Astro’s “Pick Six” — August Edition

This is a way-too-early, but still fun, monthly exercise where I check the fluid levels in your 2023 NFL Draft. Hopefully, it’ll give you some prospective Bills to watch on Saturdays this fall. I’ve put the college players in order of likelihood of them being the Bills’ pick in that round, largely because of who’s already in that position room, and who’ll be a free agent. Don’t get hung up on their rank on my 2023 NFL Draft Big Board just yet; some of your big boards aren’t even looking at film yet, and others are merely copying the big boards of others! I would pay attention to the conference, though; Beane has drafted as many ACC players than any 3 other conferences combined (except the SEC, which is #2).

If you force me to pick one player in each round, I’ll put them in bold. Interview Grades link to a key moment McBeane will love. 2022 Documented Contacts are in parentheses.

ROUND 1, PICK 32
Jordan Battle SS Alabama (2Beane, 4) #9 SEC [Stats] 6-1 206 4.42 A+++ Communicator, wrap-up tackler, quick diagnostician in a Bills-y 4-2-5
Broderick Jones OT Georgia (Beane, 3) #59 SEC [Stats] 6-4 315 4.98 A+++ Fewer games than some OTs ranked this high, but perfect Kromer guy.
Michael Mayer TE Notre Dame (Beane, 2) #87 Independent [Stats] 6-5 251 4.62 A++ Led ND with 71 receptions last year
Zion Nelson OT Miami (Beane-Diaz-Dorsey) #60 *** ACC *** [Stats] 6-5 312 5.05 A+ Good explosion, athleticism at size, quick to 2nd level
Joey Porter Jr CB Penn State (Scout, 2) #9 BIG10 [Stats] 6-2 193 4.48 A++ His father and cousin each played a decade for the Steelers
Cam Smith CB South Carolina (Beane?) #9 SEC [Stats] 6-1 187 4.52 A++ Second-highest PBUs in 2021 11 (#2) SEC…excellent defender and tackler

ROUND 2, PICK 64
Asim Richards LT LG UNC (Beane, 3) #72 *** ACC *** [Stats] 6-4 325 5.06 A+++ Kromer archetype, versatile, “AH-sum”, Philly kid, really good feet
Layden Robinson RG Texas A&M (Scout) #54 SEC [Stats] 6-3 320 5.34 A+++ Talks about competition with the DL making everyone better
Zacch Pickens DL South Carolina (Beane?) #6 SEC [Stats] 6-3 305 4.76 A+++ talented big guy who plays hard even in practice. Takes coaching well
Sam LaPorta TE Iowa (Scout, 2x) #84 BIG10 [Stats] 6-4 249 4.75 A+++ Has impressive 14.8 YPC vs AP-ranked, Team Hustle Award, Iowa TEs are good
Jestin Jacobs LB Iowa (Scout, 2x) #5 BIG10 [Stats] 6-3 236 4.73 A+++ Impressive ability in coverage in 4-2-5, lots of different looks, good vs TEs
Sedrick Van Pran C Georgia (Beane, 3) #63 SEC [Stats] 6-3 310 5.27 A++ On OL with Top 2021 Runblock and Passblock rating per FO. Kind of quiet.

ROUND 3, PICK 96
Andrew Vorhees LG LT USC (Majeski?) #72 PAC12 [Stats] 6-5 320 5.32 A++ Played LG next to LT Vera-Tucker, bumped out to LT, great run-blocker.
J.L. Skinner SS OLB Boise State (Scout, 1) #0 MWC [Stats] 6-3 218 4.58 A+++ CuedUp are 3 views of a PBU. Had to defend Khalil Shakir.
Emmanuel Forbes CB Mississippi State (Scout, 1) #13 SEC [Stats] 6-0 180 4.45 A++ Most INTs in 2020 in SEC, 5th last year. Leads NCAA in pick-6s.
Demani Richardson S Texas A&M (Scout, 1) #26 SEC [Stats] 6-1 210 4.46 A++ Accurate Taron Johnson impression.
Adisa Isaac EDGE Penn State (Scout, 2x) — BIG10 [Stats] 6-4 244 4.62 A++ Missed 2021 season (injury). Shaka Toney thinks he’ll be RD1 pick. Not yet.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah EDGE Kansas State (none) #91 Big12 [Stats] 6-3 255 4.73 A+++ Big 12’s Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year.

