Alphadawg7

There is at least one confirmed meeting with Thomas. None that I cant find any with the big 3, but they did reportedly meet with Thomas who also confirmed himself he met with Bills at least once.

I very much think Franklin smoke is legit and high on their board. But I have to believe Thomas is higher on their board. And in version 1.0 I had Thomas going earlier and Bills not getting the chance to trade up for him. In this update I think Thomas may just make it to the 20’s in which I think that is very much in range of where Beane would trade up for him if he indeed has Thomas higher on his board, and enough so that he wants to trade up for him.

Duck...you don't want to take one of those stones to the face that are about to be thrown your way 😂

Thanks! Version 2.0 is now live if you or anyone wants to see that, here is a link: Alphamock v2.0 - detailed first round

***UPDATE*** GO TO PAGE 4 FOR FINAL 3.0 VERSION Here is my official version 2.0 on a first round Mock. Not sure I will do a v3.0, this one took me 3 days and a lot of hours of research and calls to some people I know and trust with actual insider insight. I would love to update one before the draft Thursday, but not sure I will have the time to put in between now and then to make a meaningful stab at it. I still want to expand it to a 2 rounder at some point as well and do have a working draft, however, since this one took me 3 days with lots of changes along the way as new info came about, it kept affecting my 2nd round and I didn't want to just throw up a round 2 without properly working through it. So hopefully I can find some time to finish that as I was enjoying round 2 as well. CLICK HERE FOR LINK TO v1.0 NOTE: Trades are color coated. The two teams linked in the trade are marked with *TRADE* in the same color to easily track who that trade played out on both ends of it. Compensation in bold of the same color on the higher pick of the trade. Chicago - Caleb Williams, QB, USC: No brainer here, everything points to this being their guy. Washington - Drake Maye, QB, UNC: I have believed him to be the pick over Jayden Daniels, and I have someone I trust who has insight who tells me that which QB is still unsettled and that there are supporters for both Maye and Daniels and he thinks its going to fall Maye when its all said and done. And as we get closer, the odds for this pick being Jayden are going down while Mayes are going up...just saying. New England - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU: In v1.0, I previously had them passing on a QB to take MHJ as I kind of thought their eyes were set on Maye, but now there is buzz and stuff I am hearing that they like both Maye and Daniels, so with that in mind, NE now makes the smarter choice and goes and gets a QB. *TRADE* - Giants (via Arizona): JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan: This is the same trade I made in the TSW mock draft as GM of the Cardinals, moving back to 6 with NY Giants, who know Jones ain't their guy, and that teams at 11, 12, and 13 who are all looking for a QB. So Giants take their shot here and move up to insure one of the other teams doesn't leap frog them at 4 or 5 and gets their guy. Giants have been doing a LOT of homework on the QB's and reports are that they have had great meetings with McCarthy and a great dinner with him at Ruth's Chris and are high on him. Cardinals already armed with 2 first rounders and 3 third rounders don't need a bounty on a move back here, so they opt to take the smaller offer and stay within range to still get one of the big 3 WR's. Comp received: ARI gets 6 & 70 - NYG gets 4 Chargers - Marvin Harrison, Jr: Chargers win the lottery here landing what is seen as the best player in the draft thanks to the Giants move up to McCarthy as they give Herbert an elite talent after losing their top 2 WR's. (Odunze wouldn't surprise me here either). *TRADE* - Cardinals (via Giants): Rome Odunze, WR, Washington: Previously, I have had Nabers here, but I am hearing more and more that there are teams who have Odunze as the 1st or 2nd WR in this draft. Murray had his best success with a big WR with excellent hands and catch radius in Hopkins, so I am starting to think Odunze could be the pick here. Having lost their top WR's, they still add an elite weapon for Murray while adding some extra draft capital along the way. Cardinals are in a great position to really reset their foundation with the amount of draft ammo they have in the first 4 rounds of this draft. (Would be MHJ if Chargers went Odunze) Titans - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame: Not a lot to say here, maybe the safest mock pick in the draft outside Caleb...Having the best OT in this draft fall in their lap here is a gift they sprint to the podium to select. Atlanta - Byron Murphy, DL, Texas: Atlanta looks to bolster their DL with the best DT in the draft who is a guy that just moves different than the other DT's in the draft, who can get off the ball and shoot the gaps to wreak havoc. He is as much a force against the run as he is the pass as well and who could become an anchor up front for Atlanta for years to come. One of the edge rushers could be in this spot too such as Turner or Verse. *TRADE* Colts (via Chicago) Malik Nabers, WR, LSU: While I know WR is a popular pick here, but its a bit of a luxury pick based on the needs of the team already having a long term WR1 and Keenan Allen for at least this