Analysis: Winners and losers for the Bills after the 2022 NFL Draft By Mark Gaughan News Sports Reporter Apr 30, 2022 Apr 30, 2022 Updated Apr 19, 2026 0 Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott got more players to fit his character profile in the 2022 NFL Draft. Derek Gee / Buffalo News Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save By Mark Gaughan News Sports Reporter Here’s an analysis of winners and losers at One Bills Drive after the dust settled from three days of drafting by the Buffalo Bills.kAmkDEC@?8m(:??6CDk^DEC@?8mk^AmkAmkDEC@?8m$62? |4s6C>@EE’D 4F=EFC6]k^DEC@?8m }6G6C F?56C6DE:>2E6 E96 AC:@C:EJ E96 q:==D AFE @? 86EE:?8 8FJD H9@D6 A6CD@?2=:EJ 7:ED E96 9625 4@249’D E62>\7:CDE >2?EC2] u:CDE\C@F?5 A:4< z2::C t=2> 92D E96 36?67:EE65 8C62E=J 7C@> E96 :?7=F6?46 @7 9:D 72E96C[ p3C2>[ 2 7@C>6C }u{ A=2J6C] t=2> D9@H65 >2EFC:EJ 36J@?5 9:D a_ J62CD :? E96 AC6\5C27E AC@46DD] %9:C5\C@F?5 A:4< %6CC6= q6C?2C5 H2D 2 E62> 42AE2:? 7@C q2J=@C 2?5 =2F565 3J 9:D E62>>2E6D 7@C 9:D =6256CD9:A] w6 92D 2 >2DE6C’D 568C66] $64@?5\C@F?5 A:4< y2>6D r@@<[ E96 3C@E96C @7 ':<:?8D DE2C s2=G:?[ D9@F=5 <?@H H92E :E E2<6D E@ 36 2 AC@] u:7E9\C@F?5 A:4< z92=:= $92<:C H2D 2 E62> 42AE2:? 2E q@:D6 $E2E6]k^Am People are also reading… Franklin County leaned overwhelmingly against redistricting as vote passed statewide Products at 3 Rocky Mount vape shops seized for possibly illegal THC amounts Franklin County man sentenced in fatal Henry County crash Rocky Mount keeps tax rates level, but service rates will increase Franklin County residents push back on proposed tax increases, zoning changes Virginia voters narrowly pass redistricting referendum Judge reinstates Martinsville's mayor, delays hearing Why Franklin County increased its real estate tax by 4 cents Single-vehicle wreck kills 18-year-old in Franklin County Former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax fatally shot wife before taking own life, police say Osprey races, Earth Day cleanup set for Smith Mountain Lake State Park Franklin County School Board expels 4-day school week proposal Virginia budget leaders look for $1.6 billion from data centers Rocky Mount mayor wins ‘Kiss the Pig’ at Spencer-Penn fundraiser Madison Warner, daughter of Sen. Mark Warner, dies at age 36 kAm$2:5 86?6C2= >2?286C qC2?5@? q62?6 @7 t=2>i “w6’D 2 8C62E J@F?8 >2?] x E9:?< 96’== 7:E @FC s}p[ 7:E @FC 4F=EFC6] w6 :D @?6 @7 E96 8FJD H6 3C@F89E :? 7@C 2 b_ G:D:E 96C6[ 2?5 96 H2D :>AC6DD:G6] %92E C62==J <:?5 @7 D62=65 E96 72E6 @7 E9:D 8FJ H@F=5 7:E FD :7 :E H@C<65 @FE]”k^AmkAmkDEC@?8m{6D=:6 uC2K:6C]k^DEC@?8m %96 255:E:@? @7 t=2> 8:G6D E96 q:==D’ 5676?D:G6 4@@C5:?2E@C >@C6 7=6I:3:=:EJ :? 4@G6C286] t=2> 92D E96 =6?8E9[ D:K6 2?5 DA665 E@ A=2J AC6DD 4@G6C286] s6A6?5:?8 @? E96 >2E49FA[ E96 q:==D 42? FD6 E92E 23:=:EJ 282:?DE BF:4<\E9C@H:?8 C9JE9> @776?D6D E@ 8:G6 '@? |:==6C U2>Aj r@] 2 7C24E:@? @7 2 D64@?5 >@C6 E@ 86E E@ E96 BF2CE6C324<] t=2> 92D >@C6 C64@G6CJ DA665 :? >2? 