Bills Rookie Grades: Who Makes Second-Year Jump?
The Buffalo Bills' young talent undoubtedly helped them to a 13-3 finish, clinching the AFC East for the third-consecutive season with a run to the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. With immediate contributions, Buffalo's rookie class looks to have a bright future.
The youth movement is strong in the NFL, with multiple rookies making major impacts in crucial moments. Unsurprisingly, the New York Jets had the best rookie class, according to NFL.com, with rookies Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson each earning a Rookie of the Year Honor.
How does the Bills' rookie class compare? Buffalo's 2022-23 class ranked No. 15 of the 32 teams. Here is what NFL.com said of the Bills' rookies:
First-rounder Kaiir Elam was a surprise inactive at one point, but he finished the season strong with two good playoff showings, serving as a launching pad for Year 2. Fellow CB Christian Benford started fairly well before an oblique injury derailed his rookie campaign, but there has been talk of moving him to safety next season with uncertainty at that position.
James Cook fumbled his first NFL touch and found the doghouse early. But by year's end, he'd carved out a nice role and flashed some real game-breaking ability in extended duty against the Patriots and Bears. He's on the rise, for sure, just as Khalil Shakir might be. Similar to Elam, Shakir stepped up his game in the two postseason contests and could be in the regular WR rotation in 2023, with changes likely coming at that position in Buffalo.
The rest of the class might carry limited future potential, and there's already the sting of one wasted pick (Matt Araiza). A core special-teamer as a rookie who made a big block on Nyheim Hines' emotional kick-return TD vs. New England, Terrel Bernard could factor in more heavily on defense if Tremaine Edmunds walks in free agency.
With Devin Singletary set to be a free agent, Buffalo's running back depth is uncertain. Look for Cook to have a possible increased role entering his second year next season.
The Bills are currently scouting the NFL Combine in search of the next best class. The combine runs from Feb. 28 to March 6 in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. Former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is the favorite (-175) to be drafted No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Chicago Bears own the first pick. However, there are multiple quarterback-needy teams who may desire to trade up. The draft will take place at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. with the first round beginning on April 27.
Buffalo currently has six draft picks in 2023, including a first-rounder at No. 27.
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