KeisterHollow

I've got another consideration for Barkley. When you think about franchise QB's, you think - how can this QB fare in the playoffs, against other elite QB's? Well, who are the young elite QB's who would be in the playoffs for years to come? Kaepernick, Luck, Wilson, and Griffin III. Barkley has gone head to head with Luck - who many feel is the best QB prospect since Elway - and held his own. He's beat very tough competition. One can argue, is Barkley the best at this or that? I say - with a team like Buffalo, who desperately needs a QB who can compete with the best, Barkley is a guy who would be able to hold his own at the QB position, do enough things to help his team win the biggest of games. What more can we ask for, really?

I think the Revis deal has changed things a little for us. Now the Jets have two picks high in the first round. They need a QB, too. They're said to be high on the same people Buffalo are high on. I mean, there are really probably only 4 QB's most of the teams in need of a QB would be high on in the first 2 rounds... so, if Buffalo does want Barkley or Nassib, I think taking them at 8 has become even more of a lock. Barkley doesn't look frail to me - he looks pretty stocky. AND, Nix mentioned numerous times that he was getting pummelled his senior year behind a porous line. I have liked Barkley all along as my favorite QB in this draft, but I must admit, the positives on Nassib are all positive qualities that I feel the best QB's possess. He has the strength of a linebacker, the intelligence to make all the reads and quick processing, and he played well in a very pro-style offense already. Add to that, as many here have stated, he succeeded behind and with players that would not have started on teams like USC. So, although Barkley just looked more like a very good pro to me, perhaps Nassib would have looked even better on a team like USC. Frankly, I think the Bills have too much riding on getting a QB to be the next franchise QB here, and have too many intelligent football minds making the analysis, to get this wrong. As far as I'm concerned, they're in the perfect position to get a franchise QB this year - perhaps the best position they'll have for another 10-20 years - because they might very well have a shot at any QB they want this year at 8.

As for the Nassib is rated around 50 overall - and that it'd be another reach to take him at 8 - sometimes teams aren't set up to take the perfectly rated player. Now, there's a lot of merit to taking BPA, but what is BPA before the draft, and after a few years, is NEVER the same thing. And, it really is Buffalo's fault - whoever's fault - Nix, certainly at the top of that list, but probably Wilson and Gailey, as well, for not having drafted a QB in the last 3 years worth developing. Now Buffalo is in a position where unless they truly believe Kolb can be a winning QB this year, they have to reach for a QB. Unfortunately, just because Buffalo "reached" for Graham last year - which is separate from passing on Wilson - that really has no cause and effect on them taking a QB early this year. They don't have a QB - yes, because they did pass on Wilson last year, and Kaepernick the year before - but, taking a QB of value at any pick this year might not be a possibility for them. In my opinion, they're taking a QB at 8 unless they're sold on Kolb. They just can't risk losing their guy to all the teams before their 8 pick and their next pick.

I think we'll know all we need to know about Nassib - as far as Buffalo and Marrone and Co., are concerned - come draft day. I really believe there is no way Nassib is off the board at 8. If Marrone and Hackett are gunning for Nassib, because he's got all the tools they need, and he knows their system, and can hit the ground running, and finally solve that positional problem for us, then I just don't think they'd risk passing on him at 8. Why would they risk seeing another team (the Jets are said to be high on him) - any of the teams between their 1st pick and their next pick, even if they trade back up - take him? If they can get him, and pass on him, then that tells me they don't see him as a sure thing franchise QB. They're not going to pass on the chance to take a legitimate franchise caliber, championship winning caliber, QB. None of us will know until Thursday night. There are enough good things about him for me to be on board with the pick, if it is him. Sure, I'd prefer another QB, but Nassib does remind me an awful lot of Brett Favre - only smarter. Or - Jim Kelly. He'd be a good fit in Buffalo, even without Marrone.

