Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane has flipped an NFL franchise that saw only one playoff appearance in 17 seasons into a perennial powerhouse and Super Bowl contender.
And, aside from Stefon Diggs and a few others, the Bills’ successes can be attributed predominately to players drafted by Beane over the past seven seasons.
Beane’s reputation thus far is that he’s been “disappointing” in the first round and has “flourished” in the later rounds.
Is this fair? Maybe. Here is a round-by-round look at Beane’s draft selections since his first NFL draft with the Bills in 2018.
Round 1
Total picks: 6
Home runs: Josh Allen
Strikeouts: Kaiir Elam
Beane’s first draft pick as a general manager was Josh Allen. This pick alone should cement Beane’s place as Bills GM for as long as he chooses to be in Buffalo.
April 26th, 2018
— Built in Buffalo (@BuiltInBuffalo_) April 5, 2025
The day the #Bills franchise was changed forever.
Round 1, Pick 7
Josh Allen QB Wyoming#BillsMafia #JoshAllen #BuiltInBuffalo pic.twitter.com/0zmRSajcXk
Later in the first round of the 2018 draft, the Bills drafted Tremaine Edmunds—a linebacker that would go on to two Pro Bowls with the Bills and sign a mega-deal with the Bears.
2019 first-rounder, defensive tackle Ed Oliver, has yet to have a bona fide “break out” season but has played above average in his six years.
Although his sack numbers haven’t suggested it, 2021 first-rounder Greg Rousseau has been a consistent defensive end, worthy of his contract extension this offseason.
Dalton Kincaid has had above average tight end numbers but has yet to live up to the hype going around Bills Mafia after Beane drafted him in the first round of 2023.
Cornerback Kaiir Elam may end up being among the worst first-round picks in Bills history. He started in less than 25% of the Bills’ regular season games since being drafted with the 23rd overall pick in 2022.
Kaiir Elam started only 24% of his team’s games in his first 3 seasons with the Bills.
— Put Steve Tasker in the Hall of Fame (@HOFSteveTasker) April 7, 2025
Since 1970 there have been 157 cornerbacks selected in the 1st Round of the Draft.
Elam is 1 of 3 to have started in less than 25% of his team’s games in his first 3 seasons.#BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/TTazZynqmN
Round 1 grade: B+
Drafting Josh Allen with his first pick in 2018 saved an otherwise mediocre crop of first round picks.
Round 2
Total picks: 7
Home runs: James Cook, O’Cyrus Torrence
Strikeouts: Cody Ford, Boogie Basham
Bean’s first second-round pick was Cody Ford in 2019. Ford has been a backup guard at best and has been more of an NFL journeyman than a starting-caliber offensive lineman.
AJ Epenesa was drafted out of Iowa in 2020 as a “project” defensive end. Has he lived up to his second-round draft status? Maybe not—but the Bills extended him after the 2023 season and he has provided solid depth.
Boogie Basham may go down (along with Kaiir Elam) as one of Brandon Bean’s worst high-round draft picks.
Basham was picked in the second round after Greg Rousseau in 2021—a pick that showed the rest of the NFL world that the Bills were scheming against the Chiefs’ high-powered offense. Basham never developed and was traded for a late-round pick to the New York Giants after two seasons with the Bills.
James Cook (2022) and O’Cyrus Torrence (2023) have been excellent second-round pick ups for the Bills. Both players have been instrumental to the offense over the past two seasons, and both will command big-money contract extensions very soon.
The verdict is still out on 2024 second-round picks Keon Coleman and Cole Biship. Both had promising 2024 seasons and will look to build on them in 2025.
Round 2 grade: C-
The Bills have only drafted two starters in the second round out of a possible seven picks. This grade might go up next season if Coleman and Bishop continue to progress.
Round 3
Total picks: 8
Home runs: Spencer Brown, Terrel Bernard
Strikeouts: None
Harrison Phillips, Beane’s third-round pick in 2018, has developed into a solid starter for the Vikings.
2019 saw two valuable offensive pieces drafted for the Bills. Devin Singletary and Dawson Knox continue to be valuable role players for their teams to this day.
Zack Moss, drafted in 2020, has proven to be a valuable replacement-level running back who has provided solid spot-starts for his teams over the past two seasons.
Spencer Brown (2021) and Terrel Bernard (2022) have emerged over the past two seasons as cornerstones of the franchise—both have received extensions.
Dorian Williams was drafted in 2023 as a possible replacement for the departing Tremaine Edmunds. Although he didn’t take that role over immediately, he provided incredible depth for the Bills last season in the absence of Matt Milano.
Dewayne Carter (2024) is still finding his way in the league after 11 games in his rookie season.
Round 3 grade: A
Brown and Bernard are among the best players at their position in the league—Beane’s ability to find them in the third round proves his eye for mid-round talent.
Round 4
Total picks: 3
Home runs: Taron Johnson
Taron Johnson (2018) is an All-Pro slot cornerback and has been the most consistent force on defense since being drafted.
Gabe Davis (2020) was a system wide receiver who peaked after his second season in the league and quickly regressed afterwards.
Ray Davis had an excellent rookie season last year and will only improve in 2025.
Round 4 grade: A-
The later the round, the harder it is to find talent. Johnson has come up big in the Bills secondary year after year and Davis had big moments at WR as well.
Round 5
Total picks: 10
Home runs: Wyatt Teller, Khalil Shakir
Picks in the fifth round and later are usually designated for “role players” who typically make teams through special teams and depth. Out of his ten fifth-round picks, Beane found two players who are solid offensive contributors for their teams.
Wyatt Teller (2018) was traded to the Browns in 2019 and quickly became their starting guard, earning Pro Bowl nods from 2021-2023.
Khalil Shakir (2022) emerged as Josh Allen’s number one target in 2024 and is recognized as one of the most efficient pass catchers in league history.
The only other name of note that Beane drafted in the fifth round is special teams ace Siran Neal.
Round 5 grade: B-
Yes, Beane knocked Teller and Shakir out of the park, but other than that, his fifth-round picks have been misses so far.
Round 6
Total picks: 12
Home runs: Christian Benford
Drafting cornerback Christian Benford in the sixth round of the 2022 draft might be Beane’s most impressive pick to date.
Bills, CB Christian Benford agree to terms on 4-year, $76M extension. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/8sX4dYu4U0
— NFL (@NFL) March 29, 2025
Benford has been a standout CB and earned a four-year, $76M extension after the 2024 season.
Damar Hamlin was taken in the sixth round of the 2021 draft. He has stepped in and played above average safety play for the Bills.
Beane also brought in Tyler Bass (2020) and Matt Araiza (2022)—two special teams players who have been solid contributors to their teams.
Round 6 grade: A
The Christian Benford pick alone gives Beane high marks.
Round 7
Total picks: 9
Home runs: Dane Jackson
Seventh-round picks might as well be undrafted free agents.
The most notable of Beane’s seventh-rounders is cornerback Dane Jackson (2020) who started 14 games for the Bills in 2022 and has provided excellent depth over his 5 seasons in the NFL.
Baylon Spector was also a good seventh-round pick in 2022. He has been a special teamer and depth player for the Bills.
Round 7 grade: A
Brandon Beane has found value in multiple seventh-round draft picks.