Logic

As time goes on, I warm up more and more to the idea of staying put at 21 and drafting Lamar Jackson. If the Bills aren't going to trade up to the top 5 for a Rosen or a Mayfield, then I hope they take Jackson. Daboll can design an offense that will fit both Tyrod and Jackson's skillset. Tyrod -- who is already under contract for a reasonable amount and is a leader in the locker room and can get you to the playoffs -- starts until Jackson is good enough to take the job from him. Yes, I realize the worst case scenario with Jackson is that he's a total bust and can't play quarterback in the NFL. But heck, that's the risk with ALL these guys, and they don't have even half of Jackson's pure athletic ability and upside. If you're not going all out for a top 3 QB, stay put and take Jackson.

In addition to wanting someone other than Whaley to do the quarterback selecting, I also think McDermott assumed that -- after all the roster purging they were doing -- they would likely have a pretty poor record and a top 10 pick in this year's draft. Everyone figured this year's draft crop at QB would be great. So not only did he probably want the future GM (not Whaley) doing the grocery shopping, he also probably figured he'd have "more money to spend" at the store. And for what it's worth, I agree that it was pretty silly to not pick a QB last year. The only difference is that I wanted Watson.

Someone showed me a graph recently that demonstrated Lotulolei's productivity in stopping the run. It has gone DOWN every year since he entered the league. He is trending in the wrong direction and is likely to command a large contract. Something about Dontari Poe doesn't sit well with me either. This would be his third team in less than 5 years. Something's not right there. I choose Bennie Logan.

Fair enough. In my opinion, every one of his picks was at a need position. We need a RT, C, CB, EDGE, and QB. They may not be the BIGGEST needs, but what if the value isn't there at those picks? Would you still prefer he plug a DT and LB into the mock just because those are the biggest needs? I'm not saying the guy doing the mock isn't clueless about the Bills. He probably is. Most mock drafters are. But this whole "every pick made needs to fill a primary need" idea is off base. That's often not how drafts work, especially if the value isn't there. And once again, the positions he picked for the Bills ARE needs. And for the record, I too think the Bills will draft a defensive tackle and a linebacker. But my MAIN point was that if they identify and then trade up for and secure what they believe to be a franchise quarterback, the rest is gravy to me.

For all the people saying "No DTs or LBs? GARBAGE!" First...there's no way of saying this without knowing what the Bills do in free agency. What if they bring back Preston Brown and Kyle Williams and sign Bennie Logar or Star Lotulolei? And more importantly: If the Bills move up and secure what they believe to be a franchise quarterback, then that's all that really matters to me. The rest will take care of itself. And in this example, they also have the Bills fortifying the offensive line with likely day one starters at RT and C. I'd be happy with this draft.

NFL won't approve this rule change. They want scoring to go UP, so a move that would curb scoring (by eliminating the huge gains in yardage that often come from DPI calls) is not likely to pass.

Indeed. It's not a fun thing to talk about, but the Bills stayed remarkably healthy at key positions last year. If Hyde or Poyer went down, we'd have been looking at defensive snaps for Colt Anderson or Shamarko Thomas. And both of THOSE guys are set to be free agents! Sign Coleman or Tre Boston to be the third safety. Whoever comes cheaper (probably Coleman). Then draft a guy late for that 4th safety/special teams spot, or bring back Thomas for vet minimum.

Keith Goganious. A depth/special teams linebacker in the early/mid 90s. Why do I mention him? Only for his name. One of the great all time football last names, in my opinion. In fact, Goganious is my PS4 username to this day.

I agree with others that Johnson probably gets less credit than he deserves from Bills fans. He was quite good for most of the year as the nickel. Sure, he's gonna get torched by the Keenan Allens of the world, but who isn't?! He's still in the prime of his career, likes playing for McDermott, is a perfect scheme fit, and is a feisty player that loves to tackle. I'm absolutely in favor of the Bills signing him to a cheap deal, thus completing the starting CB trio, and then looking for further depth in the draft. If a drafted kid beats Johnson out straight up, then so be it.

I'd like them to keep it as a spot foul, but make it reviewable. For those saying "it will just make the game even longer!"...no it won't. Coaches still only get two challenges per game. Simply adding PI to what is considered reviewable won't change much at all in the way of game length.

Reads like a 1 year, $3.5 million deal with incentives. If he starts 13+ games, that's a bargain, and is DEFINITELY less than Gaines is going to get on the open market.