season. This is a deep WR draft, they can find a guy to play opposite Moore later with the draft pick ammo they just added. There is just more and more buzz I am seeing about Bears maybe looking OL early, especially since Caleb has even been on social media about the importance of OL and having that been an issue for him at USC. And if they are willing to pass on Nabers, they can move back here and still snag a premiere prospect on the OL and add more draft capital given they only have 4 picks. For me, I think to move back and pass on one of the big 3 WRs, there needs to be enough draft compensation to do it, so I am looking at Colts here who are now staring down the barrel of a loaded Houston team in a loaded AFC conference in general. So they make a move here to get an elite weapon to pair with Richardson and Pittman. Comp received: CHI gets 15, 82, 117 - IND gets 9 NY Jets - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia: With the Jets spending in FA on the OL (albeit short term help) I think it's a pretty good bet they look to appease Aaron Rodgers and go Bowers here, who is a mismatch nightmare, and maybe the best TE prospect of the past decade. If one of the big 3 WR's land here, then may be that player over Bowers. But I think they will be gone inside the top 10. Although I still wouldn't rule out OL here either as there are some real talented guys they could take to help anchor that line for years, but given they are in a win now mode, I think with the short term OL help addressed some already in free agency, they go ahead and take Bowers. Vikings - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo: After not matching what Arizona wanted to move for a QB, Vikings stay true to their board and add what many regard as the top corner in the draft who has been lighting up the offseason. Broncos - Bo Nix, QB, Oregon: Originally had Penix here, but after reading more into it, seems there is more Denver interest in Bo and it feels like his accuracy and intelligence will be something Sean Payton will be more intrigued by given his days with Brees where those were 2 of his strong suits. Raiders - Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington: This is another change for me, there seems to be a lot of growing buzz about Raiders and Penix. And HC Pierce has been vocal about the need to get a QB in a division with Mahomes and Herbert. There are a lot of injury concerns with Penix though, so while this may feel early, there is also the fact that Vikings pick again at 23 and with Nix gone here, Penix could easily be in play there. And trading back up above 23 would be costly. If they really like Penix as much as being stated, then trading back up in bottom of first or waiting and hoping he falls out of the first would be a huge gamble for the Raiders. I try not to get too caught up in buzz, but I have a hard time believing Raiders feel good about Aidan and Uncle Rico as their 2 QB's this year, so the Penix interest feels plausible. Saints - Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn St: With big needs at OT, Saints also have the draft fall well and are able to take the 2nd best OT prospect in the draft. *TRADE* Bears (via Colts) - Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington: As I mentioned in pick 9, there seems to be a growing sentiment the Bears may look to bolster their OL to help their young QB who has already been on social media about the importance of OL. Adding Troy who can come in and push someone like Bates who struggled last year on the inside or compete to start as an upgrade at tackle is exactly the kind of versatility Bears would be thrilled to add. I was tempted to go Jared Verse here as they need help on the DL too, but for the reasons above I came back to Troy. Seattle - Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama: The draft falls favorably for Seattle here as they really need help all along the DL and are able to scoop maybe the best edger rusher in the draft. If Byron Murphy doesn't go to Atlanta at 8, I could see him going here too. Jaguars - Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama: My heart wants to write *TRADE* here and input Buffalo Bills name to take Thomas, but I think this may be out of the range Beane will go up to for Thomas where it still likely takes our next years first. But I know its probably going to take a first, so not only do I not want to do it, I don't think Beane will either. So, Jags stay put and address their secondary in a division that is starting to have the makings of a high powered juggernaught and take one of the top corners in the draft. Bengals - JC Latham, OL, Alabama: 3 straight Bama guys come off the board as Bengals have to find a way to keep Burrow on his feet and healthy and signing Trent Brown on a one year deal with his injury history isn't enough to keep them from looking to the future here. Bengals are fortunate this a great OT draft early and land one of the best RT ones here to hopefully be the long term guy opposite Olrando Brown for years to come. LA Rams - Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA: Buzz here is that McVay is gonna go offense in his first ever first round pick, and I get that. And there are some medical concern rumors around Latu as well that put this pick here in doubt. But, they need to bolster their pass rush, especially since they both need help on the edge and they have lost the QB pressure from inside that Donald brought