Kirby Jackson

If I told you who told me this story it would elicit a 🤦🏻‍♂️ emoji. 🤣🤣 The Bills often tried to outsmart everyone in how they did their business. They saw Barron as this hybrid LB/DB that would change the way defense was played. They saw Mike Williams as the prototype of an NFL tackle. They liked Maybin over Orakpo because they would be able to harness his athelticism and overlooked production. They liked Spiller because he was a “water bug” (or whatever they called him). They wanted Kelvin Benjamin because he was “open when he wasn’t.” Some of that still lives today. I’d prefer that they just take guys that are good than trying to outthink everyone else. This of course excludes taking a chance on Josh Allen. I love it when it works. 🤣

To add some color on the 2012 draft, the Bills tried DESPERATELY to trade up to draft Mark Barron. They thought that they had a deal worked out. They were FURIOUS when it fell through and he went off the board. They “settled” on Gilmore and obviously he ended up as a way better player. We often complain about the deals that fell through (ie the trade up with the Jags to get Big Ben) but sometimes you end up lucking out like the Bills did with Gilmore + picks over Mark Barron.

Lol, I went back through it and missed it. 🤦🏻‍♂️ With the 40th pick, The New Orleans Sants select Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State. Corner is our biggest need. Thomas is a long and physical corner that will contribute early. We see him as a day one starter and important piece of our future. @GunnerBill and the Chicago Bears are back on the clock.

It sounds like we are mostly on the same page. Do not overthink it with fit/need. You have multiple needs. Talent should be the driving factor and everything else comes after that. Talent at a position that has some need regardless of “fit” is the answer.

We talk about it a lot but the Bills lack high end talent. Oliver COULD be a top 10 DT and has played to that level at times. I see no value in dumping him to save some $ in hopes that Nolen becomes that. I think that the Bills rotate so much that it doesn’t matter that there’s overlap. I love your idea of an elite 3rd down interior pass rush. It feels a little bit like that old Giants NASCAR package that gave the Patriots such a hard time.

This is dumb for New England 🤣🤣

I’m always fascinated by your line in the sand on this. As a hypothetical, if by some miracle, Jhadae Barron or Will Johnson fell to 30 would you be okay with it? They are both top 10 talents in this draft and play the 1 starting position that’s definitely available. Would you still be in the “hell no” category or does the value of the player make you comfortable enough?

Milroe does not belong in the 1st IMO. The rumors have been that the Steelers like him a lot and have spent a ton of time with him. If both Dart and Sanders go before the Steelers pick it’s possible. There’s also the possibility that they actually have him as QB2. If that’s the case, they could pick him even if those other 2 (or 1 of 2 are there). Dart just has a higher ceiling than Sanders. Allen went ahead of Rosen. Dart could certainly go ahead of Sanders. Shadeur Sanders is a good QB prospect but in the same way that Bridgewater was. He isn’t going to be a disaster because he’s so accurate. He just lacks athleticism and arm strength. As someone said earlier, he also holds the ball too long. If you’re going to throw late and don’t have the arm strength, or escapability, it’s hard to be great. His ceiling is probably Tua or Purdy. That just isn’t a top 3 guy regardless of need. For those guys to succeed, they need loaded rosters while they are on rookie contracts. That’s what Purdy had until this year. If the Giants or Browns add Carter & Hunter prior to coming up for him, they are headed in the right direction. The tea leaves are certainly saying Carter to Cleveland to pair up with Garrett. The thought is to build an elite pass rush first and then find your QB.

I’m taking the over on that. I tried to bet it like 2 months ago. There were whispers that the media was a lot higher on him than teams. He’s not a top 5 talent. I took him at 9 in this mock. I think 6,7 and 9 are his potential landing spots in the top 10. Don’t be shocked to see Dart jump him. It’s POSSIBLE that Jalen Milroe goes before him as well to Pittsburgh at 21. That’s been another rumor. If Sanders or even Dart (who is currently rising) slip into the teens or 20’s you may see a team trade back into the first for them (maybe the Browns or Giants in that situation). It would be surprising at this point though for Sanders to go top 3. If someone loves him, maybe they trade up to 4 or 5 for him. It’s not likely though. 9 or lower IMO.

