[Will we be in Super Bowl contention this year?]

On 4/20/2024 at 9:38 AM, Kirby Jackson said:

I find this baffling. Help me understand. The Bills have plugged in a variety of guys over the McDermott era and have been more or less the same. They’ve played extended periods without Poyer, Milano, Tre, Von, Hyde, etc… The scheme has had them more or less the same defense regardless of who is out there. They play a conservative zone where they try to avoid big plays and keep the game close. Why do we think, with most of the same guys (minus Poyer, Floyd & Hyde plus Milano) that they will be significantly different? Sean McDermott’s defenses are always about the same. Explain why I should be scared? If the answer is “pass rush” they may need to generate more with the blitz but outside of Floyd (who disappeared late in the year) what’s changed? 
 

The offense has to replace their number 1 and number 2 WRs from last year (not to mention their 4th & 5th). Those 2 guys account for like 250 targets. They added a special teamer and a gadget guy. Why are we comfortable that it’ll work with no boundary WRs on the roster except Shorter and Hollins? The Bills still need 200ish targets from guys not on the roster. It’ll be so easy to defend them right now with no outside threats. There is a Grand Canyon-sized chasm between the need for offense vs. the need for defense right now.

Help me understand how you’re comfortable with the offense but not the defense?

 

great points.  Having Milano and Bernard back is a huge positive that outweighs Poyer and Hyde departures.  Plus a rookie safety will likely be drafted who can fill in (I’m thinking a U Miami safety). 

[How many passes could you complete?]

with 2 good TEs in the middle and a great pass catching RB, and the best OL I could get 1 or so.  

 

Now, I’d likely have 10 plus ints and a 0.0 passer rating.  

2 hours ago, Low Positive said:

This reminds me of that former Syracuse player Matt Tomaszweski who tried to play Brian Scalabrine in one on one. This guy played in the Big East, but only could manage one point against the very definition of an NBA journeyman. To paraphrase scal, Nathan Peterman is closer to Mahomes than you are to him.

 a slight difference would be if our sole goal is to complete a pass.  now if we are playing to win with route variety including deep passes, those outside the hash, etc. and not running a high number of plays for a completion,  its likely 0. 

[Roman Gabriel R.I.P.]

prayers for him and his family

[Pegulas selling 25% of the Bills, per Tim Graham]

No biggie here. For example, the Steelers are not 100 percent owned by the Rooneys. 

[Lance Zierlein: Bills should draft 2 WR in the first 3 rounds]

34 minutes ago, Virgil said:

Can someone please walk me through this desire to use to high picks on a wide receiver?  We currently have 4 pass catchers we are comfortable with, and opportunities at other positions.  I am fully on board with receiver in the first two rounds, but only the one.  Who is this second receiver going to replace on the field.   1st rounder, Samuel, Shakir, Kincaid, Knox. You could also argue Shorter gets a crack.  
 

I’d much rather see us try to get someone that can push for the FS, RG, HB2, and DL depth than a 6th pass catcher 

 

The thinking is that we do not have WRs who have the ability to win in the playoffs.  There is no one that strikes fear into a DC.  That said, a rookie may not either, but one of the top 3 are likely to come onboard and be producing by the season's end/playoffs, and, since WR is a position where salary's are exploding, it makes sense to get 1 in the 1st and another on a rookie deal.  

[Vacation thoughts: Can McD have a similar path as Belichick? (Don't laugh)]

what are you drinking on vacation?  

[A visual argument against trading down & for trading up]

this does demonstrate that there are more potential winners in Rd. 1 than later rounds.  We wait till Rd. 2 or 3, we better take 3 WRs to hit on 1.  

 

We really need to grab a top 3-4 in Rd. 1, and then try again in Rd. 2.  The later parts of the draft appears filled with 1T DT, rotation Edge, backup OG/C, and S.  

[Would WR Allen Robinson be worth a look for a 1 year deal?]

1 hour ago, JerseyBills said:

They'll be adding a vet WR post 6/1 I'd guess

 

I agree.  Hoping for OBJ on a decent 1 year deal to pare with a 1st round WR, Shakir and Kincaid.  

[The Dark Horse WR on the Roster (Beane made reference to guys on the roster elevating their play)]

need a legit game changing WR1 who can function in the playoffs (something Diggs did not do).  If Diggs shows up in the playoffs, we are likely talking about at least 1 SB win.  

 

I think we need to move up for one of the top 3 (Nabers, Harrison, or Odunze).  

[Media Day at OBD (Beane, McDermott, Josh & more)]

40 minutes ago, Process said:

Think there is anything to talk about?

 

Josh at 1230

 

 

 

talk about the process, duh!

[Mock draft simulators.]

Here is another one from PFN.  Traded up for Thomas, still got Polk.  Then got G Coleman, who I know nothing about, but everyone here loves.  Then a DT who the Bills seem to like, a S who is big and can cover TEs, and complementary RB to Cook, a productive Edge, a backup safety and a K to challenge Bass. 

