Q and A with Buffalo Bills Insider Ryan Talbot
I caught up with NY Upstate’s Ryan Talbot to review the Buffalo Bills’ NFL Draft and other offseason topics. Enjoy.
ML: Ryan, thanks for doing this. Biggest takeaway and biggest get for Buffalo in the 2023 NFL Draft?
RT: My pleasure. My biggest takeaway was that the Bills went into the offseason saying they wanted to get more help for Josh Allen. They certainly added some pieces in the offseason, but the first two picks of the draft will be significant help. Dalton Kincaid is arguably the best pass catcher in the draft class. Leapfrogging the Cowboys to secure him was a great move after seeing teams leapfrog them in the past. Kincaid will allow the Bills to run more 12-personnel, but he will also line up as a big slot often as well. O’Cyrus Torrence doesn’t fit Buffalo’s athletic profile for offensive linemen, but he is a physical guard who did not allow a sack in his college career. He was viewed by most draft analysts as a first round pick and Buffalo was able to get him in the second. Justin Shorter and Nick Broeker could also help in due time. As for biggest get, I’ll stick with Torrence. Getting the best pure guard in the draft class at No. 59 doesn’t generally happen.
ML: Did the Bills do enough to help Josh Allen in this draft?
RT: Absolutely. Kincaid will be a mismatch nightmare out of the slot for Buffalo. Adding another weapon of that caliber to an offense that also includes Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Dawson Knox, James Cook, Damien Harris, Deonte Harty and others will give Allen plenty to work with going forward. Torrence should slot into one of the starting guard spots and the team added a few other starting caliber guards this offseason to compete with Ryan Bates.
ML: How do you view the 6th and 7th rounds? Value or potential or luck chances or something else?
RT: Buffalo’s final two picks, Nick Broeker and Alex Austin, have an uphill battle to make the initial 53-man roster, but both were excellent value picks. Broeker has solid tape and Buffalo stated that he stood out on their board. He has guard/tackle versatility which also helps his chances of eventually making the roster. Alex Austin was another strong pick. At Oregon State, Austin was part of a defense that gave different looks to defenses. He was best, however, when the team was playing in zone. Buffalo’s defense has relied heavily on zone defense so Austin could impress immediately much like Christian Benford did one year ago.
ML: How big of a season is this upcoming for Sean McDermott?
RT: Very big. I’ve seen some people say that McDermott could be on the hot seat if the Bills don’t make a deep run this season, but I just don’t see it. Last year, the team won 13 games despite significant injuries and plenty of issues off the field that weighed heavily on them. That said, the AFC continues to get tougher and tougher, but this team currently has a Super Bowl roster. It’s not necessarily a “this year or bust” season by any means, but some of Buffalo’s core pieces are starting to get older. As long as the team has Josh Allen, however, they’ll always be in the mix.
ML: Do the Bills have the right offensive coordinator in Ken Dorsey?
RT: It’s too early to say, but I thought Dorsey did a great job in year one. There were obviously calls that he would like to have back, but that’s true of every coordinator in this league. Buffalo did not have many dominant fourth quarter performances throughout the year, but the team was very successful across many offensive metrics. Dorsey should only get better in year two.
ML: From the NFL Draft, who will be the stunning and unsung player?
RT: For stunning, I have to go with Torrence once again. The former Florida Gator should be a day one plug and play starter for Buffalo. Players like that generally go in Round 1 or early in Round 2 at the latest. Seeing him fall into Buffalo’s lap at 59 could be something we look back on as the key to the team fixing their OL woes. Unsung player is going to be a tough one. I’ll go with Dorian Williams. I didn’t love the pick when Brandon Beane said he would start out as OLB depth and play on special teams, but the more I watch his tape, the more I think he has the makeup to take over Tremaine Edmunds’ role in due time. I expect Buffalo to start with a veteran in that role early, but don’t be surprised if Williams is the starter by midseason.
ML: Now to the important stuff. Top 5 chicken wing places in Western NY?
RT: Great question. Wingnutz is my No. 1. The size, crunch, and flavor stand out. Bar-Bill is my No. 2. You can’t go wrong getting their wings. I’ll round out the Top 5 with Gabriel’s Gate, Elmo’s and Doc Sullivan’s.
ML: Keep up the great work covering the Bills, Ryan.
RT: Thanks Mike.
Follow Ryan Talbot on Twitter @RyanTalbotBills.
Mike Lindsley is the host of the ML Sports Platter Podcast and has been in sports media for 25 years. Subscribe to his YouTube channel @mikelindsley7060.
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