Dr. Who

It's been over for awhile. KA needs to trade some assets in the offseason for a two way 3C that can win faceoffs, and a top 6 RW with grit. A veteran backup goalie would be nice, too, because Levi needs more seasoning before he can form a tandem with UPL. I don't think Granato is the answer, but the real problem is Terry Pegula, unfortunately. He needs to step back and let hockey people make decisions. And not be cheap on the Sabres. If he hadn't marshalled the longest playoff drought ineptitude in NHL history, the coffers wouldn't be so bare. There's enough talent and prospects to finally be good, if you make the right moves. It would require some risk and creativity. I think they likely run it back and continue to chase Pegula rainbows. Fella thinks he can build an exciting Euro team that is all offense and speed, and win that way. You can't. I'm glad he bought the Bills and Sabres, and kept them in Buffalo, but what he's done to the Sabres is truly dispiriting.

Damn, I wish that would work.

Yeah, I know. I told a joke and got thumbs up, but I don't blame folks for hoping.

Clearly this is behind his decision not to work out at his Pro day. It's all a clever plan to drop down far enough for Beane to move up and pull the trigger.

Everyone is free to have fun with mock drafts, but if one posts them on a public message board, presumably one is inviting comment. As I strongly disagreed with your particular draft, I felt sufficient umbrage to comment. Naturally, it's all just opinion. Mine is that in a strong WR draft, you made a complete botch of it, and I would not use a second round pick on LB. I don't know why you are down on Bernard. However, if I was going to pick a second round LB, it would be Payton Wilson or no one. Fortunately, from my perspective, there's virtually no chance the draft will play out anywhere close to the scenario you have painted.

Yes, I'm more interested in where we might be going in the draft for S at this point. At DL, I am hoping for Austin Johnson. I think he'd be a good signing, and perhaps plausible. But so far as Warriorspikes51's enthusiasms, he's rather like Toad in The Wind and the Willows. You just have to let them run their course. Trying to contain them is like trying to eradicate Kudzu in Georgia.

I don't know why you always have to double down. It's some kind of compulsion. I'd love to get this guy. You're not getting him and Calais Campbell. It was Blackmon or Edwards. It's not going to be Simmons. The S upgrade, if it comes, will be in the draft. (They'll definitely draft one, don't know how early.)

You felt compelled to pass on WR in the first, then took a LB in the second, and chose Wilson as your top WR? (He's a bust waiting to happen.) You take 2 LBs? Sorry, you're fired.

He's probably closer to early mid-round. I like him.

I can't explain it, but I think OL should be moved up to tier 2. Not sure they will pay Brown; Dawkins is still solid, but not young. And Oline has some depth this draft. More depth at Oline helps keep the wall in front of Josh stout.

Smith is the only one with a shot, imo. I'm a big fan of both Bullard and Smith. Don't really like the other two, to be honest. I like Cole Bishop, as well, but he's going day 2.

Ah, I'm so used to Warriorspikes51 answering Buffalofanforever19, that I hallucinated this response ascribed to the other fella. Only, of course, it was so out of character, I should have known. I thought the apocalypse might be happening, but false alarm.

This is true of everyone, some of us just have more experience at it. That's what we need. Hope he signs with us.

If you get Josh Allen better WR talent, he'll win more games.

Okay, you might be arguing with human nature, but I understand your view. There are holes on the team, so there are multiple positions that make sense from that perspective. The argument for WR is not just about a hole at WR2, but a desire to see a shift in team-building strategy towards prioritizing offense with Josh Allen, a generational QB who too often is asked to elevate mediocre talent. It's also considers that hitting on a potential WR1 going forward gets a premium position on a rookie contract, allowing one to use that "savings" elsewhere in constructing a roster. Cooper Dejean is an exciting player, but he's a S in the NFL, and you ought to have noticed it is a position that is not as expensive to fill as WR. Center in the first is not the smartest play for similar reasons, and also because you can find good Centers later in the draft. In this draft alone, Van Pran and Frazier on day 2, and probably Bortolini and Limmer on day 3.

Strange, but QB often ends up throwing to WR.

First, I don't think it's a low percentage that Thomas, Mitchell, and Legette will all be gone. Most people think you'd have to trade up for Thomas, might have to make a small trade up for Mitchell, and could probably trade back into the early second and still get Legette. So I don't think it is a static strategy lacking complexity and nuance. And in general, those arguing for WR early are making larger arguments than just a particular player, and most are open to other possibilities. I think you've created a bit of a straw man. And almost everyone recognizes DT is a need. I personally think there are decent DTs that can be had Day 2 and some even Day 3, but they won't be Newton. Newton will split time with Ed, right? But maybe a big X replaces Davis outright, and is a particular kind of WR we still lack. And maybe you could peruse @HappyDays and @Kirby Jackson and @BADOLBILZ and @BillsFanForever19 and @Beck Water and, I dunno, quite a few more on this board that don't strike me the least bit dumb, who appear to think WR in the first round is the best choice for this draft.

I dunno, I thought part of what makes the off-season fun is figuring out who you like and why, and rooting for that to happen. You can go back and check. @NewEra and I were among the few who argued for Kincaid well before the draft. That was partly looking at the weak WR draft and sensing Kincaid could be the best playmaker on the board. I personally want a big X with speed. Thomas, Mitchell, and Legette are the fellas that make the most sense to me. Alternatively, I'm one of those who loves McConkey, so I won't be sad if he's the choice. Legette apparently is likely to go in the second, but I'd be surprised if he makes it to #60. Regardless, you can have derision for ordinary folks, I guess. If the Bills take someone I don't like, I'm going to be unhappy about it, then hope he turns out well for my team.

The excellent depth at WR in this draft has been oft mentioned on these boards. What strategy one should adopt in light of that perception is where disputes arise. And that depth is not homogeneous, so the players with particular traits one might favor could still be a relatively rare bird.

The best WRs in a a deep draft are still going before #60. If you tell me for sure Legette will be there, then go ahead and take the DT, but no one can know that.

This is one of the reasons I prefer him to Chop if they choose that direction. Myself, I strongly hope they go WR, and wait till the second to grab a DT.

Yeah, don't listen to that Doctor. He's a crank, and doesn't even have a stolen, err, borrowed Tardis. Beane hasn't been interviewing all those top WRs in a great draft at the position to pass on WR twice in the first two rounds.

You're projecting.

Well, he can definitely take over for Davis . . .

I'd be unhappy to see the Samuel pickup used as a rationale for going D in the first. Your hypothetical, if I'm reading it correctly, is a situation where the evaluation of the DE prospect is equal to the available WR talent. Since I think the fellas at edge likely to be there are really second rounders, it's probable for me the WR would be rated higher. I do understand the strategy of waiting until the second in a deep draft at the WR position. It might be what Beane decides, but not my choice. I prefer Darius, if it comes down to which Robinson . . .