starrymessenger

Although at first glance this move seems a head scratcher Eric DaCosta is a good GM and Ravens a well managed organization. Looks to me that Lamar's path may now lead back to the Ravens this year under the franchise tag, even if they have to top up the 35M to 45M to keep him from sitting out. In fact this move makes sense only if Lamar is the QB. Now watch Baltimore move up a few spots in rd 1 and scoop JSN (who can contribute immediately) or maybe Flowers or Addison fall to them. Receivers problem solved.

Or a tackle with elite traits - Darnell Wright. One can only wish.

With Carolina now first up I have to wonder whether Richardson and not Stroud is the target. Certainly Carolina would be a good landing spot for Richardson as far as his development is concerned.

Don't know the player but as Gunner points out he seems to have good hands (though apparently has concentration drops), can win contested balls and is a good ball tracker. I wonder what his numbers would have been had he played in Hyatt's spot in that Vol offence where he ran maybe four routes all deep patterns and benefitted from a free release all day long. F-W ran a faster 40 and is a lot bigger. One of the unanswered questions is whether Hyatt can catch short to intermediate routes over the middle of the field and complete contested passes. F-W seems to answer that in the affirmative. Just judging from his highlight reel route running is probably not a positive (no suddenness at the top of his routes and no sharp angles) and I have no idea if he can block (though he has the size). There seems to be plenty to work with there. I Hope he doesn't wind up in KC if he turns into this years Pacheco.

That means they intend to draft a linebacker.

I wish. But no.

I would never disagree with US Grant myself. Washington, Lincoln and Grant. That’s some backfield.

I think the Bills are close to shutting the door on the RBs room. Harris should give them the more physical back they needed. And to me he is more than just a short yardage back. As for Cook it looks to me like the Bills got exactly what they were looking for when they drafted him. I expect him to have a good 2023. The Bills should look to add a late round or priority undrafted runner for depth. This years class is good so they have a chance to get one who can play. Pacheco was a 7th rounder. The guys they have are good enough to run very effectively if the blocking improves and they can stay healthy. That should now be the priority.

If M. Mayer is still on the board (he won't be) I take him before any of WRs in this draft. BPA. Immediate impact, 10-12 year starter.

The problem with LaPorta is not a lack of talent. He will be a third down conversion machine and he has the ability to hit the seams for chunk yardage. The problem seems to be he just doesn't block. So it all depends what the Bills want in a second starting caliber TE. Does freeing Knox mean relieving him from supporting a bad O-line and letting him run more routes? A phenomenal blocker with upside as an offensive weapon, like Washington, might fill that bill. Or does it mean having another primary offensive threat to pair with Knox in 2 TE sets?

I agree that hes not your ideal traditional 4/3 stack linebacker, and he played some WILL in college, but Bills base defence is nickel and hes best as a nickel linebacker. So scheme wise I dont think there should be a problem.

I think the Bills may well land Hop but I doubt anything happens before the draft. For sure Zona is going to move him but they have yet to get serious. They will have to eat some of that contract question remaining is just how much. Getting Hop would fit with Beane’s direction in FA. He’s gone after veteran players who he probably feels are better playmakers than we’ve had. That drift began with NH for Moss in 2022. There is not one alpha stud receiver in this draft class, no Julio Jones who you can be sure can contribute in that high profile role right away so again I wouldn’t be surprised if Beane looked to FA for the #2 receiver he needs to continue his transformation of this offence.

I wish, but I dont think so. No later than late second imo - and even then. JMO but I think he can play left tackle at the next level.

Well if it’s a tackle you want and Wright is off the Board Matthew Bergeron, my home boy, is going to be very good imo.

I dont see the Bills going for Sanders to fill the MLB hole. In my opinion it’s between Campbell and Simpson.

