We will not disagree with the draft "experts'' who are crediting the Buffalo Bills with ending up with a "best value pick'' in the form of second-rounder O'Cyrus Torrence. But as OTAs unfold, we are seeing some confirmation of what we believed was happening on NFL Draft weekend.
That is, the Super Bowl-contending Bills may have gotten another best-value pick in first-round tight end Dalton Kincaid.
And why? In addition to the hope that Torrence can be a starter, Kincaid - who Buffalo targeted by trading ahead of the Dallas Cowboys (who who were picking at No. 26) - can do the same. And he can do it by being much more than "just a tight end.''
Said QB Josh Allen: "He’s young, he's very talented. He's got a lot of room to grow. But his ceiling is very high and we're excited to have him on our squad."
Some critics think Buffalo's roster is "showing issues'' after the draft. We don't see it. With the No. 59 overall pick, Buffalo - with an already-loaded roster - selected offensive lineman Torrence out of Florida. The selection drew praise from Jordan Reid of ESPN, who believes Torrence was the best value pick of Round 2.
Said Reid: “The Bills got my top-ranked interior offensive lineman outside of the top 50. There was buzz that Florida’s Torrence could go as high as No. 24 to the Jaguars, so this is really good value for Buffalo. Torrence could see significant snaps early as he looks to push ... for the starting right guard spot.”
There is a jump to be made for Torrence (who didn't surrender a sack in his entire college career) to win that job.
"A wild ride,” Torrence said of his becoming a Bill. ”Really just looking forward to what's to come and just being able to see myself in this place in this culture and environment. It's starting to feel more and more surreal."
But for Kincaid, the "jump'' is different. He doesn't have to beat out incumbent Dawson Knox, because the two of them can play together ... and because as we watch OTAs, we're seeing Kincaid line up in some cases as if he's another wide receiver.
But a 6-4, 250-pound tight end who the Bills hope can do some "Travis Kelce-type'' things in this Josh Allen-led offense.
If this Bills roster comes away with two starters picks from their top two slots in the draft, while selecting low? Buffalo has done something special. And Buffalo will have done it twice.
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