The NFL Combine is done, and players are tested physically and mentally. At least most of them did. A few opted out of certain drills, which happen every year. Next up in the draft process is the NFL Pro Days where some players who didn't perform well will have a second chance to showcase what they can do. Shortly after that, it'll be time for the NFL Draft of course we'll have free agency in there too but we're not here to discuss free agency, not this time anyway, not yet.
The Buffalo Bills endured a painfully long 17-year playoff drought that saw several busts throughout the drafts but not all. The biggest issue during those times was the quarterbacks that were drafted during those years. With the likes of J.P. Losman and E.J. Manuel among others. Have you ever stopped to look at some of the quarterbacks the Bills could have drafted, but missed out? I did and it just makes you realize how bad those Bills regimes were at drafting.
I could go on forever about the Bills drafting woes in those days but I won't go too far into it other than to say that in 2001, Drew Brees was selected in the second round, 32nd overall pick. The Bills could have taken him with their 21st pick but instead chose corner Nate Clements. I know, hindsight is 20/20 but the issue was the regime's philosophy in those times was obvious. They were looking for a quick fix, rather than taking the approach we see with today's Buffalo Bills and Brandon Beane. They always have an eye on the future and build this roster the right way. They haven't always hit of course but it's the right approach.
Rather than ranking all six of Beane's draft classes, I am going with the first five. Last year's class is still too young to make any final judgments on, even though at first glance, I think we hit a home run with Dalton Kincaid and at least a triple with O'Cyrus Torrence. But the book is still out on Dorian Williams, Justin Shorter, and the other rookies from the 2023 class. So with that, here is how I ranked Brandon Beane's first five drafts for the Buffalo Bills.
5. Buffalo Bills class of 2021
It was really a toss-up for me which of the five was the worst but I decided that the 2021 class ranks number five. The class produced starters Gregory Rousseau and Spencer Brown, but it also included Boogie Basham in the second round, and two players in the fifth and sixth rounds who could never stay healthy enough, Tommy Doyle and Marques Stevenson.
The class also included two defensive backs, Damar Hamlin and Rachad Wildgoose, both taken in the sixth round. Wildgoose hasn't done a thing in the league and we all know Hamlin's story. As far as sixth-rounders go though, he's been a solid reserve player for the Bills. Wildgoose isn't in the league anymore after stints with the Jets and Commanders. Lastly, offensive lineman Jack Anderson was taken with the 236th pick of the draft and has been with four different teams since.
Buffalo Bills class of 2019
With the 2019 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills selected Ed Oliver with the ninth overall pick. I'd say that pick has turned out well, but for as high a pick, it took a while for him to find that consistency on the field to make an impact game after game. The other selections of note in this class were Buffalo's third-rounders, Devin Singletary and Dawson Knox. Both players have had solid careers and were good picks.
Another pick in the 2019 draft was second-rounder Cody Ford. I think it's safe to say that one didn't work out so well. The rest of this class was rounded with four players from rounds five through seven, including linebacker Vosean Joseph, corner, turned-safety Jaquan Johnson, edge Darryl Johnson, and tight end Tommy Sweeney. All four of these players are currently not on an NFL roster and Vosean Joseph has been out of the league for some time.
Buffalo Bills class of 2020
Some might want to swap the 2020 draft for the 2019 draft on this list but I have it as my number three mainly because there were much fewer misses in the 2020 class. This group includes A.J. Epenesa in the second round and Gabriel Davis in the fourth, both players have been impact players for the Bills. Interesting to me that both players were taken in the same class, considering I've often referred to Epenesa as the Gabe Davis of the defense, one week they are making plays, then disappear for a two or three-game stretch.
If those two could ever find consistency from one game to another, watch out. Unfortunately, if that happens, it may not be with the Bills. Both are pending free agency this season. This class also includes Zach Moss, who is playing well with the Colts, and starting kicker Tyler Bass. I know he had a down year, but he'll bounce back. Dane Jackson was also part of the 2020 class and he's been a solid spot starter and fantastic reserve. The remaining picks from this draft were quarterback Jack Fromm and Isaiah Hodgins, both were swings and misses.
Buffalo Bills class of 2022
By the time all may be said and done, Brandon Beane's 2022 draft could be the best of these five, and maybe even one of the best. For now, we're putting it at number two, mainly because we need to see a little more. This class includes Kaiir Elam, who many are calling a bust. I'm willing to see how this coming season pans out for him though before making that claim. The three picks that followed Elam were James Cook, Terrel Bernard, and Khalil Shakir, in the second, third, and fifth rounds respectively.
Others in this draft were Matt Araiza, who we are waiting to see how his career pans out, unfortunately, it'll be with the Chiefs. Another big find in the 2022 class was sixth-rounder Christian Benford, who is becoming an excellent starting corner for Buffalo. The rest of the class is rounded out with offensive lineman Luke Tenuta and linebacker Baylon Spector. Spector has shown flashes here and there but can't stay healthy and this could be his last season to try to stick with the team beyond next season.
Buffalo Bills class of 2018
It's probably not much of a shocker to anyone that I have the 2018 NFL Draft as the number one for Brandon Beane. Josh Allen is of course the primary reason for that. Anytime you land a franchise, all-world quarterback in a draft, the rest of the class almost doesn't matter. But in the case of the 2018 class, Allen wasn't the only standout player. This draft included Tremaine Edmunds and Harrison Phillips, two players no longer with the Bills but have had solid careers. Regardless of which side of the fence you are on with Edmunds, he's a solid NFL linebacker. As far as Phillips, I wish he could have stayed in Buffalo.
The class also included two defensive backs Taron Johnson in the fourth and Siran Neal in the fifth. Johnson has become one of the best nickel corners in the game, maybe the best. Neal, while not a starter, was selected in the fifth round and has been a staple of the Bills' defense as a do-everything defensive back reserve. The rest of the class was rounded out with wide receivers Ray-Ray McCloud and Austin Proehl. McCloud has bounced around the league a bit but has found a niche and has become a solid return guy. Proehl hasn't been on an NFL roster since 2022.