OldTimer1960

I would be shocked if the Bills' medical staff did not identify it as a possibility that Lawson would need surgery on his shoulder. They may have thought that he could get through the 2016 season before possibly doing surgery after the season was over, but they had to have notified the decision makers that there was a chance that Lawson might need surgery sooner rather than later. With the $$$$ invested into a 1st round pick, I am sure that all their due diligence was done and they decided to go ahead with the pick anyway with the knowledge that this could happen. As long as they are confident that this is a correctable injury and not one that will chronically bother him/shorten his career then I can't fault them for making that decision - it was a risk/reward proposition, as all draft selections are.

I agree and I did say that I liked the Jones selection at the end of round 4. I was just trying to build the case for why I don't think that he would have been picked much higher if he had come out after 2014.

I know that others may disagree, but I can't imagine a QB who had 3 collegiate starts under his belt being selected in even the 3rd round. He certainly has tremendous physical tools, but QB is more a position where you need quick decision making and great knowledge of the game - both are helped by experience to some degree. Now, I am (still) not saying that Jones does not have the innate quick decision making skills (and accuracy) to become a good QB, but nobody had any evidence of it after 2014's 3 starts and we still don't really know after a few more starts in 2015. I like the pick of Jones for where they selected him, but I think he is going to have a tough time challenging the much-maligned EJ Manuel. I think Manuel is an example of why Jones would not have been a high pick last year - Manuel has close to the physical tools that Jones has, Manuel had a lot of experience and success in a tough conference and, say what you will about Manuel otherwise, but he is a very hard worker and a professional. Yet, Manuel has yet to have success in the NFL. All that was known about Jones was that he is big and has an outrageous arm, nobody really knows how he will work and apply himself and nobody really knows if he can succeed even if he works very hard.

I watched all the plays Williams was involved in vs Texas A&M in 2014 (YouTube) - he made some very nice runs in that game. Likewise, I watched all of his plays vs Alabama fr 2014 - Williams was pretty good against a tremendous defense, but what I noticed from that video was Reggie Ragland making a bunch of plays.

And Taylor need not be thinking that 12-gauge - 11 collegiate games is any threat to his starting job in the next two years.

Wasn't Miller a rookie 3rd round pick last year? Should we maybe see how much he improves in year 2 before trying to grab "aging vet that I've heard of"? Pretty sure Marv Levy said that the typical player makes his biggest improvement from year one to year two. I suggest we wait to see how Miller plays this year before writing the end of his career in stone.

I think this is pretty realistic. I haven't read that he is a punt or KO returner and I wouldn't guess given his size that he would be a killer coverage guy. If he doesn't contribute on special teams, I think that he will have a very uphill battle to make the team.

Good luck, we're all counting on you.

Man, why so negatives? Did you forget to take your Xanax today?

EVERY draft choice in the league is boom or bust to some degree. Many 1st round picks don't fully pan out and about 50% of 2nd round picks never become starters.

Funny! I said this same thing to my friend on the first night of the draft.

I like it - productive back to compete for a spot. I think this shows that they are still picking their highest rated player as RB was not a big need. They probably learned for the need for depth last season when at some points they were playing RBs who had just been signed.

I argued against picking Jones in the first 3 rounds, but with essentially a top of the fifth round pick I am happy to get him.

Not A lot there that would last 2/3 of the way through the round.

The only difference between the Pats and Bills in terms of QB drafting is the Pats' blind luck pick of Brady in round 6. Beyond Brady, what QB that NE has picked would you love to have?

Cardale Jones is still available after 3 full rounds plus compensatory picks. Same is true for Connor Cook. Those damn NFL talent evaluators could not see how great these two are...

I have to say that I am not at all surprised that round 3 is complete without Connor Cook or Cardale Jones having been selected. Cook lacks accuracy and has at least questionable leadership skills and Jones has started only 10 games on an uber-talented team.

+1000 Who were the "must draft Cook" fanatics?

Maybe. I actually prefer Adolphus Washington as a much more proven player.

So? 23 career catches...

I am a little critical usually, but I am pretty happy with Bills' selections. Have addressed big defensive needs with each pick - love Lawson pick, happy with Ragland pick and happy with Washington pick in r3.

Nice! A capable interior pass rusher with the size to eventually become a good run defender. Pretty athletic for his size.

I just don't think he was that responsible for those wins. Ohio State won a lot of game without him playing at all.

As it fell, the Bills would have had a shot to pick Jarran Reed and I would have been happy with that, but I have zero problem with trading two 4ths to ensure they got who they wanted. Pickings got pretty slim by pick 49