NFL
By: Randall Slifer
Folks, the time has come. The NFL Draft is here, and it’s just as impossible to predict the draft as it is March Madness. The Buffalo Bills have left some holes on their roster. This may be the first time in a while that fans and local media are having this much difficulty picking the first-round pick.
The draft is not won on Day 1, though. Brandon Beane is a good overall drafter, and he excels on day 3. Let’s see how close we can get to predicting the Buffalo Bills’ draft decision come this weekend:
*Disclaimer: I will have an honorable mention under the 1st round draft pick and still count it as a win*
Round 1 Pick 26: WR Kevin Concepcion, Texas A&M
Trading back will be difficult this NFL Draft because many teams want to move back. If it’s the race for Ty Simpson, you may be accepting a bad trade to trade back when there is a bidding war to move back. I’ll take KC Concepcion over trading back to add a 4th rounder. Concepcion is a 4-level burner who keeps his separation when he creates it. He has the best press man releases, and his stem work is lethal. KC is better than any edge and defensive tackle at pick 26, full stop.
Honorable Mention: Trade Back into the 2nd round for Christen Miller
*Trade: Buffalo sends pick 91 + 220 to Pittsburgh for picks 99 + 135*
Round 3: Pick 99: LB/EDGE Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
Barham was the only edge that the Buffalo Bills met with at the combine, which seemed surprising in itself. In college, Barham played inside linebacker, off-ball linebacker, and edge. Jim Leonhard wants guys on his defense that he can put in multiple spots, to cloud offenses’ processing pre- and post-snap. Remember when everyone was clamoring for Buffalo to sign Leo Chenal in free agency? Barham is a great substitute for that.
*Trade: Buffalo sends picks 126 + 168 to Philadelphia for pick 114*
Round 4 Pick 114: OT Austin Barber, Florida
The Buffalo Bills’ five offensive linemen finally had a piece break off this year. David Edwards is heading to the New Orleans Saints. Alec Anderson is projected to take the left guard spot, and O’Cyrus Torrence is in the last year of his contract. Austin Barber has played left tackle and right tackle in his collegiate career, and he can move to guard. Austin Barber works well while moving, which sustains Buffalo’s run game, as well as the constant pins and pulls Buffalo likes to run. He would not be projected to start in year 1. However, by year 2, he has a chance to start at guard and then tackle in the future. A true versatile offensive line piece that Buffalo needs to bolster their depth again.
Round 4 Pick 135: iDL Tim Keenan III, Alabama
One clear hole in the Buffalo Bills roster is the nose tackle position. Switching to a 3-4 defense (I understand the fronts will be blended) requires a 2-gap plugging machine for this new offense. Tim Keenan III is a run-stuffing anchor on the defensive line that will open up Ed Oliver and Deone Walker next to him. He had a high ankle sprain in 2025 that limited him throughout the season. Brandon Beane jumps on the “Keenan Dip” just like he did with Deone Walker.
Round 5 Pick 165: S Jakobe Thomas, Miami
Brandon Beane went and got guys who can play safety and slot as versatility options. CJ Gardner-Johnson is on a 1-year deal, and Dee Alford will be more of the nickel position. Jakobe Thomas is a safety who can play strong and free. However, he can also allow Cole Bishop to be the versatile piece that Leonhard wants him to be in this new defense. Thomas had 5 interceptions and 6 pass breakups last year as a safety, including only a 55 passer rating when targeted. He gives me Jordan Poyer vibes, and we all saw how well that worked with Bishop.
Round 6 Pick 182: CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin
Brandon Beane has done well drafting FCS players, including Spencer Brown, Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, and Joe Andreessen. Brandon Beane dips again and gets a dynamic athlete in Charles Demmings. At a prototypical cornerback size at 6’1 193 pounds, he ran a 4.41 forty-yard dash, had a 42-inch vertical, and an 11-foot broad jump. His athleticism shows up on tape, and he can play man or zone coverage. He falls this far due to his competition in the FCS, but it is another steal Brandon Beane gets in the NFL Draft.
The Buffalo Bills only get six picks here, but you also traded your 2nd rounder for DJ Moore. Brandon Beane shifts around on days 2 and 3 to get the guys he wants, then fills the rest of the roster after June 1st. Let me know your thoughts here or reach out to me on Twitter @RandallSlifer.
Go Bills!
