Logic

I really don't have any interest in getting into a back-and-forth with anyone about this person's reliability. They've been right more often than they've been wrong in the past, and have been the first to break a few signings over the years. I believe they have a source on the medical side of things on the Bills staff. Believe it if you want, or don't. Me? I believe it. He also claims they really liked and did a ton of work on Addison and JSN last year. The Bills have a "type" at WR, and the interest reported last year and below point to that type. **Also of note, particularly as it relates to McConkey: Doing a bunch of medical checks on a guy doesn't NECESSARILY mean they like that player. But then, why go through the effort of doing those multiple checks if they don't have at least a reasonable amount of interest in him?

I'm guessing that people aren't wild about the prospects themselves -- Franklin and Bullard. Me? I'm a Franklin fan. If the Bills can trade back as far in real life as they did in this mock and still get Franklin while adding a 3rd, I'll be thrilled. I don't love Bullard, but would've been happy with Hicks, Bishop, or Bullock. Nevertheless, I doubt that would be possible in real life, as I anticipate Franklin getting drafted earlier than he did here. The thing is: People want to get their favorite Tier 2 receiving prospect AND still somehow net a 3rd, and as this exercise showed, you can't necessarily have your cake and eat it, too. If you want to move back far enough to net a 3rd, you're gonna miss out on some good prospects. That's just how it works. I kind of wonder if, with as direly as the Bills need WRs in this draft, they've painted themselves into a corner where they kind of CAN'T trade back that far from 28. What if they do so and entirely miss out on the receiver(s) they like? It would be catastrophic. For as much as everyone has discussed being averse to the risks involved in trading UP in this year's draft, there hasn't been nearly as much discussion about the risks of trading DOWN -- and there probably should be. If nothing else, maybe this mock draft result for the Bills will kickstart that conversation.

Just appreciative of the fact that you put these together at all! They're always fun, and they always help me learn about the draft needs of other teams. It's fun to put on my "GM hat" and try to think strategically, make trades, etc. To be honest, I think that by round three of these things, there start to be diminishing returns anyway. For all but the most ardent few draftniks, the knowledge about the prospects tends to be reduced, the interest from the spectators seems to wain, and it seems to take a real effort to limp to the finish line by the end of the round. Thanks as always for doing these, and thanks to @section122 for his hard work and to all the fellow drafters.

I certainly would be thrilled with MHJ, but... To me, Nabers is the dream get for Buffalo. His explosiveness, positional diversity, and run-after-catch are all elite. He fits what Beane recently described wanting in a WR to a "T". Both guys are gonna be great pros, but for my money, Nabers is HIM.

Can't watch at work. Who does Sal say is the dream guy?

I tend to think that with as expensive as WR contracts are getting, and as many good ones as are coming out in the draft each year, and as quickly as many of them seem to be able to hit the ground running... WR may become the next position where it's smart to "turn and burn". Draft a guy, pay him on a rookie wage scale for four years (or five if he's a first rounder), then trade him or let him walk and get a compensatory pick. Wash, rinse, repeat. Only the elite guys will merit those mega-extensions. If the supply of good, draftable WRs continues to go up, and the cost to re-sign them continues to climb, the wave will crest, and they'll eventually start going the way of RBs. Maybe. Just maybe.

I miss Fred Couples.

I was in the same boat, as far as growing up a (diehard) wrestling fan, but stopping around 2003. My re-entry into wrestling was more recent. Probably 2019 or so. I started out by subscribing to WWE Network and doing a chronological "re-watch" of 90s WWF and WCW. It reminded me how much I used to love it, but I just could NOT get into the modern WWE product at all. I was always into the WRESTLING aspect of pro wrestling, and modern WWE did absolutely nothing for me in that regard. Then I started hearing about a guy named Kenny Omega and what he was doing over in Japan against Jericho. Watched a few matches and loved it. When I heard he was starting a promotion in the States, I had to check it out. I immediately loved the in-ring product, many of the new wrestlers I learned about, and things like win-loss record for each wrestler being displayed, rankings that determined title contenders, etc.. It made the product feel more like a legitimate sport, even though of course we all know it's not. Then they got a big TV deal, good production values, and brought in Tony Schiavone and Jim Ross, and I was hooked. It has brought me fully back into the fold of pro wrestling, and I'm so thankful for it. The current AEW roster is one of the most stacked I've ever seen, particularly with the recent NJPW signings. Kenny Omega, Bryan Danielson, Hangman Page, Adam Cole, MJF, Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, Switchblade Jay White, Jon Moxley, FTR, Young Bucks, Takeshita, Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland, Eddie Kingston, Darby Allin, Sammy Guevara, Orange Cassidy, Claudio Castagnoli, Miro, etc, etc... Just so, so much elite wrestling talent right now. I'd love for them to hire some old WWE creative hands to improve the storytelling aspects, but...nothing matches their in-ring product, IMO. I love it.