4@G6C286] ~?46 t=2> 86ED 4@>7@CE23=6 :? E96 }u{[ uC2K:6C 92D E96 7=6I:3:=:EJ E@ 36 >@C6 288C6DD:G6 :? 4@G6C286 E92? 96 4@F=5 36 H:E9 {6G: (2==246 @C s2?6 y24<D@? :? @FED:56 4@G6C286]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8my@D9 p==6?]k^DEC@?8m r@@< :D 2 CF??:?8 324<[ 3FE :? C62=:EJ 96’D >@C6 @7 2? 255:E:@? E@ E96 A2DD:?8 82>6 E92? E96 CF? 82>6] w6 D9@F=5 36 2? :>>65:2E6 4@?EC:3FE@C E@ E96 @776?D6] w6 42? =:?6 FA 2D 2 C646:G6C :? E96 D=@E] w6 D9@F=5 96=A E96 q:==D’ 6IA=@:E 5676?D6D F?56C?62E9 2 =:EE=6 36EE6C] %96? p==6? 8@E >@C6 56AE9 2E C646:G6C H:E9 E96 A:4< @7 z92=:= $92<:C]k^AmkAmkDEC@?8m#J2? q2E6D[ x<6 q@6EE86C 2?5 r@5J u@C5]k^DEC@?8m %96C6 H2D 2 =@E @7 DA64F=2E:@? E96 q:==D 4@F=5 E2<6 2? :?E6C:@C @776?D:G6 =:?6>2? @? s2J a] q2E6D’ A@D:E:@? =:<6=J ?6G6C H2D 2E C:D<[ 8:G6? E96 724E E96 q:==D 82G6 9:> 2 4@?EC24E H@CE9 Sc]a >:==:@? 2 J62C :? |2C49] qFE q@6EE86C 2?5 u@C5 36?67:EE65 7C@> E96 724E E96 q:==D 5:5?’E 5C27E 2?J :?E6C:@C @776?D:G6 =:?6>6?] p 4@FA=6 8F2C5D H9@ G:D:E65 qF772=@ kDA2?m–k^DA2?m ~9:@ $E2E6’D }:4< !6E:E\uC6C6 2?5 |6>A9:D’ sJ=2? !2C92> kDA2?m–k^DA2?m 3@E9 H6C6 A:4<65 :? E96 E9:C5 C@F?5] p =@E @7 72?D 92G6 HC:EE6? @77 u@C5[ 3FE 96 H:== 92G6 2 72:C 492?46 E@ >2<6 E96 E@A ?:?6 @? E96 q:==D’ @776?D:G6 =:?6 282:?]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8ms6G:? $:?8=6E2CJ]k^DEC@?8m xE EFC?65 @FE E96 q:==D 5:5 ?@E 92G6 2 7:CDE\C@F?5 8C256 @? x@H2 $E2E6 CF??:?8 324< qC6646 w2==] w6 H6?E beE9 @G6C2== E@ E96 }6H *@C< y6ED] *6D[ r@@< >2J 4FE :?E@ $:?8=6E2CJ’D D?2AD 2 =:EE=6[ 3FE 96’D ?@E 2 7F==\D6CG:46 324< =:<6 w2== @C |:49:82? $E2E6’D z6??6E9 (2=<6C xxx]k^Am Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS Feed | Omny Studio kAmkDEC@?8mv23C:6= s2G:D]k^DEC@?8m pD :E EFC?65 @FE[ E96 @55D E92E E96 q:==D H@F=5 E2<6 2 C646:G6C :? E96 7:CDE C@F?5 H6C6 D=:>] %96 CF? @? (#D 92AA6?65 72DE[ 2?5 D:I H6?E :? E96 7:CDE `g A:4<D] w25 D@>6@?6 =:<6 pC<2?D2D’ %C6J=@? qFC<D 72==6?[ :E >:89E 92G6 366? 92C5 E@ A2DD @? 9:>] %96 q:==D’ 4@?7:56?46 :? s2G:D :D ;FDE:7:65[ 8:G6? 9:D >2DD:G6 7:?:D9 E@ E96 a_a` D62D@?]k^Am kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^3F772=@?6HD]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^5a37437e\4b5_\``64\g337\7bc753ab``6_Qm*@FC 8F:56 E@ E96 qF772=@ q:==D 2?5 E96 }u{ 5C27Ek^2mk^Am kAmkDEC@?8m{@D6CDk^DEC@?8mk^AmkAmkDEC@?8msF<6 y@9?D@? 2?5 +249 |@DD]k^DEC@?8m %96 q:==D 4@G6C65 E96:C 32D6D 27E6C E96 D:8?:?8 @7 y]s] |4z:DD:4 76== E9C@F89 3J 255:?8 y@9?D@?[ E96 C646:G:?8 324< H9@ 92D 925 D@>6 8@@5 J62CD H:E9 E96 r=6G6=2?5 qC@H?D 2?5 w@FDE@? %6I2?D] qFE H:E9 E96 5C27E:?8 @7 r@@<[ y@9?D@?’D @?