason that Austin is ranked just ahead of Broeker is that he could be a factor on special teams this season for the Bills. He not only can play on coverage teams as a gunner but he does have some experience as a returner. The team has a number of options for that role but Austin could serve as a backup.
Number 4: Justin Shorter
For the fourth straight NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills added a wide receiver in the fourth round or later. After drafting Gabe Davis in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Bills would draft Marquez Stevenson in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and Khalil Shakir in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Outside of Davis, this group of wide receivers hasn't had much of an impact as a rookie. Stevenson would get a chance later in the season to be the team's primary punt returner. This past season, Khalil Shakir was on the field more, appearing in 14 games, but finished the regular season with only 10 receptions on 20 targets.
There is a chance that Justin Shorter could have a similar role but with Davis and Shakir still on the roster, and the addition of Dalton Kincaid in the first round, Justin Shorter will have a tough time seeing a similar workload as Shakir unless there is an injury.
Number 3: Dorian Williams
The Buffalo Bills have a big looming question at middle linebacker with the departure of Tremaine Edmunds. They have a number of potential options but no clear favorite at this point.
The team would draft Dorian Williams in the third round out of Tulane and the initial thought was he would be involved in that competition alongside Tyrel Dodson, Terrel Bernard, Baylon Spector, and veteran A.J. Klein.
However, general manager Brandon Beane seemed to temper expectations shortly after the NFL Draft. He said after the NFL Draft that he may factor into the competition but he likely will begin as an outside linebacker, according to WGR550's Sal Capaccio.
If this is the case, it certainly limits what he can do on defense but he should be a key part of the special teams and that is where most of his impact will be as a rookie.
Number 2: Dalton Kincaid
The Buffalo Bills would trade up in the first round to jump the Dallas Cowboys for the chance to select tight end Dalton Kincaid out of Utah. The team already had Dawson Knox and the selection of Kincaid, at least for this season, wasn't to replace Knox as the starter.
Rather, the selection of Kincaid will allow Ken Dorsey to expand his playbook to utilize more two-tight end sets. However, it may not be in the traditional sense as Kincaid could play slot receiver and this will create challenges for opposing defenses in terms of how they cover this formation.
Dalton Kincaid will certainly have a role in this offense but might not be as big of an impact as O'Cyrus Torrence. The reason that I have Kincaid just behind Torrence is because the Bills still have a number of playmakers in this offense like Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, and even James Cook that should be more involved than Kincaid.
Number 1: O'Cyrus Torrence
The draft pick from the 2023 NFL Draft that will have the biggest impact as a rookie for the Buffalo Bills will be second round draft pick O'Cyrus Torrence. The former Florida Gators offensive lineman was considered the best guard in this draft class and he should be a Week 1 starter for this offense.
The Bills interior offensive line struggled last year and O'Cyrus Torrence will immediately make an impact alongside Mitch Morse. He is an excellent run blocker that should help open running lanes for James Cook and Damien Harris that will bring some balance to this offense.
In addition to that, O'Cyrus Torrence does an excellent job in pass protection and according to Pro Football Focus had over 1,500 pass protection snaps and didn't allow a single snap and only one QB hit. He will help give Josh Allen more time to throw the ball and should help the offense as a whole on some of those longer developing pass plays.
Both Torrence and Kincaid will be factors in this offense but since Torrence has the potential to be the starter all season, he slightly moves ahead of the first round pick in terms of impact as a rookie.