1. New Bills get first opportunity to work with teammates
The Bills return to One Bills Drive today for phase one of offseason workouts. The returning Bills will not only be greeted by 19 new teammates but also a brand new state-of-the-art training facility. The new weight room is 26,000-square feet, nearly triple the size of the old room.
Phase one of the workouts are voluntary and the first phase consists of activities limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation.
Fifteen new faces will join the offensive side of the ball including following players at the following positions.
OL: Spencer Long, Mitch Morse, Ty Nsekhe, Jon Feliciano, LaAdrian Waddle, Quinton Spain
WR: Duke Williams, John Brown, Cole Beasley, Andre Roberts
RB: Frank Gore, Senorise Perry, Christian Wade
TE: Tyler Kroft, Jake Fisher
Four new players have been added on the defense including …
DE: Eli Harold
LB: Maurice Alexander
CB: Kevin Johnson, E.J. Gaines
2. ESPN's Todd McShay identifies these draft needs for the Bills
ESPN's Todd McShay identified the top five draft needs for all 32 NFL teams by marrying rankings and scheme fit with team-specific areas of need.
He identified the five biggest draft needs for the Bills in order.
Top draft needs:DT, EDGE, TE, G, CB
The Bills have their quarterback inJosh Allen, but consideringShaq Lawsonis the only player drafted by Buffalo before 2017 still on the roster, there are a lot of areas of need here. With Kyle Williams gone, the defensive tackle position opens up -- Houston'sEd Olivercould fit perfectly -- andJerry Hughesisn't getting any younger off the edge. The Bills managed only 36 sacks in 2018. And afterCharles Claysigned with Arizona, Buffalo will want a complement toTyler Kroftat tight end.
In McShay's most recent three-round mock draft, he gave the Bills DT Ed Oliver from Houston with the No. 9 pick, C/G Erik McCoy from Texas A&M with the No. 40 pick, and TE Kahale Warring from San Diego State at No. 74.
The Bills have 10 total picks in this year's draft to address any needs they have after the free agency period. McShay called Oliver a "beast inside" and McCoy could slide in at guard with Mitch Morse at center. Warring will be the pass-catching tight end for Josh Allen to target.
3. Stevie Johnson offers draft announcement to Pancho Billa
Former Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson was invited by the NFL to announce their third-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft but has offered that spot to Bills superfan Ezra Castro, known as Pancho Billa.
Castro is currently battling cancer and announced on Friday that he was being admitted to the hospital for further testing after scans were done on his lungs.
"Change of Plans… scan showed something in my lungs that Dr's didn't like," he tweeted. "I'm being admitted to hospital for further testing. Staying #PanchoPower strong & keeping the faith. Pray for all the ill'd people in the world amigos, Much Buffalove!"
Last year, Castro was able to announce the Bills' third round pick of Harrison Phillips when Andre Reed and Fred Jackson invited him on stage.
As Castro fights cancer a gofundme has been set up to help offset medical costs. In the most recent update they hope to hear positive news today after a long weekend in the hospital.
