OldTimer1960

I think if the injury checks out favorably that Revel will be gone before pick 30. Still don't know what to make of Emmanwori. He is a physical outlier (size) for S. While he might be a really nice presence in the run game, does he have the change of direction/quickness to be effective in coverage. Height as a DB isn't always an advantage. I'm not saying I definitely don't want Emmanwori, but (maybe without good reason) he feels a bit boom or bust.

I could live with either of Nolan or Harmon as they still have some stoutness vs the run - especially Harmon. There are reports that some teams really like Nolan and others really see him as a 2nd or 3rd rounder. I forget who posted a good link to that speculation.

Big question for these positions is health status of Benjaman Morrison, Shavon Revel TE Arroyo.

I understand your concern, but I think Grant has the athletic ability to be more than a run-down space-eater. He probably isn't going to be another Aaron Donald (who is?), but I think the Bills would be very fortunate to have a shot at Grant at pick 30. I suspect he will be long-gone by then. They do need someone next to Ed Oliver who has some heft and power to hold the line. With Daquan Jones recovering from injury/aging, the Bills are very vulnerable up front with the undersized Oliver, playing only 2 LBs both of whom are undersized and playing a small (but good tackling) nickel in Taron Johnson.

Ah, got it, thank you. I'm not big into the trade for Garrett, but if they could get it done for what is listed here I could get on board. One concern I would have is where will they find the cap space to include Garrett and field decent players at other positions. I would think unless they extend Garrett's contract they would have no cap space for any FA signings this year. I like the selection of a DT in round 2 and I haven't really yet watched Jordan Phillips, even late 2nd feels a little high for him based on what I've read. I acknowledge that once past the first, ratings jump all over and each team's rankings of players can vary considerably from those of other teams.

Thanks for posting. How did he write a Bills’ combine preview with barely mentioning defense at all? Heck, I would love for them to nab a good WR with ability to get open with his route running and with speed to threaten deep, but with no viable CB opposite Benford (unless they resign Douglas), a glaring need for pass rush help and a huge need for a 1T DT it is hard for me to see how they will address WR early.

I really like TJ Sanders, but I think he will be picked in the early/mid-2nd and I’m not sure you could play Sanders with Oliver on anything except obvious passing downs. With Sanders and Oliver together (both undersized) and two small LBs behind them in Bernard and Milano and playing a smaller nickel corner, I think they would get pounded into submission in the run game.

I think this would be a welcome addition. I really like the idea of not being absolutely forced into a CB early. I think they would still consider CB in round one or two, but not as disastrous if the board doesn’t fall their way for CB early.

Add in that as college players become upperclassmen there can be 22-23 year olds playing vs 18-19 year olds. In the NFL, everyone is a grown man. Also, as you said most of the opposing players aren’t NFL-caliber and, if your on a strong team the weaker opponents may have you and several teammates that are NFL-ready spreading the opponents attention.

I just watched Nolan vs Florida and I see why you rate him so highly. He is quick and powerful and moves pretty well for a DT. He seemed to be able to hold the line of scrimmage effectively - sometimes even against double teams, but more importantly he had several disruptive plays in that game.

I understand the pick under those circumstances, but I hope it doesn't come down to this. Yet, I would go further than Buscaglia's comment that "They also didn’t have a true starter at Z-receiver in 2024" and would argue that they have only 1 true starting caliber WR - Khalil Shakir (assuming Cooper leaves in FA). I am looking at Keon Coleman as anything that they get from him will be a bonus - he showed some flashes by mid-year, but he was a ghost after his injury vs. Miami.

Thank you for this great post. The way you described Barron with some questions and then listed him as the top player you would select for the Bills surprised me. Maybe I read too much into the questions in the write up. Is he listed first mainly because the Bills have a huge need at corner or do you really rank him above the others as a pure player? I think I could be happy with any of those picks, but I fear taking Golden (or any WR) will leave Bills in position that they won’t be able to address all of their glaring defensive needs at DT, DE and CB. I understand they probably can get a decent DT at 56, but then 62 can only be 1 or the other DE or CB. Looong wait after that to 107 in round 4.

That isn’t without risk. They lost Rashee Rice to off-field criminal activity and had problems with Kareem Hunt, too.

To be fair to the DTs, the team plays a 4-2-5 defense with both linebackers being on the small side and the extra DB is tough but small as well. They also play Safeties deep. That doesn't excuse the DTs per se, but they have limitations on the second level to cover up in addition to their own responsibilities.

I think Sawyer as a consolation prize in the later rounds 2nd is OK. I am no scout, but in the games I watched, I preferred JT Tuimoloau. To my eyes Tuimoloau looks smoother, more flexible and just as powerful. Again, no expert here.

Agree - he may not be there by 56. Rankings are all over the place and likely to settle in some more as the draftniks get to hear from the NFL teams at the combine. I haven’t studied too much on Collin’s, but what I’ve seen looks to fit as a 1T. Besides being available at 56, what do you see that makes him risky? Late 2nd is when I think it would be nice to get Collins - which is where the Bills’ 2 2nd round picks are.

My proposed alternative might be Alfred Collin’s - hoping to nab him at 56.

That would be a nice haul to get Grant, Hairston and Watts.

I’ve watched a few of his (Tyleik Williams) games and I think you’re right that he isn’t a great pass rusher, but he is a better mover than I expected and I did see him hustle chasing plays and he was faster, more nimble than I thought he would be at that size.

Who do you see at DE lasting until the Bills’ 1st pick in round 2? I believe the pickings are going to be slim by pick 56. I do think there will be good DTs left at that spot. Still, I think Gunner laid out a case to go CB in the first because they will be picked over before 56. I think if they wait till pick 56 or later for DE, there will be guys who are better at run defense than pass rushing. All that said, I don’t yet have a favorite. I like Umanmielen as a pass rusher and TJ Sanders impressed me a lot, but he is lighter and probably not a fit next to Oliver. At CB, I think I would shy away from the injured Revel and Morrison unless they are super sure they will recover 100%. I get bad vibes remembering Shaq Lawson’s lost rookie season due to shoulder injury he had and they drafted him anyway. I think CB with hip or knee problems is a big risk - such a demanding position that requires hard cuts and change of direction. I know there is a long way to the draft still and the combine next week can change things, but I can’t see Umanmielen making it to pick 56.

Double dipping at DT is interesting given that it is probably the strongest group in the draft. I’m guessing you are planning for a starting CB in FA. I think at least 1 CB needs to be in their draft plans even if they sign a viable starting FA. I expect that they will lose Rasul Douglas and it will not surprise me if Elam is sent packing - he just isn’t working out.

Bond worries me some. He managed only 2 catches for 30 yards in his final 4 college games vs Texas A&M, Arizona State, Georgia and Ohio State. Maybe he was injured, but if not, that is pretty disappointing production in the final stretch against top competition. Hopefully, there is a good explanation for that down-turn.

I am starting to think it may be the same situation at DE - do you think they would find a good DE prospect at their first pick in round 2?

This would be a nice year to trade down out of round 1 into early round 2 and hopefully nab an extra early 4th. But with the dearth of viable QBs to trade up for I think it will be hard to find a trade partner.

I would not spend that much to move up for Grant, mainly because it is a very good DT class.