BigAl2526

I would shocked and probably disappointed if the Bills climbed higher than about #25, and even then it would need to be a really intriguing player to make me happy. I think the odds favor a trade down more than a trade up, but you never know.

Happy easter. My wife and I went to Church this morning then took a two hour and 15 minute drive to Easter dinner with my wife's family. It was a good day, the only negative was 4 1/2 hours on the road.

I like this draft. I agree the Bills will likely avoid Bond, who has spent his time since college football ended, accumulating red flags. Maybe instead of Bond, they might take a look at Arian Smith, whose negatives include questions about his college production and his hands.

I think both were wrestlers. One of the major strengths of Kyle Williams (the DT) is that he was lightning quick at the snap. Zierlein thinks Hutmacher has below average first step quickness.

House is making light of the fact that WR prospect Kyle Williams shares both first and last names with the venerable defensive tackle who played for the Bills several years back. Haven't you seen examples of House's humor in the past? Here are the weaknesses of Nash Hutmacher according to NFL.com's draft coverage (Lance Zierlein's commentary I believe: Below-average first-step quickness upfield and laterally. Very short arms prevent separation from the block. Struggles getting rid of the blocker to tackle his gap. Range of play won’t extend far beyond his closest gaps. Unable to generate pocket pressure if he doesn’t win quickly. He is rated as a bottom of the roster or practice squad player.

The Bills have the most complete list LOL. All anybody else has is a compilation of bits and pieces cobbled from many sources. My guess is that list has some missing pieces.

If the draft falls right, there is no position I'd rather draft than DT, but if Kenneth Grant and Derrick Harmon are gone, the picture gets muddy. I'm not real interested in Walter Nolen for reasons I've stated in a number of other threads. I have some interest in Tyleik Williams, but I have questions about his value at #30. That's the very end of the list of DTs I would give any consideration to at #30. There are more I would consider at #56 or #62.

There is no way for them to know. What they know is that White was a two-time pro bowler. He is a couple years removed from a devastating injury. It's reasonable to assume that the injury was a major factor in his struggle with the Rams. He was somewhat improved in Baltimore. It's not outrageous to think that another season removed from the injury could bring further improvement. Given that CB is the most obvious need heading into the draft, the very modest risk he presents is easily worth it. Better than Rasul Douglas? We can't be sure, but the pre-injury Tre White was. Tre White is not young, but he's younger than Douglas, and Douglas looked like he was pretty much spent last season. It wasn't due to injury. He just looked old. He's not going to be any better this season, but Tre White might be.

I see no differentiation based on specific DT position. 3 techs (which comprise almost all listed players on both lists) are almost always going to have the better stats and more speed, but the presence of a big strong 1 tech helps a lot of that statistical production on the part of the 3 techs happen. There is no stat for tying up blockers and drawing double teams. It's no secret, I've been drumming for a 1 tech in the draft. I the lists that the OP compiled, I think Farmer, West, Harmon and Tyliek all have 1 tech potential, Tyliek especially. Only West was primarily a NT in college, and that was in a 3-4 defense. I understand he switched to 3 tech in a 4-3. West and Tyliek both have short arms, which is a negative, though some players have overcome that disadvantage.

I think CB is still in play in either the first or second round of the draft, but in no parallel universe is it a bad think to have Tre White back.

No. I just wanted to give a thumbnail description of the group. In the first round, I think Hairston and Revel are probably reasonable values. Amos might be a bit of a reach, but not outrageously so. Revel's injury is something teams will be aware of, but if medically it looks like his recovery is going well, I would be very willing to take a chance. The Bills will have to decide if Hairston can be a good fit for them. I really like Morrison in round 2, though there is a good chance he doesn't last until the Bills pick. Amos will almost certainly be gone by #56. If Buffalo needs to get their CB in round 2 and Morrison and Amos are gone, I would be willing to gamble on Porter despite some technical issues. I'd even settle for Thomas, but the speed issue still concerns me.

I think this is a good move. No, it doesn't negate the priority Buffalo needs to put on drafting a CB as early as possible (first or second round, hopefully. But the fact that he has continued add time since his last major injury should lead to some physical improvement. We know his skill set is a good match for the system Buffalo's defense plays., and he's as good a fit as anybody for the Bills locker room.

You're comparing apples to oranges. First, the Rams during a good part of Aaron Donald's tenure ran a 34 defense. In 2020, for instance, A'Shawn Robinson was the nose tackle at 6'3" and 320 lbs. Aaron Donald lined up outside of him. In 2023 Kobie Turner was the nose tackle for part of the year due in part to an injury to Bobby Brown, who came off IR to start in November. Turner was a bit undersized at 305 lbs, but then Brown came in to play at 328 lbs. The defensive end spot in 2023 was variously manned by Earnest Brown at 270 lbs and Marquise Copeland at 287 lbs. Their outside linebackers were Michael Hoecht at 267 lbs (Gee, where have we heard that name lately?) and Byron Young at 258 lbs. So, yes, Aaron Donald was on the light side for a defensive tackle, but overall there was ample beef on the Rams front 5. I don't mind a light defensive tackle, but if you are light across the line, you are bound to be vulnerable to a power run game. I'm happy to have Oliver or Nolen line up with a good-sized nose tackle next to him on run plays. I wouldn't mind both of them together on obvious passing plays, but I think a steady diet of them together on run downs is asking for trouble.

Ideally, I agree. The way the draft unfolds can disrupt the ideal plan though.

