Alphadawg7

Heading into the draft in 2022 I posted about keeping an eye on Shakir and the Bills. I missed rounds 3 and 4 and came back to the draft right as we were announcing our pick in the 5th having no idea he was still on the board and was stunned when they called his name and thought I misheard it because I figured he would go in rounds 2 or 3. I was thrilled when we called his name, maybe the most excited I have ever been about a pick that wasn't an early round choice, and I have been maybe his biggest cheerleader since getting here. Ive got a pretty good track record on WR's around here, and he was one I felt from the get go was going to be different and develop into a great player for us. Ive posted threads and countless comments about him since we took him, and here is a quote back in early May after the draft showing an example of that belief in him early on and not just since his mini breakout this year. Now after reading that above from May of 2022...watch this highlight video and tell me that doesn't look spot on to how I described hm. From how he plays as a WR, to how he has some Deebo and AJ Brown in him with the ball in his hands. SHAKIR HIGHLIGHTS CLICK HERE (highly suggest you watch before commenting to at least see what I am referencing) This man is an excellent route runner...has sure hands...runs a 4.43 forty...is shifty...excels with YAC and is tough when running...and he is a smart player. Most importantly, he has the drive to be great and trains in the offseason with players like Moulds. His biggest shortcoming is he doesn't have long arms which makes him less of a go up and get it WR, but we don't need him to be that when he is so good at everything else. 2023 Stats: 87% Catch Rate, 39 Rec on 45 Targets, 611 Yards (13.5 yards per TARGET - insane), 15.6 YPC, 2 TD's Diggs had 160 targets in 2023 for 1183 yards. Now I know Diggs is drawing the best of the defense a lot of the times, so its not an apples to apples comparison. But just out of curiosity, what does Shakir's season look like on 160 targets based on his stats last year? Diggs: 160 Targets, 107 Rec, 1183 yards, 8 TD's Shakir: 160 Targets, 139 Rec, 2160 yards, 7 TD's Again, I know that is an unrealistic comparison given the level of defensive attention both got and how Shakir benefits from the extra attention Diggs takes. BUT...that is a massively different level of efficiency and effectiveness. And defenses STILL will have to contend with Shakir, what ever rookie we draft, Kincaid, Samuel, Knox, Cook as receiver and Allen running. So Shakir still should see plenty of opportunities against the defenses moving forward. I mean, even if he just gets up to 100 targets, that is still a 1,350 yard season, and make no mistake about it, he very well could (and probably should) see 100 targets this year. He is going to be the ONLY WR with any experience and rapport with Josh entering camp, he definitely caught Josh's attention and the teams last year and became a play making machine who they trust. This team notoriously likes to ease Rookies in as much as they can, so doubtful any rookie is coming in commanding anywhere near Diggs target share. Dorsey was an idiot for not using him in 2022 when we needed help bad in the slot...he was a bigger fool for not getting him involved earlier in 2023. In Joe Bradys first game, Shakir had his first career 100 yard game and would go on to end the season with another one. Diggs had 0 games with 100 yards during that stretch. In the aftermath of the Diggs trade...the time is now. I think you will see Shakir emerge as a legit WR and legit weapon for this team and not only will he break 1000 yards this year, he very well may lead the team in both receptions and yards. And I think he is one of the reasons they felt confident to trade Diggs now rather than later. You heard it hear first...and have been hearing it here about him since before the 2022 draft. #WitnessTheArrival

Came here to say this because you knew we were about to turn the corner and it was gonna be after he was gone after suffering all those years here.

Rex would have been fired by now.

You mean like: Goff, Mahomes, Rodgers, and Lamar? No offense, but not sure how else to respond to that. Mahomes and Rodgers already first ballot HOFers, Lamar is 2 time and reigning MVP, and Goff made a SB and multiple NFCCG appearances. How many league MVPs does Sammy Watkins need to play with to reach his potential? Diggs not being traded was never an absolute, there was plenty of buzz about that possibility. There is no chance Beane pays QB level draft trade compensation in the best WR draft maybe ever.

With the 40th pick in the 2024 NFL draft the Washington Commanders select: Cooper Beebe, OL, Kansas State Having started outside and moved inside, Cooper has dominated everywhere he’s lined up. We love his versatility and ability to protect our new QB for years to come. @mrags/@Virgiland the Green Bay Packers are on the clock.

