Brandon

I'm leaning more and more to the idea that, if the Bills keep pick 28, it will be McConkey. Just in terms of pre-draft visits the last few years, they seem to have a significant preference for these types of speed/quickness/route-running types early and less apparent concern for height/weight. Ignoring the top 3 that they have no shot at, McConkey seems like the best overall of that sub-group, IMO, and I think I've about settled on him as WR 5 in this draft. If they can add both him and Legette, I'd definitely be happy. I'm just not sure how. I think we're more likely looking at McConkey OR Legette at 28 and maybe whatever is left at 60 or one of the better mid-round prospects in a trade into R3.

Absolutely not.

It's not true in all cases, but most QBs have bigger issues with pass rush right up the middle than off the edge. On one hand, there's a little more opportunity this year on the Bills roster for a rookie DT than at DE. The trouble is finding a true elite pass rushing DT. I wouldn't pick one at 28, but at 60? Sure, if they've addressed WR.

Well, like any player, I'd hope that he improves his game and is a better player two or three seasons down the road than he is as a rookie. Again, I'm not against drafting him at 28 and yes, I would take him ahead of some of the WRs being discussed as 1st round picks on longer term potential. But in terms of this upcoming season, I think there's a higher risk that the immediate results are likely to be underwhelming.

As I said, I don't have a huge issue with taking Latu at 28. If he stays healthy, its a pick that should, at worst, pay dividends in two or three years as he develops and as DE roster turns over. For this year? As a rookie, I can see a higher than normal risk that he ends up as a depth guy who plays 10 plays a game and finishes the year with 15 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Von Miller is the main question mark, but I think they probably would have found a way to unload him with the rest if they thought it was hopeless. Regardless, the fact is that he's still on the roster and even after the pay cut, he's eating up a fair amount of cap space. For better or worse, he's likely to play plenty of snaps this year. Considering what they're paying Epenesa, I think they're pretty happy with him as the #3.

True, but we both know the Bills are going to give him every opportunity to prove he can still play this year, whether he actually can or not.

I actually don't have an issue with drafting Latu at 28 (I would not trade up for him given the injury issue) and yes, he's probably better than the usual projects at DE in the late 1st. Still, I would be concerned that he spends most or all of the season mired as the 4th DE on the roster as he adjusts to the NFL, especially with three established veterans ahead of him.

I just don't see a place for DL (particularly DE) to make a major contribution this year. Realistically, a late 1st probably isn't going to beat out the established veterans at those spots, so you're drafting depth for this year. IMO, they'd be better off drafting two or three of them early on day 3, fill the depth need, and re-evaluate after the season. I think 2025 is supposed to be a better DL draft, anyway.

I don't mind the pick at 28, but if they trade up for a guy with those medical red flags, the board might well be justified for that reaction.

Most seem to project him as a slot WR in the NFL, and if that's the case, he doesn't really fit the Bills' needs. But I can see the case for a higher ranking. He's 6'1, played at an elite SEC school, led them in recieving yards the last two years. Has good hands and runs good routes. The draft sites had him as a 2nd or 3rd based on that. Then, supposedly, he had a really good week at the Senior Bowl. And then he posts the best set of agility scores at the combine along with a strong 40. So who knows where he actually goes, but in comparison to the initial grades of the draft sites, I can see where they might have him undervalued and a guy who was a borderline R2 before might actually go a round higher.

Probably not. There have always been bad drafts...the 2000 draft being one of the worst ever. A few good players here and there, but for the most part, that thing was putrid. If we get three or four in a row, then you have to wonder.

Yeah, I realize things like that happen in these mock drafts where a few people will try to spike the board for or against whatever they want their team to do. That being said, I do think the run on WRs will begin during those last few picks of R1 and that it'll thin out in a hurry into the middle parts of R2. There won't be much left at 60. I'm also a little worried that Miami may start that run by taking Xavier Worthy at 21. Might see one or two more go by 28 if that happens.

I've heard that elsewhere in the last few weeks. If true, those later picks on day 3 are more worthless than usual for trade purposes.

Over many years of following the draft, one thing I've learned is that the depth always hollows out earlier than it seems like it should. In this draft, the WRs, in particular, will go higher than people think.

It was too far. Ideally, you wouldn't trade down more spots than there are guys acceptable to draft while at 28. That guarantees at least one will be there. I don't think I'd drop below Washington at 36 on the first trade down and even that is a bit more risky than I'd like.

Of the choices given...Javon Bullard. Ideally, I'd rather wait a round to draft a safety, but it looks like this mock isn't going terribly well for the Bills at other positions.

I've kind of suspected that Pearsall was being undervalued and might actually sneak into the late 1st. I'm not sure I'd put him ahead of Worthy, but I'm not sure I wouldn't, either. I like McConkey at 28 better than both.

Yeah, which means that the Bills would be drafting him to fill a similar role as Kincaid.

Yeah, looking at the list of visits and interviews for the Bills, I had also noticed that as a common theme. They also apparently had interest in Addison last year who also seems to fit that type. And we also know how they'd really been trying hard to acquire Emmanuel Sanders for awhile before they actually did it. Given that, I went with McConkey here. Seems like the the best all around guy of the group to me. The one outlier I included is Legette and while he's not similar to that group as a technical route runner etc, I do think the Bills would be interested.

McConkey would be my choice and I think is my WR #5 in this draft. Legette, Worthy and Franklin are about even with each other, but slightly below him.

That's how I see it as well. In fact, I'd rather they take WRs at 28 and 60 rather than use those two picks to trade up for just one. It's a deep WR draft. They don't need to throw a bunch of picks at one player. And as you say, there's no guarantee even if you trade up.

I really hope that's not the plan. This appears to be one of the deepest WR drafts in several years. There's no need to bet the farm on one guy. They'd be better off taking WRs at 28 and 60, or perhaps making a small move up the board from one of those two picks. Regardless. I'd like to see them keep those three picks in the first two rounds next year.

No thanks. They don't need a QB project. I would expect they'll only carry two QBs on the active roster, anyway, and they'll want the backup to be a veteran.

Even if you trade up, it's still just potential and just based on the odds, at least one of those guys isn't going to meet expectations of a high first round pick. That's one of the reasons why I'd prefer to say put at 28 and draft two of them early.