Tipster19

I think that this post is important, especially now since we are so close to the draft, so I'm giving it a bump. Btw, thanks for posting it Yolo, much appreciated!

The main reason is because of their salary cap situation they were very limited in free anency due to money. In the draft they can get a lot more value for a lot less money. There are plenty of positions to fill and/or strengthen and this draft is ideally suited for their wants and needs. Not only do I expect them to be very active but especially in the 1st rd where a 1st rder gives them a 5th year option on their contract. I would think a QB would come into play because of this. A trade back and/or a trade up into this rd could be quite beneficial for them. Whaley has shown that he's not intimidated by making bold moves, especially concerning the first round. Anyone who doesn't expect him to get aggressive and creative in this draft is in for a surprise. Thursday night can't come fast enough!

Now that Philly locked up the #2 pick that will drive up Paxton Lynch AND Christian Hackenburg's stock way up. Btw, I can't believe that anyone really thought that Buffalo was seriously considering trading up for the #2 spot. The way that our defense is lacking players and the cost it would take to do such a bold move would have crippled this team for years to come. Tyrod is more than adequate, the main concern with him is keeping him upright.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/202127/why-the-seahawks-could-look-to-trade-out-of-the-first-round There was a news article earlier today quoting Jon Gruden touting Penn St QB Christian Hackenburg as a 1st rd talent. If Buffalo wants to groom a QB then Hackenburg might be a good candidate to do so. Having a 5th year option for 1st rd picks would be an added advantage to groom a long term prospect at the QB position. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/04/19/jon-gruden-will-be-shocked-if-hackenberg-isnt-a-first-round-pick/

What is done is done, no need to look back. I can't stand Rex but I can't fault him here. We paid Mario, we paid him large and there is no excuse for the effort he put in last year. Even if he's a total flop, and I hated the hire, Rex should have players that a. wants to play for him and b. have players that fit his scheme. I'll give Ryan a fair chance here this year, I don't think that it will make a difference, to see if he can get the players he wants to make his defense work but he doesn't have a good to great defense this year then we have problems, big problems. Either way Mario, and anyone like him, is not wanted or needed here. What gives him the right to choose when he wants to play or have a good attitude??! Either you got it or you don't and he self admittedly showed that he's one of the ones that don't have it. Good bye and good riddance.

That is some pretty funny and creative responses. Seriously though where is this team solidified at? I can only think of only of a couple of positions. Our QB position is manned only by 1 guy and there is some questions there. The RBs, well our star RB isn't legally out of the woods and while the back ups are adequate the #2 guy has to show that he can stay healthy for a full season. The OL, the subject of this topic, still needs a starter or 2. The LBs, I won't go there but I do think that the draft will right this ship quite a bit. Look at the WRs/TEs, we have some great pieces and I won't be an alarmist because this is a position that I feel overall that we'll be alright with. I would have to say that the tandem of Dareus/Hughes is good to great but Kyle is in the back 9 of his career. I hope that the depth there is better than what it appears. I would have to say that our secondary is our strong suit. I can understand why re-signing Gilmore is a top priority. No, re-signing Incognito was huge. I'm just glad that he wanted to be here and didn't play hardball because I would hate to think what it would have been like without him and how his position would have been addressed. Here's to a great year and the draft can't come soon enough! Go Bills!

I was thinking about this last night. It's a good thing that the Bills made him one of their priorities because they didn't accomplish a lot this off season. We took more losses than additions due to being hamstrung this year salary cap wise. Being not quite solidified at the QB position, question mark(s?) on the right side of the OL and having miscast defensive players doesn't leave one with a ton of confidence going into the season. It would be nightmarish if Incognito didn't re-sign. Being 32 I wonder what the future will hold in another year or 2. Even having him does anyone have an idea of what would happen if he were to sustain any kind of injury of what the alternatives would be? I'm just a bit suspicious of our vulnerability at not only the depth of Incognito's but more importantly the overall depth of this team all together offensively and defensively. Keep in mind that last preseason we were what was percieved as being loaded at the RB position and sudden influx we got down to just Fred and Dixon. Needless to say it wasn't a good feeling to get down to an aged RB and a perennial back up/ST RB. Man, I sure hope that Whaley can pull some rabbits out of his hat!