Bastard, he was who I was about to snag ha

If we pay that much for a WR I will vomit. To do so in one of the best, if not the best, WR draft in history then Beanes job should be in jeopardy…and I love Beane. The only acceptable outcome of that is if that WR goes on to be the best one of this draft and is franchise altering which is highly unlikely. We had a top 5 WR with Diggs and didn’t make a SB. That should tell you that it’s not worth that much to get a WR. Chiefs just won a SB with what everyone said was the worst WR group in the NFL. It’s crazy to me how much some of you want to give up for a WR. I get maybe giving our first next year to get Odunze, Nabers, or Thomas now that we have another 2 seconds next year, but that really should be our max given how good this draft is for WRs.

Ok man, was just chatting the pick up. You seem to be rubbed the wrong way about it, all good.

Ah I misread the draft and didnt see you took a CB already, so sorry about that. And no, I didn't want him, I am not sold Legette is a WR1 in the NFL yet. I was only talking from Cardinals perspective in friendly convo. Im not hating on your draft bud, even said I get your logic, I am just draft talking in general. I do think Cardinals go another direction with that pick than WR, just my opinion, doesn't make it right or wrong.

There are 2 DBs I can see them taking here and some IOL guys before double dipping at WR. I do think they take more than one in this draft, just don't see it here. But I get your logic as well. Honestly, I think Legette is going to go later than most people think. I think he is probably going to last until mid 2nd and would not surprise me at all see him on the board when we pick at 60. He is an intriguing prospect no doubt, just don't think he is going as early as people think. I would absolutely take him at 60 though if he was there.

I have a hard time seeing Cardinals take another WR here with all the issues they have. They may very well take another WR, but not this high after using the 4th pick on MHJ. This draft is sooo deep at WR, no need to ignore all the other major roster issues to double up this early IMHO.

With the 36th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders select: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia CLICK HERE FOR HIGHLIGHTS Our plan was to look IOL here or Edge, but our targets are all off the board. Gave heavy consideration to cornerback TJ Tampa as well, but ultimately we could not pass up an attempt to replace Samuel with the best pure route runner in the draft and give our new QB an excellent weapon to grow with. Ladd has maybe the highest floor of any receiver in the draft and we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to add a player of his caliber to our new look offense. He can beat you in all 3 phases of the field and we can’t wait to see him and our new QB hit the field together. @BigdaddyinOrlandoand the LA Chargers are on the clock!

That is a disgusting amount to pay for a non QB. And they may be the next great tandem or he could be the next Sammy Watkins. Your trade proposals are always so extreme and unrealistic. There is 0% chance Beane is paying that for a WR in what is probably the deepest and richest WR draft in history.

As I said in follow up clarification that its top heavy. The OP is proposing we move Dawkins maybe for more ammo to trade up and get a WR. So we would not be in play for the top heavy prospects in the OP's scenario as that would be used to get a WR. So I don't want to be fishing around after the drop off for an OT late day 2 or worse day 3 to now protect our quarter of a billion dollar QB.

I meant at OT...Isn't it top heavy and then takes a drop? I mean if we are going WR early, I don't want to be fishing for a tackle on day 2 or 3 to protect our quarter of a billion dollar QB. I could be wrong, as busy as I have been this year I haven't spent a lot of time on the positions I am not expecting us to be in the market for on draft day, at least early. So I've mostly focused on WR, secondary, and DL.

Yeah, securing a WR1 on a rookie deal for the next 4 to 5 years of Josh's prime would be such a major advantage right now for a team who has a highly paid QB. I mean this may the best draft ever to be in the market for a WR, and no one says we can't draft 2 early either to double up on our chances to make sure we get a WR1. There is something to be said though for a "sure thing", a young known commodity. But, that comes with a hefty price...it will maybe cost more both in acquisition cost (multiple premium picks potentially) and certainly massive difference in cap space in terms of compensation moving forward. But, you also have the piece of mind your elite QB has weapons moving forward. For me, I think the only 2 players I would consider trading for and having to carry the expense of paying WR1 money moving forward is Justin Jefferson and Aiyuk. If the Vikings were willing to take say our 28th pick in this draft and their 2nd back next year that we got in the Diggs trade (which was originally theirs), then you have to consider that. Even though his contract will be huge, he is probably the best WR in the NFL right now and could be even better with Allen at QB. Aiyuk is looking for a big deal too, if we say could get him for our 2nd this year and maybe a pick next year, its again something to consider although maybe not as tempting as Jefferson given Jefferson has already proven to be top 3 WR in the game, and arguably the best. I still prefer to stick to the draft and go get that stud on a cheap deal for these next 4 to 5 years because it will overall make our team better having so much more cap space available to build the rest of the roster. This draft is maybe the best one ever to be looking for a WR and with 10 picks in this draft, they can certainly take more than 1. There are guys who will go on day 3 that are going to be damn good WR's in the NFL.

