In Summary

It starts there.

Question (for any that might know): Are Bills players able to avoid some/all NY State income taxes by being out of (NY) state (and living in Florida) for ~6 months (Feb - July?

Agree. This is interesting. The "Bean and McDermott are (blindly) loyal to the guys they draft" narrative does not fit in Ford's case.

This is just an opinion: Only the teams without a top QB worry about having a top running game. It only has to be "good enough" - a credible threat to bring LB's and safeties up to create space for your receivers. Maybe you emphasize RB, but only if they can catch and pass protect as well as they run. If the Bills cared more about running they would have prioritized their G/C positions - not their RBs. The running game will be used when matchups favor it, not because it is part of the Bills' core offensive identify.

Shame. The game has changed faster than I wanted it to. Violent running plays resulting in a 4 yard gain just don't make it onto Twitter.

Neither will he be his hair apparent. Nobody follows that.

I'm OK with Joe DeLamielleure going off script and declaring an OL.

After spending 3rd round picks on RB's in consecutive years, drafting Etienne at 30 suggests that the Bills now believe differently on what their RB needs to be. Hard to believe this is the same group that loved the Gore/DeMarco combination so much.

Fair point. We don't need another Darrius. Some say Shelvin's version of the position is outdated and DT's who don't penetrate need not apply, but when our D-line faces 5 guys all over 300 and our LB's are needed to cover space and multi-task rather than just thump into RB's, I think a weak 1T DT just invites problems. It's not about becoming a throwback #1 run defense (because I think the Bills are absolutely fine being run on up to a point), but becoming good enough to not get gouged by the run at will or being able to stop teams from converting 3rd and short on the ground. Last year we weren't good enough. These "projects as a 3 but could play the 1" prospect descriptions don't really convince me this is the player we need. Shelvin came to mind as I think he has the size and potential to improve that position and, per the OP's question, is a late Day 2 pick.

If the Bills think they can keep him under 340 lb or so, Shelvin in the 3rd.

Sitting idle for the 4th round will drive Beane crazy.

Little draft capital to begin with and offering more valuable 2022 picks (should that be the path) seems a poor trade. This rumor only has legs due to Beane's inability to not trade up and a belief that the RB, not the O-line, is the key to an improved running game. I get the whole speed/receiver running back thing, but there are likely metrics on O-line performance and yards after first contact for RB's that need to be factored in. Historically speaking, Thurman would have better yards after contact than Emmett Smith, but didn't win the rushing titles like Emmett. Emmett had the better (Dallas) O-line. Barry Sanders was likely the best RB of the era yet he had Detroit's line so was the RB really the key to a better running game? Of course Thurman led the league 4 years in a row in total yards so he was that multi threat, but who thinks that the Bills or any modern offense will structure their offense around a RB when they have a star QB and prefer downfield passing? I see the "draft a RB in the 1st round" narrative as one being driven by lazy/sensational sports writers and the general dislike of fans wanting to draft non-glamorous positions for the IOL and DT positions. Arguably, the Bills are comfortable with an average running game and will perhaps reason that a solid young IOL will help the running game in addition to keeping Josh upright. I'm not suggesting that the Bills will draft IOL at 23 or 30, only that they would have to give up picks that are better spent on Morse and Star replacements.

Few seem tougher.

Morse is a hit away from Feliciano moving to center and some assembly of Lamp, Ford, Boettger, etc. manning the guard positions.

Rounds 1-3, Stay Put. I don't see the point unless you're talking about a QB or possibly elite edge rusher. Recent trade-ups include Cody Ford, Edmunds, Allen, Zay Jones, and Dawkins. If you've got equal grades on players left from 30 to (say) 38, then consider trading down within that talent band. Round 4: N/A (This is the round where we previously picked Gabe Davis, Taron Johnson, Terrence McGee, Keith Newman, Ken Irvin, Leon Seals as well as some significant underperformers.) Rounds 5 - 7: No real opinion other than don't dismiss these picks. These are interesting picks to me. Do you get the high productivity 3-4 year college starter with limited athleticism or the athletic freak that is raw and lacking football skills? Do not give up 2022 draft picks - especially if 2022 will be a stronger draft class. Keep your powder dry for 2022. When you trade up, you are saying you can better assess players without seeing them in your camp and your system (and in a year when tape and games were limited) than once you get them into camp. Without a 4th, bringing in 7 players is not excessive.

1) Tre was drafted 27th overall so why panic over 30? 2) Looking forward to see if they improve corner, 1T DT, or interior OL. 3) Will they find an infusion of speed at WR? 4) These picks are critical to having a percentage of active players with low salaries and a shorter injury history. Lots to make the draft interesting.

Edmunds: Solid in pursuit (a runner more than a thumper). Good tackler when he's playing an angle. Struggles to disengage. Plays the wrong gap too often (instincts or system based assignments?). Averages just under 2 sacks a year (pass rush). Averages 1 interception a year (anticipation and coverage). Arguably being played out of position (MLB or OLB?) High character person. Plays much better when not playing with injury (obvious). Trending towards an expensive 5th year option. Someone who I hope hits another gear this year.

Same here. I've worn the mask and I've gotten the two shots of Pfizer, but I enjoy going maskless when I watch football.

That would be interesting to monitor.

At a minimum, Singletary stays until Moss shows he's fully back from the ankle injury. Plus he's a decent blocker, knows the offense, and is cheap.

Some players likely need in-person Spring OTA's. Meet their teammates, get extra coaching close up, PT and injury rehab, develop good habits, stay out of trouble, get a sense of belonging, take in Bills culture,, etc. This doesn't happen staring at an iPad.

Yes he does! https://youtu.be/jBt1nwR7dyk

Draft position doesn't affect the reality of who the player is now. Oliver is the player you see. If he's better with support then you either support him in his 3-tech role or let him play out his rookie contract and move on. Same thing with Shaq.

This position is too important to just hope on Star (Wish upon a Star?) or assume Harry recovers fully. Doesn't matter if every offense is a pass first offense. If your run D is soft, your 3 tackle is undersized, and your MLB can't shed, the opponent WILL play the matchup and run on you. I think Olver will be wasted until they restore their 1 tech DT. Any chance the trainers get a few pounds off him and he stays on the field for passing downs?

I didn't see any numbers in the article and in my opinion, the cautions will be notably outdated by September 2021. Neither the paper, nor the editorial positions by Alex Piquero and the others seemed to suggest that having fans in attendance was reckless.