2003Contenders

With all the picks the Bills have on Day 3, maybe they can package one or more of them in the hypothetical trade to make it more reasonable/enticing.

Given that there are 3-4 receivers on the board that are pretty closely rated, I voted to trade down. Ideally, that would mean moving into the top part of the 2nd round (where at least one of those receivers will still be available) -- and hopefully picking up a 3rd rounder for the trouble. Obviously, we would have to find a serious trading partner.

I agree -- there really is not much hype surrounding him. He is not a big-bodied receiver -- but he checks off pretty much all of the other boxes: speed, route running, versatility, and has played in big-time games. As we have seen in the WR threads, beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder in this year's draft class. The top 3 (MHJ, Nabers and Odunze) will probably go in the top 10. BTJ will likely go somewhere in the next 10 picks (well before the Bills). If BB does not see great value with the collection of receivers on the board at 28, I could see him waiting until the 2nd to draft a polished receiver like Wilson.

I believe that the Bills were interested -- and probably did tell Armstead to come back with any offer he received from another team. However, there is simply no way Beane could (or should) have matched that offer that Jacksonville made. This is probably a situation similar to when the WR came in during the Buddy Nix era -- was it Brandon Lloyd? -- who was in the office literally working out a contract when a representative from another team called with an offer. When Buddy heard the terms the other team was offering, he immediately stopped proceedings and told the player and his agent -- "You better take that deal with the other team because there is no way we can match it..."

I highly doubt that we see any "big splash" deals. Instead, I think he will be patient, wait a few days until all of the hype dies down -- and pick up some depth/low key guys for modest contracts on 1-2-year deals. While I trust McD and the coaching staff to make do with these kinds of players in the secondary, I think (aside from another possible under-the-radar signing) we will have to wait until the draft to find a meaningful pickup at the position that we all covet the most, WR.

Nice signing (assuming money is minimal). My guess is that they will still want to bring in a veteran who can be relied upon for pass protection/blitz pick-ups.

I would add Keon Coleman to that mix as well at 28. He has the size and skill set to replicate the things that Davis did well -- with better hands to go along with it.

Mort was a great one -- and a man of integrity. He had real inside sources -- and when he reported on a topic, you knew it was legit because he always vetted his information. I know many of us were unhappy with him during the drought years because he was brutally honest about what a mess the front office was in those days, but he was right. Prayers to his family and loved ones.

Based on his impressive 40-time and explosive numbers in the cone drills at the combine this week, I highly doubt that Chop makes it anywhere close to 28.

I agree. Also just looking at the sheer numbers, Diggs and Shakir are the only receivers that are certain to return next season (and some folks aren't even certain about Diggs). That means that is is necessary to replace Davis and Sherfield who are likely gone (and possibly Harty too). I am hopeful that Shorter will be a piece of that puzzle -- but that is far from a sure thing. We clearly do not have the cap $ to pursue a top free agent receiver but someone like Samuel or Mooney makes sense in addition to an early draft pick.

Assuming the price is right, I think Curtis Samuel could be everything we hoped McKenzie and Hardy could be in this offense. I also think Mooney could be a nice bargain basement pickup: he's never had a legitimate passing threat at the QB position, and I think pairing him with Josh could help him explode -- or at least evolve into J. Brown type production. Regardless, the team still needs to draft a prototype deep threat WR.

It goes in cycles -- and assuming we still have #17 for years to come, the Bills' time will eventually come. It took Landry and the Cowboys awhile to get to the dance because Lombardi and the Packers stood in their way. It took Noll and the Steelers awhile because Shula and the Dolphins stood in their way. It took the Raiders awhile because the Steelers stood in their way. It took the 49ers awhile because Landry's Cowboys stood in their way. Then, it took the Cowboys awhile because the 49ers stood in their way. It took Favre and the Packers awhile because the Aikman/Emmitt/Irvin Cowboys stood in their way. It took the whole league awhile (including Manning/Colts, Cowher/Steelers, Reid/Chiefs) to get past the Brady/Belichick Patriots. Now, it is KC with Reid/Mahomes that stands in everyone's way. I am optimistic that with a few additions (especially at WR and on defense) and better luck with health come playoff time, we will eventually see the Bills hoist a Lombardi trophy.

Hmmm. Maybe the fact that the Bills' defense was depleted at virtually every level -- most particularly at LB where they had trouble hanging with Kelce and Pacheco -- had something to do with it. That is not an excuse, it is a reality. And, yet, when the game was on the line in the 4th quarter the defense did come up with a critical stop to force a punt and get the ball back in the offense's hands.

The closest situation like this I can think of happened with Lavar Arrington (15-20 years ago). Recall that back in those days Daniel Snyder and the (then) Redskins went crazy each off-season throwing money around at free agents, back-loading contracts to circumvent the cap, etc. Eventually it came time to pay the piper: they were way over the cap and running out of guys to restructure to help create cap space. Arrington wanted out -- but the cap hit to trade or cut him was too exhaustive for Washington to do anything in those regards. Knowing that he had suitors on the horizon, Arrington repaid Washington a portion of monies already paid to him in the form of signing bonuses, etc. which provided the team with the cap relief they needed to cut him. Arrington landed on his feet with the Giants, who gave him enough up-front money to make this whole transaction worth his while. I highly doubt Diggs would be up for a deal like this.

I like that he has experience (both as a player and coach) with QBs as well as WRs. Obviously with Brady's promotion there is a void at the QB coach position, and the receivers haven't been the same since Chad Hall left. So maybe Curry can help solidify there. I am also all for bringing in a smart guy who can help with concepts for the passing game -- and hopefully work with Brady to devise schemes and routes that will allow our receivers to get open and get decent RAC numbers.