OldTimer1960

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.

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.