It's the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Not every sale happens at the register. Before AT&T business wireless, checking out customers on our mobile POS systems took too long. Basically a staring contest where everyone loses. It's crazy what people will say during an awkward silence. Now transactions are done before the silence takes hold. That means I can focus on the task at hand and make an extra sale or two. Sometimes I do miss the bonding time. Sometimes. AT&T business wireless. Connecting changes everything. If you, your parent or spouse served in the military, you could join our family. Our members saved an average of $70 a month on auto insurance when they switched. Tap the banner or visit usa.com slash join today to check your eligibility. Restrictions apply. The 2026 NFL Draft is right around the corner and Brandon Bean has plenty of questions yet to be answered. We're going to explore what those are today on Locked On Bills. You are locked on bills. Your daily Buffalo Bills podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. It's Joe Marino. On today's episode, I want to break down the biggest questions that I have regarding this Buffalo Bills roster as it currently stands. And look, you might listen to this episode and come away pretty concerned or even panicking over what this roster is still missing. Keep in mind the opportunity to answer the questions, it's all right there. There's a draft. There's going to be a post draft wave of free agency where I think the bills will have the opportunity to find what they need. And especially in that post draft wave of free agency where there's been a lot of veteran players that are in a holding pattern right now because they want to see where they can go that will provide the best opportunity to play. If you're a north of 30 year old linebacker and you're trying to pick a team, you don't want to sign with a team and then them turn around and pick a linebacker in the first round and now you know you're not going to play. And so there will be answers in the draft and then there will be answers after the draft that I think will put this entire puzzle together. But right now the puzzle is not put together and there are missing pieces. And so I want to break down what those are today on this episode. Now the number one thing for me and it's not particularly close is the defensive front seven. And what I mean by defensive front seven, I mean interior defensive linemen, the on the ball outside linebackers, the edge rushers and then the off ball inside linebackers. And the bills are embracing a scheme change under Jim Leonard. I just don't know that Brandon Bean has given him what he needs to truly implement this new scheme. And I have confidence that Jim Leonard will not try to force round pegs into square holes and that everything's not going to be addressed in one offseason. But I still think there's a lot of work to be done to give him a chance to start moving the scheme where he wants it to go. And so let's talk about it and let's begin with inside linebacker. Right now you have Terrell Bernard, Dorian Williams, Joe Andreessen and a couple of practice squad players from last year and Keontha Jenkins and Jimmy Charleau. Plenty of questions about that group. Terrell Bernard's a paid inside linebacker and you'd love for it to work. He has to prove himself in the scheme and he also has to stay healthy which is not something he's proven able to do. I'm excited about Dorian Williams. I think he's going to be a really good player in this defense. He's also an expiring contract and then for as appealing as Joe Andreessen is as a depth player and we're all rooting for him, he's probably more of a depth player. I think you have room for a starter and worst case you have room for that third linebacker where you've seen some of these three, four defenses that will play three backers. Look at the Broncos where Jim Leonard was. They played three guys. They played Greenlaw. They played Sternade. They played Singleton. The Chiefs. They played Bolton. They played Tranquil. They played Chinol. It's a little bit more role specific but whether it's a player that's going to do that, that third guy in a specialized role or your every down player that's going to be the quarterback of your defense, this is a glaring concern for me. I'd also go to the interior defensive line where I think at Oliver's going to be a good player at that four eye position. I think Deion Walker will be a good player, hopefully playing nose tackle and out towards the edges in some wider alignments because I think that's where he's actually best. But outside of that, I don't know. We'll see if TJ Sanders can make a transition to that four eye five tech role. We'll see what Dwayne Carter has. We'll see what Landon Jackson can do. But those are all players that were drafted for a different scheme and they're not very clean projections in my opinion. And it would be silly to think that they're all just going to work out and that this would be the year that all those players put it all together and we love what the bills have. I just don't know if that's a realistic mindset to have. And so I think they need some help here. I think they need somebody that can truly be a nose tackle. Somebody that can truly be that five tech and fulfill the duties in this style of defense that is going to create some opportunities to make plays. But also a lot of times where they have to eat blocks, do you have the guys that are ready to step in and do that? A major question for me because I just don't know what you can actually count on from anyone in that group, even Oliver, where I think he's going to be