As for Kyle Williams - as much as I like him, I have to agree - I've wondered where he'll fit this year. It seems to me Dareus and Kyle are too similar. Would a team like Dallas have given us something nice for Kyle Williams, since they're moving to that Tampa 2 type defense? Now, if Pettine has a place dedicated for him, then I'm all for it - but, he does seem to be misfit in this system. And, the reason I brought up NT is because if a team doesn't have a good NT and they're running a 3-4 they're too susceptible to the run. You simply can't have a good 3-4 without a stout NT. So, if Branch isn't that guy, a guy like Lutelelei, or in later rounds maybe one of the big 340+ DT/NT's in this draft would suffice.

I love him, too. He is such a fluid athlete for his size - and I'm sure he can run with almost any TE in the NFL - he has 4.55 - 4.6 speed. The only problem with picking him is we have Mario and Mark Anderson slated for that spot. UNLESS Buffalo is planning on playing Mario at DE in the 3-4, but then where does that leave Dareus and K. Williams? It would move one of them to NT, and leave Branch off the field most of the time. I don't know - I just think we've cornered ourselves with the Mario Williams deal, for at least a year or two, on that OLB/DE role. So, as much as I love Jordan as a prospect, I just don't think we can go that position early. Add in our bigger need at QB, CB, and G, and I just don't think it's a remote possibility, even if he is there at 8. I would say, though, if he were to fall to us at 8 we'd probably have a few suitors for that coveted trade down that we're looking for - and that scenario (the trade down) is my first hope for draft day. We need all the picks we can get in the first 4 rounds.

The fact that we have invested so heavily in Mark Anderson and Mario Williams tells me they will have to just let them play and see how they fit this year - and, they're not going to spend an early pick there, yet, because of the importance of starting the guy making 20 million a year. Lawson and Bradham are capable of playing 3 downs - so, I would think the Bills will prioritize ILB in the first 3 rounds, just because a really good, versatile, 3 down ILB next to Bradham will allow Pettine to truly disguise coverages and blitzes. Having someone out there like Sheppard, or Scott - to a lesser extent - creates a sort of soft spot in the defense. And, as I noted above - I think we're underestimating the importance of getting a true NT. If they believe Branch can be that guy then they've already got it figured out. However, if they have doubts about it, I'd guess we spend a pick on a NT this year, too.

Although Barkley, Nassib, and Manuel all operated NFL type offenses. So, as far as those 3 are concerned - if there are more, I'm not as up on them - and, I think those are the Bills top 3 QB's, along with Wilson - I think you can project a little easier how well they'll be able to do.

Well, the case can be made for a NT - if you can prevent running plays from getting much yardage you see a lot more 3rd and long - and a lot more 3rd and long increases the chances of stopping them short. Likewise, the case could be made for a CB - if they have to wait a few seconds more for an open reciever, the rush can be more effective. Edge rusher - as much as it is a nice thing to have - can be had with a number of players, and in this draft there projects to be very capable rushers in the 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th round. That is ultimately what the front office is going to be weighing - how likely are we to fill a need in later rounds if we pass on it here? I think that is why they'll have a really hard time passing on QB at 1 - there are too many teams needing a QB between their 1st and 2nd pick, and those "3 or 4" potential franchise guys would very likely be gone if they try to get cute in the 1st round. After that, though, between rounds 2-4, they are going to be able to find capable players at WR, LB, TE, CB, and NT. Between rounds 4-6 they'll still be able to find decent G and WR help - starter talent, even. It's a very deep class. I wouldn't be at all surprised if a few UDFA's make the final roster. Edge rushers are no doubt important - and the Bills, which may end up being a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how they use these guys - might have made a really dolt-ish move by investing that 120 million in 2 DE's who might not be capable of playing OLB. Then again, as I said, they might play the hybrid DE/OLB perfectly. If we DO have a need there, there will be guys in the 2-4 who can come in and make plays.

