ax4782

We don't need the new WR and TE we are likely to draft in the first and second round to come in and post Randy Moss or Kellen Winslow type numbers. What we need them to do is be good enough to force defenses to respect them and take some pressure of Evans. Look, if the new #2 receiver can make some solid strides, say 45 or 50 catches, not great, but respectable, and the new TE gets 25 to 30 catches to stretch the middle of the field, over the course of the season, that will allow Evans to get more man coverage and excel. Also, that will allow Reed and Parrish to get more looks and spread defenses out. That allows our well above average O-Line to open holes for Lynch, who will likely be a new threat in the passing game. I expect that the Bills offense will be much improved even with just a few additions in the draft. The D should be much better and expect our above average secondary to look a hell of a lot better with an improved pass rush on the outside thanks to Stroud and McCargo drawing double teams in the middle. A little optimism is warranted. The offseason is going well. Let's see the team in action before we doom them to failure.

Absolutely right on. The Bills need to pick up a talented TE in the draft. If Buffalo can get a top WR in the first round and a receiving threat at TE like Fred Davis, Kellen Davis, or Kellar then our passing attack will be greatly improved. Frankly, that is where the weakness is on offense, as our rushing attack was 15th last year. Also, I think Buffalo will take a CB, or possibly two, but it will be in the last four picks, not the first four. Buffalo is also likely to sign James who was in for a visit this week, which should help with the depth issues. Expect Ashton Youboty to get more playing time this year to see if he deserves to remain on the team as a nickel corner. And Whitner and Simpson have definitely lived up to their potential. Simpson got hurt, but he was playing dominant football at the FS position before the injury. Whitner has been one of the few consistent bright spots on this defense since he was signed two years ago. Buffalo needs to lock these two players up to long term deals next year, BEFORE they reach their FA seasons.

You're right on here. I think Buffalo will draft Mike Pollack C in the third round and is likely to spend their sixth and one of their sevenths on O-Line. Probably a guard and another C who can play guard, like Matt Spanos from USC. That would be my guess. Still, they are likely to take two WRs or a WR and a TE early in the draft and try to pick up O-Line depth talent later on. Also, look for them to take Owen Schmitt in the early 4th round.

If those numbers are right, there's a reason that he isn't projected to go higher than a fifth. Might be a late round project, but I don't think the Bills will take him. If they draft a second WR on Day 2, it is likely to be Jordy Nelson in the fifth round if he is still available.

This would be a fantastic scenario, but there is NO WAY IN HELL that Ellis gets past Cinci at 9. I really think Dorsey will go to the Chiefs at 5 and Ellis will go to Cinci at 9. However, if he is there at 11, I think any team, including Buffalo would be crazy not to take this guy. We can get a really solid WR in the Second Round.

I agree with you on Devin Thomas. I think he would be just as good an addition as Kelly. However, another late receiver to take a look at is Jordy Nelson from Kansas State. I just think the Bills will take two WRs early if they trade back with Dallas, and won't take another WR in the draft. There's just too many other positions of need for them.

Okay, so one at a time. 1. Just say NO to Lito Shepard. If the Eagles don't want him, he must have problems. And he does. He has injury issues and not only that he wants a ton of money. Not Nate Clements figures, but pretty high. He's not worth what we can get in the 4th Rd. of this years draft i.e. Owen Schmitt or Jordy Nelson, who could potentially provide instant upgrades at need positions. I do agree that we should sign William James to provide some depth and security at CB. 2.This is never going to happen. First, if we trade Kelsay, we'll take a big cap hit. Second, Carolina isn't going to trade their hands down best player for our second best DE and a second round pick. Further, Minnesota is interested in Peppers and the talk is that they give up their first next year and pick up the 20 mil in guarantees that Peppers wants as part of a contract. Sure, I would love to have peppers on the team. But with nearly 75 mil already locked in at the DE spot with contracts for Schobel and Kelsay, I don't really want to see another sixty or seventy mil going to an aging guy who is starting to move out of his prime. I do, however, also agree that we should sign Jason Hall or Kalimba Edwards for some depth at the position as the next guy on the depth chart is Ryan Denney who is good, but the only other DE worth starting. 3. This move I could get behind, if the contract price was right. I don't want to sign Boldin or Williams to a 60 or 70 mil contract and then lose Evans next year. That would only put us back where we started. Further, I don't want to end up like Detroit and have so much money tied up in the receiving corps that I can't sign any other decent offensive players. The Bills need to be smart and sign good players to long term deals that make economic sense. Boldin and Williams may be too pricey. I think there are a lot of receivers in the draft who could help this team immediately and give Evans more opportunities to get in the game. Devin Thomas, James Hardy, or Malcolm Kelly would all be good picks at #11. Also, Jordy Nelson is a sleeper in later rounds. All of them would help immediately. I think this trade would be immediately beneficial but terrible in the long run. Sign Evans long term, then draft a new guy to a five year deal. 4. I'd rather have JP as a backup than Daunte Culpepper or Gus Frerotte any day of the week. If you trade JP, you have to draft another QB to back up Edwards, and there is no experienced backup. That would really put the screws in if Edwards gets hurt. Better the devil you know than the one you don't. If Buffalo can pick up another QB after next season, fine. But JP is really the best option right now at backup. He knows the players and the system. So, generally I disagree with most of these options. They may help now, but they are bad for the team in the long run. Build through the draft on offense and it will pay dividends not only this season, but also in the years to come.