Thanks for the response. I read a fairly long article the other day on The Ringer that went into detail about the years-long Bloodline storyline, Paul Heyman's influence on long term storytelling, and the general pivot towards an approach that almost mimics serial drama TV series. I believe they sort of tongue-in-cheek referred to it as the "Succession Era" (after the TV show). I do think layered, intertwining, long term storytelling makes pro wrestling better and more interesting. They have AEW beat by a country mile when it comes to that aspect of things. If you could combine the WWE's current storytelling and video packages with AEW's in-ring wrestling, you'd have the GOAT wrestling product.

I'm asking because I haven't watched the WWE in quite some time (I'm an AEW guy), and I'm legitimately curious... Have the shows since 'Mania cut down on all the talking? Is there more of a focus on the actual, um...wrestling? Because I had read that the first Raw after 'Mania opened with a 47 minute talk/promo segment between The Rock and Cody Rhodes. And if that's the case, I'm curious to know what feels different to people about the Levesque era than the era that proceeded it. I'm not crapping on the WWE. I'm forever part of team "let people like things", and if people are enjoying the Fed right now, I'm happy for them. I'm just curious what people feel is separating Levesque's direction from what came before.

Of course the natural response will be "use the late picks to trade up!" and "trade them for picks next year!", and both of those may sound logical on their face, but... The key thing to remember is that other teams are surely aware of the late talent drop-off, too, and that when it comes to draft day trades, it takes two to tango.

Kinchens seems like the cleanest projection to free safety, but I do agree that it seems too early to pick him here, based on his athletic limitations. If the Bills could get a Bullard/Bullock/Bishop here and then a Kinchens later on -- though I have no idea whether they'd double dip at safety -- that might be the most deal outcome. Let a new safety duo up to grow together for the next four years. I'll also admit to being completely amateur at this, and having a fairly rudimentary knowledge of the draftable players and the minutiae of the Bills defensive scheme. I'm no football savant. Just a dude on a message board with opinions based on limited information.

I actually like him and Bishop both more than Bullard here. I just like the way they fit the Bills scheme -- or at least what I perceive it to be -- better than Bullard. Just my opinion.

Yeah. Maybe so. It just seems like we'd suddenly be stacked three-deep at that "Poyer role" with Rapp, Edwards, and Bullard, and still in need of a long term free safety. As you say, though, they still have plenty more picks to address that, and us fans probably make too much of the difference between the two safety spots in this defensive scheme anyway. On a separate note...I really think the Bills would have a hard time passing on the OT Saumataia here, "needs" be damned. He'd be quite the value here and, as a previous poster said, would allow them to let Brown walk for a compensatory pick and allocate that money elsewhere next year. I get the argument for wanting an immediate starter, and I understand that drafting a guy at a position most don't consider to be a "need" would irritate some, but...if you really do believe in taking the BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE -- and particularly when said player plays a premium position -- you have to seriously consider Saumataia.

Isn't Bullard projected to be more of a big nickel, box player type? Less of a high safety? If so, it seems like we sort of already have that in-house with Rapp and, to some extent, Edwards. Maybe I'm crazy, but...I'm not sure he fits what the Bills need at safety right now. I can't be a victim of group-think here, so I'm gonna cast my vote elsewhere on this list.

With the 57th pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan The Buccaneers had to double-check the draft results thus far because they couldn't believe this guy was still on the board at pick 57. After letting Shaquil Barrett walk in free agency and only signing the aging Randy Gregory, and with Joe Tryon-Shoyinka not progressing as hoped, edge rusher was a very big need for us. Whereas the value didn't match in round one, it more than matches now. Kneeland was our 5th ranked edge rusher in this class. We actually had a late 1st/early 2nd round grade on him. He has good size and thickness, heavy hands, and a motor that never stops. We had a formal visit with him at the combine and hosted him for a top 30 visit. We felt he was a perfect match for our scheme, and we're excited to be able to add him at this point in the draft. **I really wanted to take a receiver here because it's such a deep and quality receiver class, and I didn't want to miss out on the fun. But if I'm really trying to think like the Bucs GM, I've gotta go with the much bigger need, a player whose value is too good to pass up, and a guy that the Bucs have done a ton of work on in real life** The Stadium Wall Poll Committee @Virgil @section122 and the beloved Buffalo Beews are now on the clock.