The Bills have too many needs to go QB 2 times early. HOWEVER - if a guy like Landry Jones is sitting there in the 4th or 5th round, and the Bills have already addressed QB, WR, LB, and TE/G - don't be surprised if they trade up or just use their 5th rounder on Jones. He really has a ton of potential, and a lot of good tape - that type of move would be well worth the risk; and the loss of talent in that round should be able to be addressed in UDFA or FA - I mean, if they were to pass on a G or another WR in the 5th round, in favor of Landry Jones, they should still be able to get a comparable prospect in RD 6 or UDFA, or FA. So, it only happens if a good prospect falls far.

I'd love this draft - Barkley is my favorite QB. I love the Safety from Syracuse. If they go WR early, why not get a kid who is familiar with the QB - it'd knock off his learning curve, and that is the name of Marrone's game this summer. I'd like a little more impact out of the LB/TE positions - maybe in favor of going WR later - as I see that group as exceptionally deep (getting a guy like Lemon in the 6th round! looks possible), but all in all I'd like this draft.

I also like that we're playing NE with our first game - it gives us the chance to surprise them, and they might not have a healthy Gronk. AND - by the last game of the year, they might be resting some guys... or just not as vested in winning. So... as far as NE goes, I don't think it could have gone better for us. Other than that, though - this schedule is really going to test this team. That is a long stretch to go before a bye. That stretch is good for playoff teams - a late bye helps heal for the post-season. Who knows? If our defense plays good this year, and we can run the ball, I think we can be competitive and still be thinking playoffs the last month of the year. But, on the other hand, if we have trouble with the QB position, if we have injuries, it could be a long, long year. Either way, it is as fair as any other teams, I'd say.

Do those scores surprise anyone? Have you listened to these guys talk? English is their first language, almost across the board, yet they cannot even speak clearly half the time. There is no way half the NFL players would've graduated from college had they not been pushed through - irregardless of their scores. I'm guessing many of them had people doing their homework for them, and had special testing areas, and the ability to retake tests with help. There's just no way, listening to many of these guys - with DEGREES - they went through and passed 4 yr college courses on their own. All that being said - it probably doesn't make much of a difference unless you're an offense that expects the WR's to know all the positions and to make a lot of decisions on the fly. Most of these guys have been doing it for years, irregardless.

I wouldn't mind EJ Manuel, but I'd prefer Barkley, Nassib, and Wilson to him. I'm torn on Smith. I think, though, with our system, we could look good with any of the first 3 I mentioned.

Still - we also have Williams at SS - which might be a strength (although, we'll know by draft time how set they think they are there, since it is a "deep" class). I have to agree on the whole. I think if we add starter talent at QB, WR, TE, and ILB, and depth at G, CB, maybe a big NT, we can be competitive this year. It's not too much to ask, IMO, from Nix with this uniquely deep class, where good talent evaluators should be able to find starters on a roster like ours into the 4th round. And, there's still FA - with guys like Moore at G who could get us by for a year. We can field a good team this year - at the least, a team that is getting better, on the rise, fun to watch.

I agree with you. Many of us seem to forget, what we really want is a violent, dangerous sport to watch. How many of us would want to watch flag football? I, for one, have already begun to second guess the NFL and my following of it since they've changed the rules these past 5 years or so. I'm honest - I like that it is violent. Now, I don't want to see death, or severe injury - but, I do want to see hard hits, and caused fumbles, and OLD SCHOOL FOOTBALL. All that is involved with that dangerous activity - just like any dangerous activity - is questionable, and there is someone who can come in and say, "WE SHOULDN'T ALLOW THIS", or "WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING THIS". You name it, military, policing, recreational drug use - anything that has a negative to it, someone will defend not doing it. My problem has always been - I see a world free of danger as a VERY BORING WORLD. We're animals. We live and die. We take risks. We enjoy many of them. I say let them play, but also take steps to allow them to heal if they so choose, and to allow them to play through it if they so choose. It is their bodies. I also say LET THEM SMOKE if they want to - who are we kidding? Probably 85 percent of them do anyway, and probably 65 percent or more of the public does. It's a joke to have something like that illegal. That's my two cents.