So, does that mean we're taking James Hardy or Mario Manningham?

You left off possibly the best later round WR on the list. Jordy Nelson from Kansas State. He is likely to be taken in the 4th or 5th round and will be a steal. I would not be surprised at ALL if the Bills used their 5th round pick on the guy if he is still available.

Living in Michigan I watched a LOT of Devin Thomas at MSU. The guy is a beast. He has the size, but he's quick, has fantastic hands and is not afraid to take a hit over the middle. This is exactly what we need opposite Evans. Not to mention he goes up for jump balls and doesn't quit on plays. Many teams have moved him up to the top of their receiver draft charts after his phenomenal showing at the combine. Also, he doesn't have the injury concerns that Sweed and Kelly apparently do. If Buffalo stays at 11, they will likely take Thomas, or if they can move back and feel that he will be there, look for them to do that. Thomas and Kellen Davis are the only two prospects that I know of who have been called to OBD, so that should signal something. Still, I'd look for the Bills to take Fred Davis TE from USC if he is still on the board in the second.

Not another small fast guy. Wasn't that why we signed Parrish? Reed? Evans? Good lord. Could we just draft Sweed and/or Hardy and take care of this the right way?

Has it actually been settled that we lost our fifth as well. There have been multiple reports suggesting that it was just a third that we gave up. We had two of those. Confirmation?

I think Buffalo will have to take Kelly at 22. He won't last to 28, but I think Hardy will. I also think this trade scenario is most likely for the Bills should they decide to trade down. Then, I also think you are right on with Fred Davis. However, I think Buffalo will take Mike Pollack C in the 3rd and Owen Schmitt in the Fourth and not the Fifth. Then they will likely take a CB in the fifth and take D-Line in the Sixth for depth and two O-Lineman in the seventh as depth and projects. No way the Bills draft Ainge or any QB this year. That would definitely send the wrong signal and further, that cuts Losman's trade value.

If players that Buffalo wanted were out there they would have spent the money. Complaining that the team isn't willing to shell out has been disproven during the past two offseasons. They shelled out almost 75mil last offseason to address the O-Line, and the money proved to be worth it. All three guys were solid players for us last year. They signed Kelsay and Schobel long term, and while they are not the top two pass rushers in the NFL, they are solid guys who should have much improved play this year. They addressed huge needs on D and weren't shy with money there either, signing three guys to nearly 50 mil in total contract value. Come on. There weren't a lot of good prospects in the WR and TE market this FA. Better not to reach and waste money on a player than try and draft a much better one who will be more than happy to sign a long time deal. When the best TE available in FA is Ben Troupe, you know things aren't good. Same with WR. When Bryant Johnson is the next best target out there to Randy Moss (who was never going to leave NE), you don't want to waste money on him for a one year deal and have to address the position AGAIN next offseason. The FO is making very savvy decisions so far this offseason, and are certainly gaining a lot of respect around the league. After the draft, we should be in fantastic shape to do well this season.

Actually, if Buffalo doesn't trade down with Dallas or Houston, this is very likely to be what they try to do. I could see them taking Malcolm Kelly ahead of Sweed though. Also, I think they will take another O-Lineman in the seventh as well. Otherwise, I think this might be right on. Also, I think the Bills might take Jordy Nelson WR in the fifth if he is still there and try and get Branch in the sixth if he is still available. Otherwise I think you are spot on.

I agree with some but not all. I think a trade with Dallas is very likely. I would do the following. 1a: Aqib Talib CB 1b: Fred Davis TE 2: James Hardy WR 3: Mike Pollack C 4: Owen Schmitt FB 5: Another CB 6: Dominique Barber FS 7a: Matt Spanos C 7b: Another O-Lineman That addresses all of our need positions with immediate impact players. Should Fred Davis be gone, James Hardy should be our second pick and Kellen Davis TE should be our second rounder. The others are just for depth, though Pollack could challenge Fowler for the starting job. Ditto for Schmitt at FB.

