OldTimer1960

I don’t think the trade market would be strong at all for Cook. I’d be surprised if you could get a 4th for a guy who is good, but is looking for $15M as a non-full time RB in a year where the RB class in the draft is very good.

I do like Scourton and the corners you identified. I just don’t see a path to a CB in round 2 if they don’t take one at 30 (or with small trade down). I know it’s TV and they need to say something, but I heard Mark Ross say that he thinks JT Tuimoloau could sneak into the end of round 1. I kind of like JTT, but late first/early second seems too high to me.

Scourton is a little stiff, but I think he moves pretty well and I saw him be able to breakdown and make some tough open field tackles. He has reportedly shed a considerable amount of weight and I’ve heard that is pro day performance was quite good, though I don’t know the numbers.

If he (Johnson) is available at 30, do you think the Bills should pull the trigger? CB is obviously a position where speed and quick change of direction ability matter, but he did play very well in a top conference.

I don’t think it lessens the urgency for a young CB, but White’s resigning might give them enough confidence to take Shavon Revel or Benjamin Morrison knowing that they might not be healthy right away.

I won’t be too surprised if they he Bills reach a bit for him in round 2 if all the top CBs are gone (like in our Mock 2.0). I’m not saying that they should do that, but it seems like a possibility given their desperation for a corner.

I don’t agree. I know some see him as having rush upside, I see him (maybe I am wrong) as a try-hard power rusher with arms that are quite short. I’d compare him some to Chris Kelsay - a player who I thought was unfairly maligned here. He was good, just not great.

I don’t mind that - would perhaps put them in range for a CB like Alexander and gain an earlier 4th. So, Bills would move back 13 from 62, move back 4 from 109 and get pick 100?

Agreed, but as you I suggested it’s insane to take 3DTs with the first 3 picks. I would have preferred Sanders over Collins at 56 given they had already taken Grant, but we can’t change that now. Given what’s left, i think trade down and try to find a corner instead of forcing a pick here.

I heard that CB Will Johnson declined to run at his personal pro day. Heard that on Pat Kirwin’s radio show on NFL Network. Kirwin said that Johnson’s shuttle time was LB-like. Kirwin said he still likes him a lot. If he slides to 30 off no 40 time and poor shuttle times, should Bills’ consider him? Remember- it’s CB so athletic ability counts a lot. You have to think that maybe his 40 would be high 4.5s or worse for him to not run.

Voted Collins, but I probably would not take either him or Harris in these circumstances. I like Collins, but he seems redundant with Grant (selected round 1). With regards to Harris, just not sure I think he helps this team that much - rather have what I think would be a better player at another position- even if not a clear need at the moment.

Agree on the tough spots and agree with the idea of moving down from 30 to get ammo to come up from 56. i think hoping for 3 starters as rookies is a big ask for a team picking late and with only a few holes. Hopefully, they can find a CB that starts this year (and plays well). I would be satisfied after to get a good backup for Daquan Jones this year and starter next. Another starter as a rookie would (I think) have to be at S or WR - don’t think other starting spots are open this season.

I would not want to bet that Porter will make it to 56. It’s a thin class and he is super athletic. I don’t love the combo of him being over-aged and lightly experienced at CB, but after him CB appears to fall off quite far.

In mock draft 1 we tried CB first and didn’t like the DTs left at 56 then in mock draft 2 we tried DT first and there isn’t a CB left that isn’t a big reach. There might be some over-inflation of the positions the Bills need in this draft because we’ve been discussing those players for months, but it doesn’t look like it is a slam dunk that they can get both CB and DT (or DE for that matter) in the first 2 rounds.

I really like TJ Sanders. I don’t know if they would take him, but he and Oliver together inside on passing downs could be fun.

