BigBuff423

The thing is, it's system designed to protect the NFL teams' assets, namely only giving the player the right to abstain from the season - which isn't much of an option when your career is already short lived. Kahn played right into Yannick's hands by responding on Twitter. All he needed to do was pick up the phone, call him and let him know they're doing their best to get some form of compensation for him and that if he can keep it professional and in-house, he is more likely to get the trade suitor he's looking for, but by sauntering down the low road, this is a public mess. To those who say Yannick should just play and shut up, IF he had signed a contract covering him this year I would agree. But in this case the culture, the team, the ownership and the coaches all play a vital role in getting players to WANT to stay or sign in Jax. To me, that is one of top 3 things McD and Beane have done well in Buffalo is changing not only outward perception of the organization but the inward culture that becomes organic and genuine where players actually desire to become part of the team and region. If Jax wants their players to sign subsequent contracts, do a better job earning their loyalty - otherwise, you take the lumps you've given yourself and allow the uninterested party find work elsewhere.

I'll give you my ex-wife's mother's phone number.....she's just your type. As to the OP's original question: I know the context is meant to be immediately following the Draft this year, but obviously we won't know for two to three more years if this year's Draft, and Diggs subsequently, will actually be successful. So, if the point is to ask if I'd be pleased and therefore believe we did well in the Draft, I think my summary would this: 1. WR / RB in 2nd round 2. WR / RB in 3rd Round the alternate of what was picked in 2nd 3. Trade back into 3rd to take CB 4. 5th Round, Antonio Gibson if he's there b/c he can be both WR / RB That's it....that's it for me. I know DE is on many people's minds, and Beane will probably go DE / Edge in the first two rounds, but there is an array of DEs on the roster right now and if you really want to top tier talent that gets younger there is Clowney waiting in the wings. Plus, that's what FA is for next year and every year there is a Draft. With three to four DEs on the roster right now that can play a variety of roles, to me, this is the position you get to develop ala 6th Round with potential but not an issue if he doesn't make the 55 man roster (that starts this year right?). Also, with D. Johnson who showed real promise and flashes last year, I'd like to see more before we assume a high Draft pick is needed. CB is always an issue and while I like Wallace and I think Norman might return to form, getting a bona fide CB opposite White in the long term is great but it's not the most pressing issue. Allen and this Offense needs playmakers and I really like Brown and Beasley, but both are 30 and there needs to be a complement to Motor that is young and viable for years to come. As for Gibson, I don't know that he lasts until the 5th, but having a guy like him who can play RB and slot WR is the kind of mismatch the Offense needs to keep Defenses guessing. JMO

I am not particularly keen on Moss - and I think many GMs have him rated higher than fans do. That said, I saw on Twitter there was a woman (can’t recall her name) who broke down some PFF predictive metrics regarding RBs from 2017-2020 - with the idea that 2020 are only based on projected stats and success while using the previous years to extrapolate future success - long story short, Moss was the best RB based on those metrics in the years noted. Take that FWIW, but for me - if Beane takes him anywhere in the Draft....I’m sold.

When Beane knew it was about getting a QB, he did everything he had to in order to be just outside the top 5 and that was WITHOUT giving up the extra 1st in the same year. Last year he stood pat at 9th overall and made arguably one of the best picks in the Draft considering the value of Ed Oliver who some thought could go 3rd overall. Fast forward to where the Bills are making the rock-solid commitment to having the same Offensive Line, and many of the same skill position players except for one of the most important: a true WR1 that will help their young, developing QB. No question mark about if that Rookie WR will develop into what the team needs this year and in the years to come. I could be very wrong, but given all of that aforementioned information, I believe Beane on this one and think they know they've spent their extra top end Draft capital on Diggs and feel good about it. Now, trading back into the 2nd or 3rd with the extra mid round picks, THAT is definitely something I foresee just based on numbers. But the 1st in my mind, is over for Beane unless someone calls him and it's too good to pass up.

My last name is Source....so, yes, I am *the* source. (No, it's not, just in case sarcasm font got lost on this one).

