OldTimer1960

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.

How did the Bills get pick 73? Never mind, I understand now. Too early to think right…

Has any news about his (Revel’s) injury status come out? I think it’s tough to expect much from him for this upcoming season if he won’t be cleared until September or October. Clearly has top talent, if speed and explosiveness are still there after recovery, but he won’t have played football for a full year and could miss a lot of camp and it’s a big step up from East Carolina. I could be convinced it’s a long-term investment worth making, but if they have no fallback plan at CB it seems pretty risky to count on him for 2025 season.

I think you’re over-optimistic that any of them make it to 56 - maybe Morrison or Revel slide because of their injuries, but if they aren’t healthy it won’t help the Bills this season.

True that not every need will be met, but Jackson/Ingram starting at CB would be a gaping hole that opponents will attack frequently.

Unless it is after the 4th, a fast guy who doesn’t catch well is not very interesting.

Round 1 - Kincaid will be a multi-year starter Round 2 - likely to me that at least 1 of Coleman and Bishop end up starters for 2 or more years. Round 3 - Singletary and Knox would count as multi-year starters i agree that Beane has done well and I think the stats will look even better than you stated. Trading future picks for current year picks at a full round discount is not good business unless you are absolutely sure that the guy you get this year is going to be very good. That’s only my opinion, but it is basically buying on credit with steep interest.

I have seen no scouting service rate Burch anywhere near the first round and what I've seen of him (to my unqualified eye) is aligned. What do you see besides a big fast guy? I see the size and speed - maybe he is OK late 2nd where we are talking about him now, but I don't think he warrants going much before this spot (at best).

That may be what they’ll do. - we’ll see in a few weeks. For me, it’s risky, but I’m risk-averse. In the end, they are looking at 34 yo Daquan Jones starting at DT with no obvious backup and Dane Jackson starting at CB with no great backup. Both are big holes. They need a DE for next year, but could live this year without drafting one if it comes down to that. They could really use an upgrade at WR, but they did have a high scoring offense last year with essentially the group they currently have.

That’s rough, but pick 62 is very late 2nd round, so not very surprising.

Agree that Amos is not a “first round talent”, but there are only maybe 15-20 in this draft that are. I’ve read that some teams love Nolan and others have him as a 3rd rounder - so a wide range of opinions. If there is any truth to the rumor that he isn’t particularly motivated then the Bills will stay away from Nolan. Note that I am not saying that the rumors are true (or untrue).

Your assumption that Porter will be available at 56 is very risky. Who is playing CB if Porter is gone? I don’t like how the board fell in this scenario and it is a big quandary. For me, if Harmon or Grant are available at 30, I might nab them and try to get a CB, but they might miss out completely on CB then. I hope that the way this fell is because we’ve all been talking almost exclusively about players the Bills could use and that influenced the picks. If that isn’t true, I think they need to trade up from 56 to be able to get both DT and CB. I don’t want to give up the other 2nd or even the 4ths but they might have to.

If the board falls that way, trading down is a bit attractive but I might be more inclined to trade back from 30 - I don’t think there is much difference in who the Bills would pick (in terms of grades) between 30 and about 40. Another option would be to package a couple of the 5ths with 109 to move up to late 3rd - or 132 & 169 & 170 to move towards to pf round 4?

I would not do that trade either, but I think a late 2nd this year is about what the Bills’ 2026 first would get in trade.

Bond worries me both in terms of the character rumors and that he was ineffective late season and in the playoffs, but I understand that he had a bad ankle. The team does need speed and he has that (and quickness as well). I would have much rather taken help for the defense, but I don’t see much left there. i know nobody wants a RB, but Judkins would bring a power element and ability to grind out yards/close out games that would help the defense by keeping them off the field.

Aren’t you arguing that drafting a CB first for need means they won’t get a DT that they need? Might not have a chance to get West or even Caldwell a round and a half from here.