Interesting to see the first running back come off the board. Certainly makes sense that it would be the Cowboys. While we all have our predictions and preferences, I doubt any of us can say with much confidence who the first back off the board will actually be come draft time. Pick makes sense. I like Benson, FWIW. That said, the Bucs will submit their pick momentarily. Stand by.

In all my years at TBD, no one has ever wished urinary discomfort on me before. I guess the streak was bound to end sooner or later. p.s. I was heavily considering Ricky Pearsall here, but you took him with your amended pick. My how the turntables...

With the 53rd pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M. After addressing our biggest need in round one with CB Terrion Arnold, we were thrilled to be able to address our next biggest need with our 2nd round pick by taking the top rated linebacker on our board. Cooper is an intense, aggressive player, a hard hitter, and has top line speed for the position. He is EXACTLY what Vic Fangio looks for in a linebacker, and he'll be able to spend a year spelling and learning from starters Devin White and Nakobe Dean. The former is only on a one-year deal, and if Cooper progresses as quickly as we think he will, he has a good chance to earn a starting spot by year two, if not sooner. @Virgil and the morally bankrupt Cleveland Browns are on the clock.

I like it. As soon as @Virgil amends the Guyton pick, I'm ready to make my selection and keep this thing rolling.

I first saw the notion of Godwin being moved mentioned recently. Makes sense, now that they've paid Evans a big pile of money. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-trade-rumors-zach-wilson-chris-godwin-among-players-who-could-still-be-moved-before-or-during-draft/ Granted, with a $20million+ cap number himself this year, the deal might need to be done post June 1st, and Beane would have to be ready with an extension/restructure of some sort. That said, it's hard to imagine Godwin commanding the same type of money as Aiyuk or Higgins going forward. From a Bills cap perspective, I'm not sure how feasible it is. From a pure football standpoint, he'd be a quality addition, and likely wouldn't command nearly the capital or money that Aiyuk/Higgins would.

My favorite scenario thus far presented has been to use our 1st round pick on a receiver, then also use a mid round pick to trade for a veteran receiver -- think Chris Godwin or Deandre Hopkins. Personally, I'd rather not go the "trade a 1st or 2nd for a veteran receiver that you immediately have to pay a bunch of money to" route again. I'd rather get a youngster that would be cheap labor for four seasons, could grow with Josh, and could spend a decade+ here. And then, if they want to bring in another impact receiver, I'm fine with it being a somewhat older guy that won't require a mega-extension. On the one hand, yes, you have instant impact from a veteran that a rookie theoretically will not provide. But on the other hand, you have to pay said veteran around $30 million, and I'd just...rather not do that. Give me a 1st round receiver and then trade a mid round pick for a trusty vet. That's the route I like.

You've taken on a different tone in this thread than I've ever seen from you here before. It's like the mere insinuation that Rice MIGHT face some legal repercussions has put you enough on edge that you shout down anyone who dares to mention the possibility. I get it, he's a very good player for your favorite team, and you don't want to believe that he'll miss any time, so the notion makes you defensive, so you push back against anyone who suggests it. But perhaps you could push back against the notion in a less condescending, less forceful way? Like...it's a message board. There is room for contrary opinion. Or not. You do you. Just don't act surprised and victimized when, after several pages of essentially accusing anyone with a different view of the legal outcome in this case of being a bonehead, people suddenly get a bit fed up with the Chiefs fan who has decided to make it his job to tell all the Bills fan on a BILLS FORUM how wrong they are.

The longer this thread goes on, the worse you're making yourself look, Billl. I'm even in agreement with you on the fact that not much will likely ultimately come of the Rashee Rice stuff, but...you're just not doing yourself any favors with with your hostility, condescension, and insults here. Any time someone even insinuates that Rice MIGHT be in for some more serious legal trouble (which, again, I happen to think is unlikely), you turn rude and hostile, if not outright confrontational. At this point, I'm starting to feel like maybe you should go back to Chiefs Planet. Your demeanor might fit in better there.

It makes sense to me. Unless they suddenly change their WR archetype, I think they'll continue to go after the quick route technician types, which makes sense, because Allen has generally thrived with them. Conversely, whenever he's had a stiffer, big-bodied guy -- and granted, the sample size is small, with only Gabe Davis and the ghost of Kelvin Benjamin coming to mind -- he hasn't had as consistently successful of a connection. It also makes sense from a yards-after-catch standpoint. I think they want guys who can gain clear separation, and then do damage after the catch. If that's a correct assumption, then McConkey, Worthy, Franklin, and Legette (and Nabers, but they likely can't get up high enough to get him) all make sense.