The Bills traded back twice before finally making their first selection on day two of the 2022 NFL Draft, and at pick number 63 overall, they made a splash. For Bills Mafia, it was worth the wait.
The Bills selected running back James Cook from Georgia as the third RB selected in the draft, and they received a sixth-round pick in each of the trade backs.
Cook brings another explosive option to a Bills’ offense that has lacked a consistent running game in recent years. The younger brother of the Vikings’ Dalvin Cook, he brings a dynamic ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, has home run ability, and can get tough yards. He could have found his way into a perfect spot with the Bills.
Cook (5’10”, 210 lbs) ran a 4.49 40-yard dash and will likely come in to add a supplement to Devin Singletary in the Bills’ backfield, at least for the time being. In an interview after the draft selection, Cook was noted as saying, “Me and Motor worked out together all offseason… a one-two punch. We’re gonna shock the world and try to compete for the Super Bowl.”
Cook was excited to join the Bills and was impressed during the interview process. He joins an offense which last season ranked third in points scored and hopes to take some pressure off Josh Allen, who is centered in a high-powered passing offense with receiving threats Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, Jamison Crowder, Dawson Knox and OJ Howard. The sky is the limit for the Bills’ offense in 2022.
In the third round, the Bills added to their talent on the defensive side of the ball, picking Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard at No. 89 overall. Linebacker depth was a position of need and the Bills landed a speedster at the position that can do a bit of everything.
Although a bit undersized at 6′ 1/2″, 224 lbs, he ran an impressive 4.59 40-yard dash at his pro day.
During four seasons Baylor, Bernard racked up 317 tackles and 3 interceptions, and used his stellar speed to record 16.5 sacks. He was a First Team All-Big 12 selection last year.
Bernard prides himself on the energy he brings to a defense and said after being drafted that he has modeled his game after Bills linebacker Matt Milano. Bernard has strikingly similar physical traits to Milano, as Milano is 6′ 1/2″ and 223 lbs and ran a 4.67 40. Although Bernard will likely come in and be a special teamer and fight for a depth spot at Will linebacker, he has the tools to be a contributor down the road.