First, Dallas doesn't need a WR. They're fine. They do, however, need a number of other positions that will be emptied of top tier talent by the time they pick at 22. I think we could get a good enough deal to trade their firsts for 11 and maybe a third next year. The reason I have mostly the same picks in the second scenario, is because I can easily see Fred Davis going late first round before we can grab him in the second. Either way, he should be the second player taken in the draft. Buffalo should try and get a top CB first, if they trade back and get Hardy in the second, because I think he'll still be there. Devin Thomas is not the best option, and certainly not if Malcolm Kelly or Sweed happen to fall to 22. The fact is, the Bills need talent at CB, WR, and TE badly. I also think that Owen Schmitt is a shoe in for our 4th round pick and I do think he will last that long. If Fred Davis is gone, I see Buffalo drafting Kellen Davis with their second round pick, and picking up Talib and Hardy in the first. Either way, the Dallas trade is the best in terms of what Buffalo can do for need positions and getting skilled players right away.

If we trade down, and pick up an extra second rounder, I see us going CB in the first. Either Talib or Jenkins. Then we try to get James Hardy and Fred Davis in the second assuming they are still available. That would be a hell of a first day.

Nice analysis. I tend to agree that these are the options, and I really hope that we trade with either Houston for an additional second, or even better with Dallas. I think that would put us in position to fill ALL three need positions with high quality players. Buffalo could draft a WR and Fred Davis in the first and get a highly rated CB in the second, like Flowers or the guy from South Florida. Very good post.

Not bad, but not what I expect. Devin Thomas is going to be available later in the first round. Here are the two most likely scenarios. If we don't trade back: 1: Malcolm Kelly/Limas Sweed WR 2: Fred Davis TE/Brandon Flowers CB 3: Another WR (Take your pick of about ten choices) 4: Owen Schmitt FB 5: Kellar TE 6: D-Line 7a: OL (Could be Spanos) 7b: OL Trade Down for an additional 2nd Rounder 1: Aqib Talib CB 2: James Hardy WR 2: Fred Davis TE 3: Another WR (Again Take Your Pick) 4: Owen Schmitt 5: Kellar TE 6: D-Line 7: O-Line 7: O-Line Trade with Dallas for 22 and 28 1: James Hardy WR 1: Fred Davis TE 2: Brandon Flowers CB 3-4: See above 5: D-Line 6-7: See Above These would all be good and are, IMO the likely outcomes for Buffalo in the draft. Still, I admit, your draft is not a bad one either, and not outside the realm of possibility.

I think the front office has done a very good job the last two years in the current rebuilding effort. Anyone who thinks they haven't done anything in FA this season has had their head buried in the sand. We had a LOT of holes that needed to be plugged to keep the ship from sinking and signing Mitchell, Stroud, and Johnson will keep the defensive ship afloat next season. Now we need to be smart and draft to fill the other three need positions on this team: WR, CB, TE. Once we take care of those, then you draft for depth. There is a lot of talent at DT this year as well that can be had in the 3rd round. We DO NOT need to draft a DT in the first round this year. That said we don't have to take a receiver first either. James Hardy will be there in the second and we could easily get him at that point. Also, I highly suspect the FO will trade down in the first round and acquire an add'l 2nd rounder. If they do that, we could draft a top CB in the First, and grab Hardy at WR and Fred Davis at TE in the second. Then start drafting depth in the third round and later. That would be the BEST thing this FO could do.

Trade Down and Acquire an add'l 2nd 1:Aqib Talib CB 2a: James Hardy WR 2b: Fred Davis TE

With the D-Line, the consistent theme of people's posts is that they would like to have more depth at DT and DE. The problem is, we have NEED positions on offense that HAVE to be addressed if this team is going to make the playoffs. WR and TE are NEED positions. I think the Bills would be smart to trade down. Sweed, Kelly, Hardy, or Thomas are likely to be available. Not all of them, but at least two of that top group are likley to be there. I think we can pick up a 2 and thus I believe the following is what the Bills should do. Trade Down to 18 1: Malcolm Kelly/James Hardy WR 2a: Fred Davis TE 2b: Pat Sims DT 3: Jordy Nelson WR 4: Owen Schmitt FB 5: Kellen Davis TE 6: C 7a: OL 7b: OL OR Trade with Dallas for 22 and 28 1a: Aqib Talib CB 1b. James Hardy WR 2: Fred Davis TE 3: Jordy Nelson WR 4:Owen Schmitt FB 5: Kellan Davis TE 6: D-Line 7a: O-Line 7b: O-Line

I've been in agreement with this position for some time now. I think the Bills can trade down in the first round and acquire an additional late first or early second round pick for their trouble. Then, they can still likely draft a top CB, WR and TE with their first three picks. The way I see it, they should be able to get James Hardy WR in the late first or early second, and also draft TE Fred Davis in the second. That would allow the Bills to also draft a tall fast CB in this draft, which they desperately need for depth and talent.

I think nd's assessment is right, but I think he'll swim. He has competition this year, and not being handed the starting job is going to make him play harder and play better. He has looked better and more decisive in camp which is something he was not last year. We'll see how it plays out, but I don't think JP will struggle nearly as badly as he did last year. I say 7-9 or 8-8 at worst.