=J A2E9 E@ 2 C@DE6C DA@E =@@<D =:<6 2 AC6D62D@? :?;FCJ E@ @?6 @7 E96 q:==D’ E@A 324<D] |@DD DE:== D9@F=5 >2<6 E96 E62> 2D E96 AC:>2CJ 324<FA E@ $:?8=6E2CJ[ 3FE |@DD’ A2E9 E@ 36:?8 24E:G6 >@DE H66<D E@@< 2 9:E] %96 q:==D H:== H2?E r@@< 24E:G6]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8m|2EE w224<]k^DEC@?8m %96 FD6 @7 2 D:IE9\C@F?5 A:4< @? |2EE pC2:K2 AFED D:8?:7:42?E 962E @? w224<[ H9@ 925 2 DF3\A2C D62D@? :? a_a`] %96 6IA64E2E:@? :D E96 q:==D H:== H2?E pC2:K2 E@ H:? E96 ;@3 3642FD6 @7 9:D 3:8 FAD:56] qFE pC2:K2 :D C2H[ H:E9 @?=J @?6 4@==68:2E6 D62D@? 2D 2 AF?E6C] w6 H:== ?665 E@ AC@G6 9:D 4@?D:DE6?4J :? 4@>A6E:E:@? 5FC:?8 EC2:?:?8 42>A 2?5 AC6D62D@?]k^Am kAm“|2EE 925 2 5@H? J62C[ 96VD 2 36EE6C AF?E6C E92? H92E 96 ;FDE A=2J65 =2DE J62C[” q62?6 D2:5] “w6VD 8@E 2 ?6H 7@4FD] $@ :EVD 4@>A6E:E:@?]”k^AmkAmkDEC@?8m%J=6C |2E2<6G:49[ %JC6== s@5D@? @C p?5C6 $>:E9]k^DEC@?8m ~?6 @7 E96> H:== 36 :? EC@F3=6 5F6 E@ E96 5C27E:?8 @7 %6CC6= q6C?2C5 :? E96 E9:C5 C@F?5] %96 q:==D <6AE D:I =:?6324<6CD =2DE D62D@?] (:E9 c]dh DA665 :? E96 c_\J2C5 52D9[ q6C?2C5 DFC6=J H:== 36 A=2J:?8 DA64:2= E62>D] %92E’D $>:E9’D D@=6 C@=6] x7 |2E2<6G:49 5@6D?’E >2<6 E96 E62>[ E96 q:==D H:== D2G6 Sa]d >:==:@? 282:?DE E96 D2=2CJ 42A] |2E2<6G:49 :D abd[ s@5D@? abf] %96 q:==D DFC6=J ?665 @?6 @7 E96> 7@C E96 C2C6 @442D:@?D E96J FD6 E96:C 32D6[ c\b 7C@?E]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8m|2CBF6K $E6G6?D@?]k^DEC@?8m %96 D:IE9\C@F?5 A:4< 7C@> a_a` AC@323=J H:== 92G6 2 E@F89 E:>6 362E:?8 @FE $92<:C[ 2 7:7E9\C@F?5 A:4<] $E6G6?D@? >:89E 36 C6=682E65 E@ E96 AC24E:46 DBF25 282:?]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8m!@E6?E:2= =@D6Ck^DEC@?8mk^AmkAmkDEC@?8m|2EE |:=2?@]k^DEC@?8m %96 q:==D’ DE2C =:?6324<6C :D @?=J af J62CD @=5] w6’D F?56C 4@?EC24E 7@C E9C66 >@C6 D62D@?D @? E96 4@?EC24E 96 D:8?65 :? |2C49 a_a`] w6’D ?@E 8@:?8 2?JH96C6 :? E96 ?62C 7FEFC6] *6E E96 q:==D 5:5?’E 5C27E 2 =:?6324<6C – q6C?2C5 – :? E96 E9:C5 C@F?5 H:E9 E96 :562 96 :D 2 42C66C 324<FA] |:=2?@ 92D 42A 9:ED @7 S`b >:==:@? :? a_ab 2?5 a_ac] {6E’D D2J E96 q:==D =@G6 q6C?2C5’D 56G6=@A>6?E] %96J 4@F=5 A2CE H2JD H:E9 |:=2?@ 2 J62C 62C=J] r@F=5 q6C?2C5 6G6?EF2==J E2<6 @G6C 7@C %C6>2:?6 t5>F?5Dn |2J36[ 8:G6? E96 724E qC2?5@? q62?6 D2:5 q6C?2C5 42? A=2J @FED:56 @C :?D:56] xE D66>D =:<6 2 DEC6E49[ 8:G6? q6C?2C5 :D aac A@F?5D] p=>@DE DFC6=J[ E96 564:D:@? @? t5>F?5D :D 8@:?8 E@ 36 >256 :?56A6?56?E @7 q6C?2C5] x7 t5>F?5D A=2JD =:<6 2 DFA6CDE2C :? a_aa[ E96 q:==D 42? <66A 9:>] x7 E96 q:==D 5@?’E H2?E E@ 8:G6 9:> 2 8:2?E ?6H 4@?EC24E[ :E’D 8@:?8 E@ 36 32D65 @? E96:C 6G2=F2E:@? @7 t5>F?5D[ ?@E H9@ >:89E C6A=246 9:>]k^Am 0 comments Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Bills first-round draft pick Kaiir Elam improves on 'The Blueprint,' follows father, uncle into NFL Kaiir Elam, who stands 6-foot-1 1/2, weighs 191 pounds, ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine and was widely projected as… Brandon Beane sees depth on Day 3: 'They all have a legit chance' “I’m excited about some of these late guys, maybe even more than some of the other years,” Buffalo Bills general manager BrandonBeane said. “I… Analysis: After filling his roster's biggest