Rocky Landing

Well, they met with him for a top 30 visit. Safe to say they feel like he ain't Tyreek Hill.

There's going to be a player on their short list of high grades that they covet, and were hoping would fall to them. Maybe it's a WR. Maybe not. But I don't see them passing on whomever that player is. JMO.

It's hilarious how Goodell is routinely booed.

Why not talk about the entire defensive backfield? After the starting five of Benford, Douglas, Johnson, Rapp, and Edwards, our best DB is Cam Lewis.😦

Troy's aunties have something against Pittsburg? Why you look so sour, auntie?

My guess was cataract surgery.

I'm glad he's not a Bill, though. With the lack of depth, injury issues are a deal killer, IMO. If we go defense, they need to be sturdy.

There was a QB drafting that you didn't like some years back... trying to remember who that was... hmm...🤔

Broncos should have traded for Bailey Zappe, or something...

I agree. The Jets have already beefed up their O-line in FA (on paper, anyway). I have to wonder if Rodgers isn't a part of this pick?

Aaron Rodgers approves. (Or they wouldn't have made the pick...)

Vicadin's a wonderful thing...

I don't think you're suggesting that there couldn't be a higher graded non-WR left on the board at #28, are you? I keep hearing about how deep this WR class is. Would it be unreasonable to think that getting a WR in the second would get the Bills better value in the draft? And if the Bills don't do something to beef up their currently paper-thin defense, the Chiefs (and other teams, as well) will certainly be marching down the field at will! That's not "lying to myself." I'm just trying to look at the big picture, and at the moment, it has some problems! Honestly, I don't get how it is that so many fans are calmly dismissing the numerous issues on this team beyond WR?

I have to believe that not having a third round pick would make trading up in the first a much harder pill to swallow. Either way, paying a king's ransom to move up for a WR, in a draft that is historically deep in WRs, when the Bills have so many positional needs, seems utterly foolish, IMO.

I am of the unpopular opinion that drafting a WR in the first round is not a foregone conclusion. I don't imagine that Beane will ever make a draft choice out of panic. But, if a CB, or DE, whom they grade higher than the remaining WRs at #28, falls to them, don't be surprised if that is their pick. And as glaring a need as WR is, it most certainly gives me pause to think that after the starting five of Benford, Douglas, Johnson, Rapp, and Edwards, the best remaining defensive back on the team is Cam Lewis. If this draft is as deep in WRs as the pundits say, it shouldn't be surprising that they might get the best value with their first two picks by waiting until the second round to draft a WR.

Personally, I don't think so. As glaring a need as WR is for the Bills, it is not currently the only glaring need. (I assume you're responding to @HappyDays suggestion above of this year's second, and next year's first) To have only one pick before the fourth round not only ignores the other glaring needs the Bills have, it ignores WR depth of this draft. And losing next years #1 as well? No thank you. That's too high a risk of a Sammy Watkins type situation to my mind.

To move all the way up to #19, and still own pick #60, I'm assuming you would see them trading away future draft picks? They would have to be pretty high picks. Would it really be worth it to reach for a WR in such an historically deep WR class? Be that as it may, The Rams haven't had a first round pick since 2016. I'd be pretty shocked if they were willing to devalue this one.

The Diggs trade certainly increased the chances we will draft a WR in the first round, but it doesn't guarantee it. After the top three WRs-- Harrison, Nabers, Odunze-- who are almost certainly out of reach, there are quite a few WRs who, while perhaps graded as a first round pick, will be available in the second round. Wide receiver is a glaring need for the Bills, presently. But it's not the only glaring need. If a DE, or CB who Beane has graded higher than the available WRs in the first falls to them, don't be surprised when Beane takes them.

The trade for Diggs was a brilliant move by Beane at the time. With the trade of our first round pick, Beane essentially “drafted” a proven wide receiver. But that scenario doesn’t really exist for us this time around. There is no reasonable path to an Aiyuk, or Higgins, and at #28, regardless of which WR beyond Harrison falls to us, it’s never a good idea to hang your hat on a rookie. I keep thinking back on the insane trade-up for Sammy Watkins. Watkins was actually a decent, starting caliber WR, who’s had a decent career, but he never came anywhere close to the draft value the Bills placed on him. And, IMO, an important thing to consider in both the Diggs, and Watkins situations, is that in both scenarios, the Bills were working with solid, and deep defense. Currently, what would be the Bills starting eleven on D is average, at best, and paper thin beyond that. Even after the Diggs trade to Houston, I’m not convinced that the Bills are destined to draft a WR in round one. If this WR class is as deep as folks are saying, and assuming the top three will be gone by #28, there will be solid WRs in round two. The same may not be said about the defensive needs we have. My hope is that Beane drafts BVPA at the numerous positions of need in the first round, and only trades up if there is real value in the trade. If that turns out to be a CB, or a safety, or a DE, or a WR, then so be it. His track record for trading in the draft is pretty damn good. As far as the question in the OP is concerned— I’m not as married to the idea of a WR in the first as everyone else seems to be. (Although Beane/McDermott might be fearing pitchforks, at this point…) I just want Beane to continue to do what he does— he’s creative, he’s always looking, and he clearly has developed solid relationships throughout the league.

Before this trade I would have bet money that they would draft defense with their first round pick. But now, I have to think they have at least a few WRs in mind that they believe could be available at #28, and probably a couple they would be willing to trade up for. That being said, I don't think they're going to ignore the cheesecloth they have for a defense, and I would be surprised if they drafted an OL before day three, even with the departure of Morse..

So, uh... WR in the first round it is...

There is certainly a need to acquire Diggs’ eventual replacement, and this would be a good time to do that. But, beyond that, if this draft is as deep at WR as people are saying, there will be one in the second round. I would love to see the Bills draft a WR in the first. It would be fun, and exciting. We need another playmaker on Offense. But the truth is, we are desperately thin on defense. The starting 11 might be considered adequate (barely), lack of a pass rush notwithstanding. But after that… it’s hard to get excited about The JAGs they’ve added to the D-line, a geriatric Von Miller or the notion that Cam Lewis is our best defensive back after the starting five.

Fans on these boards seem to have convinced themselves that Beane/McDermott are drafting a WR in the first round, period, and that WR is our greatest need. It’s not. Not even close. And I would bet money that they will draft a defensive player in round one. The defense is currently paper thin.

I feel reasonably confident with our chances to win the AFCE, but I don't think we're going to start out the season as a championship team. If we have a chance of making it to the SB, they're going to need to continue building throughout the season, which I believe they will. That's McDermott's "process," and Beane's philosophy. And I feel pretty good about that.

Now that’s a good one right there!