Donald was a 3 tech. My issue is not that Nolen can't play and be a good or even great defensive tackle. It is that Buffalo's primary need at defensive tackle is for a 1 tech to potentially replace 34 year old Daquan Jones. If you line up with two sub 300 lb defensive tackles, some teams (Baltimore?) are going to run the ball up your gut all day long and you won't be able to stop them. If Buffalo were to draft Nolen, they would be needing to look hard for a starting caliber 1 tech later in the draft. They could do that. There are a few more in the draft (Tyliek Williams, Alfred Collins, maybe Jamaree Caldwell). There are some other 1 tech's they could draft, but they are probably going to need some amount of development before you'd want to trust them with starter responsibility. The point is, the longer you wait, the more pressure you face to find somebody you can reasonably expect to fulfill the need. Yes, you want to draft the best player available, but if that player does not also meet a significant need, your draft results are less than ideal. I would rank the Bills draft need this way: 1. cornerback 2. 1 tech DT 3. WR (one that can line up outside and stretch defenses), 4. safety, 5. edge rusher (preferably one with some bend and explosiveness). A rotational 3 tech DT, RB (insurance against a James Cook holdout), interior offensive line (to improve depth, a third string TE, are all minor needs. If you fill them on day three of the draft, great, but you can survive without them.

The argument Sean McDermott makes is that it could potentially expose players (primarily the QB) to a greater risk of injury. Buffalo has been successful with their version as has Philadelphia. They are fortunate in that they have big strong QBs who are less prone to injury than most, but the league has shown significant interest in reducing the risk of injury where possible.

I'd be OK with Revel. I forgot about him. I think Morrison is no better than a mid second round value. Buffalo's need at DT is primarily for a 1 tech. They still like Oliver to start, despite a down statistical year in 2024, and there is a player or two that pose reasonable rotational guys until Ogunjobi comes off his suspension (DeWayne Carter and Branson Deen). Nolen has a good skill set, but is too light to serve as a 1 tech. Oliver and Nolen would be a great rotation at 3 tech, but Buffalo would be left with a need at 1 tech, where the starter is 34 year old Daquan Jones. He was largely ineffective last season and a strong contributing factor to Buffalo's down year on defense. The only alternative 1 tech on the roster is Zion Logue. He has some intriguing traits, but was a UDFA and has notable areas where he needs to develop. He's only 22 and kind of long and lean for a nose tackle. Someday he might be good, but I don't want to rely on him now. Burden scares me a bit. He's reportedly something of a diva and initially at least is better suited to the slot where Buffalo is already strong with Shakir. I'd be happier with Embuka, who also plays a lot of slot, but I think he could move outside with little difficulty. Landon Jackson would not be the worst pick Buffalo could make. I have seen mocks where he goes quite a bit higher than #30. TJ Sanders is another under 300 lb 3 tech, and most people see him as a second rounder.

Grant, Starks, Emmanwori, Ezeiruaku, Hairston, Harmon, Barron, Green and Amos are all off the board and Buffalo can't find a team that wants to move up so Buffalo can trade down.

Actually, I have more than fifty years on Bradberry, and yes, I said, "He's no spring chicken." You're right, I was nowhere near fit to play in the NFL even 50 years ago.

Bradberry visits Bills What do you think. He's no spring chicken, but has had a nice career, most recently with the Philadelphia Eagles. He's a bigger cornerback at 6'1" and 210 lbs. No burner, but fast enough, running a 4.5 40 coming out of college. The fly in the ointment: He tore his achilles in August last year, which is why he missed the 2025 season. In September, he'll be just one year removed from what is one of the most devastating injuries a football player can have and cornerback is probably the position at which a torn achilles is the most difficult to deal with since he will have to make sharp cuts to stay with receivers. The fact that he's visiting suggests he thinks he'll be able to come back this year. If the Bills think he has a chance, they could probably sign him to a one year prove it deal that does not have much guaranteed money. What do you think?

It won't be Will Johnson. He'll be long gone by #30 and Beane is not going to give up the draft capital it would take to move up and get him. I hope they don't pick Azareye'h Thomas. The Bills need to find some speed in the back end of the defense and 4.59 doesn't do that. Hairston may not be a great fit. Porter is raw and a projection but as a gamble might pay off. Revel and Morrison are both recovering from injury, so there is some modest risk. Trey Amos might be the safest pick, but is a reach in round 1 and might not be on the board at #56.

Wrong on multiple levels. Yes, he's a great player and a legit two-way player. It's not going to happen in the NFL. Whatever team drafts him will play him primarily at one spot, presumably CB, and give him occasional reps at WR. If you try and play him full-time both ways, you risk injury and you will wear him out. Trading up from #30 would take a first next year, if not the next two years plus a boatload of other picks. You will hurt your team in the long run.

Worth what he's asking for? No. Keep the lines of communication open. If negotiation doesn't produce, let him play out his rookie deal. If he holds out, then the Bills can start thinking trade, but it will be difficult since other teams will be reluctant to pay his asking price, and a holdout handcuffs Buffalo's negotiation for a trade.

Agree on Butler. Dubenion is before my Bills fandom. Butler had speed and great hands. He was also a great fit in terms of team chemistry. I couldn't tell you what kind of route runner he was as my evaluation skills were even more crude than they are now. If I remember, he was about 6'1" - not super tall but easily suited to be an outside receiver.

If Beane trades up in round 1, it will be by no more than a few spots, probably less than 5. Likewise, I don't think he would trade down too far. no more than 10 spots. I agree that his first pick is highly likely to be on defense. The only way he drafts offense with the first pick (WR) is if all the defensive picks he could justify in the first round are gone and he can't find a trading partner to go down a few spots. I don't think Beane would have any qualms about picking a receiver at #56 if that's where the value is. I don't think a trade down from #62 is especially likely, but it's not impossible.