The Buffalo Bills had a successful 2022 NFL Draft, as they brought in key contributors at positions of need, such as cornerback. Considering the Bills were one of the better teams in the AFC last year, there wasn't a ton of room for improvement. However, the AFC got considerably more competitive, giving general managers, such as Brandon Beane, more incentive to make the best possible NFL Draft selections. With picks in the first three rounds and a bevy of late round selections, Beane addressed both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, even picking a punter to come in for Buffalo. Let's assess how Beane did for the Bills in the NFL Draft. Here are grades for every pick made by Buffalo.

Buffalo Bills 2022 NFL Draft Grades

Round 1, Pick 23- CB Kaiir Elam (Florida)

Grade: A

Beane and the Bills watched as the team finished the regular season with the number-one pass defense in the league in terms of yards allowed per game, doing it without number-one corner Tre'Davious White, who suffered an ACL tear on Thanksgiving. Beyond White, however, the secondary truly had only one plus contributor in Taron Johnson.

Elam, who allowed only 19 catches for 191 yards this past season per Pro Football Focus, held down some of the SEC's finest wide receivers. While he might not have the upside of White, Elam can immediately be a day-one starter opposite of him, giving the Bills three corners they can count on, in addition to their strong safety duo.

Round 2, Pick 63- RB James Cook (Georgia)

Grade: A-

The Bills made a wise choice here. James Cook, the brother of Minnesota Vikings star Dalvin Cook, proved his worth on a college career-best 140 touches, totaling over 1000 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns. While he might not be asked to step in and lead the running back room, he won't have to, with Devin Singletary and Zack Moss still in Buffalo. However, neither of those two have really wowed Buffalo, which is why they brought in Cook, one of the more explosive playmakers at the halfback spot in the draft. The Georgia product can also do a little bit of everything, giving Josh Allen yet another weapon.

Round 3, Pick 89- LB Terrel Bernard (Baylor)

Grade: B

The Bills feature one of the league's better linebacker duos in Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds, though they saw fit to select Baylor's Terrel Bernard. It's clear that the Bills are following their recent draft strategy at ‘backer, opting for the athletic, rangy Bernard, who acts in coverage like a safety. While the former Bears star is an injury risk after dealing with a major shoulder injury in 2020, he does project as a future starter. That's good news for the Bills, especially if they are unable to retain one of Edmunds, who is entering the final year of his contract, or Milano, who has a potential out of his contract in 2023.

Round 5, Pick 148- WR Khalil Shakir (Boise State)

Grade: B+

While it was a bit curious to see the Bills wait to select a wide receiver until the fifth round, they made up for it by trading up for the right to select Boise State's Khalil Shakir, thought by some to be a third rounder earlier in the offseason. Shakir, who ran a 4.45 40-yard dash, lined up out wide, in the slot and in the backfield in college- and was productive wherever he was, totaling 3292 scrimmage yards and 24 touchdowns in four seasons. Playing out of the slot seemed to come most naturally to him, given his size. That makes him an excellent fit for the Bills, who lost slot star Cole Beasley this offseason. Shakir figures to immediately compete for snaps on the inside with veteran Isaiah McKenzie.

Round 6, Pick 180- P Matt Araiza (San Diego State)

Grade: A-

Easily the best punter in the draft, Matt Araiza owns the FBS record for the most 50, 60, 70 and, somehow, 80-yard punts in a single season. The team released Corey Bojorquez before 2021, then watched as Matt Haak struggled in his place. Araiza, who downed 37 punts inside the 20, is a clear upgrade over Haak, who recorded just 18. Nicknamed the Punt God, he could develop into a special teams weapon for Buffalo in 2022.

Round 6, Pick 185- CB Christian Benford (Villanova)

Grade: C+

This one was an interesting pick, as the Bills had already addressed the corner spot with Elam. Christian Benford was a solid producer for Villanova, tallying 14 interceptions in four seasons, though the competition wasn't exactly comparable to the NFL. Benford will certainly provide depth to the cornerback room, though it feels like the Bills could have traded up in a class filled with some better late-round options.

Round 6, Pick 209- OT Luke Tenuta (Virginia Tech)

Grade: C

This was a depth pick for the Bills, who have veteran Dion Dawkins at left tackle. However, Tenuta's size- he is 6-8 and 319 pounds- and versatility- he can play either tackle spot- should at least make him a serviceable backup.

Round 7, Pick 231- LB Baylon Spector (Clemson)

Grade: B-

The Bills once again addressed the linebacker spot with their final pick, taking one of the stars of the excellent Clemson defense. Spector has the versatility to play both inside and outside while maintaining good footwork. He could surprise some at training camp with how quickly he adjusts to the speed of the pro game.