The NFL Draft starts in one week, and in today’s edition of the Buffalo Bills daily links, we size up the top two running backs who could be on the board when Buffalo drafts at No. 30: Clemson’s Travis Etienne and Alabama’s Najee Harris.
We also hear from general manager Brandon Beane on the latest news involving a potential contract extension for quarterback Josh Allen, what direction the Bills might head with that 30th overall pick, and why he feels its important for the team to continue adding as many defensive weapons as it can to keep up with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC.
We hear from NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah on why the Bills should be able to draft a talented edge rusher at No. 30, discuss why Buffalo should once again be featured plenty of times on national television and in primetime in 2021, analyze the state of Buffalo’s safeties, assess the best interior linemen available in the draft, profile Florida State cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., and much more!
Recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings
BBR: Should the Bills go CB or DE in round 1 of 2021 NFL Draft - Buffalo Rumblings
Dual mock drafts give a better idea on what the Bills could do in the top 100.
Mel Kiper & Todd McShay 2021 NFL Mock Draft adds defense for Buffalo Bills - Buffalo Rumblings
Three rounds of defenders headed to Buffalo from ESPN.
2021 NFL Draft Scouting Spotlight: Alabama DT Christian Barmore - Buffalo Rumblings
A rising defensive tackle who was co-MVP of the national championship.
Brandon Beane won’t commit to Josh Allen extension timeline - Buffalo Rumblings
Beane optimistic it’ll get done, not sure when.
Billieve Podcast: State of the safeties - Buffalo Rumblings
Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer form a terrific tandem, but the team could use more depth.
Buffalo Bills general manager doesn’t think NFL will mandate player coronavirus vaccines - Buffalo Rumblings
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane does not think the NFL will mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for players prior to the 2021 season.
Buffalo Bills anticipate Tommy Sweeney’s return in 2021 - Buffalo Rumblings
The tight end has been cleared by his cardiologist.
2021 NFL Free Agency: Former Buffalo Bills punter Corey Bojorquez signs with Los Angeles Rams - Buffalo Rumblings
The California native is headed back to the West Coast.
Additional Bills news from around the web
Sizing up the elite running backs in the draft
RB Travis Etienne would make Bills offense whole - Democrat & Chronicle
The Buffalo Bills’ offense is probably fine as is, but if they were to add Etienne, he could be the player who pushes them to a new level.
Do Bills need more home run potential? Travis Etienne can take it to the house | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Etienne’s home-run ability makes him a first-round draft prospect and arguably the most polarizing prospect for Bills fans in the 2021 NFL draft,” writes Mark Gaughan.
Could Alabama RB Najee Harris be the next Derrick Henry? - Democrat & Chronicle
If the Bills take a swing at a running back in the first round, Alabama’s Najee Harris would be an interesting fit in Brian Daboll’s offense.
Brandon Beane on Josh Allen contract extension...
Vic Carucci: Bills, Allen do negotiation dance on contract extension | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Maybe the extension will happen later in the spring. Or, perhaps, the summer. Who knows?” writes Vic Carucci.
Buffalo Bills GM - ‘No rush’ on extension for QB Josh Allen despite mutual interest - ESPN.com Buffalo Bills Blog
Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane says despite mutual interest from both sides, there’s “no rush” to get a contract extension done with quarterback Josh Allen at this time.
Bills GM Brandon Beane says there is time for Josh Allen talks, No. 30 good spot in draft | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Contract talks with the QB and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds will be “front and center as soon as the draft is done,” according to Beane.
Josh Allen’s contract and more takeaways from Brandon Beane’s pre-draft comments – The Athletic
“Josh wants to be here,” Beane said. “That gives me hope we’ll get something done at some point.” (Subscription required).
What Bills, Browns, Ravens should know before they extend their QBs: Inside the ‘Rookie QB Window’ numbers – The Athletic
The last draft of a QB’s rookie window is crucial to long-term success. Not hitting on them can trap a team in the land of mediocrity. (Subscription required).