Myself I doubt that he's going #1 and taking a more pro ready guy like Stroud makes sense I guess for a rebuilding team and the tight windows to compete. But I'll tell you I look at Richardson and I see Josh Allen at Wyo or early Bills. Like Allen the big weakness, in addition to being raw (one year starter) is alleged to be his inaccuracy. Thing is, as Orlofsky has illustrated, there were drops of perfectly thrown balls. More importantly, he's not inaccurate. Like Josh was he is inconsistent. When his mechanics are good he's extremely accurate. He has shown the ability to process and make good decisions. Again he is not consistent but like Josh you see that he can do it. To me that's all you need to know at this point in his development. I think there are throws that probably only him and Allen can make in or out of the League. He's absolutely an incredible prospect. I would start him right away. He needs a Brian Daboll. To all accounts he's a serious dude who is hard working and smart. Has all the intangibles. Given the position he's the #1 player in this draft and I don't think anything like him has been seen since Allen showed up.

Richardson should be the # 1 pick overall imo. I'm positive he's Josh Allen 2. Flame away.

Gibbs is big enough to run inside. If Cook is Gibbs for sure is. Neither Gibbs or Bijan have proved anything in pass pro.

Yeah that makes sense if he knows exactly who he wants, which is likely, so he pulls the trigger at 27. But I still wonder if all three of the front runners are on the Board at 27 whether he might trade back, especially if he knows who Pittsburg wants.

As Gregg Cosell says, Campbell is not the HOF Keuchly but he's probably 75% of Keuchly and that should translate into multiple pro bowls. Bills are drafting the Edmunds replacement this year imo. He's got to be one of the top 3 guys too because we need someone who can reliably start and contribute. The three we've got onboard now are all backups. Suggests maybe a trade down or a LB at 27.

I think you are right to ask the question. He played against three man lines and because in a spread O didn't set in a three point stance. Sometimes that transition is a problem - see all world bust DT Robinson years ago. He's known as a run blocker. Whoever picks him better make sure he can protect the passer.

You don't have to be a high level guy to know that. You just need not to be completely uninformed about football.

Haven't studied the player. Seems highly regarded. He played in a run first O. Some analysts suggest that he is completely unproven in pass pro and there may be issues around his foot speed and vulnerability to the speed rush. Don't know if that is accurate. Beware Cody Ford. I would probably be less concerned with his need to increase his upper and lower body strength to counter the bull rush. That's what nfl conditioning programs are all about.

Bills absolutely need to find a linebacker in this draft. The 3 guys currently on board are all backups. If they can trade back from 27 and still get Campbell or Simpson (prefer Campbell) great. With the extra pick they can maybe scoop Mims after the front runners have all gone in the first. I think Mims can bring lots to the table. Way more than Downs imo. Of course it would be great if the Bills could sign a top shelf veteran. I don't know where Hop will land but Arizona is definitely moving him.

While it is true that the modern game differs from what was played in Kelly's time with greater emphasis on passing, you are unlikely to be successful without a running game that opposing Ds have to account for. And you might say that the run game itself has more morphed into something else with RBs receiving out of the backfield than become entirely of secondary importance . And even in the past there have been some strongly pass first offences. The greatest show on turf had a hall of fame RB. Don Coryell's offence in San Diego relied heavily on a strong inside running attack. We all want weapons for Josh but are we forgetting that a good to great back is an offensive weapon? We all know the importance of protecting the passer, but are we forgetting that a three down franchise back has also to be very good in pass pro in order to deserve that caption? The Bills have invested a fair amount of draft capital to the RB position. Two thirds and a second. The question is whether they would have been better served by investing in a first round RB if they felt that a three down franchise back was available. Maybe they felt that guy wasn't there. Thing is a college back is unlikely to be asked to do all the things a pro is asked to do. Bijan acknowledges that his pass protection is very underdeveloped. I would think that part of the evaluation process in his case has to involve a projection regarding his ability to block. A line that can block is every bit as important, even more important, than having a great back. That's because there are lots of good though not great runners capable of giving you what you need to have a balanced attack, which is essential. I think that with Harris the emphasis should be on upgrading the line, which could include drafting a TE. I like Mayer a lot. This years crop of RBs is good. I expect the Bills to look for one in later rounds. They need a rook to fill out the RB room.