need, Bills GM Brandon Beane was able to draft with freedom We won’t know for at least a couple years whether these picks ultimately pan out, but it’s easy to see the logic behind each of them. The Bill… Draft notebook: Brandon Beane learned his lesson from moving on too soon from Wyatt Teller The last time the Buffalo Bills drafted an offensive lineman from Virginia Tech, it worked out. Your guide to the Buffalo Bills and the NFL draft Here's a look at our coverage of the NFL draft, which continues through Saturday, April 30. Kaiir Elam strikes balance of confidence, humility in Bills introduction Elam struck just the right balance between the kind of bullet-proof confidence an NFL cornerback needs and the humility an NFL rookie must und… Watch now: Bills draft pick Kaiir Elam gets ovation at Sabres game, with help from Josh Allen Bills first-round draft pick Kaiir Elam got his first exposure to Buffalo fans as he got an ovation Friday night at the Sabres' regular season… Analysis: Drafting Kaiir Elam helps Bills keep up with arms race in AFC The Bills have added a cornerback with elite physical talent in Kaiir Elam. The move gives the Bills some peace of mind. Bills trade up two spots, draft Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam with 23rd overall pick A 6-foot-1½, 191-pounder, the 20-year-old Elam finished his Florida career with six interceptions in 35 games. He also had 79 tackles, 26 pass… Five things to know about CB Kaiir Elam, Bills' first-round pick Here are five things to know about Kaiir Elam. Bills trade down twice in second round, draft Georgia running back James Cook No. 63 overall The Bills traded down twice in the second round of the NFL Draft before ultimately selecting Georgia running back James Cook with the No. 63 o… Bills select versatile Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard in third round of NFL draft The Bills took linebacker Terrel Bernard out of Baylor in the third round with pick No. 89. Bernard was awarded Sugar Bowl MBP honors, as he t… Bills trade up to take Boise State receiver Khalil Shakir in fifth round Shakir (6-0, 190) earned first team All-Mountain West honors in both 2020 and 2021 at Boise State. The 'Punt God' arrives in Buffalo: Bills select San Diego State punter Matt Araiza in sixth round With the first pick of the sixth round, No. 180 overall, the Bills selected San Diego State punter Matt Araiza. Nicknamed the "Punt God" becau… Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | Omny Studio Watch Now: Related Video Hokies' Shearer on competition at returner Hokies' Reynolds on Ty Howle as offensive coordinator Hokies' Reynolds on Ty Howle as offensive coordinator Hokies' Moore and Altuner on offensive line Hokies' Moore and Altuner on offensive line Hokies' Brown on decision to transfer from Duke Hokies' Brown on decision to transfer from Duke
