1 – NFL.com offers this grade for the Bills 2018 draft class
Before the 2019 draft happens, it's important to look back at the success of Bills' rookies from this past draft class. Obviously headlined by Josh Allen at the seventh overall pick, Buffalo found value throughout the draft including a 20-year-old rookie who is viewed by many as the "jewel" of the class.
The Bills had a total of eight picks in the 2018 draft, seven of whom saw playing time this season. Tremaine Edmunds, Harrison Phillips, Taron Johnson, Siran Neal, Wyatt Teller, Ray-Ray McCloud were the draftees with Robert Foster and Levi Wallace signing after going undrafted.
Buffalo was given a B grade by Nick Shook of NFL.com for their draft class. The Bills are tied for third in the AFC East grades with both Miami and New York getting a B+ and New England receiving a B as well.
Shook called Phillips an "excellent grab in the third round" expecting him to overtake Kyle Williams' role next season while Johnson has "plenty of upside" as a cornerback opposite of Tre'Davious White. Edmunds looks to be a "mainstay" of Buffalo's defense for years to come.
Shook summarized Buffalo's draft class with the following opinion.
Buffalo's second, third and fourth picks carry this class, which could end up with a better grade if Allen develops into a franchise quarterback.
2 - B/R's Bills offseason blueprint – Help for Josh Allen
Only general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott know who or what the Bills are targeting this offseason, but Bleacher Report released their blueprints for every NFL team his offseason. To no one's surprise, for the Bills it's to get Josh Allen more help.
Buffalo controls its own destiny on who to pick at the ninth position. Intriguing prospects include Florida's Jawaan Taylor, a dynamic guard who would bolster the offensive line, and potential superstar wide receiver A.J. Brown out of Mississippi.
Josh Allen was sacked on eight percent of his drop backs last year, eighth most in the league and second worst among rookie quarterbacks. The Bills already signed Spencer Long for help along the line but with many of the top picks in this years' draft being defensive players Buffalo should be able to draft a blue-chip offensive line prospect.
Buffalo also has the fourth most projected cap space in the NFL. The Bills have an opportunity to sign an impact defensive player and turn the number two defense into the number one. Impending free agents like Demarcus Lawrence, Jadeveon Clowney, Grady Jarrett, Dee Ford, Landon Collins, Earl Thomas and Adrian Amos are all enticing options to become Bills next season, but GM Brandon Beane remains steadfast in his approach to be fiscally responsible in free agency.
3 - Robert Foster is PFF's highest graded Bill on offense
Robert Foster can be considered the biggest steal of the draft this past season, despite him not even being drafted. Foster ranked second among all rookie wide receivers with a 72.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
Foster hauled in 27 receptions for 541 yards and three touchdowns this year. Foster averaged 20 yards per catch including this 75-yard touchdown where he burnt Jaguars defensive back Barry Church.
Foster only hauled in 35 receptions for 389 yards in four years at Alabama. During his senior season he only grabbed 14 balls for 174 yards as Alabama won the national championship. He was fifth in reception yards on the team while Falcons rookie Calvin Ridley led the team.
Alabama has been known to produce great wide receivers in recent years with Julio Jones and Amari Cooper leading the way. Fosters' big-play potential hopefully puts him next in line of impactful talent from Alabama.
