At the Bills’ first pick at #30, I traded back a couple of spots with the Giants. My buddy Schoen is still the GM; there is a plethora of talent in the third round –a pick we used to acquire Amari Cooper. I gave up my RD1#30 and RD2#62 for the Giants’ RD2#2 and RD3#1.
Here’s our draft.
Malaki Starks is the fastest Safety with >2.5 solo tackles per game career. His 52 solo tackles this year was 5th in the SEC. Look at Starks’ career stats: 6 interceptions, 17 passes defended, 128 solo tackles. In 2024, he’s had 5 solos and a TFL vs Texas, 4 solos against Kentucky, and 2 solos and an INT vs Clemson —and all were Bills-scouted games. This seems improbable to get Starks in RD2, as some draftniks place Starks in the top ten. But the first Safety, Cooper DeJean, was drafted #40 last year, and was played as a CB, while Tyler Nubin was #47, drafted by the Giants. The year before, Brian Branch was the first Safety taken at #45. If Starks is not there, Nick Emmanwori‘s 5.65 solo tackles per game is the highest of all safeties in the draft class, and he’s top 6 in zone (with Starks, Wohler, Nwankpa, Castro, Sabb, and Winston Jr.).
Maxwell Hairston earned AP All-SEC Second Team honors in 2023. He tied with Terrion Arnold for the most interceptions in the SEC, recording five. Equally adept in run defense fundamentals and coverage skills, Hairston had 3 solos and an assist against Georgia in a double-scouted game, but was injured for the Ole Miss game, also scouted.
Shemar Turner is a standout DT3T from a Multiple defensive scheme, known for his elite ability to disengage and powerful block-shedding, as highlighted by T3Scouting. Ranking 6th in speed and 5th in pressures with 28 after nine weeks, he demonstrates significant potential as a power rusher. Turner’s athleticism is evident in his explosive sideline-to-sideline play, and he shows flashes of a great bull rush. In 2024, Turner took snaps both inside and out, bolstered by having received the most snaps among A&M’s defensive linemen last season.
Dont’e Thornton stood out at the Shrine Bowl at 6-foot-4, 214, 4.52 and has demonstrated versatility playing both the slot and X receiver positions. Known for his speed and dynamic athletic ability, Thornton led the nation with six receptions of 50-plus yards, and topped the FBS in average yards per catch at 25.88. A field-stretcher is needed, and the the waterbug types can’t block as well as Thornton. This season, Dont’e led the Volunteers with 661 receiving yards, 25.42 per catch, boasting significant performances like his 118-yard, two-TD game against Vanderbilt, scouted by the Bills. That included a personal-best 86-yard touchdown. Despite a November 2024 upper body injury, Dont’e has one of the best Average Depth of Target (aDOT) and Yards After Catch (YAC) marks in the draft class.
Jamaree Caldwell, standing at 6-1 (bottom 5) and weighing 340 pounds (top5) , operates as a formidable DT1T in a 4-2-5 system. Previously with Houston, Caldwell made significant contributions in 2023, appearing in 11 games, amassing 27 tackles, and achieving 8.5 tackles for loss with 6.5 sacks, ranking fourth in the Big 12. As a redshirt senior with the Oregon Ducks, he continued to excel as a gap-clogger. Watch 340 pounds move quickly!
Fadil Diggs, pronounced “fuh-DILL,” transferred from Texas A&M to Syracuse for his redshirt senior year. Syracuse runs a 4-2-5 defensive alignment not unlike the Bills’ system. In 2023, Fadil achieved a career-high with four sacks and 36 tackles. In the scouted game vs UNLV, Diggs had 4 solo tackles, and led the team in both sacks (2) and TFLs (2), and Diggs recovered a fumble to seal an OT win against VaTech in overtime, giving the Orange a rather improbable win –also scouted. Diggs is effective as a QB spy and is often used in bracket coverage on the opposing ‘X’ receiver. Fadil Diggs is not related to Stefon Diggs, but Beane would make fans happy by giving him the #14 jersey.
Que Robinson, a very-high-ceiling OLB/EDGE with only five career starts with 5.5 sacks, sustained an injury on November 9, 2024, during Alabama’s 42-13 scouted victory over LSU, which sidelined him for subsequent games against Auburn and South Florida, both of which were also scouted. He was already leading Alabama in sacks (4) before his injury. He also added 23 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries and one forced fumble during his final year. He earned the ‘Make It Possible’ award from ReliaQuest Bowl, voted on by players and coaches. Robinson’s focus at the Combine and Pro Day will be on showcasing his talent and making a strong impression. His long arms and height are Groot-like.
Jake Majors, a fifth-year offensive lineman, has demonstrated remarkable consistency and leadership with 46 games played and 45 starts. He earned the prestigious title of Outland Trophy National Player of the Week on September 10 and SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week on September 9, following a significant road victory at Michigan. Majors has been recognized as a semifinalist for both the Campbell Trophy and the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award in 2024, reflecting his excellence on and off the field. A 2024 preseason watch list candidate for the Rimington Trophy, he was also a 2023 Joe Moore Award semifinalist. Known for his academic prowess, Majors has earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors three times from 2021 to 2023. In Majors, you have a versatile, experienced Center who can play LG. Majors was my Best Bet in my IOL ELimination Game here.
Alijah Clark: I like him more than you do. “Cinco” Clark joined Syracuse in January 2022 after transferring from Rutgers and quickly established himself as starting SS for the Orange. Over his collegiate career, Cinco has appeared in 32 games, amassing 126 tackles, 7.0 TFL, one INT, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and five PBUs across both schools. In a scouted game against Stanford, which was attended by 3 Bills representatives, Clark made a strong impact with 6 tackles, including 5 solo efforts and 1 tackle for loss. In front of 2 Bills scouts, Alijah put up 5 tackles and a PBU against Georgia Tech. His defensive acumen and adaptability make him a prominent figure in Syracuse’s secondary. I expect the Bills to take one Safety early and one Safety late.
Jalen Travis, a towering redshirt Senior at Iowa State, has made a significant impact as a versatile swing tackle. Originally transferring from Princeton, he carries the distinction of being PFF’s highest-graded FCS offensive player. Known for his excellent pass protection, Jalen still requires some technical development to fully refine his skills, and Kromer’s that coach. His upside is enormous, making him an exciting prospect and truly a great ball of clay for any coaching staff to mold. Our swing tackle, Tommy Doyle, just medically retired, and he’s 6-8, 320. Jalen Travis is 6-7, 341.
Editor’s babble: It’s that time of year again! Many thanks to Dean Kindig for his fabulous contributions to our blog. You can also find Dean on Xwitter @TCBILLS_Astro.
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