OldTimer1960

Worthy’s speed is enticing, but wouldn’t he almost have to play in the slot to be most effective? I think he will struggle big time out wide at 170lbs. To me, they would be pushing Shakir out of the lineup and still have nobody to play where Davis did.

Straw man? Come on. Yes, free agency is yet to happen, but even if they resign Jones they still need a young DT, young S, young DE. They are not all coming with their 5th round picks on. Further to your point, I didn’t say don’t use their 1st on a receiver. They NEED a receiver to replace Davis - I think we agree on that. I’m mainly saying I don’t want to trade 2, 3 or 4 to move up in the 1st. I don’t think any of us knows who will be the best among Thomas, Franklin, Coleman, Legette, Mitchell and I don’t think it is wise to draft to block the Chiefs or any other team.

Kind sir, my post was not about doom and gloom, but anyway you look at it, right now Chiefs have about $20M cap and Bills are about $40M over. That is significant, but but my point was Bills have a lot of defensive holes to fill - and need players there that can play meaningful snaps. I understand that the 2 5ths and 3 6ths won’t all make the team and I’m not against trading some of those to move up, but I’d rather do that in the 2-4th round where those 5ths and 6ths can move you up to target a player at a position of need when the overall remaining talent in the draft is drying up. The idea that if the Bills can add a potentially outstanding receiver, then holes on D don’t matter is appealing to us fans, but I remember watching horrible defense and that is terribly frustrating. D matters- basically the top playoff teams had very good defenses, including the two SB teams.

That’s all true, but KC is in much better shape cap wise. As it stands currently, the Bills could not even field a starting DL. Now, maybe they can find a way to re-up, say, Daquan Jones and Epenesa in FA. If they can do that, they would have a DL of Jones and Oliver at DT with Eli Ankou the only reserve and Rousseau, Miller, Epenesa and Jonathan at DE. That still leaves the team in need of a starting S and competent DT backup to find in the draft, I totally agree that they need WR help - very likely someone who can play at least the majority of snaps in Davis’ position, if not being the outright starter there, but I think the other needs preclude being too aggressive in trading up. Outside of the top 3 (Harrison, Odunze, Nabors) who are way out of range, I think Coleman, Thomas, Leggette, Franklin, Mitchell, and maybe Rice and Polk could fill that role as well as Davis. Obviously, they are not all on the same tier amongst that group, but they could fill that role. Beyond them, there are other wr in this class that probably can’t fill that role, but would contribute to the offense. I don’t think that any of the group that could fill Davis’ role are going to become top level #1 receivers, but then nobody thought Stefan Diggs, Amon Ra St. Brown and Cooper Cupp would ever be high volume dominant receivers. Long way around to say that I would not want to trade anything more than a 5th this year to move up in round 1 because they need cheap competent labor this year and may need starters at S, DT and might need depth there as well.

They need some bodies to play meaningful snaps on D. I don’t see any way that they would be willing to part with their compensatory 3rd or 4th to move up. This might be the year to trade out of the 1st round to the top of the 2nd and maybe pick up an early 4th in the deal.

Late in round 1, if they are likely looking at “early-mid 2nd talent” no matter what position they take. They need to find someone who can develop further (like Rousseau has). There are a fair number of wr in this draft who could help the Bills, but most still have limitations or require development. Only a few, though, fit the description of outside receiver with size who can also stretch the field.

Look at Xavier Worthy and Franklin looks like the hulk.

I think it might be Legette or Franklin or bust (pick a different position) for Bills in round 1. (I don’t think Thomas Jr will be available and I would not trade up).

Franklin’s strength work at the combine is going to be pretty important. He looks like just what the Bills need, except he is very light for his height. I can see Legette’s speed on game tape, but I’m guessing he will run about 4.5 at the combine. Not sure he has the instant acceleration to kill the 40. That doesn’t concern me much, though.

I’m not a big fan of Devontez Walker, but how late might he go after doing nothing at the Senior Bowl? Would he be in play at 60?

Burton was accused of punching a female fan from another team. Now, I don’t know if that’s true or not, but there are vague “character concerns” floating around him. Again, don’t know if that is right, but teams will know.

A lot of the value for teams is from medical checks and interviews- valuable to teams even if some don’t do the drills.

I think the priority order depends on whether they are able to retain/replace some of their DL FA. Currently, the only DEs under contract are Greg Rousseau, an aging Von Miller and Kingsley Johnathan. The only DTs are Ed Oliver, and, Eli Ankou, If the above is the situation at draft time, I think they have to make DE and DT priority 1. If they can retain maybe Daquan Jones and AJ Epenesa, then I can see WR being priority 1.

I’m not dumping on White who has played well and worked hard for the team, but he will have missed almost two full consecutive seasons and will be trying to return from an Achilles tear - notoriously difficult to come back from - especially at DB. I am rooting for him, but not counting on him.

Seems to me that the two Super Bowl teams both play strong defense. Yes, Bills need at least 1 more strong receiving option, but would you say that KC’s receiving group is great? The Bills, like every other team, have missed on a few high picks. But, I think we are too quick to judge the young players. I was guilty of writing off Terrel Bernard and he played great.

Did you forget your meds today?

I think we have to recognize that these taller, stronger WRs are unlikely to be able to physically be devastating route runners. It is a lot harder for the taller guys with longer legs to gear down, stop/start, cut quickly and sharply than it is for a 5’9”-6’ guy that weighs 170-200lbs.

What $ are you planning to spend to patch hole in FA?

He is electric for sure. His height is fine, but man is he skinny. I worry that he could have a lot of trouble against physical CBs in the NFL. Interested in what he weighs and what his strength is like at the Combine.

When you say explosive, are you talking about instant acceleration and lateral quickness?

I think speed matters some as they have Kincaid in intermediate range with size and hands and Diggs & Shakir have good hands, but aren’t deep threats. i also think 6’1” 220+ qualifies as good size (Leggette).

Agreed, but is Xavier Worthy worth a late first? The one game I’ve looked at of his, he dropped two pretty easy passes and he looks ultra thin. He is absolutely fast AND quick. He will be a dangerous player, but can he play wide at that weight?

He would be a nice pick if they take another position in round 1, but be prepared for the “40 guys” to not like him when he runs 4.5-4.6.

He is tall and fast. I only watched two of his games at UNC, but he doesn’t seem very developed in terms of routes and other than using his straight line speed, I don’t see how he would get open in the NFL. There is physical ability to work with, but I wouldn’t want to count on him to contribute as a rookie.

6 of those picks are late 5th round or later - those aren’t worth much in trade up in early rounds. Von Miller was fine until he tore up his knee. Now, I wasn’t super-keen on paying big for an older player, but that plan was working until the injury.