Bill from NYC

The teams you mention got there primarily because of their qbs. I know this and I already stated that qb was the most important position. Does this mean pass rush isn't important? How did the Giants beat Brady? What did Von Miller do last year? If Brady got sacked a few more times the Patriots probably would have lost the game. But, their rock solid OL held off pass rushers. Defensive backs can no longer hit "defenseless receivers." Offenses now own the middle, not Ronnie Lott, Steve Atwater, etc. Quarterbacks, pass rushers and blockers are the most important pieces of a football team, and the hardest to get.

Honestly, I can live with a wide receiver much more than a defensive back. It's sad however to be in this position after Whaley used 2 #1 picks and a 4th on Sammy in a deep wr draft.

Quarterback is the most important position by far. I suspect every poster here knows that. What I don't understand is how many posters want to repeat the same mistake of using our best primary resources on what is properly referred to as the "secondary." The Bills have gone down this losing road time and time again and can't even sneak into a wild card spot. BADOL, as is his norm, makes extremely poignant points about the OL. The truth is that other than Glenn, this is not an awfully good unit (although I was impressed by the backup center). Like him or hate him, Tyrod makes these players look better than they are. He moves around so well that there is less of a need for good pass blocking. He also help the running game because defenses have to focus on him. My point? An infusion of talent is needed up front, especially on the right side. Pass rush today is the real defensive equalizer. All the rules favor the receiver these days, and if a qb has time he will destroy you. Pass rushing DEs and tweeners are worth their weight in gold. These guys pressure and sack quarterbacks. They take over games and win them for a team. I want the Bills to draft a qb in round 1 every year until they are certain that they have their guy. It can't hurt and remember, qbs have astronomical trade value. For example,let's see what the Bengals get for McCarron, another player that the Bills senselessly whiffed on. Finally, I haven't given up on Tyrod. As I said, he needs better talent up front and better receivers. To make this happen, we could use a GM who stops giving away our draft choices, but that is another horror show for another thread.

I respect your well presented opinion but I do disagree. I think that if this Bills team had Revis and Mel Blount in their primes, they would fail to make the playoffs.

As I vaguely remember, Jenkins had off field issues in college, and some injuries in the NFL. My girlfriend is a Giant Fan so I saw him in a few games. I thought he was clearly superior to Gilmore. Landon Collins was of course great as well, but I already knew this.

Bandit, do you think that Gilmore is a better cb than Jenkins? I am not trying to prove any point at all, I just am interested in your opinion. I don't pay as much attention to secondary play as I do to both lines so for what little it's worth, and without bothering to check stats, I think that Jenkins is clearly superior.

Our Bills historically waste our top draft picks on defensive backs and running backs. Oh, and we lose football games. Your mock brings back ugly memories of 2006, the year in which Levy and Jauron, two men who nobody else wanted, ruined our football team for many years to come. Even if the players you list are "good," the Bills would continue to lose. IMO of course, it really is that simple. The Bills need to invest in quarterbacks, pass rushers, and men who can block other humans.

I think that as far as the Bills are concerned, that mock draft is the absolute worst thing that could possibly happen to the team.

I want players who can win us some football games. Gilmore, whether or not he is "good," has lost us as many games as he has won us. I wouldn't be one bit surprised if we find a corner in round 2 or 3 that is better than Gilmore. After all, Janoris Jenkins was the 7th pick in round 2 the day we wasted a #10 on Gilmore.

I wonder what Brandon will decide.

I couldn't disagree more. I am hoping the Panthers will give him a great offer and he goes home. No great loss, and we pick up a compensatory pick.

Words cannot express my sorrow NG. I ask God to rest Danny's soul and to bless you and your family and provide you with solace during these times of sadness.

Brady is in WAY better shape than Romo. He is also the best qb, whether we like it or not, who ever lived.

Great question! I think that the Bills having an interest in Romo is a ticket selling move. He is 90 years old and brittle, but he's a big name. By the time he is hospitalized and out for the year, the season tickets will have been sold. This move has Brandon written all over it and Whaley will be happy to oblige by throwing away more draft picks.

Great list! I would remove Adams and add Watson.

Kelsay was too small and weak to play the run. He was almost always 1 step too slow vs. the pass. He WOULD often get through but it was just a bit too late almost all of the time. In the credit where it's due department, he had 2 or 3 really good games. He just didn't have the size or athletic ability to do his job consistently. Refresh my memory if you will.....didn't he receive a big, ridiculous contract? Spiller (along with Whitner) were draft picks I could never, ever understand. I still have no idea why any team would ever have selected them early. Round 4? I guess and as you know, this is not 20-20 hindsight. You are right about Stevie. Imo, part of what made him effective was that he and Fitz were second and/or 3rd stringers together and practiced often. He wasn't going to get better on another team, but he was a huge value for a 7th round pick.