This is a top heavy OT draft, we aren't moving Dawkins to get a WR early and then go fishing late day 2 or day 3 after the fall off in the draft at OT to get one to protect our quarter billion dollar QB.

No on Higgins. He is a very good WR2 but wants top end WR1 money. What people keep forgetting is that this is a historically rich and deep WR draft. You don't give up a lot ahead of this draft for a WR unless you are getting back an elite player. Higgins is very good, but he isn't so good that you pass up having WR's on rookie deals for 4-5 years to overpay Higgins to be an underwhelming WR1. Just my 2 cents in regards to Higgins. IMHO Aiyuk > Higgins and I would feel better about a trade for Aiyuk than Higgins. Aiyuk I think can do what Diggs did here, reach a whole new level playing with Allen. Higgins reminds me of when Peerless Price got traded to the Falcons just to find out he was better suited as a top end WR2 next to another great WR and not really ever meant to be a WR1. Higgins is probably a better player than Price, just using that example of a team that over paid both in trade compensation and contract for a guy who wasn't best suited to be the man.

So this thread title is confusing to me...is there anything actually linking us to Aiyuk interest? Title reads like we are, but I don't see any news about it anywhere.

You should. I honestly think he could end up being the best WR of the 3. The dude just goes gets the ball. IMO he is the most complete WR in the draft top to bottom. Now that doesn't mean he can't still be a bust or what not, I mean the NFL is littered with guys who either never were as good as they were hyped to be (Like Jerry Jeudy for example) or just were a total bust. But as we sit now, I feel like he is the most complete WR in the draft. I like Nabers too, he reminds of Diggs TBH. But if both guys were on the board and the Bills were on the clock, I would take Odunze, I think he brings more to the table in Buffalo because he will still be as dangerous in bad weather as good weather. His ball skills are the best in the draft IMHO.

I have a crush and hope (sliver of a hope) that somehow Odunze/Nabers slips into the teens. I think for it to happen, a series of things probably needs to happen. First, we need a big QB run in the first 15 picks, at least 4 and probably 5 would be better. Second, we need Bowers to go before Odunze. Third, we probably need a WR need team to foolishly fall in love with Worthy's 40 time and take him over Odunze/Nabers. But I do think both go in the top 15, so that brings me back to Thomas, but I don't think a trade up comes into Beane's radar on him until maybe 20, possibly late teens. I would think though that if Odunze/Nabers got past say 15, then he might start making some calls on a bigger move up. I don't know he trades up for anyone else TBH. So many options will still be there at 28 at that point.

I believe 2 things: 100% there is relief in the building. I don't doubt for a second that team top to bottom appreciates Diggs and what he brought to the team for 4 years, but I am sure they are also now feeling relief that they don't have to face the same repetitive questions and attempts by the media to get click bait stuff on Diggs every time they step to a mic. Honestly, the main reason the Bills have been in the media as much as they have the past couple years is the constant attempts to sew discontent between Allen and Diggs relationship and Diggs and Bills overall relationship. They won't have nearly as much coverage this year, there is no drama narrative to force constantly. I also think Allen fully appreciates everything him and Diggs accomplished, but realizes this team plays better when we spread the ball around. So I think Allen is going to enjoy going into each game not having to worry about how Diggs feels. We all know Diggs is CONTENT when winning and not getting the ball, but never truly happy. So if this season has some ups and downs and Diggs isn't getting the ball enough in those downs then he was going to be an issue. Now Allen doesn't have to think about it at all...just go out and make the right decisions. Calling it now: Josh Allen will put up another MVP candidate season and we will see him having more fun again like he used to.

He only drops sure TD passes HA. But yeah, on the other hand though he still has a high catch rate by the nature most of the throws to him are short. But it is maddening when he dropped I believe 4 sure fire TD's this year. Haha spot on

Doesn't he want to get paid this year though? I mean if we can get him here with him playing on his $7M deal, then great, I have watched a lot of him since my wife is a die hard niners fan and I think he is a stud. But everything I have heard in regards to the issues in SF is that he wants to be paid now, and that is why I said we can't afford him. And as much as I do like Aiyuk, I wouldn't give up a bounty for him either. This is an insane draft for WR's, we could land one on a rookie deal for 5 years that has more upside than even what Aiyuk is. No guarantess obviously when it comes to draft picks, but the allure of getting a stud WR1 on a rookie deal the next 4 to 5 years of Josh's prime would be HUGE for us cap wise. But hey, I am all for getting a sure thing in Aiyuk too, just don't give up both the farm and a ton of future cap space during a historically deep and rich WR draft.

We can’t afford him.