Success

Love the "high ceiling" scouting stuff on late round picks. And I think BPA is really something for the 1st 2 rounds. After that, I have no issue drafting for need, and sometimes reaching for need (if needed).

He looks huge in the highlights. I mean, why not? It's the 5th round. Seems to have all of the physical attributes a WR needs. Maybe some good coaching will unleash some potential here.

The Pats are a little hard to figure out. I know that their 1st couple of picks were nice players, but they haven't addressed their offense at all. Their D was one of the better units in the league last year, and they have only added to it. I'm sure it will be better now - but what's the point if you can't score? I was sure they'd at least take one of the early round WR's. They seem to really think that O'Brien is the magic fairy dust that will transform their O.

Oh, for sure. And that's what the board is for. But some reactions here are a bit too definitive, imo. To automatically proclaim that this guy will never start, or that Bernard won't, and that both are completely wasted picks - stuff like that. This regime is slow to get rookies involved (as we know), so even w/ Bernard we still don't have much idea of how the pick will pan out. But he's already being talked about like a complete waste of a pick.

To answer the bolded - yes. Draft weekend is always fairly predictable around here. I'm not saying this to disparage anyone - but I think most on here look at 6-7 mocks, watch some youtube, and think they know as much as professional scouts and staff who live and breathe this stuff every day, 365 days a year. For me to look at a pick Beane made and immediately draw some sort of negative conclusion would be the height of arrogance, and probably some ignorance too. Ultimately, this player is a 3rd rounder, where there are certainly no guarantees and we see both busts and gems all over the place. I have ZERO doubt Milano got some very similar comments as this guy when he was picked. And I could go through a list of players where the board (in general) thought they knew better, including the now infamous "wrong Josh." It's always been my attitude to just let it play out. I have no idea who this guy is, and most who are commenting here either never heard of him outside of mocks and recent research, or maybe saw him play once or twice if they love the college game.

I've seen wildly different evaluations of this player since we picked him. The word "steal" came up a few times, which I always like to see. But regardless, it seems like opinions are all over the place on where he can play, how effective he can be and how his size translates to the NFL. Nothing we can do is fans but wait, and hope he works out great.

I remain convinced that no on on this board knows a fraction of what Beane knows, and what McDermott knows. It's fine for all of us to speculate and question and doubt, but the words here just float off into nothing. The Bills current brain trust ended an epic drought, and turned this team into a top contender, year after year and well into the foreseeable future. They have earned the benefit of the doubt, imo. And I have no doubt whatsoever that they have a plan for the LB position.

We probably have one of the top 7-8 pass-catching groups in the league at this point. We added 2 very solid guys in FA, including some real speed. We got the best TE in the draft, who can fill in the slot and we can run 2 TE sets with. We'll also have a real running game for the 1st time in years. Not seeing the scenario you describe above.

When did NE beat us? The wind game?

That's a premature judgment, imo. Gotta see what happens this season. Bernard COULD be our starter.

We don't really know that yet. The fact that Bernard didn't play much his rookie year tells us a little bit, but hardly the whole story. This regime is notoriously deliberate w/ any rookie. We'll see if Bernard can work his way in more - and it looks like he has a clear shot to do so this season.

Sounds like a McBean guy for sure (and I consider that a good thing).

Belichick zagging again. Offense? Who needs offense in today's league?

After the drought, and having to overpay FA's just to get their interest, and seeing draft picks like Gilmore look bummed when they were picked - I get chills reading this stuff. We're it now.

What'd we all say? Beane needs to crush this draft. Obviously, we won't know for a couple of years. But so far, it's looking great.

I get that this is conventional wisdom here - but at least for '23, we're pretty set at the guard positions, center and LT. We basically need some insurance if Brown isn't able to get back on track.

I don't miss the days when the draft was incredibly important.

So, I guess the NFC has completely devalued the QB position at this point?

We have needed a guy like this in the red zone. His skillset will help us in a variety of ways - but that could be the biggest. Very tough match-up for opposing D's in the red zone.

It's one of my favorite things about Beane. When he really likes a guy, he doesn't leave any doubt.

Have you seen much of Damien Harris? He's had injury issues, but I remember being ticked when he was a rookie that the Pats had such a good back. We haven't had a runner like him since the drought days. We've also improved the line, though not in a huge way. I'd expect to see a pick go toward that tonight.

I hate to say that Dorsey gets a "pass" for year 1, but it's not uncommon for OC's to have bumpy rookie outings and come into their own in year 2. That's certainly the hope. I agree w/ the OP wholeheartedly. Honestly, this should be the #1 ranked offense in the league all season. Dorsey has to prove himself this year.

Agreed that both the Pats & Bills fared very well. Both players could turn out to be elite at their positions, and instant contributors. I'm most interested to see how the QB's pan out. I really like that dude from FL. I think he could turn out to be the best of the class. I'm skeptical about Young. But you really never know until a few years go by.

I agree on Brown. I am hopeful he makes the leap and fulfills that potential he has - but we can't bank on that. It would be too much of a roll of the dice w/ everything that's at stake right now. I do anticipate we'll see OL in 1 of the next 2 picks.

How are you measuring the "draft success" of amateurs?