for so many years. Which leads me to Latu here, the hometown star from UCLA staying home in LA. Pittsburgh - Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon: Steelers need a Center and here is their chance to add maybe the best IOL prospect in the draft who can potentially come in and shore up that Center position for years to come. There is some chatter of this being a place Brian Thomas Jr. goes via them picking him or someone like Bills trading up to get him. So won't surprise me to see BTJ go here in some fashion, but I just think JPJ is just a different breed and the kind of player Steelers covet. Miami - Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida St: With big needs in the trenches on both sides of the ball, they have a lot of options here. Miami did sign like 7 guys on the DL this offseason, but all of them are more suited as role players. So I flipped flopped between Jared and OL help (like Barton, Mims, etc) here several times before settling on Verse, and still tempted to flip again lol as I think this could go either side of the trenches. But I feel the value is higher on OL in round 2 than DL, so I used that as the defacto tie breaker and went ahead with Verse even though I am still torn on this one. *TRADE* Buffalo (via Eagles): Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU: Bills see the chance to lock in and insure they get BTJ moving up to 22 to get him for picks 28, 128, and 2025 3rd rounder. Originally I had Bills trading back from 28, but that was with BTJ off the board in the teens. With him getting into the 20's, Beane felt the value was there to go get a 6'3" guy with 4.3 forty speed to pair with Allen during this next era of his prime and hopefully giving DC's nightmares for years to come. *TRADE* Washington (via Vikings) - Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon St: Having missed on trying to get McCarthy followed with both Nix and Penix coming off at 12 and 13, the Vikings trade back and add a 3rd rounder (as they have no 2nd or 3rd round picks coming into the draft). Commanders are chomping at the bit to move back up and get one of these OT's, which is why I think if the Bills hold on to 28, Washington is a major potential trade back partner if they haven't moved up already. But, with how this draft played out, this Vikings pick is a great spot for the Commanders to go get a premiere tackle prospect to help protect their new QB, especially with teams looming after this pick that could be looking for OL help as well like the Cowboys up next. Comp received: MIN gets 36 & 67 - WAS gets 23 Dallas - Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas: There are some guys here at OL that make a lot of sense for Dallas, but Jones and company are drooling over that 4.2 speed in the dome and decide they can't pass up the opportunity on adding this kind of elite speed to his dome team to play opposite Lamb and makes the move to add some much needed firepower to the offense. Packers - Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson: With the trade of Douglas to the Bills, GB looks to the draft to find its next CB opposite Jaire and take one of the top corners in the draft in Wiggins. If Wiggins is gone in the real draft here, I can also see some OL help in bound with this pick as well. Tampa - Graham Barton, IOL, Duke: Bucs considered bolstering their pass rush here, but were stoked to find Barton still on the board and decided that his versatility and strength was too good to pass up to bolster that interior OL to help Baker succeed. Arizona - Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois: In my v1.0 Newton was off the board to Miami, but with Verse falling there in this one it allowed Newton to fall here to where I think is a highly likely destination for him. Newton has even been vocal about loving the Cardinals and if he is here I think this will most likely be the pick as AZ looks to bolster a unity very much in need of the help. *TRADE* Eagles (Via Buffalo): Cooper DeJean: After the trade down with the Bills, the Eagles land the man dubbed the "Swiss army knife" and look to bolster a secondary very much in need of the help. Cooper is interesting to me, I can see him going earlier too starting in the mid teens. Detroit - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama: Lions could very well take Adonai Mitchell here or even someone on the OL, but with a high powered offense already in stow, I have changed my mind and have them addressing their biggest need and taking the talented corner from Alabama to help bolster their defense. Ravens - Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona: I have moved off WR here for Ravens given the fact they lost 3 OL this offseason and if they want Lamar and Henry to be at their best, they need to bolster this unit and Morgan can potentially play RT or G giving them a versatile player to plug in. 49ers - Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia: Trent Williams is about to be 36 and their RT was a mixed bag last year, so they look to the future here knowing they need 2 new OT's sooner rather than later and take the mammoth Mims. While someone like Guyton could go here and has maybe a higher floor, the potential of Mims is too good to pass up. Mims is another one of those guys I can see going as earlier as well, just gonna depend on which tackle a team prefers as there are several strong prospects that will be on the board between picks 10 and 32 