3 Comforting NFL Draft Reactions for Frustrated Buffalo Bills' Fans

The Buffalo Bills left their fan base hanging on Thursday night at the NFL Draft, trading out of Round 1 instead of selecting a potential WR1. Three insiders suggest it's not as bad as it seems.

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey (84) signals a first down after hauling in a pass / Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY

While the Buffalo Bills' fan reaction seemed to land anywhere in between annoyed to emotionally distraught, there were multiple measured, rational hot takes on general manager Brandon Beane's decision to trade out of the NFL Draft's first round Thursday night.

NFL data scientist Cynthia Frelund cautioned fans to not overreact to swapping first-round picks with the Kansas City Chiefs.

"Bills fans, fret not, this is a good move… more equity for what I don’t suspect changes their pick at 32," said Frelund in a post on the social media site now known as X.

Bills fans, fret not, this is a good move… more equity for what I don’t suspect changes their pick at 32. Even if it’s a team you don’t love to trade with, it’s good have some faith here! #NFLDraft #BillsMafia

— cynthia frelund (@cfrelund) April 26, 2024

Former Bills' starting center Eric Wood, who currently serves as the team's official radio analyst, offered some perspective in the aftermath of Round 1.

"The Bills scouting department spent all year looking at these prospects and decided that they didn’t want the receivers or any others at #28 or at #32," posted Wood, who highlighted the possibility of taking Georgia receiver Ladd McConkey at No. 33 overall.

The Bills scouting department spent all year looking at these prospects and decided that they didn’t want the receivers or any others at #28 or at #32.

McConkey at #33 is intriguing to me. Cooper Dejean potentially as well.

I’ll be hopping on @WGR550 with @SalSports at 11:05am…

— Eric Wood (@EWood70) April 26, 2024

Even longtime newspaper curmudgeon Sal Maiorana didn't see the need to pile on Beane for ultimately obtaining more trade capital.

"The Bills ultimately moved down only five spots from 28 to 33, and picked up a third-round pick, got a better fourth-round pick, added a fifth-rounder and now Beane has plenty of ammo to make more moves, maybe up. Why is everyone freaking out?" said Maiorana in an X post.

The Bills ultimately moved down only five spots from 28 to 33, and picked up a third-round pick, got a better fourth-round pick, added a fifth-rounder and now Beane has plenty of ammo to make more moves, maybe up. Why is everyone freaking out? There are several WRs right in the…

— Sal Maiorana (@salmaiorana) April 26, 2024