 

 

[Mock draft simulators.]

perhaps my fav yet.  By the time the first round pick came up, all top 5 WRs were gone. So I traded down and got this great combo.  Also got a 10 year C for Allen in Baton, a great G in Rd. 5, a kicker to challenge Bass, OT, DL, and S help.  

 

[The Draft is a Total Crapshoot (Per Science)]

if true, another reason (beyond need for 2), to draft 2 WR early

[Draft sleepers/red flag fallers]

7 hours ago, gonzo1105 said:

The Bills aren’t going to take Burton unless they’ve had a major philosophy shift 

 

they won’t, but they should if he is around in the 3rd.  good risk/reward spot.  

[Best examples of failed 1st rounders who revived their careers?]

Baker Mayfield 

[Epic, Hypothetical Trade Scenario: Would ya?]

Yikes.  There would have to be a Pro-Bowl vet QB thrown in, like Hibbert, Stroud, or Mahomes, plus a bunch of 1st round picks.  Swinging at a rookie is just too dangerous--see drought years.  

[Randy Mueller - maybe only ~150 draftable players this year]

13 hours ago, dave mcbride said:

I dunno … Randy Mueller knows far more than you or I do. He literally has 35 years of NFL experience in draft rooms. You and I are just message board dorks whose knowledge is all second or third hand.

 

Hey, who you calling a dork....message board nerd, it's nerd, not dork

 

But yeah, he does know more, but I feel like he may be wrong, or at least there are less "high level" guys this year, but I think a lot of guys for depth purposes (backup DTs, RBs, etc.)  I think it looks good for us because we need 2 great WRs (draft has those), and then a bunch of backup types all around.  

[Who are your favorite 5th-7th rd RB prospects?]

So many, draft appears deep at the type of back we need (bigger, not necessarily a home-run hitter).  

[What do you think of when you see this pic?]

1 hour ago, Bills fan since 87 said:

McDermott should have beaten this guy in the playoffs TWICE.  Coach better start getting the big wins.

 

totally agree.  This is not the Pats**, we had them beat twice before McD blows it.  

[Randy Mueller - maybe only ~150 draftable players this year]

10 hours ago, dave mcbride said:

I thought this comment was interesting. The Bills have five picks before 150 and five after that threshold.

 

”After several classes overflowing with talented prospects (mainly due to the extra year of eligibility granted because of the pandemic), with as many as 350 names filling NFL teams’ draft boards, teams could struggle to get 150 names on their boards this year. This is dangerous for two reasons: The top players will disappear quickly, and teams will have to guard against the risk of overdrafting players in the later rounds. It might be a good opportunity for some teams to trade picks, maybe to move up into the first four rounds, or for a veteran player who brings more certainty. For that reason, there will be a lot of trade talk over the next couple of weeks.”

 

https://theathletic.com/5412463/2024/04/15/nfl-draft-randy-mueller-top-10/

 

yeah, the premise here makes little sense.  The late picks have no value, so people will trade them away.  Trade them to who?  How do you trade something that is worthless. 

 

I see a decent number of centers in this draft from good programs in addition to the "top guys" (PSU, LSU, Wisconsin, Oklahoma), as well as what appear to be a large number of DTs.  The draft seems deep in potential depth players after Rd. 2, so I'm not sure it's as bleak as the article snippet implies.  Good year to have a team setup before the draft with few needs for instant impact like we do.  

[DeVonta Smith - 3 yr $75M, $51M guaranteed - Does this kill any Bills trade talk for a star WR?]

WR's ask too much cap wise.  This is a reason to double dip at the position in the draft.  Set ourselves up for the next 4-5 years, and spend cap money on proven edge rushers and DTs, and OL if needed.  (plus keeping our guys) 

[Dion Dawkins on Diggs trade]

dude is likely to be a top analyst after he's done playing.  

[Who should the Bills draft at #58? - TSW Mock Draft 2.0]

1 hour ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Even after taking a WR (Franklin) roughly 15 picks earlier?

 

Oh yeah, I'm all for double dipping here.  And a Franklin/Polk combo looks like it would be a great combo.  Polk is a little bigger and more of an all around X/#1 WR, Franklin can be moved all over with his deep speed.  

[Who should the Bills draft at #58? - TSW Mock Draft 2.0]

is WR Polk available.  I think that would be my pref, but barring that, one of the safeties.  Some good options for that here.  

[TSW Mock Draft 2.0 - Completed]

1 hour ago, Virgil said:

The Pittsburgh Steelers select Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida

 

Dependable slot target with good size and soft hands who will need to prove that he has the ability to free himself against NFL man coverage. Pearsall might get the stereotypical "crafty route runner" label, but it suits him. He appears to play with an idea of how to manipulate certain coverage looks and leverages. He also plays with attention to detail and a consistent route tempo to create windows, but lacks ideal foot quickness to beat press and maintain separation. While the hands are reliable, he's not physical enough to tilt contested catches in his favor and might have a ceiling of quality backup with punt-return value.

The Rams @EmotionallyUnstable are on the clock 

 

thanks, @Virgil.  Sorry I missed this pick.   My 2 kids had lax games back to back all afternoon that I was coaching (should have told you ahead of time but tried to check phone all day and failed). Great pick for the Steelers.