and at the top of round 2. Chiefs - Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Washington: A controversial pick I am sure as many think this would be CB, OL, or a different WR. But...I have now had some people I trust tell me several times that Polk is quietly one of the biggest risers in the draft and has end of first, top 10 of 2nd potential to go. One of them told me that both Balt and KC are very high on him. Polk makes so much sense for them both. Chiefs are sick of drops and Polk has some of the best hands, body control, and ball skills in the draft. He also plays physical and go over the middle where they have relied on Kelce for years who is probably in his last season. He is also the best blocking WR in the draft and KC throws the most passes at or behind the LOS in the league and relies a lot on blocking. So while I can see a number of players at CB, OL, and DL here as well along with a different WR too like Mitchell or McConkey, I am gonna go with the Polk as he is also a personal favorite of mine. NOTES: This came about through individually researching each teem, their needs, insight from people I know personally and general chatter, buzz, and rumors online around certain players/teams. And it took me 3 days to get to pick 32 as I was making many amendments along the way as new information was being discovered. One change already that I am eyeing if I do a v3.0 is what to do at 12 and 13. I cover this more in "Surprises" below, but will the Raiders pull the trigger at 13 for Penix is a big question for me and I think it is highly impacted by who ends up trading for McCarthy and maybe even what Denver does at 12. But all the buzz around Penix seems to lie mostly with the Raiders. This is a fun draft to mock. There are a lot of scenarios that can play out at the top which impact how this draft falls. Unlike some drafts where the first 7 to 10 picks were highly predictable. I think it is a safe bet that Washington will be trading back into the first as it's been widely reported they want some OL help for their new QB. And if Bills don't trade up for Thomas, I do think they make a lot of sense as a trade back partner, assuming they haven't already traded up before our pick. Im still torn on passing on OL for Miami at 21 and taking Verse. Fastest offense in the league and can't win a playoff game or their division with a 4 game lead late. Why...because it's too easy to disrupt getting to Tua early and disrupting his early reads. But, like I said on that pick, the OL depth is better in round 2 than DL. Surprises: I think the biggest surprises of the this mock are: 6 QB's going top 13 - This is the one thing that is sticking out to me the most as the questionable. Will both Nix and Penix go back to back 12 and 13? Well, to be honest, I think Penix going 13 may come down to whether or not Denver takes Nix at 12. Vikings are looming in this mock at 23 where they could easily take Penix if they wanted after missing out on moving up for McCarthy as I have them in this mock. So, if that happens, then Bo going 12 puts a lot of pressure on Raiders to take Penix sooner rather than later by trying to trade back up into the first. If Denver passes on a QB at 12, then I am not sure the Raiders feel as much pressure to take Penix at 13. If Vikings end up being the one to trade up for McCarthy then I doubt Nix and Penix go back to back as I think the Raiders would feel more comfortable looking to trade back in towards the end of round 1 for Penix with Vikings out of the way at 23 and Denver reportedly preferring Nix. Thomas makes it out of the 12-18 pick range he is most often believed to go to teams like Den (12), Indy (15), Jags (17), Bengals (18) and he very well could. But, my thinking was I would be surprised to see him go to Denver over other players who should be higher on their boards still there at 12, plus the 2 QB's. Indy very well could take him, although I think if they don't trade up for one of the big 3 WR's there are CB's there they would take before Thomas at 15. Jags signed Davis to go along with Kirk and Zay, so while thats not great, its also not their biggest need where they really need a CB, especially with what Houston is doing. And Bengals must keep Burrow healthy, I have a hard time seeing them not go OL at 18. Steelers passing on Thomas at 20. One, I think Bills could trade here with them and there is some buzz about it too. But they have glaring needs on the OL and there are multiple top prospects likely there at 20 who can bolster that unit, including the 2 best centers for a team who needs a center. Ja'Lynn Polk sneaking in first round. I think most have him as a round 2 guy, but he fits so well the Ravens and Chiefs offense. His combo of size, catch radius and blocking really complement those offenses and both teams I believe are very high on him. So in v1.0 (Ravens) and now 2.0 (Chiefs) I have him sneaking in ahead of some of the other guys like Mitchell and McConkey more often seen as going in the 1st. And like with any mock, take it with a grain of salt as I am sure, like just about all mocks, it will look quite different on draft night anyway lol. But it was a real fun exercise getting in tune with all 32 team needs and the prospects that might fit there. Especially since its changed my view on who I really want to see the Bills go after this draft, including finding a way to get some guys in round 3 via trade back at 28 or trade up from one of our 4ths.

