Rocky Landing

Quarterback controversy!

As poorly written, and as transparently bitter, and petty as it is, it's actually kind of an interesting read. I don't think I'm alone when I say that I actually had some of the same reservations about Diggs, when we traded for him, that the author is trying tar him with. I think a lot of us saw a clearly talented player that might end up being the prima-est of prima donnas. But, he ain't. He supports his fellow teammates, mentors the rookies, talks up fellow wide receivers, and is, by all accounts, an ideal teammate. He has shown a level of maturity in Buffalo that we can be grateful for. Joe Johnson (the author of the article) can cry in his corn flakes all he wants, but he doesn't seem to have one tenth the integrity of Stephon Diggs.

Jets at 26, lol.

That's actually a really old joke from this board from years ago. I have no business meetings. Ever.

I would be surprised if he led the team in sacks, but I do agree he's primed for a breakout year. He certainly doesn't have the sheer athleticism of Rousseau, but he is extremely coordinated, and has, I think, a remarkable ability to throw opponents off balance. Also, at least towards the end of last season, for someone whose knock was that he was slow, he sure looked pretty fast.

Efe Obada's going to surprise a lot of people. Maybe not the sack leader, but I have a feeling he's going to be one of those players that comes to Buffalo, and thrives.

I've been busy in high-level business meetings all weekend, and haven't had a chance to read through this thread. How many times has the "wild goose chase" joke been made?

CJ Spiller.....

That ship has sailed.

It sure feels weird to be at pick 30. Usually, having been middle of the draft for so long, there were always a handful of guys you were really hoping for-- watching guys fall, and other guys getting taken that you were really hoping for. It was stressful. But now, all the way down at pick 30, the board will be so broad, it's hard to know where Beane will even value a relatively broad range of players. And, there is one thing that we as fans really can't know, that is clearly a huge priority for Beane, and McD: How well prospects interview. Culture is of paramount importance to these guys. Does a prospect have integrity, and good character? Do they have the competitive drive they require? Do they have that rare balance between ultra-high self-confidence and humility? How well can they be coached? The culture Beane, and McDermott have built is one of the most fun things I have experienced in 30 years as a Bills fan. And it's the reason I certainly do trust these guys to draft their guy, boom or bust.

I think the question this thread begs is: Which positions are in most need of an upgrade? In my opinion, the needs at upgrade would fall in the following order: D-line (run defense and pass rush) Running game (not all on the running backs) Tight ends Defensive backs Line backers K/P return Interior O-line Everything else...

As I recall, the story on Epenesa was that he had limited reps in college, and was not polished at his position, but had natural ability, especially in his upper body, and hands. He had a talent for throwing opponents off balance, and using chop moves, and such to take away an offensive lineman's leverage. Or something like that. But I think, like Allen, and Edmunds, they saw high potential in a less polished player. Maybe a better way of looking at it is that, in their earlier draft picks, they're placing a higher priority on the ceiling than the floor?

Interesting. Out of curiosity, where do you have Oweh on your board? Because I wonder if Beane/McD don't have him higher than you (or most) would, and I'm just saying that based on their draft history. Josh Allen, Edmunds, Epenesa-- all drafted high on their merits of athleticism, and potential, but with limited experience, or pro-ready ability. It seems to me that Oweh fits that mold precisely.

Well, Gunner, I'll say it: I think you're wrong at pick 30. Personally, I'd actually be pretty excited by an Etienne pick (or a Najee Harris pick, for that matter), but I have a hard time believing that either of those two players will be on top of Beane's board come pick #30. BPA at a position of need, right? Even Jayson Oweh, considering Beane, and McDermott's propensity for grading players high on athleticism over experience, or development, I would think would be higher on their board. Tell me if you disagree, but Etienne, at #30, would be a reach compared to some of the other players (who represent other positions of need) who are available in your mock, no?

The duo of McDermott and Beane On the AFCE HC scene: Billy B. is a cheat Mikey Flores ain’t elite And Bobby Saleh is weak in the spleen.

Pitts is a pipe dream. Trading that giant amount of draft capital is the sort of malarkey that fans ponder-- not professional GMs. I wouldn't mind trading up for the right guy. But, consider that in the first 29 picks, there will likely be five QBs taken, probably five WRs, Pitts will go as well as Sewell, and Slater. Depending on the breadth of Beane's board, there's going to be a broad range of talent to be had with either a more modest trade-up into the early twenties, or just standing pat at 30.

A team pays a king's ransom for the Falcon's #4 spot. The Bills take a wide receiver (BPA) at 30, TSW polarizes on the pick, with half the board losing their minds.

I could see taking Oweh if he's there at 30, but I don't see any team trading draft capitol for him in the first round. But, I wouldn't hate, or be surprised by a trade for Paye if he falls to a manageable spot.

It feels so strange drafting so far down the board. As we get closer to the draft, I find myself less, and less stuck on specific players, and more interested in who Beane ends up placing the highest value on by the time we pick. I'll be especially excited if we trade up, for no other reason than Beane seeing someone they are that excited about becoming available. Be that as it may, I suspect a lot of fans will be surprised. Always love your work, @Dont Stop Billeiving. This is a really useful document.

I was waffling between "meh," and "yes." But, ya know... as a dumb fan, I want to see someone kinda exciting drafted at 30, and there aren't going to be that many there. I don't think that Oweh, or Harris are really worth a first round pick, and I'd be surprised if Beane valued them that high, and if there weren't several others on their board with a significantly higher value by the time we get to 30. That being said, I wouldn't hate the pick at all, so I went ahead with "yes."

I assume you're fine with his offensive acquisitions, as well as special teams, but I'm curious how you feel about AJ Klein?

I would love to see him in a Bills uni, but I assume he'll get more than we should be willing to pay elsewhere.

I haven't read through this thread, and if I did, I doubt I would read anything that would change my mind. In my opinion, Edmunds has not reached his ceiling-- not even close. In my opinion, Edmunds will be a Bill for a long time, and in my opinion, Edmunds will eventually achieve elite status. Flame away.

OK, I'll accept that. (Really hoping for Najee Harris!)

"A playmaker on either side of the ball..." That's some deep insight, there...