Flutie7Flakes

If it was any other team (besides Buffalo) who traded up for Watkins, media & experts would be loving the move AND overall draft.

Latest draft day buzz has Buffalo "reaching" on Eric Ebron at #9 overall....how does the above scenario sound now? Deal would be trading #9 to NO, another 1st rounder and a 2nd or 3rd for a deal (Graham agreeing) with the Bills. Someone tell me how much cap we might have to sign him? Basically we trade Ebron or whoever we would draft this year, for the best TE in the NFL. AMIRITE??

Thank you! All of this nonsense about "we need Evans"....completely agree with the breakdown of WHY specific signings occurred and how based on the amounts they make sense for the Bills moving forward. My bet would be that we're hoping the top portion of this draft is QB heavy (STL, CLE, JAX, MIN) that one of the top lineman OR Mack fall. If Mack goes beyond #2....it's worth trading up to #3 or lower in order to snag this top talent.

Spike is our guy. He don't play with girls.

Ya'll wan' win???

It's looking like one of the two will be falling to #9....would consider this an A pick for Marrone & Whaley Round 1. Based on Marrone's history as an OL coach, it wouldn't surprised me AND he'll be able to mold either (or Lewan) into a solid contributor.

If Watkins were to fall - I believe then that we would select him if given the opportunity. ONLY based on the fact that he has publicly commented on being a fan of the team since childhood. Other than that? I believe this team has too obvious of needs for us to speculate & assume we "need" a WR threat. Wide-receivers only pan out as well as the player throwing them the ball. IF EJ steps up & shows he is the future this year, then we can begin to discuss FA receivers & acquiring threats via the draft. It's a shame that teams caught on the Khalil Mack, recognizing his talent as a Top 2 or 3 this year.....months ago I was salivating that he could be available #9.... I'd be one to bet that he, along with Watkins will be gone at #9 overall....leaving us to decide between trading back, drafting Robinson/Matthews (if there), or "reaching" on Eric Ebron.

Be careful - you might anger all of these "experts" who still somehow believe we are taking Mike Evans, post Mike Williams trade.

Here you go Mr. Jackson: Historically - the Bills have only drafted 4 WRs with the First Round pick, most recently Eric Moulds (1996) and Lee Evans (2004). The closest one before those two was in in 1982. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Buffalo_Bills_first-round_draft_picks Excellent ESPN article which goes into detail on how the Bills depth at WR is one of the best in the league (this is BEFORE the Mike Williams acquisition): http://espn.go.com/blog/buffalo-bills/post/_/id/6242/bills-positional-review-wide-receivers For those of you who are keen on analytics & supported data - http://www.drafttek.com/ breaks down draft prospects based on historical data, franchise history, current rosters & team needs based on statistical analysis, and beyond. Based on their data, Marqise Lee even grades out better than Evans.

http://www.syracuse.com/orangefootball/index.ssf/2013/08/left_tackle_sean_hickey_leads.html

Thanks for added info - AJ Green was well worthy of a Top 5 pick, but the other 2 seem to support being against a WR in the Top 10, let alone first round.

Browns also pick #26 - rumors are this is where they are looking to take the likes of Carr, Manziel or whoever they like best. Completely agree - finding a trade partner UP this year makes sense for Mack (KEEP HIM IN BUFFALO!!), but picking a player of fit seems to be what Marrone will do (See EJ Manuel #16 overall lol) I can see it all now if the Bills go QB.....every analyst/reporter "Blah, blah blah, Typical Buffalo...."

Watkins #2 overall? Please. Let's come back to Earth and realize that him or Evans are NOT a mini Megatron, Marshall or Dez Bryant. In the last 4 years, only 3 WRs total have been taken in the Top 10. DHB in 2009, Julio in 2011 and Justin Blackmon in 2012. Based on potential, should they be lottery picks? Yes. But just like RBs, WRs are becoming increasingly expendable when it comes to their turnover on teams. The majority of teams picking within the Top 10 this year have desperate needs such as QB, OL, and DE/OLBs.

Tampa Bay will be taking the best WR available - whether Watkins falls to them or be it Evans, based on positional team needs. Other teams mentioned (OAK, TB, CLE) desperately need a QB, making one of the 4 major (Bortles, Bridgewater, Carr & Manziel) a likely pick. My opinion? 2 of these QBs will be taken in the 8 picks before Buffalo, which gives us a better opportunity for Robinson/Matthews to fall to #9.

Rams are trying to move the #2 pick if they can - who so chooses to move up will be selecting Mack #2 overall. If the Rams stay at #2, how could they not? Their mediocre defense would be brought to the next level with this kid, similar to us if we can make the move up for him.

BuffaloRebound - I like that we can agree on one thing, specific teams in the 8 picks prior to Buffalo will determine our pick. 4 teams in my mind need a QB, but who they perceive as their highest ranking is not common knowledge. If Robinson is there at #9, I have no doubt that we will pick him up.

I agree - ideally it would be nice to grab Mack if we can to stack our defense & move Kiko outside....but #2 or #3 is a hefty price (2 1st rounders, 2nd/3rd rounder). With Marrone originally being an Offensive Line coach - it wouldn't surprise me that he waits for the later rounds on a pick, since like you're saying, we can get a gem. If Matthews or Robinson DO fall, the pick is justified based on our need to replace Pears.

