In today’s edition of the Buffalo Bills daily links, the dust has settled from the 2021 NFL Draft, and we recap Buffalo’s eight-man draft class, a group that includes: Miami edge rusher Gregory Rousseau, Wake Forest edge rusher Carlos “Boogie” Basham Jr., Northern Iowa offensive tackle Spencer Brown, Miami (Ohio) offensive tackle Tommy Doyle, Houston wide receiver/returner Marquez Stevenson, Pittsburgh safety Damar Hamlin, Wisconsin cornerback Rachad Wildgoose Jr., and Texas Tech guard Jack Anderson.
We break down Buffalo’s Day 3 draft picks, hear what grades the local and national media members gave Buffalo’s draft class, discuss how this year’s NFL Draft process was different for general manager Brandon Beane with the Bills being the hunted instead of the hunter, and offer up a list of Buffalo’s best picks and most head-scratching selections.
We also review the players Brandon Beane brought in as part of his undrafted rookie free-agent class, take a look at the early post-draft depth chart for the Bills, learn how Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith plans on helping Rousseau develop into Buffalo’s next great pass rusher, and more.
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2021 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills winners and losers - Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills selected eight players over the weekend as part of the 2021 NFL Draft. But it’s not just about replacing departed players, it’s about upgrading over current players. So which players did the Bills trust enough to not upgrade, and which players were buried on the depth chart?
Circling the Wagons: Buffalo Bills 2021 NFL Draft Recap - Buffalo Rumblings
Dan and Grif break down the Bills’ 2021 Draft! Listen now!
2021 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills pick Tommy Doyle, OT from Miami (Ohio) 161st overall - Buffalo Rumblings
Doubling up on offensive tackles now.
Opinion: Buffalo Bills banking on traits at offensive tackle with Tommy Doyle - Buffalo Rumblings
Another mammoth, athletic tackle project joins the Bills.
2021 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills take Houston WR Marquez Stevenson with 203rd pick - Buffalo Rumblings
A dangerous kick returner joins the Bills.
Opinion: Marquez Stevenson brings speed, return ability for Buffalo - Buffalo Rumblings
Stevenson could be the speed threat of the future for Buffalo.
2021 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills draft Pittsburgh S Damar Hamlin with 212th pick - Buffalo Rumblings
An experienced safety joins the Bills.
Opinion: Damar Hamlin will become the new Dean Marlowe - Buffalo Rumblings
The rookie from Pitt is exactly what Buffalo covets at the position.
2021 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills take Wisconsin CB Rachad Wildgoose Jr. with 213th pick - Buffalo Rumblings
The Bills chased down a cornerback for the roster.
Opinion: Rachad Wildgoose Jr. brings versatility at corner to Buffalo - Buffalo Rumblings
Wildgoose has a chance to break onto the Bills’ roster as a rookie.
2021 NFL Draft: Texas Tech OG Jack Anderson is the final Buffalo Bills pick - Buffalo Rumblings
A 38-game starting right guard joins the Bills.
Opinion: Jack Anderson a developmental option along the interior for Buffalo Bills - Buffalo Rumblings
Get him in with NFL coaching, and a weight room, and Anderson could surprise.
2021 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills undrafted free agent tracker - Buffalo Rumblings
It ain’t over til we say it’s over!
Additional Bills news from around the web
Early thoughts on Buffalo’s 2021 NFL Draft Class
Capaccio: Bills make 2021 draft a ‘big one’ - WGR 550
The Buffalo Bills added eight players to their roster in the 2021 NFL Draft, and most of them were either offensive or defensive linemen who are now also the largest players on the team.
Maiorana: Patience will be required with Bills 2021 draft class - Democrat & Chronicle
Here are Sal Maiorana’s observations on how the Bills did in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Everything you need to know about the Bills’ 2021 draft | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“The Bills added eight players in the NFL draft. Read and watch our analysis, features and profiles of the players and where the Bills stand.”
Vic Carucci: For Bills, drafting as the hunted is different | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Significant improvement through the draft becomes less necessary when you already have one of the top teams in the NFL,” writes Vic Carucci.
Draft grades: Mel Kiper calls Buffalo Bills draft “boom or bust” - Democrat & Chronicle
“Draft grades: Experts mixed on Bills draft, Mel Kiper says no RB is ‘head-scratcher’” — Ryan Miller.
