Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane explains why the Bills didn’t draft a wide receiver in the second round of the NFL Draft, even after making a trade to move up in the draft.
The Buffalo Bills had multiple opportunities to select a wide receiver in the second round of the NFL Draft, but the team chose to address other positions instead.
General manager Brandon Beane said the decision was tied to how the team currently views its wide receiver group, particularly after adding D.J. Moore this offseason.
"There’s depth there, but we look at it like we selected D.J. in the second round," Beane said on Friday night after the team made its picks. "And that’s truly an addition that we did not have on this team last year."
Moore’s arrival gives Buffalo an established number one option alongside a group that already includes Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer, and, at least as of now, Keon Coleman. That existing depth played a role in how the team approached its second-round picks.
“You’re looking at his role, Shakir, Palmer coming back, Keon,” Beane said. “We’re not just saying it, we’re excited about Keon, and the first few weeks here, it’s been very, very positive.”
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The Bills also have additional options in the room, such as Mecole Hardman, while Tyrell Shavers is working his way back from the torn ACL suffered at the end of last season. With multiple players competing for roles, Buffalo did not enter Day 2 with a pressing need at the position. At least, that's how Beane feels.
That flexibility allowed the front office to follow its draft board rather than target a specific position at the top of the 2nd round, as well as at the end when they moved from 66 to 62.
Beane said the team remains open to selecting a receiver later in the draft, but only if the value matches where they have a player graded.
“If it’s the best player, we’ll definitely take it and throw him in the mix and let it shake out,” he said.
For now, the Bills are moving forward with a group they believe is deeper than it was a year ago. Moore is expected to take on a significant role, while the returning players will continue to compete for snaps as the roster takes shape.
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