thebandit27

Your point is not lost on me, and I don't dismiss its validity. Where I get stuck is that I can probably find a lower-cost fix at RT (be in Vollmer as a cap casualty, Glenn [if Kouandjuio kicks to LT], or even a guy like Roderick Johnson on day 2 of the draft), and I'd prefer to do that and keep Zach Brown than spend a lot of money at RT. I suppose it's wrought from the idea that having to pay big money to plug non-premium holes like RT and TE has long been an issue for this team. If I'm going to pay big FA money, I want it to be a pass rusher, CB, or elite LB. Just a different philosophy from you is all.

I don't disagree with any of that. My point is more along the lines of it being a poor investment in the broader scope of team-building. Vis-a-vis: if Wagner is indeed poised to blow up the RT market, then he could be looking at the kind of money that Lane Johnson got last year ($11M AAV). Given that RTs are found in the mid and late rounds on a regular basis, why pay that kind of money to a RT while letting a much more important position (Gilmore) walk out the door? It doesn't make sense to me.

I half agree with this...the biggest problem is that Mahomes' reads are almost completely pre-snap, with very little done post-snap. The advantage he has is that his decision-making process is very fast. The obvious disadvantage is learning to go through a progression without breaking the pocket when the first read isn't open.

I would find this to be a big mistake. I think Wagner is good, but paying big money for a RT is ill-advised IMO.

I think he'll change it by necessity--he doesn't have Kuechly or Davis here; closest he's got is Zach if he re-signs. If Ragland doesn't acquit himself in coverage, he's going to need that sub-package LB that can play the short zone and pattern-match against RBs and TEs

I was never a Te'o guy, so that's a no for me. For LB's, I'm more interested in some of the sub-package coverage guys that will be available on day 3 of the draft. Guys like Duke Riley, Jayon Brown, and Kevin Davis

That's actually quite reasonable...I'm probably going to be annoyed if he signs elsewhere for the same $12.5M AAV that Jenkins got. Regardless of how poorly he may have looked in that game, I still contend that using a single game to make your evaluation is folly at best and disingenuous at worst. If we want to cherry pick, all we need to do is remove that game and watch what happens to Gilmore's numbers for the season: 60 targets, 33 receptions, 498 yards, 2 TDs, 5 INTs, 57.1 passer rating against, 40 solo tackles Which says more about him as a CB? His one bad game, or the rest of the time when he stacks up against the best corners in the league?

Not so fast They are $50M+ under the cap. Why not transition tag him next year? They have the cap room to keep or trade him

Everyone from Buffalo knows that Elmo's has the best wings. #fact

Sure, that's more context to the discussion. You could also point out that he had the fewest targets per snap, which could tell you that opposing QBs choose not to target him. Lots of ways to look at it, but to say that his numbers aren't comparable to the other top corners would be patently incorrect