ROUND 4, PICK 143
Will Putnam C Clemson (Beane, 2) #56 *** ACC *** [Stats] 6-3 300 4.97 A+++ One of draft’s 5 fastest C’s. Wrestler in HS, FO’s Top run-block team
Connor Galvin OT Baylor (Aranda-McDermott) #76 Big12 [Stats] 6-6 310 5.05 A++ 2021 BIG 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year
Caleb Chandler G Louisville (none) #55 *** ACC *** [Stats] 6-3 313 5.13 A+++ Louisville OL was best in ACC under Bicknell Jr (now at UNC)
Nick Herbig EDGE Wisconsin (Scout, 1) #19 BIG10 [Stats] 6-2 227 4.58 A++ Ranked by PFF as their #3 EDGE after Anderson and Nolan Smith.
Owen Pappoe OLB SS Auburn (Scout, 1) #0 SEC [Stats] 6-1 222 4.42 A++ Fastest LB (tied). Feisty, effort-plus linebacker. Genuine. Make him a SS.
Mike Jones Jr. OLB SS LSU (Beane, Schoen) #19 SEC [Stats] 6-0 220 4.54 A+++ RS Soph from Clemson->LSU, 5 tkl, 4 solo, 1 sack in game vs Bama

ROUND 5, PICK 179
Jammie Robinson FS Florida State (Beane, 2x) #10 *** ACC *** [Stats] 5-11 203 4.49 A+++ First Team All-ACC, team-leading 85 tackles, 7 for loss
Chamarri Conner CB Virginia Tech (Beane, 5) #22 *** ACC *** [Stats] 6-0 211 4.42 A++ Top Tackles per Game in draft class.
Christian Mahogany G Boston College (Scout, 1) #73 *** ACC *** [Stats] 6-3 318 5.32 A+++ Good Guard on bad line. Quick to 2nd level, strong.
Ron Stone Jr. EDGE Washington State (Majeski?) #10 PAC12 [Stats] 6-2 240 4.76 A+++ RS Soph with 63 tackles, 34 solo,11.5 TFL, 5 sacks, one FF, FR
Walker Parks RT RG Clemson (Beane, 2) #64 *** ACC *** [Stats] 6-5 300 5.16 A++ 1,068 snaps in 24 games (13 starts), FO’s Top Run-Block Team.
Austin Stogner TE South Carolina (Scout, 2x) #18 SEC [Stats] 6-5 261 4.79 A+++ Thigh bruise led to a life-threatening infection, working his way back.

ROUND 6, PICK 221
Bryan Hudson C RG Louisville (none) #71 *** ACC *** [Stats] 6-3 310 5.16 A+++ Quick, explosive, tough, physical. RG opposite Lecitus Smith.
Blake Corum RB KR Michigan (Scout, 5x) #2 BIG10 [Stats] 5-7 200 4.34 A+++ 400 career KR yds with contact balance, plus patience.
Shane Lee ILB OLB USC (Majeski?) — PAC12 [Stats] 6-0 240 4.58 A+++ Leader, hard worker, thumper, not slow, physical, experienced. Battled injuries.
Will Mallory TE Miami (Beane-Diaz-Dorsey) #85 *** ACC *** [Stats] 6-5 245 4.63 A++ One of ACC’s best TEs, great hands, underutilized in 2021.
Clark Barrington LG BYU (Scout, 2X) Independent [Stats] 6-5 302 5.17 A++ He’s the LG for his 3rd year. Fun Guy (Check out his Mic’d Up)
Davis Allen TE Clemson (Beane, 2) #84 *** ACC *** [Stats] 6-4 250 4.79 A+++ 2nd-most GP, reliable receiver, physical blocker, a top OL per FO.

ROUND 7, PICK 262
Amari Burney SS OLB Florida (Beane, 4), #30, 2 SEC [Stats] 6-2 228 4.67 A+++ Schematic match with Bills. Watch #30.
Jacob Gall C Baylor (Aranda-McDermott) #66 Big12 [Stats] 6-2 305 5.32 A+++ xfer Buffalo, hand use, quick into stance, effort, winning personality.
Cameron Brown CB Ohio State (2XBeane, 5) #26 BIG10 [Stats] 6-0 190 4.52 A+++ Expect him to climb with the exposure he’ll get. Tenacity of Elam.
Frank Ladson Jr. WR Miami (Beane-Diaz-Dorsey) #2 *** ACC *** [Stats] 6-3 205 4.46 A++ Watch focus. Difficult overhead catch on SLUGGO route.
Jayden Reed WR Michigan State (Beane, 3) #1 BIG10 [Stats] 6-0 185 4.49 A+++ Peach Bowl offensive MVP (watch): two TDs including the game-winner.
Vinnie Murphy RG OC WKU (none) 64 Conf USA [Stats] 6-2 312 5.1 A++ Smarts is obvious, intensity, mentally tough, plays with physicality, esp run.

Editor’s babble: This “Pick-Six” series by Dean Kindig are liquid gold. We are so grateful for his many contributions to our blog. You can also find Dean on Twitter @TCBILLS_Astro.