Bills first-round draft pick Kaiir Elam improves on 'The Blueprint,' follows father, uncle into NFL Kaiir Elam, who stands 6-foot-1 1/2, weighs 191 pounds, ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine and was widely projected as…
Brandon Beane sees depth on Day 3: 'They all have a legit chance' “I’m excited about some of these late guys, maybe even more than some of the other years,” Buffalo Bills general manager BrandonBeane said. “I…
Analysis: After filling his roster's biggest need, Bills GM Brandon Beane was able to draft with freedom We won’t know for at least a couple years whether these picks ultimately pan out, but it’s easy to see the logic behind each of them. The Bill…
Draft notebook: Brandon Beane learned his lesson from moving on too soon from Wyatt Teller The last time the Buffalo Bills drafted an offensive lineman from Virginia Tech, it worked out.
Your guide to the Buffalo Bills and the NFL draft Here's a look at our coverage of the NFL draft, which continues through Saturday, April 30.
Kaiir Elam strikes balance of confidence, humility in Bills introduction Elam struck just the right balance between the kind of bullet-proof confidence an NFL cornerback needs and the humility an NFL rookie must und…
Watch now: Bills draft pick Kaiir Elam gets ovation at Sabres game, with help from Josh Allen Bills first-round draft pick Kaiir Elam got his first exposure to Buffalo fans as he got an ovation Friday night at the Sabres' regular season…
Analysis: Drafting Kaiir Elam helps Bills keep up with arms race in AFC The Bills have added a cornerback with elite physical talent in Kaiir Elam. The move gives the Bills some peace of mind.
Bills trade up two spots, draft Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam with 23rd overall pick A 6-foot-1½, 191-pounder, the 20-year-old Elam finished his Florida career with six interceptions in 35 games. He also had 79 tackles, 26 pass…
Five things to know about CB Kaiir Elam, Bills' first-round pick Here are five things to know about Kaiir Elam.
Bills trade down twice in second round, draft Georgia running back James Cook No. 63 overall The Bills traded down twice in the second round of the NFL Draft before ultimately selecting Georgia running back James Cook with the No. 63 o…
Bills select versatile Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard in third round of NFL draft The Bills took linebacker Terrel Bernard out of Baylor in the third round with pick No. 89. Bernard was awarded Sugar Bowl MBP honors, as he t…
Bills trade up to take Boise State receiver Khalil Shakir in fifth round Shakir (6-0, 190) earned first team All-Mountain West honors in both 2020 and 2021 at Boise State.
The 'Punt God' arrives in Buffalo: Bills select San Diego State punter Matt Araiza in sixth round With the first pick of the sixth round, No. 180 overall, the Bills selected San Diego State punter Matt Araiza. Nicknamed the "Punt God" becau…