Bills 2021 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper grades Buffalo’s ‘boom-or-bust’ class - newyorkupstate.com
Kiper’s thoughts on Buffalo’s 2021 draft class.
News’ writers grade how the Bills fared in NFL draft | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“News’ Bills’ writers offer their grades for how the team performed in the 2021 NFL draft.”
How national analysts graded the Bills’ NFL draft performance | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Here is a sampling of how national draft analysts viewed the Bills’ draft.”
NFL analysts provide these grades for the 2021 Bills draft class - BuffaloBills.com
Bills receive high marks for their 2021 draft selections.
2021 Bills draft picks: NFL draft grades, order, how they fit, full scouting reports – The Athletic
“The Buffalo Bills entered the 2021 NFL Draft on April 29 with seven selections over the three-day event.” (Subscription required).
2021 NFL Draft grades for every team: Falcons, Lions, Vikings ace final report cards while Cowboys, Texans look iffy – The Athletic
“Which teams made out the best over draft weekend, and which general managers produced the biggest head-scratchers?,” writes Sheil Kapadia. (Subscription required).
Bills’ best pick, biggest head-scratcher and needs left: 2021 NFL Draft takeaways – The Athletic
This draft was more about 2022 and 2023 than what the Bills need for the upcoming year. (Subscription required).
Senior Bowl showings made a strong impact in shaping Bills’ draft class | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“With the Covid-19 pandemic canceling the annual NFL Scouting Combine and pre-draft visits by prospects to team facilities, the Senior Bowl took on added significance as a chance to see players up close,” writes Jay Skurski.
Analysis: Edge rush development key for Bills vs. NFL’s speed arms race | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier has four months to get ready for the speed assault. He’s going to need it.
Instant Reaction: Complete Analysis of the Bills 2021 Draft Class - BuffaloBills.com
“Maddy Glab and Chris Brown broke down all eight picks from the Bills 2021 draft class.”
Bills Today | The Athletic thinks this Bills draft pick will make the biggest impact - BuffaloBills.com
Here are three things to know about the Bills for Monday, May 3.
2021 NFL Draft: Greg Rousseau, Boogie Basham headline Buffalo’s monster class - BuffaloBills.com
Chris Brown breaks down what fans need to know about the team’s newest members.
Bills post-draft depth chart: A logjam at defensive end, but room to add at corner – The Athletic
“Along the defensive line, in particular, the Bills will have some tough decisions to make,” writes Matthew Fairburn. (Subscription required).
Bills draft another massive offensive tackle in Tommy Doyle
Bills add another 6-foot-8 offensive tackle, Tommy Doyle, in the fifth round - Democrat & Chronicle
Doyle gives Buffalo another mammoth prospect for the offensive line.
Watch now: 5 things to know about Miami (Ohio) offensive tackle Tommy Doyle | Multimedia | buffalonews.com
“Here are five things to know about Miami (Ohio) offensive tackle Tommy Doyle, selected by the Bills in the fifth round, 161st overall, on Saturday,” writes Vic Carucci.
Bills select Tommy Doyle in fifth round of 2021 NFL Draft - WGR 550
The Buffalo Bills selected offensive tackle Tommy Doyle in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Bills add OT Tommy Doyle in Round 5: 4 things to know - newyorkupstate.com
The Bills’ run of drafting massive human beings continued on day three of the draft.
5 things to know about Miami (Ohio) offensive tackle Tommy Doyle | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Doyle dreamed of playing in the NHL. Of course, as he continued on the growth path to 6-foot-8, 320 pounds, football became an obvious alternative,” writes Vic Carucci.
Round 5: Bills select Miami (Ohio) offensive tackle Tommy Doyle; make a trade down | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“The Buffalo Bills continue to go big,” writes Jay Skurski.
Speedster Marquez Stevenson added to wide receiving corps
Sixth round: Bills take receiver, kick returner Marquez Stevenson | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“The Bills picked Houston wide receiver Marquez Stevenson at No. 203 overall. Stevenson, 5-foot-10 and 182 pounds, made his college reputation as a big-play threat,” writes Mark Gaughan.
Bills add to wide receiver group with Marquez Stevenson - Democrat & Chronicle
Stevenson is a speedster.
Bills select Marquez Stevenson with 203rd pick in NFL Draft - WGR 550
“With the first of three selections in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills added to their wide receiver group by selecting wide receiver Marquez Stevenson with the 203rd overall pick out of the University of Houston,” writes Franklin Heinzmann.
