Tanoros

I’m not trying to say the FO doesn’t value wr, it’s how much they value them is what I’m alluding too. For instance, Beane has made it abundantly clear (in action and statements) that he values (besides qb) the defensive and offensive lines. In other words, every FO has their own strategies and areas emphasis. So i was trying to express that it will be interesting to see how this draft is conducted. We should have a chance at a great wr in the first round, but the last wr heavy draft, the Bills Embed made it quite clear the Bills had G. Davis targeted as a pick well before the draft (note: we did trade a first for Diggs this draft though). We of course need stud players and wr’s, but a stud can come from any round in draft. I understand higher round players have better odds of being studs, but depth of a position group has to factor into the decision making process. If for instance, the Bills like many wr’s including guys projected until midway through the draft vs another position group that has less guys the Bills like does it make sense to take a potential stud wr vs a similarly graded potential stud at another position of need? It all comes down to several factors, evaluation of a player (ranking), depth of position in draft, team need at the position, team positional philosophy, personal traits/abilities. Like i mentioned before, I’d love a wr early in this draft, I just don’t know that it makes the most sense. The argument I’m making is in an attempt to look at/understand the bigger picture (without knowing the Bills FO inner workings) in regards to our team/draft. Having a young stud wr on our offense would be amazing, but that has to be balanced against many other factors. The Bills Super Bowl window is now, and this draft will be so fun/interesting to see which direction the Bills go. I personally wish Tre could play week 1, it would make wr or IOL the easy choice round 1 (in my opinion).

I did leave receiver out, but yes, it’s getting quite expensive for good to decent ones as you alluded too. I fully expect a wr or two in this draft. However, I feel like there are much more good options at wr versus the other positions and because of that alone, I feel their overall value (draft value) is slightly below the other positions I listed. There are so many wr’s all over this draft that seem like they could turn into something special, especially because we have Josh. It will be interesting to see what we do at wr this draft. Zay was our highest wr selected so far, and that was pre Beane. Since Beane, our highest is Davis in round 4. We did trade a first for Diggs so I suppose that can be counted. Either way, I’m curious if this FO values wr’s less than some of the other premium positions because of the relative wr depth.

I agree, however, it would be so surprising that he would be ready for the start of the season, and the draft is next month. I don’t think they will know one way or another by that time and they have to hedge their bets a bit. To be honest, how they approach cb during the draft will be a big indicator as to how they feel about Tre’s recovery. Because, a healthy Tre and Dane should be fine for outside cb. Although, a stud first round cb sound amazing to pair with Tre. Either way, I’m confident in the approach from our FO.

Of course it’s not a given, nothing is. However, I have faith in any corner this front office takes, especially one in the first round (even the end of the first). Even above average or solid corners aren’t cheap these days, so it’s still a considerable savings having a cb on a rookie contract even if they don’t reach elite level. It really comes down to the Bills FO evaluations, and ROI (return on investment). If two players are graded similarly, the one playing a position offering higher ROI is the one that is taken. When paying top dollar to a qb, we have to have impact players at impact positions on rookie contracts. That’s what will give us the best competitive advantage.

This is the best way to look at our IOL in relation to the draft and FA. Who do you prefer head to head? Dotson or Gordon?

Especially at premium positions. This is a big reason why it’s hard to take rb early. Having cb, de, ot, qb playing on rookie contracts is a huge savings

Your right, that’s true. The best rbs do tend to do atleast all right with not so good lines. An elite rb would be amazing next to Josh. However, now that we have to pay Josh, it’s important to get good ROI, and there is no better way to do that than having positions such as DE, OT, CB on rookie contracts. With all that being said, playmakers trump anything and I’m ok with the Bills taking anyone if they truly believe they will be a playmaker. So if that’s Hall and the Bills staff feels that way so be it, however a tie would have to go to the positions offering more ROI.

