Dr. Who

There seems to be ambiguity about what constitutes a franchise qb. As I understand the term, franchise qb is around a top ten qb or better who is capable of lifting the play of mediocre players. One could have a 15 to 20 overall qb that would not make that criteria. I would not equate franchise qb with a drafted rookie who is ready to start day one. That is very rarified quality. If one thinks Elway or Luck is franchise qb, there are only a few of that sort available a decade and they always go #1 overall. It is therefore very imprudent to only be okay with a first round qb who meets such a strict criteria. For this qb class, the question is whether one or more of them are likely to develop into the initial stated criteria. Are Trubisky, Mahomes, Watson, Kizer, etc. appreciably more likely to hit that ceiling than mid-round prospects? Are any of them coin flips or better or are they all long shots? How one judges the percentages probably dictates how eager one is to draft a qb early. The rhetorical question of how will one feel if a first round qb fails begs the question. No one wants to draft any player who will fail. Assuming they will fail could easily be matched with the contrary. How will you feel if the Bills pass on a future franchise caliber qb?

Copy pasted from another thread here regarding Kizer. Blokestradamus said: If he makes it to 44, I'd sprint to the podium. Trouble is, I can't see him falling out of the first round (HOU and KC primarily). If he does, like Jeff mentioned earlier, there's a gaggle of teams in the 33-39 range that might pass on a QB early and eye up DeShone at that point. If NYG or OAK want to offer a trade down that nets a 2018 1st and we pick 23/24, crucially before the Texans, I'd consider him. Although the Dolphins might help the Texans out in that scenario to thwart the drafting a QB to their division rivals. I've thought way too much about this, haven't I? Long story short, I'd support them drafting him. I think he's got every physical and intellectual tool required, just needs a little nurturing.

Alas, we are dullard and sluggish most of the time.

You are arguing with a fella who is founding member of the Tyrod fan club. Let it go. I hope he's right, btw, but I think he is abysmally wrong.

This has been my thought as well, though it seems the logic is not about picking up extra picks but having a coveted player fall to us.

I concur. Leroi did not suggest Whaley would be able to pick Mahomes, so I take it McD wants to go another direction, which is both short-sighted and the traditional Bills way of doing things.

If I'm Doug Whaley, I am pushing hard to draft a potential franchise qb. Buys me a growth year and it is the best single factor determining long term success. Resident insider, Leroi, claims Whaley likes Mahomes and has him in the top five, though he also said it is fluid. Have no idea, but if DW thinks that highly of Mahomes and he is there at ten, how do you rationally pass on him?

Timing is terrible and any deals TM had negotiated with Vegas are obviously gone.

That's the spirit.

And yet many here will continue to parrot this is a weak qb draft class line. Combine that with folks who think Taylor is a good starting qb . . . too sad for words.

They were speculating Watson, I think.

I'm surprised about GMTM. Glad to see Bylsma go. Always liked Sutter. Guess we'll find out.

I am going to maintain some stealth hope, but my official position is going to be glum. Smokescreen

I think we are clueless. Usually look forward to the draft -- what else is there for Bills' fans? This year, I am expecting to be disappointed and angry. My expectations are lowered to the point where not taking a cb at #10 will seem like a small victory. And we will probably take a cb.

Is this more smokescreen or are they actually interested? If the latter, do they actually think he's falling to #44, because he isn't. If the former, I think its overkill at this point.

I was on here yesterday lamenting the cb recycle thing and a couple of very decent, long-time posters here were perfectly fine with it. It made sense to them to get a quality cb on the cheap since we let Gilmore walk. I surmise they also think Taylor is better than I do.

Ahh, maybe he's going to be our #2 RB.

Teams with aging franchise qbs are in WIN NOW mode. I doubt the roster as presently constructed is even a wild card contender. Fill the holes mentality is the usual Bills way of drafting for most of the last two decades. Hasn't produced a lot of wins. I have heard some experts claim Dennison's offense does not require a highly skilled qb. Well, Bucky Brooks said so on NFL Network yesterday. Personally, I want a highly skilled qb. I think franchise qb provides sustained, long-term winning. If you think Tyrod is going to be that, you obviously don't want a qb. I don't buy into the line that this is a weak qb class. I think it's a pretty good qb class, but they need a year of seasoning. As I think Tyrod is a bridge qb and nothing more, I'd like to have the developmental qb developing so the bridge actually goes somewhere. It's fine to disagree. It's not fine to act as if the opposing view has no plausible rationale behind it.

I don't think everyone is on the hate Whaley train. Those who dislike him are very vocal which exaggerates their number. The mitigating circumstances would be difficult for any GM to deal with. I like him, but if Leroi's big board is correct, I have my doubts that Whaley is the main force in deciding who we draft. I suspect qb would be a priority, not a smokescreen. Regardless, maybe my speculation is off-base; on balance, I think Whaley is actually slightly above average, so not the worst in the league.

I generally prefer animals to people. The fella would be off my board.

The new scheme, as I understood it, does not need shut down cornerbacks. It seems to me we are investing in a player whose skill set exceeds his value to our particular system. This is also a deep draft for cb by all accounts. If Leroi's board holds true, the pick will be wr Davis, I think, which is a reasonable choice, I suppose.

Apparently we are going to follow our proven track record with regards to the qb position.

To me, this is the same old draft cb, replace cb cycle. Depresses me. Yes, I accepted what everyone was saying. I was explaining to the fella who was laughing at my post.

Well, when I expressed skepticism last week, numerous long-time posters informed me he was legit.