I saw the episode - and it wasn't arm strength overall - like a cannon of an arm - but that first and foremost the QB had to be capable of making all the throws an NFL QB would need to make. Then it was accuracy, then processing info quickly, and finally clutch play. Yeah, I was really disappointed that Jaworski and Pollian both had Barkley pretty far down on their lists. Pollian had Jones as his number 1 QB, then Nassib. That was a real shocker - although, considering Jones's records and history, I wouldn't be surprised if he's gone by the middle of the 3rd round. They both had Nassib as their 2nd QB, I believe. Nassib appears to be getting the most consistent props of any of these QB's. I'm amazed - I've been all in on Barkley. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm wrong. I can't help seeing what I see, and I just believe Barkley is the guy, but at this point, I'll be happy if the Bills end up with Nassib, Barkley, Wilson, or Smith - even Manuel.

I know the spirit of the thread is what if - but I believe Nix can still come away from this draft with 4 starters - without trading. By position, QB rd1, TE Ertz / ILB rd2, WR rd 3, and TE / ILB - whichever wasn't drafted in 2nd, rd 4. I think the draft is deep enough to get starters at those places.

I have a few thoughts/comments on the subject: I consider myself pretty good at reading people - and when Buddy was asked at the luncheon yesterday about trading down, he said, among other things, that "they'd answer all calls". So, it's curious to me - because I believe he showed sincerity there, and that he'd be really interested in trading down. That's curious because he also said he believes there'll be a QB at 8 worth taking, and that there are a few franchise caliber QB's in this draft. That statement, as far as I'm concerned, almost forces them to go after a QB at 8 - because how could they PASS on a franchise caliber QB? They might not get this close to having their pick of QB's in a draft again - ever - because, they might have all the QB's on the board at 8! The confusing thing - and it scares me a little - is when he was asked about rating certain players he spoke to how Barkley was considered the top guy just a year ago, and now he'd - and Nix cut himself off there. You can watch the video on the Bills website. I think he was going to say he's dropped to a 2nd rounder. That is what scares me. I think Nix and Co. like Barkley and I just hope they don't get overconfident in his dropping, to the point where they get cute and trade down too far, or take someone else in round 1 assuming he'll be there later in the round, or at 41. Trading down only makes sense if it's a few spots - and if they're really comfortable with whichever QB will be there. If they're 100 percent sold on a QB and he's there at 8, they've got to pull the trigger. Unless, of course, they load up on every other position this year and are willing to wait until next year to go all in on the top QB. I think that would be a lot more palatable, for most Bills fans, than them trying to get a guy in the 3rd round, or the 4th or 5th QB in this draft. I say get the top guy this year or next, but be decisive about it!

The offer would have to be huge for it to be worth it for Buffalo - consider, Atlanta's 1st this year might as well be a second, and their 2nd might as well be a 3rd. Chances are the same will apply next year. I don't know if they have enough ammunition for a realistic trade.

Judging the Bills defensive talent, from a positional perspective, isn't as easy as its been in the past. We simply don't know how Pettine wants to line everyone up. If, for instance, he plans on using Mark Anderson and Mario Williams to fill the same OLB spot, then you've got to think that position is stacked - earning something like 20-25 million a year just between the two! On the opposite side you have Manny Lawson, who, I believe, is expected to be a 3 down LB - that ability being what drew Buffalo to him. Nigel Bradham is also a 3 down LB, and I think a very promising one. So, if that is how the Bills are lining up the LB'ers, then we're only really missing a good starter at ILB, beside Nigel. That, to me, doesn't make us terribly weak there. We have Scott and the kid - Dotson? - we just signed as lighter nickel type LB'ers. We have Moats, White as backups - and Sheppard, if we find a good starter to go next to Bradham - would make a good backup. So, to round off that group we need another LB'er to backup Lawson, and a starter at ILB. With Williams moving to Safety, I am excited about our secondary! I can imagine he and Byrd flying around making plays, and if we add a good starter to the CB group, our secondary might be VERY GOOD. How about our D-line? Kyle Williams is getting older, but I think he'll be good for another 2 years. Dareus is legit. Carrington is also very good, I think. Branch will give us a good NT option. Troupe will be a bit of a wild-card. I feel like we're missing a real agile space eating NT who is versatile enough to play DT/NT. Maybe Branch is that guy. If so, this is a strong unit, no? According to my reckoning, we're a starting caliber player at ILB, and maybe a good CB, and a NT away from being one of the most talented defenses in the NFL. Throw in Pettine calling the plays - and I think we're going to see a totally different Bills defense this year - like night and day different. I'm comfortable guessing we'll be a top 12 defense right now.

