Brandon

I'm not saying it's particularly smart, but they do seem to be showing a good deal of interest in him.

There are significant concerns about Coleman's speed and ability to gain separation on the outside in the NFL, and that's been the biggest need on the Bills offense. He probably fits best as a power slot guy, but the Bills drafted Kincaid for that role last year. If they take a speed/separation guy at 28 and Coleman is there at 60, I wouldn't be opposed to taking a chance on him.

Marvin Harrison came to mind immediately, as did Torry Holt. Chris Olave, Jordan Addison, and Garrett Wilson are three recent guys with similar height, speed athleticism, as well as the usual questions about press coverage. I don't think those comparisons to HOF players especially are fair to any of them and I don't like comparisons, anyway. They're not the same players.

I'm not a huge fan of DEs in the late 1st as a general rule...they usually suck... and I'm in the minority as I don't see a lot of opportunities for a rookie on this roster in 2024, but it wouldn't surprise me if they pick one of those guys.

I'm just basing it on the guys they've brought in over the last few years, either as signings, trades or projected early picks. There are a ton of them. I've been wrong before, but reading the tea leaves, it looks pretty clear to me that they have a preference for speed, separation and route running capability and are willing to sacrifice size.

Go look at his pro day numbers a week or so ago. I don't think it's an issue at all. He's fine.

No, I'm not joking at all. I don't think most NFL teams are going to be guilty of it, but outside of that, a lot of people are going to take one look at a white guy playing CB in college and immediately assume that he should move to safety in the NFL. Maybe if he'd posted some pedestrian numbers at his pro day. Instead, it was borderline freakish, especially for a guy one month clear off a broken leg.

They'd be better off keeping it. It's probably going to be a top 40 pick next year, and while valuable in it's own right, you could also package it next year and have two 1st round picks or one pick near the top 10. Sure, you have to wait a year, but that's worth way more than 3rd round trade value this year, IMO.

Yeah, I think it's unlikely he'll be there at 28, though I do think he might fall far enough to be within reach of a realistic trade up. I'm not sure it's smart to trade up for him under the circumstances, but late teens/early 20s, I think the Bills would be interested if they were comfortable with the medical side.

Probably, but it seems like they're interested. I can kind of see the reasoning. Put three guys out there with that kind of speed and it puts all kinds of stress on the opposing defensive backfield. Most teams aren't going to be able to cover all of them at once.

I wouldn't be surprised if Worthy goes as early as to the Dolphins at 21. Even if he goes in the 2nd, the Bills would have to blow their draft pick load to get Odunze and wouldn't have much left in this draft or the next to use to acquire another 2nd.

They're projecting a move to safety primarily because he's a white guy. Non-factor, IMO.

Yikes. The Bills are pretty conservative when it comes to injuries. That might be enough to drop him off their board in R1. It's also why I'm having a difficult time with a Bills draft projection for Latu, whom I think would be their #1 realistic target IF the medicals check out, but that's a big if.

I know Thrash was considered a mid round sleeper a few months back. Don't hear much about him anymore. Admittedly, I've only given a very brief glance to watching him play.

At a basic level, it's an interesting comparison. Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave are also interesting RAS score comparisons for McConkey. Lots of similarities, though I'd never try to argue that they're the same guy.

I don't think he's a hybrid player. He's a zone CB with good size, and given his pro day testing, looks like an athletic freak. If he doesn't make it at CB, then you move him to safety, but I'd give him his first shot at CB.

I think you're right. In terms of realistic Bills picks at 28 and what I expect they'll actually do, I have DeJean #2 on the board before the 2nd tier WRs (Latu being #1, though a bigger stretch to be available at 28).

That's kind of where I'm at on McConkey. I'm not saying he's the same guy, but if you wanted a Diggs replacement, he's around the same basic size, speed, athleticism profile, and is a good route runner and gets separation as well. Hits all the marks on character, work ethic, etc. And they've shown tons of interest in this type of player at WR, too. Again, I've been wrong before. I'll probably be wrong Thursday night. But just based on the types of guys they've brought in for visits and that projected as early round picks the last two or three years, and even their higher profile FA/trade acquisitions including Diggs, McConkey seems like a clear favorite at 28 to me.

IMO, McConkey is not a slot guy, though he'll probably play there some. He's about the same size as Diggs, actually, maybe a little lighter. He's also bigger than many of the high round WR prospects they've brought in over the last two or three years. I don't think the Bills are as concerned over size at WR.

I think the production issue is valid and it's something the Bills would have to look into. Is it more about McConkey or Georgia's offensive system? Also, were they limiting him to some degree since he had some nagging injuries? I don't know.

Agreed, and to me, I thought it really showed up after the catch. Sure, if he catches it in stride and can hit the afterburner, he's a major problem. But in traffic, if he can't, if he has to turn and run and the defender is in decent position, he's usually not going anywhere. Very surprised to see how many short passes with little to no RAC out of a guy with that kind of speed and burst.

They used him that way to some degree, but his average depth of target the last two years was over 12 and generally in line with the other top prospects.

I can buy that on Thomas. I watched all his targets yesterday. The straightine speed is absurd, no doubt about it, and maybe thats enough for a mid/late 1st. Everything else...meh. I'm not going to argue if they pick him, I've been wrong before. I just don't see it.

McConkey just seems like the best all around WR prospect outside of the top 3 to me and he aligns with what the Bills seem to value... excellent separation, route running, downfield speed and YAC ability. I think he's very likely to develop into a guy who catches 80 passes for 1,000-1,200 yards per season. I'll take that at 28. I like Legette as well and would not be unhappy if the Bills select him 1st.

I think they'll either stay at 28 or trade up a few a spots. I think the pick will be one of this group...Laiatu Latu, Cooper Dejean, Ladd McConkey, Xavier Worthy and Troy Franklin.