I like the way you think and I like the way you speak. I don't know if my post expresses enough clarity, I did it real late at night and I already see that I made a ton of typos! What I am trying to say is that the Bills should use their first few draft picks on defensive players but if they can trade down and get a veteran player, primarily an offensive one, then I'm all for it. In addition whatever trades that they can make with other teams without the draft is what I would like, and also expect, to see. I think that they can and will actually, I'm not a big believer in them being too salary cap strapped from being able to do anything. I have seen too many teams over the years being able to manipulate the salary cap. I think that it just comes down to the timing and the draft would be the right timing. I am still expecting 1 medium to big move out of Whaley. It's just a hunch but after seeing Whaley be willing to go for it in the last couple of years I just think that it's in his nature to willing to step up. No matter what anybody thinks or says about the guy he is fearless and I like that.

Looking at the Bills last year the defense struggled and the offense was trying to form an identity. Well, the offense did, they led the in rushing and now it's time to grow from there. Outside of Hogan the biggest losses of personel was on the defensive side of the ball. In hindsight this should have been expected. Ryan being a defensive minded coach inherited players that didn't match up to his philosophy so naturalky once this was proven players had to go and new ones who are better suited for his defensive scheme will be seeked. Fortunately this draft is loaded with defensive players. The priority was placed on keeping the OL intact and the mission was accomplished. What I believe and think what should happen is that the Bills should fortify the remaining needs on offense, #2 Wr, right side of the OL, creating better protection of Tyrod while providing additional weapons for him. Him staying healthy is a main concern, without him this team will flatline. Here is what I'm thinking. Make a concentrated and full commitment to completing this offense and let them be the difference in our results this year. Let our offense be the stronger suit because our defense isn't bad, it's just been disorganized and had miscast players. The defense will make improvements through this year's draft to where they will be more than adequate, if not lethal. What I'm thinking and proposing is that the Bills will make trade(s) before and/or during the draft by acquiring the missing offensive players needed to put this offense over the top. There's various ways of of accomplishing this, either by moving down in the draft for veteran players or by just flat outright trading for them. The Bills'offense has the capability of keeping opposing offenses off the field by an efficent offense that is able to control the clock. With limited time of possession for opposing offenses will only make our defense more proficient. Bottom line is keep building our defense through the draft by acquiring the right players for Ryan's defense because the Bills already got the right offensive players last year for Greg Roman's offense to work. Now let's just add the last couple of pieces that we need to make this offense one of the top offenses in the league this year.

I would think that he is better insurance than EJ and if a 2017 3rd rd pick could get this done than I for one would be all for it. To me EJ is just about useless but if a trade were made then I'd keep him as a 3rd stringer simply because he should know the system pretty good by now. I'm not confident in Tyrod staying healthy all year and I don't want to count on EJ again (*see 2015 Jacksonville/London game). If Tyrod goes down Glennon would be good insurance, has been in the league a few years now and has a cheap contract this year (675,000.00). I'd still would be willing to draft a mid rd QB this year and this would be able to let him sit and learn. Worse case scenario if something drastic would happen to Taylor then Glennon could be slapped with a transition tag. If Taylor stays healthy and plays well then we have our franchise QB and this year's drafted QB, whoever that may be, would step in as the #2 QB and there will be no need for Glennon or Manuel.

I was screwing around before when I said Farve but serious now I would be only mildly surprised if Jake Locker announced that he'd like to give it 1 more try. He's only 27 years old and after being away for 1 year maybe he could have a change of heart.

Who is the master of unretiring? Brett Farve of course!

