starrymessenger

After hearing that he was turning heads at mini-camp I thought I'd take a closer look. Some have commented that his college tape is unimpressive. I disagree. Some college receivers benefit from scheme touches, pre-snap motion and free releases. Prather was used almost exclusively outside, facing press coverage and battling DBs for contested balls. And that's what Beane specifically wants him to do, even if eventually he shows that can also line up and work from the slot. For now Beane is not looking for him to operate at all field levels but certainly they are at least aware of his proven ability to run in breaking routes after selling the vertical. Prather tests as a decent but in no way exceptional athlete (RAS 7.68). He has been criticized for an alleged lack of explosion as evidenced by his 30" vertical and 9'6" broad jump but I think that needs to be reexamined. His vertical, while disappointing, is perhaps partially offset by his truly remarkable ability to adjust to the ball at the catch point. Nobody in his draft class does it as well as he does. And he does start out with a height advantage over the guys who will be covering him. Although his combine vertical and broad jump suggest a lack of explosive power/lower body strength his ten yard split, 1.53, is elite (Brian Thomas' was 1.55, Justin Jefferson's 1.57) and his 20 yard split, 2.64, is also very good (Thomas' was 2.53, Jefferson's 2.61). Ill take those over his broad jump all day. His hand size/wingspan check out ok. He is a developmental player who probably belongs on the practice squad but if he truly shines in OTAs and preseason games Bills may have to make a decision. Word gets around. Of course he won't be getting much in the way of reps so he will have to make the most of his opportunities. Beane's draft strategy was based on addressing perceived needs and some of his later picks are clearly seen as roll players. Prather is in that group. He may not make it of course but he was an excellent 7th round pick.

Bengals can't afford him after paying Burrow, Tee and Chase. Thing to do was trade Tee, draft their new #2 and extend Hendrickson. Their O would still be very good and their awful D would be a lot better than it will now be. The receivers are represented by the same agent and it was apparently made clear to the Bengals that they came as a pair. You could not ask for more from a player than Hendrickson has given, on and off the field. At his age now is the time for him to get paid. They are going to trade him.

If he's what folks think he might be he won't last on the PS. A number of analysts liked him. Beane drafted him because he didn't want him to fall into the UDFA pool. Could well be #6. Check out his combine 40. Smooth strider. Suggests very good body control. Seems a good kid too.

A number of people thought highly of this kid. Glad we get a chance to better see what he's got. Word is Beane had his eye on him and did not want hm to fall into the UDFA pool

All I've seen is his 2023/2024 highlights and his senior bowl tape/coverage. If you have followed him at Kentucky you are certainly in a better position to opine on him. I understand why you would compare him to Jordan Philips because that's what he can look and play like. The tape suggests that. But that comp, while obvious, might be incomplete. I agree that his strength is in his upper body and that his lower body needs to get stronger. But that's a big part of what he needs to work on if he is going to play with a lower pad level. I don't know if you would call it job one but it's certainly very important. If he can't do that his chance of succeeding will be lessened. I am assuming without knowing for certain that a strength and conditioning program will enable him to get there. But maybe this is just a consequence of his unusual body type. I hope not. I'm glad you said he "rarely" occupied two blockers (instead of never) because even based on my limited exposure I've seen him do it against good competition. I can credit your statement though based on your greater familiarity with his play. But I will add that I've seen tape of him showing exceptional lateral mobility for a guy his size pursuing on sweeps and penetrating, not to pressure the quarterback, but to disrupt the run game. There was a senior bowl rep where a 280 pound guard was supposed to disengage from the defender and accede to the second level. He wound up in exactly the same spot after the snap as before. I think he can perhaps develop into the kind of player who has positional versatility along the line. No doubt for now he is a controversial, polarizing player.

He doesn't look like your prototypical 3 tech either (like Jordan Philips, although I think he can be more than that) . Dude is pretty much a unicorn. Something else that's encouraging is that his intangibles are very good. Team captain and loved by his teammates and coaches. Doubt the Bills would have drafted him, given the issues around whether he will translate to the pros, if his character was problematic. His good tape is excellent but we don't get to see his bad and meh reps (unless you follow Kentucky) which are certainly much more numerous. He needs to be better conditioned. He plays with a good motor until he gets puffed later in games. Given where he was taken I absolutely love this pick. Upside is stratospheric.

I think they will groom him as a run defender, but because of his athleticism and agility for a big man he will eventually be able to play 3 tech. Has a chance to become the kind of DT you can line up anywhere - maybe like Chris Jones (I wish).

Absolutely. He's a project. Disagree. In run defence drills at the senior bowl against guys who are going to be drafted or priority free agents he was very effective.

I'm pretty sure that Walker can occupy two blockers and has good lateral mobility. So I think he can defend the run. In time he may well also bring pressure inside to at least disrupt the pocket.

