Grading Bills rookies through seven games

The Buffalo Bills were already one of the most complete teams heading into the 2022 NFL draft. There were some positions, though, that they knew they needed to improve if they wanted to finally hurdle the rest of the AFC teams and make the Super Bowl. Below is a look at the Bills’ 2022 draft picks through seven games. Please note that Matt Araiza and Luke Tenuta won’t appear on the list due to their releases from the team.

Kaiir Elam
Position: Cornerback
Draft: 1^st round (23^rd overall)
PFF Grade: 62.9
Percent of Defensive Snaps: 70%
Grade: B+

Analysis: Though he did not start until the fourth game of the season against the Ravens, Kaiir Elam has made a strong case in becoming the CB2 once Tre White returns. He’s currently tied with Dane Jackson with the Bills highest PFF cornerback ranking which is 59^th in the league overall at that position. This would suggest the rookie is a backend NFL CB2. Elam’s highlight so far of the 2022 season is when he intercepted Patrick Mahomes in the endzone on the Chiefs opening drive in Week 6, preventing a score in a tight Buffalo Bills victory.

James Cook
Position: Running Back
Draft: 2^nd round (63^rd overall)
PFF Grade: 76.8
Percent of Offensive Snaps: 15%
Grade: B-

Analysis: After fumbling away the first carry of his career in Week 1, the Bills coaching staff used Cook sparingly in meaningless snaps. That changed in the Week 8 matchup against the Packers which saw James Cook with multiple touches when the game was still within reach for Green Bay. James Cook’s PFF score of 76.8 is actually higher than Devin Singletary’s but it’s not significant, as he’s only seen 15% of the Bills offensive snaps to this point. The utilization of Cook should increase down the stretch for the Bills.

Terrel Bernard
Position: Linebacker
Draft: 3^rd round (89 overall)
PFF Grade: 58.2
Percent of Defensive Snaps: 9%
Grade: C

Analysis: Being behind Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds doesn’t yield too much playing time for an unproven rookie. However, if he had more defensive snaps, Bernard’s 58.2 PFF grade would put him 50^th in the league amongst all linebackers. Terrell Bernard has been a solid special teams contributor for the Bills, taking 61% of all special teams snaps so far this year.

Khalil Shakir
Position: Wide Receiver
Draft: 5th round (148^th overall)
PFF Grade: 68.2
Percent of Offensive Snaps: 26%
Grade: C+

Analysis: After being a healthy scratch two of the first three weeks for the Bills, Khalil Shakir has seen his value rise over the past four games. It’s tough being a rookie weapon in the 2022 Buffalo Bills arsenal, but when called upon Shakir seems to handle himself well. Shakir has been the only Bills player to log punt returns over the past two games as well, showing the coaching staff’s rising confidence in him.

Christian Benford
Position: Cornerback
Draft: 6^th round (185^th overall)
PFF Grade: 57.8
Percent of Defensive Snaps: 39%
Grade: B

Analysis: Buffalo had a steal of a pick with Christian Benford in the 6^th round. When training camp broke and the regular season began, there was much debate amongst Bills Mafia about which rookie cornberback would start Week 1. Benford was the winner and actually started the first three games for the Bills, who’s opponents averaged only 183 passing yards during that time. Benford would miss a couple games with a hand injury, seemingly losing his starting spot to Kaiir Elam. Though his 57.8 PFF Grade ranks 71^st in the NFL, Benford has proven to be a valuable contributor to the Bills secondary and special teams.

Baylon Spector
Position: Linebacker
Draft: 7^th Round (231^st overall)
PFF Grade: 27.9
Percent of Defensive Snaps: 2%
Grade: D

Analysis: Spector has been inactive in three of the Bills seven games. He’s taken very few defensive snaps at linebacker but has contributed in 59% of the special teams plays he’s been available for.