I think QB at 8, but between 2-4 I believe we'll get TE, LB, and either WR or CB. Those 3 picks are going to largely depend on which talents are available. If, for instance, Ertz is available in RD 2, it'd be hard for Buffalo to pass on that. If not, I could see them taking one of the top ILB prospect and going TE in RD 3 with a guy like McDonald. CB and WR look like mid round picks - there'll be guys available in the 4-6 rounds who will have the size/speed combo that will be appealing. Having McKelvin and Easley take a little pressure off, I think, of Nix and Co. to have to go high round picks with either WR or CB. If a real talent falls, sure, they might go that way, but I think they're also likely to take a mid-round flyer on a smaller school prospect or a guy who might have fallen further than they'd of projected.

I could offer like 10 different draft scenarios that make sense - there are just too many holes and plenty of ways the Bills could fill them. However, after listening and watching Buddy and Co., in the pre-draft luncheon, I'm inclined more than ever to think the Bills are hoping they get a shot at Barkley at 8. I think he's their guy if he falls. If not, I wouldn't be surprised if they go Nassib or Wilson. But, to make the overall shape of the roster interesting, if they get that quality franchise type QB in round 1, and they are able to fill the G spot with a FA or later round pick, that would only leave WR and TE as big holes on offense. Now, Nix mentioned being high on Easley - and I still have a lot of hope for him (he's the perfect size/speed/body type for a WR) - AND, there'll be good WR's still in the 4th and 5th round (Lemon, from Syracuse, comes to mind); so, what if the Bills went TE with their 2nd pick, if a guy like Ertz was available? That would give Buffalo a great RB tandem, a good O-line, Stevie, a stud TE, and then Easley, Graham, and a later round WR with good size/speed/hands. That could be a very good offense - and even if it isn't elite, it could be a lot like the Falcon's offense before they got Julio Jones - in other words, good, but maybe not great. Still, it'd be a far cry from inept. That would free us up to take a good LB in the 3rd - or to move up a bit to get one of the better ILB prospects, and we could spend the 4-6 round picks on WR, G, CB, or WR, OLB, CB. Still, that could shape up to be a very decent draft for us, and give us enough talent and competition across the board to compete with the wild-card teams in the AFC.

This move is an indictment of William's ability to play corner - but it doesn't mean he won't be an exceptional Safety. He was viewed, coming out of college, as a better Safety prospect - and his measurables are almost identical to Vacarro's - who is viewed at a top 15 pick. This is just Pettine looking over the roster and finding ways to maximize talent. I saw this coming, as most of us did, since December. I'm psyched about it. For me, I count it as another high draft pick this year, that we'd otherwise written off as a bust. If Byrd gets into camp we could very well end up with one of the youngest, most elite Safety tandems in the NFL. I think this moves makes taking a CB high a better priority, if only because IF we were to get one of the top CB's in this draft, or a sleeper who turns out very good, we'd have one of the most formidable secondaries in the NFL. Heck, one top CB, one good (2nd, or lucky 3rd round pick) ILB, and we're a very talented defense.

Baptiste is promising. Last year's 4th rated NT coming out, I believe. I've been wondering if the Bills are missing a true NT, or a player who fits the NT in a truer sense, but who can slide to DT in the 4-3 looks. I've had that position - the Lutulelei types - in this draft, as the "wild card" in the first round for that very reason. The Bills aren't going to come out and admit they need that type of guy if they feel they do need one. We'll see - anyway, props to the Bills for bringing in these young guys, many of whom would have qualified as picks in last year's draft.