Buffalo’s two first-round picks, QB Josh Allen and LB Tremaine Edmunds know they have some work to do when they get to One Bills Drive. They already sound like they know what they want has to be earned.
By Dominic LoVallo / Contributing Correspondent
The Buffalo Bills did not trade up once, but twice in the first round last night. Originally Buffalo moved from 12 to seven to select Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen. Then, GM Brandon Beane and company saw Tremaine Edmunds falling down the board and traded up from 22 to 16 to grab the Virginia Tech linebacker.
Both players echoed what Sean McDermott and Beane said in their press conference after the first round. They know they have to earn their play time in Buffalo.
“I’ve got to get in the quarterback room, get with Nate, get with A.J.,” said Allen. “Try to become the best teammate, the best quarterback that I can be. Whether it’s playing right away, whether it’s sitting and learning from these guys, it’s what I’m going to do. I really just want to help this team win football games.”
Allen said his goal is to go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, a task he knows is no small feat.
“I definitely think [fans] should be excited,” said Allen. “They’re getting a guy that wants to win. I definitely think that Buffalo deserves a team that goes on to win playoff games and Super Bowls… I’m the type of guy that’s going to put my head down. I’m going to do everything humanly possible to make that happen.”
For Edmunds, even with the hole that Preston Brown left in the Bills linebacker depth chart, the 19-year-old understands that he can learn a lot before he is inserted in the lineup.
“I’m versatile, man, so I can kind of move around,” said Edmunds. “So, I’m just going to come in and compete. Just really want to learn from some of the older guys that are there, and help the team and ultimately win.”
He not only thinks fans should be excited for what he can bring to the roster, but Edmunds is excited for what Buffalo can bring to his game.
“Man, you’re just getting a guy that loves to compete, a guy that loves to win,” said Edmunds. “And I’m excited for the fans, for the Bills mafia and the fan base that’s there, and I feel like that drives players. That’s definitely doing to drive me and I’m ready for the experience.”