To those who've speculated on the delay of the NFL season, maybe that's accurate, but hard for me to believe that for several reasons. Although the one that stands out most, is why would Goodell then insist - to the point of GMs calling in picks from their basement - on the Draft happening as scheduled. They already lost the venue, they've had to make serious adjustments to how the picks will be delivered via digital mediums and it loses the fan fare and hype that has been so wonderful during the football drought season (Spring). If the season were going to be pushed back or cancelled, it wouldn't make sense to bull ahead at all costs to have the Draft as scheduled. Roger would have postponed until such a time where he could regain the attention and media circus that is the NFL Draft because if the season were cancelled or seriously delayed, there would be no rush to have the Draft now. JMO.

Count me in the club that thinks this is a good look. I like the change and the emblematic meaning behind the adjustment.

It's not my article, and I don't have a strong opinion either way, but I ask why you believe that? Is it your opinion based on what you've seen or heard or is it because you haven't heard of him or seen much about him that you think he won't be Drafted. Arguably the best WR in the NFL last year was Michael Thomas who is a hair under 6'3" and 212 when he went to the Combine and ran a 4.57 and 4.58, which is about where Dubois is believed to be in terms of speed. I don't know that officially, I'm just wondering if the speed is the concern with your perspective.

Cover 1 posted an article on Twitter on Virginia WR Hasise Dubois as the "biggest sleeper" in the Draft class, here's the link to the article: https://www.cover1.net/hasise-dubois-wide-receiver-2020-nfl-draft/ A snippet: "Dubois is able to win on the ground while contested, but his most impressive reps are when he’s covered and needs to high point the ball. Against Florida and Clemson, two of the best secondaries in all of college football, Dubois was able to climb the ladder and finish through contact. The most impressive part of each rep was that the defensive back did as they were coached, punching up through Dubois’ hands when he reached for the ball. Dubois was still able to rip the ball down through their hands, an example of his strong and consistent hands." According to PFF, which is referenced in the article, Dubois had 75 receptions and 0 drops. Watching just the clips provided in the Cover 1 article, that is impressive. The catches were often contested and sometimes, it seems like he has paste on his hands. He's listed at 6'3" and 215 pounds and according to Cover 1 projects best as the "big slot" WR, which would be a perfect complement for the Bills considering what they need at the WR position. Don't get me wrong, I would be in favor of Drafting Dubois if he's taken in the 5th Round or later, but I would still hope the Bills get a faster boundary WR as well. Yes, that means two Draft picks at the WR position, but Dubois might even be able to be had at the 6th Round selection, which makes it all the more enticing considering what could be had for the Bills in the future. What stood out to Cover 1, absent the speed, were noted route running, using his body for separation, strong hands and obviously as noted above the ability to catch the contested balls consistently. Cover 1 notes Dubois' best games were against top competition in Notre Dame, Florida, Clemson and Virginia Tech. You can see in the highlights he also has agile feet and the ability to use everything except speed, to beat the Defender. Speed is important, but as we've seen from guys like Keenan Allen who didn't post a very good 40 time at 4.71 and 4.75 according to Bleacher Report from April 2013, speed is NOT the most important trait in a WR. If you're truly interested in seeing a guy who drops through the Draft due to a "lack of speed" but has all of the other tools to be successful in the NFL and want to educate yourself on a potentially terrific NFL WR, start by reading this article and keep your eyes open for Dubois. Go Bills! Hope everyone is safe and healthy!

I do understand what you're saying, but keep in mind that particular Draft strategy was utilized by the Bills for the last 20 years and you end up chasing talent and putting yourself, or the team, in positions where you can't leverage productivity. The WR position is EXACTLY the kind of position you want (IMO) the Bills to target in the mid-Rounds (2-5) because you don't *need* them to be the immediate producer but might be if injuries require or simply their talent and production demand them to be. Imagine the Seahawks not taking Russell Wilson because they had their entrenched starting QB. Wilson came into camp and blew them away and he hasn't looked back. The point is, virtually EVERY Rookie needs a year or two to fully develop into the player they can be at the NFL level. Drafting a WR at this point means when the Bills *need* a WR, they're not overpaying a Vet or trying to unearth talent in a Rookie WR Draft class that isn't very good. Being proactive and having the ability to look at a WR and know they are the BPA in the 2nd or 3rd or 4th Rounds and knowing they have some time (again, unless injury occurs) to grow into that position without the team suffering through their development is just what the Bills need to do in order to continually be near the top of the league. Allow the cycling of Vets to Rookies to growing players be on an every turning wheel. Imagine "needing" a position and that position group is weak? Reminds me of Nix's refusal to accept the 2013 QB class as virtually un-Draftable while taking Manuel. People, not saying you, panic at the idea of "our window is closing!!", but the window only just started to crack open and I truly do believe in Beane and Co. being able to continually scout, unearth, sign and develop the talent and culture which breeds long-term, sustainable success. They're not getting lightning in a bottle or a lottery ticket, ala Brady, they're systematically and methodically going about their business holding to value and knowing the NFL landscape. JMO