Sure is a top-10 corner... Look at the numbers: Gilmore stats for the 2016 season: 69 targets, 40 receptions, 627 yards, 2 TDs, 67.7 passer rating against, 42 solo tackles http://billswire.usa...hought-in-2016/ Article from Ike Taylor on his top 10 CBs in 2016: http://www.nfl.com/n...n-lands-at-no-1 Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks: allowed 44 catches on 85 targets for 624 yards, two TDs, four INTs, 64.0 passer rating against, 38 solo tackles Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals: allowed 43 catches on 74 targets for 539 yards, two TDs, three INTs, 72.9 passer rating against, 45 solo tackles Chris Harris Jr., Denver Broncos: allowed 34 catches on 72 targets for 337 yards, three TDs, two INTs, 63.3 passer rating against, 57 solo tackles Marcus Peters, Kansas City Chiefs: allowed 51 catches on 89 targets for 652 yards, three TDs, six INTs, 63.5 passer rating against, 35 solo tackles Josh Norman, Washington Redskins: allowed 44 catches on 88 targets for 589 yards, four TDs, three INTs, 72.6 passer rating against, 52 solo tackles Janoris Jenkins, New York Giants: allowed 37 catches on 81 targets for 425 yards, two TDs, three INTs, 54.8 passer rating against, 44 solo tackles Adam Jones, Cincinnati Bengals: allowed 47 catches for 76 targets for 482 yards, two TDs, one INT, 83.3 passer rating against, 54 solo tackles Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota Vikings: allowed 33 catches on 79 targets for 384 yards, two TDs, five INTs, 39.2 passer rating against, 44 solo tackles Aqib Talib, Denver Broncos: allowed 36 catches on 73 targets for 372 yards, zero TDs, three INTs, 53.3 passer rating against, 32 solo tackles Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars: allowed 48 catches on 90 targets for 703 yards, two TDs, two INTs, 68.0 passer rating against, 55 solo tackles Summary: - Gilmore was targeted by opposing QBs fewer times than everyone on that list - He allowed more yards than everyone on the list save for Ramsey and Peters - Talib allowed zero TDs, and Gilmore tied with 6 others on the list for 2nd-fewest with 2 TDs allowed - Gilmore's passer rating allowed was 3.7 points behind Sherman, and better than than those allowed by Patrick Peterson, Josh Norman, Adam Jones, and Jalen Ramsey - Gilmore had fewer INTs than Peters, and tied with Rhodes for 2nd-most from that list

And they'd be wrong. His 2016 numbers (receptions allowed, TDs surrendered, passer rating against) are practically identical to Richard Sherman, though Gilmore had more solo tackles and INTs. And that's considered a "down" year for Gilmore by TSW standards. He's a top-10 corner and the numbers prove it, even if many don't like it.

I was referring to the idea that he's an awful corner.

I don't subscribe to the theory that if the sum of the parts is lousy than all of the parts must be as well. The Dolphins and Rams were terrible 2 years ago, yet the Giants paid big money to defenders from each team and made their defense markedly better Ina single offseason. It's fine not to get attached, but throwing the baby out with the bath water doesn't make sense

I honestly hope that they sign Groy to an extension during the season; he's young and healthy. I wouldn't chop Wood (hah!) for two reasons: I prefer to keep Groy as depth for another year, and I'll bet someone signs Wood for starting money next offseason (compensatory pick baby!). Also, replace my Byrd maneuver with Bethea now that it's official.

Bold prediction: John Ross is the 1st WR off the board

There's literally no supporting that take

My valuation was $4M AAV

Boom--my guy since December

First, a suggestion: don't start threads if you're too sensitive to handle the commentary. Nearly every response you've gotten has evoked an insult from you. Second, you posted that the team should trade down when possible. When that idea was challenged, you made it clear that the problem was mid-use of picks; I responded to that point. It's not anyone's fault if you take the simplification of your point personally. "Not managing his drafts well" and "needs to make use of his picks better" are the exact same idea. So chill out, and take your own advice: read my original response and see if you actually feel like having a conversation about the topic you posted...more fun than expecting an echo chamber if wager.

Of course I read it...the crux of the statement being that the team needs to make better use of their pick is not news, nor do I think it deserves its own thread, so I chose instead to speak to the idea of whether or not trading up/down creates additional value.

The reason that NE trades down is not necessarily to acquire new picks--they trade down because they stick to their board. They always pick late in round 1, and like most teams, they typically don't have 32 guys with 1st round grades on their board. Unlike most teams, they aren't going to draft a guy with a 1st round pick if they don't have him graded as a 1st round pick. They're just as apt to trade up when they have a high grade on a player, as they did with Jerod Mayo in 2008 and Chandler Jones in 2012. What Buffalo needs to do is pick good players at key positions; if value dictates that they trade down, go for it.

Both have starting experience, so I'd consider kicking the tires.

They can't seriously consider that unless they have someone (i.e. Trubisky) that they LOVE at the top of the draft.

Oh please no...I thought he was a train wreck at tackle that would be even worse at guard. Looks like that's who he is, so I'll take a hard pass. I might kick the tires on Sebastian Vollmer to see if he's healthy.