Open Rants by kkunert327

With the draft in the books time to go back and do a wrap up of how teams made out. I might be a bit of a harsh critic to the top 3 round picks, but that is where you need to hit in the draft to be successful. Sure most of the league is 4th rounders and later, but any that turn into Pro Bowlers or All-Pro players is mostly out of luck. So without further adieu, let's go over my Super Bowl dark horse favorite Buffalo Bills. 

2 (22) - A.J. Epenesa DE Iowa - A-

3 (22) - Zach Moss RB Utah - A+

I love this draft by the Bills with just these first two picks. It also helps that their first rounder went towards landing Stefon Diggs. It was well worth the price, but I bet they wished they could have gotten the DeAndre Hopkins price tag that Arizona got to land him. Landing Diggs should definitely make their receiving core much more vertical with John Brown and Cole Beasley already being two nice options for Josh Allen. I would have loved to see them upgrade their offensive line here, but I totally understand why coach Sean McDermott wanted A.J. Epenesa. Had Epenesa been allowed to have a normal Pro Day to help his draft stock after a bad Combine performance he certainly could have been a first round prospect. He is never going to be the fastest, quickest, or most athletic talent, but he is powerful and more athletic than people give him credit for. The Bills did do a good job bringing in talent along their defensive line the past few seasons with Ed Oliver, Trent Murphy, Mario Addison, Star Lotulelei, and Quinton Jefferson. Their rotation is going to be a tough one to run on with a lot of run specialists with Addison, Oliver, and now Epenesa being able to give them pass rushing upside. Then their second pick of the draft was equally as great value wise with Zach Moss. I never liked the Devin Singletary pick last year, as a smaller back, with no wiggle or speed. I never understood the appeal and injuries ensued last year. He had some good games as backs with a lot of touches are prone to do, but they really could have done better. Moss will do a lot better and give them a strong back with all around talent. Landing him after guys like A.J. Dillon, Cam Akers, and Ke'Shawn Vaughn who I think he is better than. An injury probably knocked him down some boards, but his ability as a back who can get extra yards through contact and provide in the passing game will only continue to make this offense sneaky good next year. 

4 (22) - Gabriel Davis WR UCF - B+

5 (22) - Jake Fromm QB Georgia - B

6 (9) - Tyler Bass K Georgia Southern - D

7 (25 - Dane Jackson CB Pittsburgh - C+

Not a bad draft haul right now for the Bills and Brandon Beane who is quietly going on as one of the best GMs in the league right now. Davis was not a huge need for them after landing Diggs, but I get the move since Diggs is a smaller talent much like John Brown and Cole Beasley are. The former Golden Knight reminds me a lot of Brandon Marshall a fellow alum with big length, quick routes, and ability to high point the ball. What draws him back is a lack of speed that made Marshall so unique. However, with teams focused on their other receivers he can win in the red zone with his size at the very least like DeMarcus Robinson for the Chiefs. Fromm to me is a nice pick, but I think a new blocker, corner, linebacker, or tight end would have made a lot more sense. I do understand why they took him since the value and Josh Allen's injury history just made too much sense to take him here. Now I do think Fromm has the ability to turn into an Andy Dalton type quarterback with his high IQ, poise, and ability to evaluate plays quickly. His lack of any amazing athletic traits or arm strength that made him drop down the boards. I wonder how he fits as Josh Allen's back up since he is like the opposite of Allen so if he does get hurt then the offensive strategy has to change a lot. I found the pick unnecessary, but having a strong back up quarterback is almost as important as having a solid starting quarterback. I will never understand why teams waste picks on kickers, punters, and long snappers. Instead, of pigeonholing myself to one guy cause I drafted him seems dangerous at the position with how volatile it can be. I would rather try out a few undrafted prospects instead. This pick is close to be an F, but I mean it is the 6th round so I guess it's not too ridiculous. I really like the Jackson pick, but I doubt he has the talent to beat out their incumbent starters and back ups. They need more at corner instead of another Levi Wallace or Taron Johnson. What they need is a stronger corner prospect to play across from Tre'Davious White, instead of the anciently slow Josh Norman. I would have preferred a back up blocker or tight end prospect instead that they could find a way to use more quickly. All in all this draft deserves a solid B+ just on the fact of their first three picks and landing Stefon Diggs with their first rounder. I thought they could have done more with their later picks to make them more of a threat in the AFC Playoffs, since I see them as a team on the cusp of sneaking into the Super Bowl. 

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