Yes. He went on to have a fine career and they did well when they traded him. Not bad for a 6th round pick out of Boston College.

And this doesn't take into account the draft choices he peddled away to achieve this poor record. Whaley is not fit to be a general manager of an NFL football team. This is not a huge insult either.....how many people ARE capable of doing that job. The bad news is that we are stuck with him for at least 1 more year. The good news is that he is a sharp dresser and must have some great fashion tips.

If the Bills draft Watson for example and he is good, that would be worth quite a bit even if Tyrod develops into a better qb. The trade value of either one would be huge, let alone the advantage of having a quality backup in case of injury. At this stage of the game, is there ever a bad time to draft a quarterback? We can keep drafting 1st round corners and safeties and give away draft picks until we are blue in the face but we will continue to lose. Why should anybody believe otherwise after almost 2 decades of disgrace and futility?

John, just a quick comment/opinion about quarterbacks..... Tyrod Taylor may or may not succeed. I want the Bills to keep him AND draft a 1st round qb, but I have been wrong before. That said, qbs such as Tyrod are the future of the sport imo. Did you notice that Watson and a freshman Hurts played for the title? Colleges play 4 and 5 wr sets and go with RPOs. This is beyond dispute. Teams that stand by and wait to draft an old time drop back quarterback might have to wait decades for a good one. The kid on USC looked GREAT, right? Well, he will go first barring injury. Then what? In summary, qb will always be the most important position. Finding one will change sooner that later. Again, jmo.

Reading your post, I agree with all of it except for your support of Whaley. Frankly, it's hard to understand because you list GREAT reasons for not liking the job he has done. I consider Whaley a horrible GM for the very reasons that you list. Let's just hope he doesn't grab a DB at 10, or even trade up for one. The Bills need more picks, not less. Btw, if they stay at 10 and get Watson I will be fine with that. You?

I feel safe in saying that I have seen OJ as much as anyone non tis board has. I have watched every game in which he has played and have seen him develop. Here is how I view him: 1) He seems like a good kid He listens to and respects his coaches. 2) He is a complete player. He was not always a blocker, but he sure can block now. He has very good hands and good, deceptive speed and gets open quite a bit. 3) He has fresh legs because he was ALWAYS surrounded by tremendously talented players who were going to get their reps. 4) I think that his lack of reps affords a great athlete like this an opportunity to get even better in the NFL. You are seeing this with Julio Jones, and even Amari Cooper. Remember, Saban, despite what he claims, is still primarily a conservative coach. Running backs take away plays from his receivers. Now, given the above, do I want him at #10? I wouldn't scream and yell, but I would rather see them trade down and think about taking him later on. He might even last into the twenties. Even at that, imo we should draft a quarterback. They just mean SO much more than TEs (or DBs) that they shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath. In summary, 10 seems high for Howard as much as I like him. But, I would love to see Whaley trade down low enough to get an extra first round pick in 2018 and other considerations.

Bandit, should Gilmore be paid Julio Jones money? Or Von Miller money? As you well know, teams play 4 and even 5 wide sets all the time. The best corner who ever lived can only cover 1 receiver, and Gilmore is far from an all time great. Seriously Bro, is there ANY amount of cap space that you would not be willing to toss at this player who gives as little effort as he does?

The above is a fair, good analysis. I think a better pass rush could make things easier for the next corner. If they play more zone, they won't need as much of a super athlete either. I have serious issues with allotting huge money to Gilmore.

You want some facts? 1) Overall, Gilmore's effort last season was lackluster. I don't care how much talent he is supposed to have. He does not put forth the effort.. 2) The Bills were not a good enough team to waste a #10 on a cb when he was drafted. 3) The Bills could have traded down in that draft instead of blowing that pick on a disinterested Gilmore. They could have picked De Castro, Hightower, or Janoris Jenkins if they really wanted a corner that bad. 4) Gilmore rarely takes over a game and wins it. He isn't important enough to waste huge cap space on. 5) We could wind up with a 3rd Round pick if he leaves. 6) This draft would appear to be deep enough in the secondary that a smart GM would not feel compelled to waste yet another #10 on a db. 7) I don't know for sure, but I highly doubt if he would sign here. He plays as if he wants out. We would probably have to use the tag which would hurt our cap that much more. Other than the above, giving Gilmore 90 or 100 million dollars might be a good idea.