Based on recent signings by Buffalo and several other teams ahead of us heading into May 8th's draft.....here's an updated mock that "likely" could happen come the #9 pick. I'm still curious to see if Doug & Doug Inc. will be willing to move up for the likes of Khalil Mack or Sammy Watkins. #1 Texans - Jadeveon Clowney (regardless of if it's the Texans or a trade partner) #2 Rams - Khalil Mack #3 Jaguars - Blake Bortles #4 Browns - Greg Robinson #5 Raiders - Derek Carr/Johnny Manziel #6 Falcons - Jake Matthews #7 Buccaneers - Sammy Watkins #8 Minnesota - Bridgewater/Manziel #9 Buffalo - Eric Ebron #10 Detroit - Mike Evans Based on the Mike Williams signing, I believe the coaching staff is satisfied with the WR talent currently on the roster. The more video I watch on Ebron, the more I think he makes sense for what the Bills were missing last season. I'm slightly concerned that the Falcons may take him at #6 in order to replace Tony Gonzalez and add to their arsenal of offensive weapons. Do I believe Whaley is attempting to move up the draft boards for a higher pick this year? YES. Based on how Mack & Robinson are grading out, both are coming in to the league for immediate impacts. If the Bills find a trade partner in the Rams or Falcons, I believe Mack would be our preferred choice at #2 if able to acquire the pick. Robinson would be a gift at #6, providing us with a great offensive line with he and Wood/Glenn.

Entertaining "hypothetical" draft day situation....except you're targeting the wrong team. Clowney will be the #1 pick, Texans or whoever they find a trade partner with until May 8th. Rams have #2 AND #13 overall in the draft after the RG-Knee (see what I did thar?) trade. Rams shopping the #2 pick (hoping) that Clowney will fall for either 1. more trade bait for the pick or 2. take Clowney themselves. #2 will likely cost us this year's #9, future 1st round pick and a 2nd/3rd rounder. Why trade up? Khalil Mack. Mack is the real deal. Elite rusher & from UB - seems worth moving up to select a hometown kid to sell some jerseys and take this defense to the next level. Khalil & Kiko? I like it already.

Completely agree. The only other scenario would be if a suitor in the Top 5 is willing to trade with us, in the instance that Mack or Clowney slide...

Cash - here's an excerpt from the most recently posted article on ESPN with regards to the Mike Williams signing and how it effects the Bills draft strategy.... http://espn.go.com/blog/buffalo-bills/post/_/id/8662/bills-marrone-give-williams-second-chance "Trading for Williams also makes it less likely that the Bills will target one of the top wide receiver prospects -- Clemson's Sammy Watkins or Texas A&M's Mike Evans -- with the ninth overall pick in next month's NFL draft. They could instead turn their attention to one of the top offensive tackles available, although the draft is always a fluid process and much could change based on which players are still on the board. " You're more than welcome to keep your own opinion....just realize that this isn't politics and that you don't need to be stubborn with variables that we can only speculate. Too bad we don't know each other personally, else I would make a bet against the Bills drafting a WR in the 1st Round.

Literally all of you who have been stating we are going with Evans @ #9 can be quiet now....with the Mike Williams trade it's clear we're not taking him. Anyone REALLY want to argue against that? Thank you. Let's move the discussion back to either trading up (Mack/Robinson) or down (Ebron/Best OL available).

Watkins is 6'1" while Evans is 6'5"....not much taller than the rest of our WR corps which average anywhere from 6'2" to 6'5"..... While I agree it is a position of need, I feel like the difference between Evans & (for example) a Marqise Lee is not giant. Even players like Kelvin Benjamin are projected early-mid 2nd Round picks. In all honesty, if we aren't trading up for the likes of Clowney (highly unlikely), Mack (PLEASE!) or Watkins....I'd much rather trade back to acquire an additional 2nd Round pick like 2013. Marrone seems to have an eye for talent (see Kiko Alonso, Goodwin, Duke Williams) in later rounds, why not have him dig for gold here or in the 3/4th round for a contributing OL or WR? The real headscratcher will be if the Bills surprise everyone & take a QB in the 1st.....I can already see the comments now, "Typical Buffalo...."

Can do - why is everyone so in love with a WR @ #9? We just drafted 2 in early rounds last year (Woods + Goodwin)....if any WR this year, I'd go for Watkins....anyone else is just too high. For me, it makes a lot of sense to trade up with the Rams for #2 if Mack/Clowney is there. Honestly would prefer Mack out of anyone this year, keep the guy in Buffalo and sell some jerseys. I'm salivating at the thought of him & Kiko playing alongside one another.

Trades & teams may vary, but these are (most likely) the Top 8 players that will be off the board once Buffalo picks at #9.... #1 - Texans, Johnny Manziel #2 - Rams, Jadeveon Clowney #3 - Jaguars, Teddy Bridgewater #4 - Browns, Sammy Watkins #5 - Raiders, Khalil Mack #6 - Rams, Greg Robinson #7 - Bucs, Blake Bortles #8 - Vikings, Jake Matthews And with the #9 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select.....