The NFL Draft is like a Texas Hold’em final table. You’ve got your pocket aces (hello, Patrick Mahomes), your bluffers (looking at you, Jets), and those sly tacticians who fold early to chase a royal flush later. For Bills GM Brandon Beane, holding pick No. 30 feels like staring down a pair of twos while Josh Allen’s Super Bowl clock ticks louder than a halftime buzzer. Think Brett Favre’s gunslinger days meet Ocean’s Eleven heist precision—except Beane’s playing with house money and 10 draft chips.

Buffalo’s offseason has been less ‘Rocky Balboa training montage’ and more ‘chess match at a NASCAR race.’ Extensions for Allen, Greg Rousseau, and Christian Benford? Check. Adding Joey Bosa? A Hail Mary with a side of hot wings. But the Bills’ backfield suddenly feels as stable as a folding table in a Buffalo blizzard. Cue the drama.

On Tuesday, Beane dropped a truth bomb hotter than a Buffalo sauce-drenched pretzel: “I would say it’s a pretty good D-line draft. Not 30 first-round grades we’ve entered into the draft.” So, the Bills might trade up, trade down, or pull a disappearing act from Round 1 entirely. Last year, Beane slid to pick 33 to snag WR Keon Coleman, saving $3 million in guaranteed cash—a move as shrewd as Allen scrambling for a first down on 3rd-and-long. But this time, Buffalo’s bullseye is clear: fix the defense.

DT Kenneth Grant (331 lbs of ‘feed him a double team’) and CB Maxwell Hairston (4.28 speed) top their wishlist. However, with mock drafts thinning the talent pool faster than a Tom Brady retirement rumor, Beane’s Plan B involves wheeling and dealing. “This is a projection business,” he said, channeling his inner Belichick. “You’re weighing risk. And whatever round it is, and especially when you’re talking about (round) one and two and things like that. I just want to get it right for the team, and for Terry Pegula and that crew, that’s my job.” And while Beane plays draft-day risk, Allen’s been grinding like a man possessed.

“Ignorance is bliss,” he quipped about ditching social media. “I was being more intentional with my time and where my focus is at.” But James Cook is ghosting voluntary workouts like a bad Tinder date, and even Josh Allen can’t ignore the Cook-sized elephant in the room. “I know James is working out and getting the job done… It’ll get figured out when it gets figured out,” he said, sounding more diplomat than QB.

Beane’s Cook conundrum—Buffalo’s backfield gamble

Cook’s absence screams “pay me” louder than a Lambeau Leap. His 16 rushing TDs last year tied Derrick Henry, but Brandon Beane is playing hardball. “It’s voluntary,” he shrugged. “Guys come and go… We could all assume he’s not here because he’s unhappy with his contract or whatever, but that’s not fair. He hasn’t told me that, and no one has told me that he said that… He’ll be ready to go, though.” Meanwhile, Cook’s Orchard Park mansion is on Zillow, and his $15M/year ask floats like a Hail Mary into triple coverage.

Let’s be real: NFL RBs have the job security of a Jenga tower. Cook’s electric, but Beane’s track record says “prove it.” Since 2017, Buffalo’s never used the franchise tag—why start now? “Love James. Look forward to James putting on our helmet again this year and doing well for us,” Beane said, tossing a verbal bouquet. But actions speak louder…

Extensions went to Khalil Shakir, Benford, and Terrel Bernard instead. Meanwhile, Allen’s diplomacy hides the urgency. Without Cook, Buffalo’s offense leans heavier on Allen’s legs—a risk as spicy as ghost pepper nachos. “The guys that are here are getting the work done,” Allen said, but you can bet he’s side-eyeing his RB’s Instagram workouts.

Thursday’s draft is Beane’s chance to go full Moneyball. Trade up for CB Jahdae Barron? Stay put and grab Grant? Or fleece the Giants at pick 34? The options are as endless as a diner coffee refill. One thing’s certain. Buffalo’s window hinges on Allen. As Hunter S. Thompson once said, “Buy the ticket, take the ride.” But in Orchard Park, the ride’s got potholes. Will Brandon Beane’s draft magic keep the engine humming—or will Cook’s contract stalemate blow a tire?