Agree. At this point I’m beginning to think IOL and CB as the first two picks depending on how the first falls. But these two areas are beginning to seem like the ones in need the most immediate upgrade to compete this year. Personally I really want a nice slot, but the wr pool is really stacked this draft, and we are more likely to get by with McKenzie and a vet (not signed yet) than the other two spots. Especially guard, there isn’t much out there if we don’t get Bates and/or Boetteger back.

If we don’t get Bates back, we are going to be drafted a guard higher than later. Too many seem to be devaluing guards in their mock drafts. It certainly depends on how the board falls, but I see CB, WR, and IOL bring the Bills top needs in the draft. I also don’t think we take a rb until later in the draft, it would be very hard to imagine a rb in the first 3 rounds.

I don’t see a first round rb offering more impact than a cb, iol, or wr especially when considering beyond just this season. The only way I see a first round rb is when the offensive line is fully established (ours isn’t), and the player is truly special. The value is just not there with a first round rb, and we need to be VERY conscious of getting impact players at a value. CB or WR offer the best value that early. A dynamic rb would be amazing in this offense, but at what cost is a rb like that worth it? At the cost of an elite shutdown corner on a cheap 5 year deal? No way for me. What about an elite slot wr? No way a rb is more valuable than that. We all agree the Bills can find cbs, so what would you expect from a first round cb? Probably something close to Tre White, and that would be some major ROI as far as cost is concerned. I just don’t see how the Bills take a rb in the first. Look at the moves they have made so far. They have a gaping hole at cb, with essentially 1 year stop gaps available, and they didn’t resign Levi for reasonable price. We Dane is a similar athlete as Levi. We also know that the way things are looking there should be 1-3 corners available at 25 who could fit the Bills. The signs seem to be strongly pointing towards a first round cb. I’m in agreement with not wanting another high round rb. My point with Moss, he may have more to offer in year 3. As a rookie he was the top rated pass blocker and the Bills do value that. Singletary came on strong in year 3 after struggling in year 2. My point with Moss was, it’s probably better to pick up a vet and/or late round rb and let them all compete at camp to see who the rb core will be for the season. Moss might surprise and his contract isn’t holding us back from taking another look.

I just don’t see the Bills taking a rb in the first round, we have much greater need at cb, iol, and slot wr (even depth outside wr). Singletary showed enough to be comfortable with him as the starter, the earliest I could possibly see us taking a rb is the second, and even that would be unlikely. Even though Moss didn’t look good last year, he is going into year 3, having two more cheap years left. It’s more likely the Bills pick up a vet option and/or a late round pick to come in and compete at training camp. We just have bigger needs, especially earlier in the draft.

Where do you take him? First? Does he last until our pick in the second? Or do you trade up? Our first 3 picks are going to be VERY important this year. More than likely we are getting a cb or wr who will play very meaningful snaps. The other position to look at in the first three rounds is IOL. If rb was taken in the first 3 rounds I could see it being instead of a wr, and taking wr later (4+) because wr is very deep this year. A dynamic offensive player will be important, whether it’s rb or wr.

I think Baker would do better than Wentz. Wentz looked horrible last year, Mayfield, he looked similarly horrible, but with a hurt shoulder. I think the Colts could compete in their division with Mayfield.

It’s not make believe, it’s simply pushing cost down the road, or borrowing against future years. With the cap constantly going (pre c19, and again) it’s harder to notice, and not a bad strategy, but there is certainly a cost.

Didn’t Rousseau start as a rookie? I thought he did. Either way, your right, McDermott generally takes it slow with rookies. However, with our cb depth being what it is, whatever rookie cb we draft will be battling in camp for a starting spot. We’ll have Dane, vet fa, and rookie cb (plus I’m sure another vet or late round rookie) competing for two starting spots week 1.

