Archives for April 28, 2016

'The Bills are likely to go defense when they make the 19th pick tonight, with filling a hole somewhere in the front seven a top priority. The Bills are going all-in on Rex Ryan’s 3-4 scheme this year, but the linebacker corps as it stands today is one of the thinnest positions on the roster. Bradham is an Eagle, A.J. Tarpley retired and Tony Steward was cut. Manny Lawson and Preston Brown are the only returning backers who made any impact in 2015, and Brown’s sophomore season was uneven.'

'With 10 minutes allowed between picks, Buffalo’s choice figures to come around 11 p.m.'

'“Every draft you’ve got to find difference makers,” Whaley said. “Every draft you’ve got to try and hit on as many guys as possible. The internal pressure to hit on a draft is what drives us. We’re excited about it and we accept that challenge.'

'Not good enough to make the postseason, not bad enough to land a franchise savior. That’s the story for an entire generation of fans. Heck, the year they started 0-8 — and were in love with Cam Newton — they finished a noble 4-4.'

'“I think it’s certainly a tall order,” former Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM and current ESPN analyst Mark Dominik said of this being a transformative draft for the Bills. “They’re fortunate in the fact that they do have a Sammy Watkins on the football team. It looks like they’re very happy with Tyrod Taylor and they’ve got LeSean McCoy (who received a fat pay raise after being acquired from Philadelphia last year), so it’s not like they don’t have any talent.'

'Contemplating those two issues, I can see how objective fans might feel a bit conflicted about the state of the team. After spending through the nose to go 8-8 last season, are the Bills a true contender or a team in decline?'

'The 64-year-old Derringer became the winner of a lottery among Bills’ season-ticket holders, and will be the team’s fan representative at the NFL Draft in Chicago.'

'7: Former first-round picks currently on the Bills’ roster: DE Manny Lawson (’06, Bengals), C Eric Wood (’09), DE Jerry Hughes (’10, Colts), DT Marcell Dareus (2011), CB Stephon Gilmore (’12), QB EJ Manuel (’13) and WR Sammy Watkins (’14).'

'Bills’ special draft event: Team will host a VIP gathering Saturday at (716) Food and Sport, where Bills coaches and the Bills’ first-round pick will announce selections in Rounds 4-5 that will be streamed live on the team’s website, with select picks being broadcast from the event on various NFL media platforms.'

'In the case of the Bills, the grade for what they’ve done in the draft since 2011 is better than the 20-year snapshot … but not dramatically. Call it a C. The Bills’ 35-45 record through that stretch is below average, although there at least appears to be somewhat of a foundation, provided largely by the last five drafts, on which the team can build.'

'Let's face it. The best/smartest/safest thing the Bills can do with the 19th overall pick of the draft is use it on a defensive lineman.'

'“The college game and the NFL game … it’s just completely different,” said Bills director of personnel Jim Monos, referring to the styles of play as much as the obvious gap in talent. “It’s every position. So really, it’s just a completely different game and the challenge is, can you be a good evaluator, do your work well enough to know if he can make it for us? If you’re good evaluators, you’re going to find a guy in any round.”'

'So, what teams do you need to be on the lookout for taking the player you want the Bills to select? Here’s a position-by-position look at what teams selecting 9-18 have the most potential to ruin your evening. Obviously teams are listed multiple times because they have multiple needs.'

'I want them to take a quarterback. I don't think they will but I still want one. I don't necessarily have a guy I prefer. Quite honestly, after Jared Goff and Carson Wenz, its a bunch of guys who need time to develop.'

'Paxton Lynch goes early, like, Top 10 early.'