Id be out of the game hurt first time someone tackled or hit me right now haha

Today at 47 going on 48 and still dealing with my COVID body haha...maybe a couple as I could use my 6'4" height to get a couple short ones like a TE or RB release off a block uncovered. In my prime, I think I could get some completions in the middle area under 20 yards, but nothing to the boundary which would probably have a near 100% pick 6 ratio hahaha...probably the only outs to the sideline that wouldn't be a pick 6 would be ones that were uncatchable by anyone haha.

I get it, I’ve had similar thoughts about his size with other bigger options on the board. All my talk about Franklin is just based on things being said and how much they met with him. My preference is Thomas and I also really like McConkey, Polk, and Mitchell. I’m not down on Franklin, I’m just worried about any smaller frame WR in the bad elements in Buffalo when the speed gets negated some and the game gets more physical. Im really starting to think Thomas gets to 20-22 range and if that is who Beane wants he can go get him potentially without giving up a first next year which is Beanes known preference (not giving up a future first). I actually think it’s possible Thomas could fall to 28 if he makes it to the 20’s, he would just need to prob get past Dallas and avoid other trade ups. That would be the perfect scenario, although a big risk waiting it out to find out. Which is why I have no doubt Beane won’t risk it if he is close and go get him ASSUMING Thomas is their target.

I agree and can’t see how the first WR we take isn’t a clear boundary WR, preferably also a real deep ball threat. They seem to have a lot of interest in Tez Walker. They have had several visits and meetings with him. From what is known, seems the guys they met with the most are Franklin, McConkey, Coleman, and Walker. If they don’t go WR first pick, I have a feeling Tez may be in their sites at 60 as the other guys aren’t expected to be there at 60. We have met with plenty of others too like Legette, Mitchell, Thomas, Wilson, etc. Just seems the other group above is who they have had the most meetings/visits with. I still think our first pick is most likely a boundary WR though, and I do think there is some smoke to them being really high on Franklin. Personally, I want Thomas the most, and I do think it’s plausible he gets to a spot for Beane to go get him, which I’m sure we would all mostly prefer too. I’ve been doing a ton of due diligence on the draft, specifically individually on each team, their biggest needs, latest draft buzz and rumors, etc. I’ve got some contacts with insight who have given me some insider buzz here and there as they hear as well. And there are some things working in our favor for someone like Thomas to get close enough that we could go get him in a way that Beane prefers (keeping next years first). 1. The OL and CB is a very deep and strong group in the first round with many teams who might take a WR having a bigger need there. 2. DL is top heavy and sees a drop coming round 2 and on where teams will feel pressure to take one early lead who are looking for help there this draft. No secret the draft is seen deep at WR and lots of good ones come round 2 and only maybe 4 that are must draft first round guys at WR. So possible those other teams address other areas over Thomas allowing him to get to a range Beane could pull the trigger without giving up our first next year, in which I think he would ASSUMING they want Thomas and enough to trade up for him.

I don’t disagree that what you say makes sense…and it’s what I think too. Although I wouldn’t say not a chance…all it takes is Bears to go OL or DL, and there is a lot of talk about them addressing OL after Caleb has made some social comments about importance of the OL. There are some elite talents on the OL in the same spot.