Wow Kemp, I'm sorry to hear this about you. My wife has had a lot of serious health issues herself in the last 15+ years. Lupus heads the list and I almost lost a couple of times through the years. I don't know if Crohn's has any similarities to Lupus but when people say don't take your health for granted I truly know now what they mean by it. Hopefully Henderson succeeds in his battle against this disease, football shouldn't even be a concern for him at this point.

I couldn't imagine that it would be too much. If Henderson's health has a lapse what kind of alternatives would be available for them? I have been, and probably like most, are expecting for the Bills to go heavy on defense in the upcoming draft. I was looking for thr Bills to start with their 1st pick but now I'm begining to wonder that in a draft that is loaded with DL that maybe our OL should be addressed first. In the 2nd rd there should still be defensive talent that would be able to contribute for us but is there any noteworthy OL that would be difference maker for a run oriented offense?

I just read this whole thread and while I'm not advocating for trading Taylor I'm not against it either. I don't know if he will be the next superstar QB or just be an average middle of the road kind of QB but I do know that I'm more than concerned about his physicality/health, and I believe that I'm not alone on this either. Whaley and Ryan expressed that they want him to be more protective of himself or he won't last. I liked some of the ideas that some here suggested and putting bits and pieces together of several of your suggestions there could be a feasible and reasonable scenarios. First off if the Bills are enarmored with any of the young prospects in this draft like Paxton Lynch or Cardale Jones then I believe then could end uo with one of them AND still have a 1st rd pick by trading Taylor. Kubuak and Broncos like Taylor, this is known but to what extent? I believe that if they liked him enough for now and for their future than their 1st rd pick this year can be had. Someone also mentioned Clady. I like that idea and I'm sure that the Broncos would more than happy to unload him, we'd actually be doing them a favor. Their 1st rd pick and Clady for Taylor and a mid rd pick (3rd or 4th?) Back to them. They can't get a quality QB for less than that. They are too far back in the draft, the cost would be astronomical, and a drafted prospect will take too long to develope. I could be wrong but I think that Fitzpatrick really liked his time here in Buffalo. Someone suggested him and once again I like this suggestion. Fitz would be a great stop gap and mentor for whoever the Bills get with one of their 1st rd picks. In the process the Bills would really solidify the right side of their OL with Clady and they would still be able to secure a quality defensive player with their other 1st rd pick. I don't ever remember Jim Kelly ever getting involved with his input on personel like he has lately on this year's QB prospects. It's no secret that him and Elway are pretty close, same draft class and all. It wouldn't hurt to have Jimbo try and use some influence here. I don't believe that Elway and the Brincos are caught this much off guard and unprepared about their QB situation. I don't know what it is but they are definitely up to something. Speaking about being up to something I have been expecting Whaley to be pulling off some kind of big move still. Maybe he is just waiting until the draft or something but I don't believe that their are unable to do anything because of the salary cap situation. The salary cap can be manipulated and I'm just waiting for Whaley to do this but I think that he can only make 1 big move and he is just waiting for the right timing. While the Bills are suddeningly lacking unexpevted depth they still do have good starters for the most part, hence all the second tier FAs. Resolving the right side of the OL in a scenario likje this is just an added bonus but also being able to still take advantage of this draft defensively is huge. There hasn't been anything that has been said or indicated by any of the front office that leads me to believe that any of them have any kind of great faith in Taylor. Someone mentioned earlier to sell high and before anything is proven about Taylor's talent and ability. Once again I like and agree with this thinking, I think that they are spot on.

https://twitter.com/68incognito/status/717871967563415552 Love the attitude, looks like Richie is getting in form and preparing for the upcoming season! Lol! I can't wait to see him smash a few people this year! Go Bills!

From what I can tell so far is that the Browns, 49'ers, Eagles, Rams and possibly the Cowboys are llooking at QBs and they all pick before us, I'm not even thinking of the teams picking behind us who may be interested in QBs. I would think that if the Bills were really interested in Lynch then they would have to be considering of trading up to the #5 (Jacksonville) or #6 (Baltimore) spot to be able to secure the rights to Lynch or any of the other 2 top QB prospects.