I’m with you on the need for the space eaters- no dispute from me. I agree on the desire for another pass rusher. I can’t argue that they couldn’t use a fast receiver who can at least be a stretch the field guy and certainly I’m aligned that a CB (or two) are needed. I think the order of urgency is: CB, DT, DE, WR. That doesn’t mean that I’m happy with the current WRs, it’s more that the Bills’ offense was darned good with Samuel injured and Coleman a rookie. I have some confidence that if Samuel is healthy he will contribute a lot more than last year. I am hopeful that Coleman shows good improvement in year 2. I’m aligned that on paper the Bills’ WR group is probably bottom 1/3 of the league. I have a lot less confidence at CB where they are set with Benford and Johnson, but CB2 is a gaping hole in my view - I also think they could use better backup talent at CB. DT is a pretty urgent need behind Daquan Jones who is probably in his last season at (I think) 34 y.o. Of course, they can never have enough DEs and Bosa and Epenesa are each on last year of their contracts. i see the need for all of those positions and I don’t see how they can address all equally with the picks they have. I think Harmon, Grant or maybe Nolan (some rumors about his effort/dedication) would all be really justifiable picks at 30. I could also understand if they went DE if they like Scourton or someone else there. Would be interesting to see what they’d do if, say Mykel Williams or Shemar Stewart were available. My concern is that I think (hope?) they could find a decent space eater in round 2, but I think it’s a big gamble to wait till 56 for a CB in this class. I may be all wet, but that’s my view.

You’re banking on Zy Alexander in the mid-4th for a starting CB on a team that has Super Bowl aspirations? I’m not aligned (I’m not saying that I am absolutely right). if they want to take a chance on Revel or Morrison at 30 and come back and take another CB in the mid-4th to have someone to compete if Revel/Morrison aren’t ready, then I think Alexander is a good option. The argument that a dominant DL trumps CB has a bit of truth,but if Philly is your model for that argument- they had Mitchell and DeJean at CB in addition to their DL. Further, no guarantee that either Harmon or Grant or Nolan aren’t there at 30. If Harmon or Grant are there, I’d think hard about them, but neither is bringing Aaron Donald level pass rush.

Most likely anyone still available at 30 is a 2nd round value. I’ve heard it stated that there are usually only 20 “first round grades” in a class and I’ve also heard it opined that there are only 15-16 first round graded prospects in this class.

I understand your view, but what ammo do they have to trade up far enough to get a decent CB in a not-great CB class? if they give up 56&109&169 (late 2nd, mid 4th and late 5th) they might get to pick 46 or 47 - perhaps high enough to get the CB leftovers. I would expect Amos to be gone by then, maybe you can pick from injury questions Revel and Morrison, Thomas and probably Porter.

I think Azareye'h Thomas is someone who the Bills could be higher on than the draft pundits are. He is experienced and quite young, described as smart and with a strong work ethic. His 4.56 speed scares me, but the Bills seem to be willing to play CBs who don’t have excellent speed. Thomas would be a disappointing pick at 30 based on the consensus ratings, but honestly it would not surprise me.

I’m not opposed to the strategy you propose - if they are highly confident that Revel’s knee is trending positively and they are confident that Ingram/Jackson can hold the fort. I’m just less optimistic that both Revel is ready as quickly as you suggest and less optimistic that Ingram/Jackson can play well enough to keep the defense afloat. Of course, nobody has ever accused me of being very optimistic. I want to be clear that I am glad that Jackson is back on the team - he is experienced depth, but if he couldn’t hold his job last year in Carolina what suggests he can do it here?

I’m with you on most of this, but unless they sign a stop-gap vet, I think it’s hard for the Bills to wait on Revel or Morrison to get healthy and up to speed. There is some chance that either could miss most or all of camp and be very delayed in being ready to help this year. If they think Ingram and/or Jackson can play decently in case Revel isn’t ready at all next year, then great. I’m not sure I would make that gamble. Now, a team that isn’t a contender this season might be in better position to wait up to a season for either Revel or Morrison to recover and thereby get good value. Just my view - I know there is room for contradictory opinions.

Thank you for your insights! What do you think of the OT from William and Mary (Charles Grant)? I know he has gotten some 3rd round grades - is he legit? Is he strong enough?

You are right. Grant got a lot of hype for a short while, but seems the pundits have been clued in by the league that he is late 1st to early 2nd. I think he is still a very good prospect, but not so good that it wouldn’t make sense to consider a CB over Grant.

I would be happy for them to be able to get Grant, but I think CB will be fully picked over before pick 56. I don’t think either of the 4ths & 56 gets you high enough to get a CB who has a reasonable shot at starting as a rookie.