I can pretty much guarantee that Beane is not going to both trade up in the first for a WR and draft one again at 60

Riveting

I don't disagree...which is why I was having a hard time with how it was falling...its still a work in progress

Funny...I am already working on a v2.0 and changes at the top are starting to reveal a path that would push Odunze down the board and I am not sure how I feel about it. A popular place for him is either at 9 to the Bears, or the Bears trade back given they only have 4 draft picks. But those 4 picks are 2 first rounders, a 3rd and a 4th...so they have a ton of draft cap value even with 4 picks, so I am not so sure they feel they must trade back either rather than add an elite prospect here. And if they go ahead and make their pick, Odunze feels like a luxury pick given they have DJ Moore. They can find a potential WR2 to replace Allen maybe in round 3 or 4 with the draft being deep. So I have this feeling that they might look at filling an expensive spot by adding a premier pass rushing prospect here. So lets say that happens...I still think Jets take Bowers, not Odunze given they already have Wilson and Bowers is the ultimate mismatch. Vikings are up now at 11...they won't take him...if they don't go QB (JJ McCarthy already off the board in this mock having missed out on trading up) they likely do something like take the top Corner there. Now we are at 12...Broncos...sure, they could take him here. But would they instead take a QB like Bo Nix here they reportedly like instead? QB is more important than a WR and there is a deep WR draft. Maybe they trade back...but with who? Saw someone posting Colts might move up for Nabers...but would they for Odunze? Lets say they go Nix... Now its 13 and Raiders are up...they could take Odunze here as an heir to Adams, and that would make sense. They still could go Penix here or take one of the premier OL guys on the board still...or even trade back. I don't know...my gut makes me think Odunze can't get this far down...but if he gets past Chicago, there is a path where he could fall into the teens. If that happens, I am wondering what Beane starts thinking. Anyways...just more of my thoughts out loud here as I work on v2.0 which does have some changes based on new things I am hearing and seeing.

I wouldn't say take it with a grain of salt per se, but I phrase it more as not to completely rule out a big trade up. I think Beane is being very authentic when loathing about giving up future first rounders. He went into detail on when we knew we would be trading up to get Josh Allen that he went out of his way to make sure he had the assets prior to avoid giving up future first rounders. But...he did also make clear if there is a deal that makes sense, he would include next years first, so its not off the table. The take away for me is NOT that he won't at all do it, but that he doesn't seem to be actively looking to make a trade into the top 10 happen like a lot of people think he is. He will however listen to offers and give them consideration, but the main issue is that teams picking that high don't generally want to move all the way down to 28 as I assure you there are no teams who have 28 first round graded players in this draft. So they go from an elite prospect, to risking not even getting a first round graded player at 28. So that begs the question...what kind of comp is it going to take to make a team give up on an elite talent? Popular choice is people citing Chicago only have 4 picks...well if we are trading to 9, then at least one of the big 3 are still on the board. For Chicago to give up an elite WR prospect to pair with their rookie QB just to move back to 28 is a big ask. They aren't going to give it away cheap just to add some mediocre picks, they would just take Odunze or one of the other top graded players at another position like Bowers or someone on the OL/DL. And quite frankly, Bears are going to have a lot of suitors for pick 9 between picks 11 and 20 where they would probably feel more comfortable trading back to. Just like how if we trade back, no one wants us to go too far and miss out on some of the guys we would take on the trade back. It takes both teams wanting the trade to make it happen. Which is why I think a big move inside the top 10 seems like low probability right now, although not impossible obviously given Beane flat out said if it made sense he would do it. But we aren't getting into the top 10 with 28 and a low first rounder next year. It will cost more than that. There does seem to be some buzz about a potential trade at 20 with Pitt though...so maybe thats the spot he would go get BTJ if he is still on the board. Its also not crazy for BTJ to make it to 28 either, most the places he is penciled in ahead of in mocks don't have WR as their biggest need with top prospects at other positions of need still on the board. So each of those popular spots like Jags, Bengals, and Steelers where BTJ is often mocked too (when not reaching us) could easily pass on him too. But if he gets to say 20, and Beane really is high on him and has him as their guy, I think he starts looking to go get him to make sure one of the other teams like Balt, Det, KC don't leap frog us for him or someone like Dallas or Arizona snag him ahead of us.

Did you listen to the full interview? Based on your comments it doesn’t sound like it because if you did you would know he didn’t discuss anything that gives away, or even suggests, their strategy and plans. Nothing about that his interview was strategic in that type of nature.