Just watching his highlights and senior bowl tape. What encourages me is that he does not always play with a high pad level, not at all. even if it might seem that way because he is so tall. To me that may mean that his standing up is a just a natural tendency that can be managed with coaching. Apart from his height, the fact that his power is more above the waist rather than below would contribute to this tendency. He needs to strengthen his lower body. To me the thing that may hamper his development is his back. I assume that the Bills have done their medical due diligence on him and were comfortable enuf to move up to draft him. He has traits that simply cannot be taught. As far as I'm concerned if the back issue is resolved or resolvable he stands an excellent chance of being a very good player with positional versatility along the D line.

Right. Even in a reduced role his flaws would not be proportionately less prominent. If we are going with six, I would prefer a younger player with the right traits and upside. If Prather could learn to block something like Gabe I might favour him (he's a bit taller, quite a bit faster, looks to have good hands and ball tracking ability and runs decent albeit limited routes for now). Some analysts like him and expected him to go earlier. Good receivers can be found later in the draft - Puka, Shakir.

I think Diggs (and Josh) and breakdowns in coverage had a role to play if memory serves. No doubt a career game nevertheless.

Have always loved Pickens the player, especially when his head was right, or at least more so. Have no use for him now though and would not want him anywhere near our WR room. He's pretty much out of control.

The WR room is not bad, but I have to think it's incomplete. No doubt a legit outside threat could open up the playbook for the passing game, assuming Brady is up for it. Lacking that ability can lead to predictability making opposing DC's jobs a lot easier. if we had a guy like Brian Thomas the Bills offence would be # 1 in the league, possibly amongst the most productive Os historically. So I can understand why some people are disappointed with the draft. Of course this year's WR class was not last year's class. There was no Brian Thomas in 2025. By far the Bill's most pressing demands were on the defensive side of the ball (although it is worth mentioning that two later round offensive linemen are likely to make the team). In looking at Beane's draft I see very promising players in positions of urgent need who were great value where they were taken and good fits for what the Bills like and want to do. I think Beane had a great draft both strategically and in terms of execution value-wise. If he winds up hitting on three or four of these picks on defence this will be the Bills best draft since 2018.

I like Cyrus but this kid can do something well that the Bills like and that Torrence is not especially good at - basically lateral quickness and the ability to be very effective at the second level. So he adds something to the O-Line . Personally I love to see guards who can pull and destroy LBs and DBs downfield. One of my favourite things in football. I assume the Bills play him inside but he has position versatility so he can prolly back up Brown in a pinch.

Was waiting for someone to point this out.

This is a really fun pick. Not many 4th rounders have a chance based on demonstrated ability (2023) and not just pure conjecture to become the best player in the draft.

Sanders, like his dad in the day, disrespected the draft process. Unlike his dad, he's not an all world talent. Far from it. And what GM or coach needs the family circus that is certain to ensue if and when the kid doesn't get the reps or straight up craps out.

Ark lined up a lot in 3 man fronts (versus 5 or more OL). So forget the stats, watch the tape. I think this guy is special. Great pick.

This guy's receiving skills and traits are way more developed and better than were Shorter's. Decent (better) speed, good size, good hands, tracks the ball well, clean route runner who looks sudden out of his breaks, can be used to attack any part of the field. Hardly a premium prospect but not at all a throw away 7th rounder. I would not be surprised in a best case scenario if he wound up a solid WR 3 or 4 somewhere in this league. He could also be on the street of course. As with most draftees the question is whether he is able to manage the gap in talent and the more onerous demands between college ball and the pro game. Some highly touted prospects wind up only with high college ball ceilings. Some less coveted players adjust and continue to develop. If this guy can eventually do in the pros much of what he was able to do in college, if his positive traits are strong enough to make a difference against pro defenders, he will be fine.

There is something in the water in Pittsburgh. Makes wide receivers crazy. Absolutely love George Pickens’ skill set. Would not want him on the Bills.

If he ever gets in shape, is coachable and learns to lower his pad level he could be pretty good. There’s stuff there to work with.

Kamala is an empty suit, her campaign scuttled by required alignment with Biden’s policies, especially his administration’s foreign policy. Either that or she is simply completely devoid of substance. You would think that Americans would have better candidates to choose from. Suggests to me that the problem is with the political system which is therefore in need of reform. I can think of a dozen people i’ve worked with and for who would be better chief executives than either Kamala or Trump.

yes I remember a lead block he administered at the goal line on Drayton Florence when still a Charger (blocking for Marshawn I think). ‘Twas a thing of beauty. TJ is a good playmaker and rotational back. Would have liked Fred to have stayed at the top of his game longer, but when there he was elite or close to.

Move up for Golden in the first. If not a WR, move up for Grant.