really good. And I've pointed to other players with similar body types and skill sets that are very good in this style of defense, like a Milton Williams with New England, like a Colby Turner with the Rams, like Zach Allen with the Broncos. I think at Oliver can fall right in line with what those guys are able to do. But he's still got to do it. And what else around him are we sure about? Pretty much nothing. Maybe Deion Walker. I think he's going to have a bigger role and think he's going to have to play a little bit more in the A gaps is coming season, unless there's other players built in that free him up to be more versatile. And then you have the edge rusher situation. The on the ball outside linebacker where it's Bradley Chubb, it's Greg Russo, it's Michael Hoyt off of the Achilles, Javon Solomon, Andre Jones. And I think Javon Solomon will be a lot better for this style of defense, but that said, he still, he doesn't have premier physical upside in terms of athleticism, size, length. He doesn't have any of that stuff. He fits better, but it doesn't mean that he has superpowers. I like Greg Russo and him in this new type of role, but I also think he's probably going to have to play some five tech. I like Bradley Chubb, but there's injury concerns there. Michael Hoyt, who knows coming off of the injury and a season where he played seven quarters worth of football. I think they need to diversify the group, meaning they need that bursty bendy guy, meaning they need guys that you feel more comfortable playing the five tech role. And so this, this feels like the part of the football team that is embracing the most change in terms of what they're asked to do year over year. And the only thing Brandon Bean has given this defensive front seven is Bradley Chubb. And that's not nothing, but that's also not enough in my opinion. I'm looking for a nose tackle. I'm looking for a five tech. I'm looking for a bursty bendy edge rusher. I'm looking for an inside linebacker that can play a lot of snaps and maybe all of them. And so we'll see how that is addressed. All right. Coming up next. There are a couple of areas on this football team premium positions, mind you, that I think the bills are lacking depth. I'll break that down next. Folks be sure to stick with me. The NHL playoffs are here where every shift matters. Every moment is intense and the pressure is at its highest. The Buffalo Savers are in the playoffs for the first time in a long time. And you know, I'm excited, but I'm nervous. I want them to do it. 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Because in every Chevy truck, like every Chevy driver, dependability comes standard. Visit chevy.com to learn more. Chevrolet received the highest total number of awards among all trucks in the JD Power 2025 US Vehicle Dependability Study. Awards based on 2022 models, newer models may be shown. Visit JD Power.com slash awards for more details. Chevrolet, together, let's drive. All right, folks. Welcome back. I want to break down a couple of areas on this team where I think depth is severely lacking. And probably the number one spot where I think the team really lacks depth is that cornerback. I am excited about the pair of Christian Benford and Max Harrison. I think they are scheme transcended players. They compliment each other very well. They both have big play potential with stripping the football, taking it away, making plays on the ball. I think they're both good tacklers. That was nonsense about Max Harrison last year. I maintain that was nonsense that people were talking about him. It's not a good tackler when he was coming back from a shoulder injury. Like watch him play before the shoulder injury. Tell me that guy doesn't tackle. I think they have a really, really high ceiling with what they can be as a tandem. Unfortunately, neither player has ever had a healthy season. Not in the National Football League. And even for Harrison, his last two, right? He missed time his last season with the shoulder. His 20, 25 rookie season in the NFL started and ended with an injury. Christian Benford, it's something every year that pops up. He's been on IR a few different times. And so the bills are one snap away from MJ Devonshire, Darryl Porter. The Corey couch being an every snap player for the defense. I certainly wish I knew what the situation was with Dorian Strong, because I feel like that guy would be a terrific depth corner that also gives you a lot of upside on special teams. He's got a neck injury. We're not sure if he's going to play again. It is a huge question, huge question. Again, I hope we don't ever see them play. I would love for Harrison and Benford to play every defensive snap this year. That's just not realistic. And we've seen it throughout the years. How much football to Trey White play last year? How many games has Dane Jackson started never as a preferred starter for this team? So I hope that there's a shift in fortune when it comes to injury luck at the cornerback position. But history doesn't tell a good story there for us. Got to find some corner depth. Absolutely have to find some corner depth that you trust. One interesting variable about this corner depth piece is I do believe that D. Alford has some appeal playing on the outside. I think he'll be the primary slot player. But if there is a world where they want to play C.J. Garner Johnson more in the slot, I think you could push out Alford to play some outside snaps. But I hate the idea of changing two positions to get one. So I'd like for the bills to get a legit CB3 that everyone has a level of confidence in, can step in and play every snap and at least give you a chance. Obviously it's