Buffalo Bills

2022 Buffalo Bills Draft Tracker

Published

9 months ago

April 30, 2022

In this tracker, I’ll be providing instant analysis of all the Buffalo Bills’ picks (and trades) in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Round 1 (23rd Overall): CB Kaiir Elam, Florida

TRADE:

Bills receive: Rd 1 (23rd overall)

Ravens receive: Rd 1 (25th), Rd 4 (130th)

Measurables

College Stats

Elam allowed only 18 catches on 35 targets for 185 yds in 2021.

Fit

Elam is a solid athlete that the Buffalo Bills clearly saw as “trade up worthy”. His size and strength helped him against top SEC competition. He will need to be less grabby, but there is a lot here for McDermott and Butler to work with.

TRADE:

Buccaneers receive: Rd 2 (57th overall)

Bills receive: Rd 2 (60th) and Rd 6 (180th)

Not finding enough value in the players currently available, the Bills recoup a pick from the trade up for Elam.

TRADE:

Bengals receive: Rd 2 (60th overall)

Bills receive: Rd 2 (63rd) and Rd 6 (209th)

Bills pick up another late Day 3. A trade up later tonight or early tomorrow seems likely at this point.

Round 2 (63rd overall): RB James Cook, Georgia

Measurables

College Stats

Fit

While not a power back, Cook can bring speed, shiftiness, and natural pass-catching as part of backfield committee with Motor Singletary, Duke Johnson, and Zach Moss. He’ll need to improve in recognition in pass protection, but he’ll immediately be the fastest RB the Bills have rostered for 2022.

Round 3 (89th overall): LB Terrel Bernard, Baylor

Measurables

College Stats

Fit

Undersized by NFL LB standards, Bernard plays fast and tough with good lateral movement. He finished as number 3 on Baylor’s all-time sack list (16.5) from the weakside backer. Bernard is a smart, disciplined, athletic player.

TRADE:

Bears Receive: Rd 5 (168th overall) and Rd 7 (203rd)

Bills Receive: Rd 5 (148th)

Round 5 (148th overall): WR Khalil Shakir, Boise St.

Measurables

College Stats

Fit

Shakir will bring exceptional quickness to the Bills, likely as a slot WR. A good route runner with high level body control, Shakir has returned punts and had 71 carries in his career. He was also a permanent team captain at Boise State in 2021.

Round 6 (180th overall): P Matt Araiza, San Diego St.

Measurables

College Stats

2021 was Araiza’s primary season. He had only 5 punts in 2020.

Fit

PUNT GOD HAS COME TO RID US OF HAACK!

Round 6 (185th overall): CB Christian Benford, Villanova

Measurables

College Stats

Fit

Benford has a solid build with a physical game to match. He shows promise in both man and zone coverage but will need to work on run support.

Round 6 (209th overall): OT Luke Tenuta, Virginia Tech

Photo: Keith Srakocic, The Associate Press

Measurables

College Stats

2019: 13 GP/5 GS
2020: 9/9
2021: 12/12

Fit

Tenuta took over LT from Christian Darrisaw in 2021 after spending the previous two seasons primarily at RT. He has decent quickness and good awareness but lacks true explosion. He has potential as a reliable backup RT.

Round 7 (231st overall): LB Baylon Spector, Clemson

CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 07: Baylon Spector (10) linebacker of Clemson during the ACC football championship game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Clemson Tigers on December 7, 2019, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Measurables

College Stats

Fit

Spector is a good athlete while being another undersize LB. He diagnoses well and has good vision but struggles disengaging from blocks. Spector should provide reliable weakside LB depth and could also play on special teams.