I'm not much into college football but wouldn't the Bills have to move up in the draft to have a realistic shot of drafting him? This article tends to insinuate that if Lynch doesn't get selected in the first several picks then he might slide a bit but from what I have been reading lately Lynch should be long gone by the time the Bills pick at #19. Some insight from some draft gurus would be much appreciated. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/04/06/report-bills-met-with-paxton-lynch-tuesday-night/

With the limited amount of salary cap and the loss of starters and role players the Bills are doing exactly what they should be doing in free agency. They sustained from the big money FAs, waited patiently for the next tier of value players and are structuring depth to a roster that has been decimated more than any other recent season that I can remember. I think that with the firigh. or 3 picks that they take in the draft are going to be expected to be starters. If so I like this kind of foresight, filling a roster with experienced depth at a reasonable value and then bringing in what is hopefully starters for rookie wages. By the end of the 3rd rd it is very realistic that we net 2, possibly 3 starters. Whaley has proven, at least to me that he is a very astute evaluator of talent. Last year's draft really showed me something, with no 1st rder our GM came up L-A-R-G-E. I expect that our first 3 picks will either 1 LB, 1 DL and a QB OR 2 LBs and 1 DL. It seems that a #2 WR and a OL for the right side (RG or a RT) is speculated by more than just a few people. While I also agree that these positions should be addressed, and they will be, I just think that the Bills will be capable of finding the right player(s) for these positions with middle to late rd picks.

Each of your points got me thinking. Loosely speaking what if the Bills were able to trade down this year to some degree (some kind of 2nd or 3rd rd pick?) and also wind up with a 2017 1st rd pick in the process? I don't know much about college prospects, especially future ones, but in 2017 is there any big time QB prospects? If so I'm wondering if this could be a creative way of putting yourself in a great position to be able to insure yourself a top prospect, especially at the QB position with two 1st rd picks plus whatever else one would need to add to the mix. I'd much rather do it this way than to do it like how the Redskins did it for RGIII, where they mortgaged their future by trading multiple future 1st rd picks.

Seriously, do you ever remember a team losing so many of their players to inter division rivals in the same year??! What is up with that?! I'm really starting to think that it's not a coincidence but I can't come with another reason why this is happening. If you have a reason then please share, this is starting to becoming a little concerning.

Let me start off by saying that I am no fan of Rex Ryan AT ALL, I can't stand the fat pig and his whole family BUT with that being said you have stated some great points. The things that you stated are so valid that I am willing to earnestly let this thing play out, I don't have any choice anyways but I'll try to have a better attitude about it and give it my best to be unbiased. If I end up being right about this idiot, and unfortunately I believe I will be, I'll take no solace in it and won't be one of the ones who'll post on the message board saying that I told you so. Mentality like that does nobody no good. All I want is for this franchise to rise to prominence again and at this point I don't care how it happens or who does it. I can't remember wanting to be so wrong about something as I am about this. I don't know who you are pal but I want to thank you for taking the time to bringing some very reasonable facts and thinking to the table.

With the lack of salary cap, depth and a very quiet free agency a trade down would serve their best interest. Who would trade with them is beyond me, I'll ask others to provide that insight if they agree with this idea. This draft's strength is our weakness and that is defense, especially when it comes to the front 7. We lost too many starters at these positions and our depth is lacking. I think that we could very possibly end up with 3 good players by time we reach our 2nd rd selection or not much past it. I don't like Rex but at this stage he should be allowed to pick players that are better suited for what he wants and needs to make his kind of defense be successful instead of trying to make inherited players make it work. The infusion of young blood would also be a benefit as well, if not for this season but more importantly for future seasons.

I'd like to see him paired up with Jerry Hughes. Talk about getting to the QB! Would he be a good pick at #19? I'm not much into college football so any input would be greatly appreciated.

I like your thinking.