I'm good with Diggs in lieu of the 22nd, but the Bills still need to take a WR somewhere in the first 5 rounds as Brown and Beasley need to have their replacements on the roster this year and next. Edwards, Ayiuk, Claypool, Pittman, Bowden, C. Johnson, and the list goes on. There is viable good to great talent in the mid-Rounds for future starting WRs. The Bills should not pass up on the opportunity to capitalize on that situation.

Biggest issue, IMO, is no WR in the deepest WR class in so very, very long. We can argue all day where that WR should be Drafted, and I don't think taking one in 7th Round really qualifies (sorry Stevie Johnson), but not taking one AT ALL, is mind-boggling to me.

For me, it's more about value. If Beane and Co. pull the trigger on a TE then they are convinced he's a game changer and I trust them more than anyone else. But, if I'm armchair GM, I just don't think it's worth the investment unless they're convinced they have a Gronk on their hands.

I don’t claim to be an expert, and everyone is obviously entitled to their opinion, but there are plenty of times “experts” have been wrong and IMHO, this one of them. I’m not saying he’ll be a fantastic pass blocker from the start or that any team will require him to be one often, but IMO a RB like Taylor’s upside & potential as a RB is too tremendous to ignore or discount for pass blocking reasons. All of that said, as noted earlier I’d be very happy with Akers or Vaughn because of what they’d add or complement to the RB game.

I certainly hope so! And you’re right, Josh Allen is a NFL QB enigma & he’s still so raw. The un-mined, untapped potential brewing beneath his rocky exterior is staggering. And it would make sense given all of the circumstances that his zenith / apex / peak is truly 2-3 years away, but if we’re taking “safe” bets, this year will be one that helps solidify his NFL identity. Regardless, I’m excited for his future and it certainly seems blindingly bright.

Oh yeah man, I know!!! To me, he’ll never make it to 54, let alone the 3rd Round where I suspect the Bills are truly targeting a RB. I love Taylor as an NFL RB, even more than as a college RB.

Beane just paid Poyer to be one of the top paid Safeties in the league....anyone questioning if Beane will pay Tre need only see THAT example as the reason to be rest assured Beane will certainly do that for Tre White.

How about this: in one of my former jobs, I met a 26 year old biological grandmother. She was 13 when she had her daughter and her daughter was 12 when she got pregnant.

Akers and Vaughn are two of the RBs I really like in the 3rd, but I don't see Akers lasting that long except for maybe the WRs draw enough juice from the league to ignore the position a bit. Dillon is a good back and no doubt he will be a good one, but I think he'll sneak into a team few people saw coming and a bit earlier than expected. Akers / Vaughn IMHO are at the right value in the 3rd who can be a phenomenal complement to Motor and vice versa. To me, because of Motor already firmly on the team and in an established role, any RB that runs slower than a 4.5ish range should not be in consideration. Motor does so well with shiftiness and slugging out a couple extra yards and squirting through defenders, but to add some lightning to that mix - I would hope the Bills would have a guy who runs through people but with a little bit more top end speed to make that 7 yard carry a 30 yard carry (or longer, lol). IMO, Akers and Vaughn are those two guys - on the nose.