a depth player. There's going to be a drop off. But right now the drop off is too significant from Max Herston and Christian Benford to probably practice squad caliber players. The other position where I think there's a depth concern is offensive tackle. Again, I love the starters here. Deion Dawkins and Spencer Brown. But with Ryan Van DeMark, now in Minnesota Viking, the bills are left with Tywin Grable, Chase Lunt and Travis Clayton. I like Tywin Grable. You've probably heard me rave about him at different points throughout his time in Buffalo. That said, he's entering year three and he really hasn't proven much. He's looked good in preseason. Nathan Peterman looked good in the preseason. You know what I mean? Like you got to take that with a grain of salt. He at two different points beat out Ryan Van DeMark to be the offensive tackle that gets a jersey on game day. But we still don't know much about him because whenever there was truly a chance for a reserve offensive tackle to play, Grable was hurt and Ryan Van DeMark was available and he got a chance to play. And he's the guy that got a nice little deal to go to Minnesota. Chase Lunt. Chase Lunt? I don't know. I actually liked Chase Lunt's college tape quite a bit. He would just be an outlier given his arm length and wingspan. It's a big off season for him. And then Travis Clayton, who knows? It's a rugby player that's had two years now transitioning to playing football and we'll see. Maybe he's the next Jordan Milano. Who knows? We have a lot to learn there. And just the collective unknowns here has me uneasy. And so whether it's a low cost veteran, a mid round developmental option, the bills have got to find another body here at offensive tackle that will probably make your roster. Then there's two other variables here that are intriguing to me. The bills to this point have not restructured Deion Dawkins contract. And that's a lever that Brandon Bean can pull and free up over $11 million in cap space. Now, I certainly understand that there's no reason to pull the lever until you need to pull the lever, but he hadn't pulled the lever yet. And should we be uneasy about how the team feels about Deion long term after a down season? You want to maintain the flexibility to get out of the deal after the season if you want to? It's at least worth talking about. The other layer is the pending free agency of Osiris Torrance after this year. He's going to be expensive. The NFL is paying average starting NFL guards north of $15 million a season, like David Edwards, like Aaron Banks, like Will Fryes. Those aren't great players. Those are good, fine starters. They're now getting 15 to 20 million a season. Osiris is going to be a great player. Osiris Torrance is going to get well above $15 million a season. Can you pay him while you're also paying both your tackles and your center? You might want to as a player. You drafted and developed and basically started and played every snap. Maybe the way you say yes to that is by moving on from somebody. Point being, you've got to find some meaningful, intriguing, offensive line depth that has some starter appeal. So corner depth, offensive tackle depth. To me, big questions to go with everything I discussed in the defensive front seven. All right, I'm not done. I have more to get into, including some specialized niche roles that I think can really help the bills improve in the margins. So we'll break that down next. Folks, be sure to stick with me. If you've ever opened your bank account and thought, where did all my money go? You're not alone. Keeping track of subscriptions, spending and bills can get overwhelming fast. 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Because in every Chevy truck, like every Chevy driver, dependability comes standard. Visit chevy.com to learn more. Chevrolet received the highest total number of awards among all trucks in the JD Power 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. Awards based on 2022 models, newer models may be shown. Visit JDPower.com slash awards for more details. Chevrolet, together, let's drive. All right, we've got more to discuss here. And these are not necessarily high volume roles, but there's some niche roles that I think are very meaningful. And I want to start this segment with verticality at wide receiver. Wide receiver talent that can get downfield and stretch the field and help elevate the deep passing game that I think has been underwhelming for the last couple of seasons. I don't believe that the bills have this major need for a receiver that comes in and commands a lot of volume. I don't think they have 100 targets that they're just begging someone worthy to come in and take. There's going to be a lot to DJ more. There's going to be a lot to Dalton Kincaid. There's going to be a lot to Kalosha Kier. There's still Josh Palmer. There's still Keon Coleman. There's three running backs that can catch the ball. There's still Dawson Knox. What's missing is a true field stretcher. Somebody that can change the spacing of this offense. Somebody that opponents have to respect his ability to get behind them. And if the bills were truly able to find this player, I think it'd be so meaningful because then it helps optimize your best pass catchers. Dalton Kincaid, Kalosha Kier. Those are players that are going to thrive your intermediate range middle of the field. DJ Moore, I think has three level appeal, but probably more in that intermediate range is where I like them the best. When you have somebody that can push the defense and really stress it and challenge the roof, it's going to open up that spacing. And the bills don't really have that player. And so I