Your jumping the gun a bit with your worries. FA just started, and not many corners have been signed yet. Additionally, Jackson is going into his 3rd year, after playing nearly half the season last year and not doing bad all. What makes you so worried about him playing, “even 3% of the snaps”? He’s already done more than that and did just fine. The Bills will bring in a vet cb or two. Probably a mid priced vet and low priced vet. Additionally they will draft at least one cb maybe two (or UDFA). I’m sure they draft a cb early in the draft and have the drafted cb(s), Jackson, and vet(s) all compete for the two starting spots. Then when Tre is ready to play again, they keep the cb who was playing the best opposite of Tre (assuming Tre is ready to go). I wouldn’t be so worried about Jackson though. He showed well enough for a second year, 7th round draft picks. And with the contract Levi got, clearly the Bills aren’t worried about Jackson AND they have a plan. We just have to wait to watch it unfold.

I don’t see Edmonds being traded. With the Miller signing we are clearly going after the Lombardi, it doesn’t make sense to trade our starting MLB, making a big hole on our defense. Drafting a replacement for next season would make much more sense. Who replaced Edmonds if he is traded this season? If AJE is traded, it could possibly be a player for player trade like Hughes was back in the day or just a late round pick. Beane is certainly good at flipping guys for picks.

True, however that was awhile ago now and for the last few years they have been knocking on the door, not getting a wr or even something other than qb with a late first, could have changed everything for them. That team has been so close, and hitting on a 5 year cost controlled contract would have been big for them. The other reason I bring it up is because, Rodgers winning only one Super Bowl would end up being something people point too when discussing his legacy when he is retired. Everyone always talks about SuperBowl wins/mvps, and league mvps. I should have been more clear in how I said that. I was referring to this latest opportunity they have had with LaFluer as head coach.

Imagine if they took a wr instead of Love as many expected in that draft. That was a crucial mistake it appears, especially if GB doesn’t win the Super Bowl with Rodgers.

We certainly were lacking an elite pass rusher and it’s clear the FO understood that. When trying to take down the most elite of the elite QB’s, you need an elite player chasing them down, I agree with that. Just think about how many times over the last few years teams have focused on getting the ball out fast against us. That’s for two main reasons, we get pressure and tend to play off coverage. We, as a defense are essentially asking for quick passes, so I wonder if some may get frustrated with Millers production. His sack numbers may not be what some expect, largely because of scheme. With that said, pressure coming from multiple places may just be too much, even if a team is scheming to get the ball out quick. So you never know. Either way, I’m excited to see the defense this season.

Because Basham and Eponesa haven’t shown enough yet (they still have time) I don’t think the Bills can go into the new season relying on them as back ups. Meaning, the Bills most likely bring in a bet to compete and see what happens. It would make sense for the vet to be Huhges or Addison. I don’t know if you’ve seen/heard the discussions regarding why pressure is important. Cover1 has some, and they make excellent points as to why pressure is important so much so, they state pressure rate has to be factored into the defensive coverage equation. So although sacks end plays, pressures are factor in coverage that prevents completions and or big gains/first downs. To be clear, I’m not diminishing the value of sacks, just that, pressure it’s self is a very valuable component to defense.

I’m thinking it’s partially because of the draft picks. Beane values drafting and developing, and this draft is deep, especially in the earlier rounds. That second is a really nice pick this year. Secondly, Miller seems to be the type of player personality wise the Bills love. It’s quite possible the Bills truly like Miller more head to head. So either that, or the draft picks were enough to offset the difference.

I also like Gordon in the first and Wan’Dale Robinson in the second. But I’m good with either of those four players. Really curious to see how the Bills first few rounds go. I could see them trading up into the second as you suggested or even trading up higher in the second round.

I wonder what will happen with Star? If they bring him back for this season, it would have to mean they have some faith in him as part of the rotation. I’ll be happy for the day we move on, even if it’s not until next season Did Star say this? I didn’t hear

Treating all players with respect is the best way for the front office. No reason to give potential FA’s any reason to cause doubt. Look how close it was with Von Miller, some small thing could be the difference in the player going elsewhere. Also, what do the Bills gain by holding onto him a bit longer? They wouldn’t release him without a plan, and walking the high road is about following ones (or an organizations) values, regardless of others actions.