1. What will Brandon Beane's draft day set-up look like?
The 2020 NFL draft is still a week away, but Bills GM Brandon Beane and his staff have all of their logistics set for next Thursday night when the draft commences in the most remote way ever.
Beane, who will be conducting Buffalo's draft from his home, will have a bunch of different means allowing him to connect with the principle people he needs to stay in frequent contact with through the three days of the draft.
"I've got a few monitors of different sizes. We've got some big ones and some mobile ones that I can move around with me," said Beane in an appearance on 'One Bills Live'. "We're ready for everything and I'll have several different people on Zoom calls between my scouts on one and my people on trades and then Terry, Kim (Pegula) and Sean (McDermott) on another. So we'll have several different things set up so we can have an efficient communication system."
Buffalo's personnel boss also has some contingency plans in place if he has poor cell service or connectivity online.
"We've created some backups. We've talked through if this happens, what's our plan 'B'? A week out I feel really good about where we're at," he said. "Again technology is great until it fails you, but I think we've got a lot of good checks and balances and feel very confident with where we're at."
Beane said all that's left is finalizing the team's draft board, which will happen this weekend.
Meanwhile his COVID-19 fundraising efforts in conjunction with www.WNYResponds.org has raised more than $50 thousand. He's offering special Bills experiences and memorabilia to seven lucky donors who contribute to the cause, including a signed Josh Allen jersey and a Bills helmet signed by the team's 2020 draft class.
"I'm really appreciative of the response," said Beane. "I know all the people who have worked on it with the Bills and at the United Way have been stoked with where we're at. We want to see if we can get that number up between $70 and $75 thousand. That's my goal, but we've only got until Friday. So anyone willing to give it doesn't matter the amount."
2. Bills earn a top grade from Bleacher Report for offseason work
Winning on the field is most important in the NFL, but as far as Buffalo's offseason moves are concerned they're considered to be among the best in the league. That according to Bleacher Report, which handed out an 'A' grade to the Bills for their offseason roster transactions.
Here's an excerpt from B/R’s assessment of Buffalo's dealings.
The Buffalo Bills paid heftier price to acquire Diggs than the Cardinals had to for Hopkins. But it was probably worth the cost (this year's first-round pick plus three other selections).
Not to mention, the team upgraded from Lawson to Mario Addison, who has recorded at least nine sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in each of the last four seasons. Yes, Addison is seven years older than Lawson. However, he has been more productive for a longer period ...
Buffalo was one of only six teams to earn a grade of 'A' or better. Only Tampa Bay had a higher grade than the Bills with an 'A+' mark.
*3. Stefon Diggs part of NFL player effort to feed healthcare workers *
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, several Bills players have stepped up to make donations to causes helping both those on the front lines fighting the virus and those working to develop ample testing and a vaccine. Bills WR Stefon Diggs is the latest to take action.
Diggs, along with retired WR Brandon Marshall, NFL draft prospect Jerry Jeudy and DE Jason Pierre-Paul teamed up to show their appreciation to healthcare workers in South Florida.
The four players delivered thousands of meals, juices, acai bowls and smoothies to doctors, nurses and other medical personnel according to a report from TMZ Sports.
Raw Jūce, a South Florida-based restaurant, is working with House of Athlete, which Marshall, the former Pro Bowl receiver founded. The business partnership put into action the 'Nourish and Recover the Frontlines South Florida Fund' in support of "frontline healthcare heroes."
If you're a Bills fan in South Florida, here's where you can help to support the cause.
