I was also saying the same before the draft of wanting Brian Thomas and probably having to move up to get him. He was a perfect fit for the Bills. All that would prevent the Bills doing that was the price. And, yes, Beane made the smart decision not to overpay (with the #60 pick) especially when Thomas' (almost) clone in Keon Coleman was almost assuredly going to be there at #28.
They are both big WR's that have the ability to "play over the rim" on contested catches. EXACTLY what Josh and the Bills need, and what has been lacking in the WR room.
The biggest difference between the two (and why Thomas went #23 and Coleman #33) is their 40 time. So what? 40 yard speed is not the same as game speed.
In any event, Beane had Coleman at the top of his board (after Thomas) and he also knew what the teams ahead and behind the Bills pick were preferring. The Lions, Packers, Bucs and Cards that went before the Bills at #28 were not going to select Coleman.
Beane was prepared to use #28 to get their guy, but then KC got nervous and (somewhat) reached for Worthy.
Yes, Worthy was a (somewhat of a) reach at #28. The draft expert I respect the most Dane Brugler had Worthy well behind Coleman.
Brugler ranked Coleman #5 WR, and #28 overall....Worthy ranked #10 WR and #46 overall.
Beane had a gift land in his lap when KC traded to move up. It made their 4th round pick (#135) a much more valuable 3rd round pick at #95. Using that pick for a need and probable immediate rotational DT behind Oliver with DeWayne Carter.
Beane knew that KC was
not going to pick Coleman and did not care if they made Worthy (or any other WR on the board at that point) their pick. Beane also knew that the Cowboys, Ravens and 49ers were not going after Coleman. Turns out that he was ready to use #32 for Coleman, but then another gift landed in his lap with Carolina moving up. They obviously had their guy, Legette, in their sites and did not want any other team trading with the Bills to get him.
The Panthers trade had the Bills moving up an
astounding 59 picks turning #24 in the 6th round (#200 overall) into a
high 5th round pick (#6 in the 5th round...#141 overall) where the possible future starting center in Sedrick Van- Pran-Granger came to Buffalo.
There are some that believe Pran-Granger
could push McGovern for the starting C job this summer.
So, the Bills got who was probably at the top of their board...who Josh Allen was salivating over, and were able to get two more players that may not been available to them without the two trades.
Of course, Coleman still has a lot to prove. But that can and
should be said about EVERY draft pick. There is every reason to believe that Coleman has all the tools and skill set that fits perfectly into what the Bills are evolving into with Joe Brady as OC, and what Josh Allen can help make a star at WR.