Bills add WR/KR Marquez Stevenson with pick 203 in Round 6: 5 things to know - newyorkupstate.com
Stevenson has speed and big-play ability.
Buffalo Bills draft speedy Houston WR Marquez Stevenson with 203rd pick - newyorkupstate.com
Stevenson has kick/punt return potential and ran 4.45 40-yard dash at pro day.
5 things to know about Houston wide receiver Marquez Stevenson | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Here are five things to know about Houston wide receiver Marquez Stevenson, selected by the Bills in the sixth round, No. 203 overall, on Saturday:.”
Bills address secondary, draft Damar Hamlin, Rachad Wildgoose
Bills select Damar Hamlin with 212th pick in 2021 NFL Draft - WGR 550
“With the 212th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select safety Damar Hamlin from the University of Pittsburgh,” writes Brayton J. Wilson.
5 things to know about Bills sixth-round draft pick Damar Hamlin | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Here are five things to know about University of Pittsburgh safety Damar Hamlin, selected by the Bills in the sixth round, No. 212, on Saturday,” writes Mark Gaughan.
Bills select Wildgoose 213th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft - WGR 550
“With their third and final pick of the sixth round in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills elected to address the cornerback position by selecting cornerback Rachad Wildgoose out of the University of Wisconsin,” writes Franklin Heinzmann.
5 things to know about Wisconsin CB Rachad Wildgoose | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Here are five things to know about Wisconsin cornerback Rachad Wildgoose, selected by the Bills in the sixth round, No. 213, on Saturday,” writes Jay Skurski.
Round 6: Bills finally select a cornerback, Wisconsin’s Rachad Wildgoose | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Considered a position of need for the team entering the draft, the Bills clearly saw it differently and waited until the sixth round, with the 213th overall pick, Saturday to select Wisconsin cornerback Rachad Wildgoose,” writes Vic Carucci.
NFL Draft: Bills select back-to-back defensive backs in the sixth round - Democrat & Chronicle
It happened later than expected, but the Bills beefed up their secondary with two straight picks in the sixth round.
Bills shore up interior of offensive line, draft guard Jack Anderson
Bills select Jack Anderson in seventh round of NFL Draft - WGR 550
“The Buffalo Bills wrapped up their 2021 NFL Draft on Saturday with the selection of guard Jack Anderson with the 236th overall pick in the seventh round out of Texas Tech University,” writes Brayton J. Wilson.
Buffalo Bills draft former five-star prospect with final pick in seventh round - Democrat & Chronicle
“The Buffalo Bills wrapped up their 2021 NFL Draft on Saturday with the selection of guard Jack Anderson with the 236th overall pick in the seventh round out of Texas Tech University,” writes Sal Maiorana.
5 things to know about Bills seventh-round pick Jack Anderson | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Here are five things to know about Texas Tech guard Jack Anderson, selected by the Bills in the seventh round, No. 236, on Saturday,” writes Mark Gaughan.
Odds and ends
Bills Notebook: Decision on 5th-year options for Josh Allen, Tremaine Edmunds coming by Monday | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“We’re aware of that. We’ve had conversations and we’ll get that handled by the deadline Monday,” Bills GM Brandon Beane said in his post-draft news conference Saturday night.
Bruce Smith promises to help Greg Rousseau shine with Bills - WGR 550
“When Rousseau arrived in Buffalo on Friday, he was greeted with a video from Hall of Fame pass rusher Bruce Smith, who promised to work with the University of Miami standout,” writes Alex Reimer.
Brandon Beane: "Want as Many Impact Players as We Can" - BuffaloBills.com
Beane discusses the Bills' involvement in the UDFA market, insight into the draft picks taken in the later rounds, and players contributing during their rookie season.
Why Bills are struggling to land top UDFAs; how Brandon Beane prepared for this - newyorkupstate.com
Buffalo traded back in the fifth to pick up an extra sixth-round pick.
Beane envisions roles for 2021 draft class - WGR 550
The Buffalo Bills ended their 2021 NFL Draft by adding eight NFL hopefuls to the roster, mainly focusing on beefing up both sides of the ball in the trenches,” writes Franklin Heinzmann.
'Everything was good about Buffalo': Greg Rousseau's parents have a history with their son's new home city – The Athletic
Buffalo is where Gregory Rousseau's mom went to high school, where she earned her first nursing license, where she married his dad. (Subscription required).