think they can have a niche player here that does that. That gets 30 to 50 targets and makes some big plays. Now, what I'd love is for that player to also be able to handle the punt return duties. You know, Joe Brady was recently asked about Kalosha Kier's role in the punt return game and if they would want to have a specialized returner. And he kind of pushed back. He said, look, you got to be really special. If you're going to be rostered only for return ability, you got to be special. And he even brought up Brandon Codrington, who had a chance to do that as a rookie and that didn't last that long, even though he was a pretty good returner as a rookie. You got to be special. And so that's why it would be who the bills to find somebody that can fill a niche role, but then also be the punt returner. Whether that's a depth player in the secondary or receiver at depth player running back. Right now it's like, well, I guess it'll be Keon Coleman or Kalosha Kier again. And that was a spot on this bill's team last year where there was missing production. They didn't get much in the way of punt return. Now they had good ball handling, right? You know, the number one thing with punt return is getting the ball back to 17. And I think the bills generally did a pretty good job with that. But a combo player that can be the vertical receiver and also the punt returner would be outstanding. And that's what draws me so much to KC Concepcion out of Texas A&M because I think he does that. And then if you were to make that selection, as I've said, you also put yourself in a position to have that receiver specifically Concepcion grow into a bigger role with the offense. As you have different variables come up, like, hey, you're probably only going to have DJ more for two seasons. You can get out of Josh Palmer after this year. Who knows what Keon Coleman is? That's helpful knowing that you have him, you know, just onboarding and learning and developing and meshing. Right? The other thing that I have down is specialist kickers and punters. Last year was interesting with kickers and punters. It eventually got to a good place, but it was pretty tough. It was dicey along the way, especially a punter. Where the bills went through like three punters to get to Mitch Wyshnowski, who I think eventually settled in and did a good job. And he's back on a one year, $1.3 million deal, but none of that's guaranteed. He's 34 years old. That's not that old for a punter, but, you know, he was available midseason last year and came back to the bills on a minimum deal. It's not like this is a bonafide, for sure starting punter in the NFL. And then there's the whole Tyler Bass situation, which is dicey. It's been dicey for the last couple of years. High variance, missed the big kick against Kansas City. Felt like he found his groove with that big kick against Miami. And then he misses the whole season with a pelvis injury. Who knows what Tyler Bass is going to be this year. Now they got this Maddox Truillo guy. Maybe he's interesting. We don't know a thing about him. And so I don't know that the bills will find a new answer at kicker and or punter, but it'd be nice to feel like you've given yourself a chance for a long-term option. It's been a long time since the bills had their next great punter, right? Like you had Chris Moore into Brian Mormon and then really, since Brian Mormon left the first time, it has just been guy after guy after guy after guy. Like you got a couple of decent years out of Sam Martin. It's been dicey. Now the bills have had a really good history with kickers, right? It was Steve Christie. Ryan Lindell was terrific. Houshka was good. And now you're kind of in this Bass world where on one hand it sometimes feels good, but then sometimes it's unsettling when he steps out there to kick. And now he's coming off of a year where he didn't kick at all. So I would love for the bills to find or attempt to find some long-term solutions at kicker and punter and stop worrying about this or at least both of these things on an annual basis. All right, folks. Hope you enjoyed this conversation. Wanted to dive into what has been burning up my mind in terms of those remaining questions that Brandon Bean has to answer. And like I said at the beginning, the opportunity is still there to put these pieces together. He's got a draft. He's got the post-draft wave of free agency, which could also include players being released based on how the draft plays out. There could be some post-June 1st moves, right? So I'm not panicking yet, but at a lot of these spots, if they don't do things, I will. I will have great concern. And so we'll see where it goes, but it could obviously go the wrong direction and nothing happens, and I'll remain concerned. So we'll see how it plays out. All right, folks. There you have it. Plenty of more conversations coming. We're going to dive into the players that the bills hosted for 30 visits and add them to our bill's draft board and talk scenarios and get ready for this 2026 NFL draft and then eventually react to the 2026 NFL draft. So don't miss anything. Make sure you're subscribed. I'd love it if you took a second to rate, review, and share the podcast. Have a great rest of your day. Go bills, and I look forward to catching up with you again real soon. The Winter Games are officially here, and if you're anything like us, you're locking in for events you only get to see on the biggest stage every four years. And that's why following the Winter Games on Fandal just makes sense. From medal counts to individual events to finding your angle on the sports you care about most. 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