TigerJ

Oliver is defensive end fast with a 4.75 40 at his pro day. Another player with freaky speed is Rashan Gary, who ran a 4.58 and is almost as heavy as Oliver. Gary is also 3 inches taller. Gary didn't have splashy stats at Michigan but there is lots of speculation that may have more to do with the way he was used than anything about his play.

Personally, I think defensive tackle is the most likely pick for the Bills, but defensive end is an alternate possibility, as is offensive tackle and maybe wide receiver. I think there are competent starters at every position on the team now. We couldn't say that in recent years. Several positions have good depth as well: QB, CB, RB (needs youth), safety and even offensive line. The two areas where it looks to me are the most lacking in depth are defensive line and linebacker. McDermott likes to use a rotation on the defensive line. Buffalo has 3 solid defensive tackles right now: Lotulelei, H. Phillips and J. Phillips. Despite being the biggest of the bunch, Jordan Phillips is the only 3 tech. Buffalo needs another solid 3 tech. Ed Oliver would be a natural. So would Quinnen Williams, but he'll be gone. Christian Wilkins is the third 3 tech at the top of the first round. He might be rated a bit lower than Oliver. At edge, Buffalo has Jerry Hughes and at left defensive end they have Shaq Lawson, and Trent Murphy. There are questions with all three of them Murphy - injury, Hughes - age, Lawson - productivity versus cost of a fifth year option. The rest of the defensive linemen on the roster are place holders, fringe players who can fill in for a play here and there, but are can't be counted on to develop into starters. I think defensive tackle is a bit more essential at this point because Buffalo has been very vulnerable to runs up the middle. Wilkins and Oliver haven't wracked up huge sack totals on the inside, but the do get pressure and are disruptive, as well as having been effective run stoppers. If Buffalo does go with an edge rusher like Sweat, there are some defensive tackles they can get later. Simmons and Tillery may be available when Buffalo pick inn the second round. Simmons has the domestic violence issue dating from pre college, and Tillery may have some attitude issues. Beane will need to do his due diligence on both, but they both have first round talent.

Oliver looks to me like the most likely pick of the Bills at this point as well.

Actually the OP is one hundred percent correct. His take on Rosen is without question unpopular.

I'm in that same minority. If there is a guy that has all the traits that McBeane like available late, go ahead an pick him, but there are several other areas in need of shoring up more than CB.

Iron sharpens iron

Agreed. I'm hoping his week 17 game versus the Dolphins is a sign of things to come. He's still going to take his shots downfield, but I think part of his growth needs to be he doesn't have to do that all the time. Another part of his future success will be better protection from his offensive line, better running game and receivers who can gain separation.

It's possible for a young and inexperienced head coach to be successful, but I think they need to be wise enough to hire good experienced assistants. Sean McVay hired Wade Phillips tor run his defense. There aren't many who are better.Sean McDermott had more experience than many of the young guys getting jobs now, but almost all of the assistants he hired that first year had loads of experience. Some of those who were not as effective as he wanted have since been replaced by younger more hands on and energetic assistants as McDermott has gotten a better feel for his job.

You'll have to wait a few weeks. Even then, it's still a big "if"

This is probably pretty close to the mark. Wilkins looks like a very safe pick. He offers some versatility. He's smart and has a team first attitude; all traits that Sean McDermott is fond of. The defensive guys usually rated above him are generally regarded as more disruptive. Ed Oliver has the size issue associated with him. Montez Sweat (yes he plays a different position but one at which Buffalo has a comparable need) has the heart issue and less productivity in college than you like. But if you draft one of those guys and he clecks in the NFL, you've got something special. Wilkins? Maybe not so much.

Tillery was actually more productive in college from the standpoint of sacks than Ed Oliver and Quinton Williams. There was some question about his attitude. Supposedly, he didn't always get along with Notre Dame Coach, Brian Kelly.

If it looks like a tank and sounds like a tank, you might as well fill it with propane and blow it up completely.

I was thinking that. He was not quite as fast coming out of college as Taiwan was. He's still plenty fast though, and 15 lbs heavier. He's also 3 years younger

And to think we were able to sign Senorise Perry as a free agent, probably for not much more than veteran minimum. (I actually like it - a special teams ace with the speed to do some damage as a RB if he can get into the open.)

Hmmm. Maybe he's planning on being a player coach too. Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator and Tight End! Don't laugh. This could work.

ROFL!

Isaiah Prince?

I think the two situations are very different. Right now, the Sabres are seriously under performing the talent level of the roster. When that happens, it's tough to blame anybody but the coaches. I think Phil Housley is fine for hockey Xs and Os, but he may be a poor motivator with his quiet demeanor. If I'm the Pegulas, that's what I'm looking at. I have a quiet demeanor and I don't think I would make a good coach (assuming I were qualified otherwise).

I would rank the top 4 needs as: 1. 3 tech defensive tackle 2. edge rusher 3. linebacker depth 4. offensive line

I don't especially care if you're wrong, so go with your feelings.

I'm glad I'm in the 'burbs.

Live long and prosper. My wish for you as that the Bills draft yields 5 long term starters including three pro-bowlers for your team. Hey, there's nothing like having a birthday gift that makes every Bills fan happy..

Antonio = Anthony with a Latin flair, LOL

So, you're saying the first four teams who drafted QBs in the 2018 draft preferred the guys they drafted over the guys they didn't? And what was it that led you to that conclusion?

I don't have a problem with it. Beane was in preliminary talks, and it cam to a point where he decided it wasn't going to work to the Bills' advantage. He gets paid to make those decisions. Anthony Brown is in the conversation as the best receiver in the league, and is certainly in the top 3, but he's 30 years old and was going to cost a boatload of money. Yes, Buffalo had the cap space to be able to sign him, but when they didn't Beane was able to go out and finish adding better than a dozen free agents. For the most part, the guys they added are not scrubs, and many are clear upgrades over the players they may potentially replace. I think the list of free agents Buffalo signed would look somewhat different had Beane used the necessary cap space to add Brown.