"It's 3rd and 17. And it's a DRAW to Shaud Williams up the middle. 2 yard gain. Bills will have to punt".

Darwin Walker. For...um....TECHNICALLY being a member of the Bills at one point? I Guess?

THESE are the stats I found most telling. They're Tyrod in a nutshell: Good enough to start, good enough to keep you in a game as long as your defense and running game are humming. Will make some spectacular plays with his legs and his arm....BUT....when it's crunch time, and the game hangs in the balance he's well below average. For that very reason, it is time for the Bills to turn the page once and for all. I wish I could just send a screenshot of these stats to every clueless national media pundit who thinks Tyrod gets a raw deal or that Bills fans are crazy for wanting to move on from him.

Kwame Cavil WR Texas Was with the Bills during training camp in 2000 and maybe a bit beyond that. This was the beginning of my long history of latching on to "Training Camp Superstars" and projecting them for greatness. At 6'2 and 205 lbs, I thought he was a future star in the making. Turns out....not so much. Apparently, he DID go on to have a long career in the CFL and won a Grey Cup in 2005. So there's that.

Yeah. If they bring in Kurt Coleman for a visit -- thus going 3 for 3 on visits with "won't count against the comp pick formula" guys -- then we'll know there's something to it. Nope. But even if it's for vet minimum, which I doubt, I STILL don't think they bring back Gaines. Availability and buy-in are big to this coaching staff, and Gaines seems to lack both, based on his injury history and his seeming eagerness to leave Buffalo at season's end.

Don't care. Won't affect his draft position. Only fans are bothered by this. NFL front offices couldn't care less.

EJ's gone. Davis and White are your starting CBs. Johnson likely to be re-signed for vet minimum or close to it. Depth in draft. Anyone holding onto the notion that Bills will pay Gaines AND Davis for this season -- when there's only room to start for one of them, since neither are slot corners -- is kidding themselves.

Just wanted to pop in to say that Ivory has lower mileage on his tires than many 30 year old RBs, since he has spent so much of his career splitting time with other backs. Less hits, less wear and tear. McCoy, Ivory, and a late round rookie will be just fine for this year. Or heck, even McCoy, Ivory, and Cadet. I want a true successor to Shady as much as anyone, but you can't fill all your needs in one offseason. This year, rebuilding the o-line and front seven and finding a QB are more important. Young RB, CB, WR1 can wait until next year.

Indeed. If it turns out the compensation was "2nd round pick and a corner who will help you reach the playoffs this year, then walk away in FA", I'd still take the deal.

This is a triple positive: 1.) Fills a position of need before free agency even starts. 2.) Does not count against the Bills in the compensatory pick formula. 3.) If he DOES do well and walk away after 1 year, it works in the Bills' FAVOR in the compensatory pick formula. Great work by the front office in being proactive and crossing a need off the list before March hits.

This was very interesting to me. It told me three things: 1.) The Bills need to build through the draft and do it well the next few years, as they've done an awful job at it of late. (This was obvious any way, right?) 2.) It's downright amazing that the Bills made the playoffs last year with the band-aided together roster they fielded. 3.) Even if you DO draft well and your homegrown talent gets a lot of snaps, it's no guarantee of success. Cincinnatti, Cleveland, Dallas, and Green Bay missed the playoffs, despite being in the top 6.

Exactly. If he values production, coaching, and a chance to contribute, the Bills are a good fit. If he thinks he can get a big payday or a guaranteed starting spot (I personally doubt that any team is willing to give him either), then let him seek it out elsewhere.

I agree that I don't want to spend a lot. HOWEVER...there's also no guarantee that Coleman gets offered that much on the open market. He may be more valuable to McDermott than to other coaches. IF he can be had for a reasonable contract, then I'm all in. Certainly, if he wants a big payday or a guaranteed starting spot, then no dice. I will also say that, given McDermott's history of employing extra safeties in obvious passing situations, he would likely get more playing time as a "backup" in Buffalo than he would elsewhere.

One more thing: I'm convinced McDermott is "The Safety Whisperer". First, he turned career-long backup Kurt Coleman (10 interceptions in 5 years) into a quality starter in 2015 (7 interceptions that year). Then, upon coming to Buffalo, he took S/CB tweener Micah Hyde and Browns special teamer Jordan Poyer and turned them into arguably the best safety tandem in the league. I'm not sure how he does it, but it's pretty undeniable.