...and on what Buffalo might do with pick No. 30
Beane: Speculation over pick No. 30 is great - WGR 550
“The Bills general manager joined Howard and Jeremy on Wednesday with a little more a week before the 2021 NFL Draft gets underway”
Brandon Beane talks NFL Draft - Democrat & Chronicle
Beane discussed several topics as the team gets ready for the 2021 NFL Draft, which starts April 29.
Draft deals, scouting problems and more from Brandon Beane’s pre-draft news briefing | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Look for the Buffalo Bills to move around at some point in the 2021 NFL Draft next week,” writes Mark Gaughan.
Brandon Beane: What Bills are looking for in draft with losses to Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes fresh in mind - newyorkupstate.com
Beane: “You just got to try on the defensive side (to) build as many weapons as you can.”
5 things we learned from Beane’s pre-draft press conference - BuffaloBills.com
Bills GM Brandon Beane discussed the upcoming draft and gave us several things to keep an eye on as April 29 approaches.
Bills Today | Buffalo’s in position to draft the best player available - BuffaloBills.com
Plus, which position is at the top of Buffalo’s draft board from draft guru Todd McShay?
One draft expert feels Buffalo can land a solid edge rusher at No. 30
Bills to have edge options at pick 30, says Daniel Jeremiah - newyorkupstate.com
“Buffalo Bills general manager said earlier this week that the team is going to think long-term more than short-term with their first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft,” writes Ryan Talbot.
Daniel Jeremiah thinks Bills won’t miss out on run on edge rushers | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
The NFL Network analyst projected University of Washington defensive end Joe Tryon for the Bills in a mock draft early this month.
Bills likely to be showcased on national television and in primetime in 2021
Bills likely to get national TV, prime time games in 2021 - WGR 550
“National Football League Vice President of Broadcast Planning Mike North joined me on the SalSports… and Stuff podcast to discuss the 2021 NFL schedule and made it clear that the Bills will be showcased a lot once again,” writes Sal Capaccio.
Bills ‘absolutely in conversation’ to play Super Bowl champion Buccaneers in NFL opener, says schedule maker - newyorkupstate.com
Tampa Bay will host the opening game of the 2021 NFL season.
Bills Today | Get ready for the 2021 NFL schedule release date - BuffaloBills.com
Here are three things to know about the Bills for Thursday, April 22.
Assessing the best interior offensive linemen in the draft
Bills’ 2021 draft preview: Ranking the top interior O-linemen prospects by best fit – The Athletic
“The sweet spot for an interior offensive lineman will likely be in the second or third round for someone with center flexibility,” writes Joe Buscaglia. (Subscription required).
CB Asante Samuel Jr. a good fit for the Bills
NFL draft profile: Florida State CB Asante Samuel Jr. ‘would love’ to play for Bills | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Samuel had solid production in more than two years as a starter at Florida State. Of the 137 times he was targeted, he was credited with 29 pass defenses and four interceptions,” writes Vic Carucci.
Odds and ends
Bills’ Matt Milano planning to be ‘Super Bowl bound’ in 2021 return to Buffalo - newyorkupstate.com
Matt Milano believes the big game is the only way to finish the 2021-2022 year.
NFL owners table Bills’ proposal that head-coach, GM spots be filled after Super Bowl | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, the owners decided Wednesday to table it for more discussion by the league’s workplace diversity committee, which includes Bills co-owner Kim Pegula,” writes Vic Carucci.
NFL Draft shows Buffalo Bills are superior to AFC rivals - WGR 550
The Buffalo Bills are the only team in the AFC East with a surefire plan at quarterback. As the NFL Draft approaches, everyone else is scrambling. It’s another sign of their superiority.
AFC East offseason rankings: Where Bills, Patriots, Dolphins and Jets stand as 2021 NFL Draft nears - CBSSports.com
“Here’s a look at how the AFC East stacks up leading into the NFL Draft,” writes Tyler Sullivan.
Former Bills punter Corey Bojorquez signs with Los Angeles Rams | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Bojorquez, a native of Bellflower, Calif., spent the last three seasons with the Bills and ranked first in the NFL last season in gross punting average with 50.8 yards per kick.”