I didn’t take Beanes comments about guys stepping up to be about one of the WRs becoming a boundary WR1 to replace Diggs…more just about young guys stepping up in general using Bernard as an example. Which is why based on his convo and mention of Shakir, I think Shakir is who he is talking about. Remember, Shakir doesn’t have to be a boundary WR to be a big part of our offense, he can do it from the slot. Cole was a more niche player and almost had 1000 yards out of the slot.

Again…wake me when you actually add something to the convo

I think some clarity needs to be made. When Beane was talking about not needing that WR1 it was in reference to being asked about making a big “Diggs” like trade for a proven star WR1 like Aiyuk. Beane stated that Josh was in a different place (when he got Diggs) as an ascending player and they felt someone like Diggs was needed on this team for his continued growth. He then said where Josh is now he doesn’t feel like that is necessary where he needs to make an expensive and big move for a WR1. He did however emphatically state he’s going after a WR in the drafts. And people are mixing up his comments to mean he is not looking for a possible WR1 in draft, which is not at all what he said. Beane knows a WR is coming via draft has to earn his role and isn’t going to be a bonafide WR1 day one. So there is no mistaking anything here, Beane is going after a WR and going to do it early in this draft, in which we all, including Beane, hopes becomes a legit WR1 for Allen.

To be honest, when I was listening interview, I felt like he was referencing Shakir in how he started to emerge last year and set to take on a bigger role. It could be someone else, but the way he was speaking about it just sounded like he was still referencing Shakir who he had referenced as well already. If it wasn’t Shakir and instead someone else, then I think maybe Shorter would make the most sense.

I will take it a step further. Bills may miss the playoffs, make the playoffs, or win the Super Bowl. So let’s all log off since it’s all covered and nothing to discuss about it. Another quality post by you 🙄 Wake me when you actually add something to a conversation

Lol, dude it’s not something anyone can be right or wrong about, so this whole “Alpha gonna spike the ball if we don’t trade up” childish take is stupid. Beane literally does NOT know what he is going to do right now, let alone me or any other person. And he won’t until the draft starts and begins to play out. I didn’t even say he won’t trade up, neither did Beane. I said he doesn’t seem to be actively looking to get into the top 10, but he literally said he would take any call about it and while he hates trading future first round picks that is the deal makes sense he would do it. Some of you have a real issue of deciphering between analytically looking at possible scenarios and deciphering what might be more or less likely versus making absolute declarations of what will for sure happen. All I did was provide my take aways of what Beane appears to be thinking right now, which he pretty clearly stated that he’s not made or received calls about the top 10. He also said this is the week where phones ring off the hook. So yeah, I believe he has not yet had any convos about the top 10…doesn’t mean he won’t have though. More importantly, your counter point of why isn’t he calling the top 10 guys about a trade back since they would be the teams to trade up to 28 with the Bills is pretty obvious and simple. I mean Beane literally said those calls don’t start happening until this week, and second, most of the time those calls, especially at the back of the draft happen during the draft because no one knows how the board will fall and if there is someone there they are willing to spend picks to go get. So yeah, you can take the snarky “Alpha gonna gloat” childish stuff elsewhere. Nothing about my take aways were about being “right” nor are they possible to be “right” given Beane doesn’t know now what he will do until the draft starts playing out. I did NOT rule anything completely out, just commenting on what I think the likeliness of different scenarios happening. And I still very much think Beane will absolutely trade up if a guy he wants gets within reasonable trade range. I just believe it’s to a place closer to us than the top 10, like late teens or 20 and closer.

I do think a trade back is very much in play, especially listening to Beanes presser, however I also have no doubt that if someone graded higher Beane wants gets near them…say pick 20 or closer, that Beane will start looking at making a move and could pull the trigger to get him.

He actually said the opposite. He said they don’t need to get a true WR1 guy, there is not a need for a “Diggs” like when they traded for him and Josh was still developing. He made clear they are going to get a WR though. Maybe just listen for yourself then rather than say I heard what I wanted to hear when I posted exactly what he said. I didn’t say he has spoken to teams to trade down. He literally said this is the week the phone starts ringing off the hook. He specifically said he has not called anyone about moving in the top 10 and no one has called him either as teams that high generally don’t want to move all the way back to 28.

So you’re saying you don’t actually have a point here…got it lol