I don't agree at all with his take on this, but I suspect he's buying into the flawed logic that the schedule is going to dictate Allen's regression / overall team productivity. The schedule is rarely a contributing factor because there are always teams that do much better than anticipated (the Bills last year being one) and teams that do worse or not quite as well. Nobody knows what teams will absolutely be lights-out and which ones will be cupcake until the games are actually played. Furthermore, while I wouldn't expect any person to know who the Bills Draft, his roster is missing Drafted players, which as we know from McBeane's time in Buffalo has so far been crucial to their success. For example, it's hard for me to believe the Bills enter the 2020 NFL season with the current list of RBs they have, or that they don't add a good CB or depth at O-line or even a mid-round WR that can contribute to their Offense / STs. Those incremental additions make large contributions over the course of the season. That's to say nothing about the aforementioned improved Offense with Diggs ALONE. I don't think Allen's progression is automatic, but from what I've read he definitely knows *this* is the season that will have far more to do with his long-term success than what he's done thus far. The 3rd year is usually when the light goes on and stays on and who the QB is, becomes solidified. It is rare they drastically improve beyond the 3rd year starting, but some of the greatest QBs / players, have shown that the 3rd year is when it all clicks and they don't look back. I can be called a homer, that's fine, but I believe this to be true for Josh as well. Continuity on the O-line, improved skill position players, and same Offense for 3rd year. Sign. Me. Up. Go Bills!

I trust Beane and Co. to make the right decision. I say that as a caveat because IMO, Perine looks like just another good college RB but not impressive. He has 'meh' speed, he has good cuts, but of all the highlights the OP was showing, there were big holes in college football and if they were the NFL, they'd be HUGE holes. I don't see him running around the edge in the NFL, and I don't see him being overly elusive either. I just don't see anything here that would make me want to pair him with Motor, but with the Draft - who the hell knows? Beane does....that's the answer in my mind.

I like Hard Knocks overall, thought it was a cool idea back when it started. However, this might be an "edge" they've really needed since it's gotten a little stale over the last few years. It seems as though the producers and editors have made some poor decisions in how to use the drama on and off the field to illuminate what truly transpires when football isn't happening in these training camps. That's the ticket for Hard Knocks. What pulls back the curtain of Oz and reveals the underlying drama and stories you wouldn't get to see otherwise? If Hard Knocks can get back to that format like it did when it all began and for a number of years after, it's television programming worthy of my (our) time. If they can't, it just becomes another "reality tv" show that lacks punch. JMO

IMO, the problem with Drafting any player you "need" to produce is that Rookies rarely come right in and make a measurable impact. Most, nearly all, Rookies need at least a season in the NFL to make the type of contribution you hope they make when you Draft them. Getting good to great players who have the luxury of learning for a year means their development and career impact will most likely be improved while the team doesn't depend on their production. For too many years the Buffalo Bills were Drafting for "need" and then expecting to squeeze diamonds out of dog ****. But Drafting a WR this year (or two) means they get to learn behind good Vets and develop their own game and if they out play one of those Vets, then that just means the level of excellence has risen and I think we can all agree that's a good thing. To me, if I were Beane, I would be targeting a guy to take over for John Brown first. He has two years left and getting a guy like Ayiuk who can play the slot or the outside allows for versatility and growth. Ayiuk is also a solid returner, which means that's probably where he could see some immediate time to relieve Roberts as well. Claypool is another guy who can go between outside, bigger than Ayiuk, or play in the slot. But, having a WR this year who does not HAVE TO be their #2 / #3 and can learn for a year while the team is still thriving with their current WRs is a perfect example of why Beane has done such a terrific job. Nobody they Draft will "need" to be the primary at their position. RB will most likely need to help Singletary but he won't be expected to carry the load just yet, if ever. That's what good GMs do: they Draft for the present AND the future, rather than running to fire and hoping their extinguisher works.

Based on value, Claypool.

Beane is refreshing in so many ways for us Bills fans. First and foremost, it's obviously how he's built the roster and then managed the Cap, and then built a very strong FO. But also, as fans, since we don't hear from the GM in this type of interview very often, how he handles the questions and how he answers without pulling punches but at the same time without giving away their strategy or inner perspective, is simply wonderful. He provides depth of information without too much specifics that hinder their plans for the future and honest about players' contributions without leaving them out to dry for all the world to see. It's a nuanced dance of information exchange and I'm here for it. Once again, well done Beane! Go Bills!