The Buffalo Bills entered the 2023 NFL Draft with a few needs. They have a roster talented enough to contend for a Super Bowl, but some spots needed a little reinforcing. Buffalo accomplished that goal as they found value and filled needs with virtually every pick.
On Day 1, they added the pass-catching weapon they were desperate for in Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid. While tight end itself wasn’t a pressing need, as Dawson Knox is entrenched as the starter, Kincaid’s pass-catching ability should be a boost for the offense right off the bat.
With the top wide receivers off the board, the Bills made a trade to move up a few spots to snag Kincaid. It was an open secret that the Dallas Cowboys, who were picking at No. 26, were eying tight ends so Buffalo jumped ahead of them in a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In Round 2 is where the Bills may have gotten their biggest steal of the draft. With the No. 59 overall pick, Buffalo selected offensive lineman O’Cyrus Torrence out of Florida. It was a pick that drew a ton of praise from Jordan Reid of ESPN. Reid believes the selection of Torrence was the best value pick of Round 2.
“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 Ryan Bates for the starting right guard spot.”
Head coach Sean McDermott knows if he wants the offense to click at the level they are capable of, they need to perform in the trenches. As Reid notes, Torrence could be a key contributor right off the bat at right guard.
Torrence had an impressive collegiate career, which started at Louisiana before following Bill Napier to Gainesville. He didn’t surrender a sack in his entire career, which is impressive regardless of what level you play at.
When you come away with potentially two starters with your first two picks in the draft, you are doing something right. That is exactly what the Bills have accomplished as they look to strengthen their roster for what they hope is a deep playoff run next season.
