Archives for April 29, 2017

'Dawkins was a second-team All-ACC player at Temple in 2015, and earned first-team honors in 2016. Dawkins is regarded as a strong run-blocking offensive lineman with a 35-inch arm length.'

'Watkins, 23, is about the enter his fourth season in the National Football League after being selected by the Bills with the fourth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. In his three seasons with the Bills, Watkins has 153 receptions for 2,459 yards and 17 touchdowns in 37 games played.'

'Here are some of the best available players who are still on the board, by position of need…'.

'This was a huge need for the Bills, and Jones was the best of the prospects remaining at the position. At 6-foot-2, 200-pounds, the Bills are adding a wideout that brings size to the position — and a player that head coach Sean McDermott believes can work both inside as a slot receiver and outside.'

'Three picks for one is a steep price to pay to move up only 12 slots at that point in the draft, but the Bills' hand was likely forced by three separate factors: their thoughts on Dion Dawkins about his potential to start right away for the team, the lack of offensive line depth remaining in the 2017 NFL Draft, and Sean McDermott's intimate knowledge of what the Carolina Panthers needed and were possibly inclined to address at 64th overall.'

'"Thinking Zay Jones getting picked by Bills in OJ Car Chase shirt easily tops the Jack Link's Sasquatch yesterday," ESPN sports reporter Darren Rovell tweeted.'

'Though the Bills haven't made the official decision on Watkins just yet, the move to not pick up his option would be perplexing, to say the least.'

'The hit rate in the later rounds go down considerably, but there are always gems found at that point of the draft. Who might the Bills be looking at that fit the schemes they're trying to play?'

'Along with Jones’ undeniable on field talents, Sean McDermott reinforced everything he’s said since taking over as head coach in January with his emphasis on character. Jones was a multi-year captain at East Carolina and was recognized by several national organizations for the work he put forth in the classroom.'

'“I don’t think I’d be standing at this podium if it wasn’t for Coach Phil and the things that’s taught me and the way he’s translated me into being pro-ready,” Jones said at the NFL Combine. “So a great thank you to him. He’s going to be great at the Bills. I loved playing for a person like that and whoever he gets to coach will be lucky in the future.”'

'“For three years I primarily played in the slot at East Carolina,” said Jones. “I wasn’t an outside receiver. And then Coach Phil came to me and said, ‘Hey, if you want to play in the National Football League, you’ve got to play some outside. With your frame, with your size, with your skill set and your ability, we’ve got to get you outside.’”'

'There are some question marks surrounding the Bills offensive line. Tackle Seantrel Henderson will still be serving a league-imposed suspension for five more games this season. Henderson will be allowed to participate in offseason programs and play in preseason games.'

'After suffering a season-ending foot injury midway through his rookie campaign, Dawkins proved just how tough he can be. Coming back better than ever in 2014, Dawkins earned a spot on the starting lineup at left tackle. Making 11 starts that year, Dawkins made a name for himself as one of the most physically and mentally tough players on the squad.'

'“We looked at it last night when we broke and the ice was getting awful thin, really, at the wide receiver position in general,” said McDermott. “There weren’t quite as many wide receivers, a few of them went early, and then there weren’t many around at this level and we valued Zay and we felt that we wanted to go get him and made sure we got our guy.”'

'“To get more picks in the middle rounds of this draft, which is the sweet spot to me, that third, fourth round area you can get a lot of starters there,” NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah told Buffalobills.com. “Second-round caliber players, you’re going to get them in the third, fourth and in some positions maybe even the fifth round this year. You can plug a lot of holes.”'