Rocky Landing

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!

Tua sailed it over his receivers head in that clip.

… with this bizarre assumption that we try to sign everyone who comes in for a visit.

There’s only 59 players on the roster, including future/reserve contracts. We’re adding somebody…

I’m sure the reports of Rodgers’ mutant healing powers are legit. He’ll bounce right back from a torn Achilles like it never happened.

Oh trust me, my activities are quite subdued these days. 🤙

Snapped my left ACL twice. The last time included a torn MCL, meniscus, and a fractured tibia, and two surgeries. Had my fourth knee surgery in July-- total knee replacement, and now I'm back on the slopes. Cheers!

Wherever he lands, I hope we play him in Buffalo so the Mafia can give him a warm, welcoming ovation. Truly a class act. He'll always be a Bill.

Yeah, absolutely foolish to... bring him in for a visit...🙄

The thing about Hollins vs. a draft pick is that we know exactly what Hollins can do, and how well. He's pretty much a known commodity-- a situational WR with specific skills. The only real question, IMO, is whether those skills fit into a position of need, and I certainly think they do. We know he's a decent gunner (position of need with the loss of Siran Neal), and we know he's a decent run blocker (position of need with the losses of Davis, and Sherfield). We also know that he's 6'4", and strong with decent hands, a decent catch %, and contested catch ability. And we know he's slow, doesn't get separation, and not a lot of YAC (you can even see those negatives on his highlight reel). But if we stand him up like a ficus tree in the end zone in redone situations, opposing teams will have to account for him, and even if he doesn't get a single target, he becomes valuable as such. There's been a lot of debate in these pages about what he can, or cannot become, and I don't see the point. We know what he is, and for the money, it seems like a pretty smart signing to me.

Well, mind you, just because I don’t want to spend all of our draft capital on offense doesn’t mean I want to spend it all on defense. I suspect that if the Bills draft a WR at 28, it means that someone they were really high on dropped to them. But if I were to bet on it, I’d put my money on a bpa defensive position of need. And then hopefully a WR that they’re high on drops to them in the second. I don’t love it. But I suspect that’s how Beane and McDermott might see the big picture.

I don’t often disagree with you, but I sure do here. if you look at the Bills current roster— and I’ll say including reserve/future— at what positions would you say the Bills are thin? To my eye: Offense: QB, excellent OL, adequate WR, thin(ish) RB, adequate TE, deep Defense: DT, thin DE, thin LB, adequate(ish) S, thin CB, thin And where were the majority of our injuries last season? We ignore defensive depth at our peril.

In all seriousness , take a look at the active roster, and then tell me if you still think they “should go all offense.”

It’s an unpopular opinion, but I challenge anyone on here to take a gander at the active roster and find a position on defense other than LB (and only because we’re base nickel) that isn’t woefully thin. https://www.buffalobills.com/team/players-roster/

I would bet money that our first round pick will be defense.

I would bet money that our first draft pick goes to defense.

I think LB is the only defensive position in which we aren’t terribly thin, but that’s only because we’re base nickel.

If we re-signed him, he would be the third-best DT on the active roster.