Historicals though depend on the specific talent available not the position. Sanders comp has been Teddy Bridgewater. He went 32. Dart and Sanders specifically, are being pushed up the board in an underwhelming QB class. If this class had Allen/Darnold/Baker no one would be considering Sanders in the top 3. He’s not a top 3 overall player and has a limited ceiling. He’s an accurate and experienced QB prospect with a limited ceiling. If he works out, he could be Purdy. Is that just “better than what you have” or is it “good enough to win a championship?” Veteran QBs are moving around now these days. If the Giants, get Hunter, and he’s great, they can spend next year trying to land Aaron Rodgers or Matt Stafford or someone like that to play for a couple of years. Teams are starting to realize that if you have a Tua/Purdy type of guy it puts you in a bind. You end up paying them and gutting your roster (see SF). If people saw Sanders as potentially Herbert, they’d draft him top 3. Seeing him as potentially Tua, isn’t worth it when there are 2 elite players available in Carter and Hunter.

I think Nolen is a better player and Amos a bigger need.

I actually think it’s likely now that Sanders doesn’t go in the top 3. That’s what everyone is reporting. Vegas sees it that way too. I also don’t think it would be shocking if Jaxson Dart goes before him. I almost had the guts to do that here with the Saints. The Browns are taking Carter and Giants Hunter. They’re just much better players than Sanders.

With the 9th pick the New Orleans Saints select Shadeur Sanders, QB, Colorado. We thought about Dart here. The room was split as to which QB but we went with the most accurate passer. We loved Teddy Bridgewater when he was here and we take the upgraded version. @GunnerBill and the Chicago Bears are on the clock

One of my biggest “wishes” in this draft is that Carter and Hunter are gone by their pick. I then hope, no one wants to trade up and they settle for Will Campbell. He’s a fine player but not a needle mover for a team on the rise.

Saints Steelers Patriots

If they ever have to play and give you a “Joe Milton” performance, you can deal them. It Ewers, for example, played 2 games really well, you’d get a 2, at worst. He was highly thought of until he wasn’t. The old Jimmy G deal isn’t the worst outcome.

Lol, I want a young QB in this draft. He just felt like good value there. A year ago, he looked like a 1st.

Moved around a little and am happy with the results: My Draft Picks 25. Nic ScourtonEDGE Texas A&M 62. Azareye'h ThomasCB Florida State 79. Darius AlexanderDT Toledo 89. Tory HortonWR Colorado State 124. Savion WilliamsWR TCU 132. Quinn EwersQB Texas 169. Dylan SampsonRB Tennessee 170. Aeneas PeeblesDT Virginia Tech 173. Teddye BuchananLB California 177. Kitan CrawfordS Nevada 206. Alex MastromannoP Florida State 2026 SF 7th

Well, it looks like we have a bit of an update:

Thanks @Virgil!! These have consistently become the best threads of the year.

I’m out after the injury. A year ago, I was all for it. You can’t pay that and not know what you’re getting.

That’s probably where it’s coming from. They are “building the bench.” They’ll continue working through the current people, then move to the waiting list (probably in order of deposit date) and then their entire database. I actually think that their order has made sense. It has allowed them flexibility to move around PSL numbers to meet demand (they may never admit that). It just feels too slow. If we get to the start of the season and there are still current people that haven’t gone, that’s a problem. If you start seeing sales booths set up on game day, that’s a problem. They’ll ultimately get where they need to but they may have to remain more flexible than they originally anticipated to get there.

@Just Jack posted this a little earlier in the thread. The tricky part (and frustrating part) is that we really have no idea where the Bills are in the process (to my knowledge). We don’t know how successful it has been. We don’t know what percentage of current people have been offered. We don’t know the total number transacted, in other words, what percentage of that group has said yes. We do not know how many are available in total, or in particular areas. The Bills have been well intended in this process and it can’t be easy. At the same time, it feels like this process has to be taking longer than they originally anticipated. Maybe that is just my perception, but if not, they are going to have to make some changes or the clock is going to run out. They are offering interest free financing for a period of time. Each day that they fall further behind cuts off a portion of that period (unless they extend it). It just feels like it needs to speed up and soon.

The PSL lasts 30 years. I haven’t read through my contract so I don’t know if it caps price increases within there? Either way, that’s what I like to do. I’m about a year in on my PSL payments. It does suck because I have that monthly payment along with the monthly payment for the tickets this year. It’s a lot for my 2 seats but knew that going in. By the time the stadium opens, it’ll go back to just the ticket payment price because the PSL will be paid off by then.