LABills08

Didn't see this posted. Banks' new mock. Link Gabbert. I dunno, I could see this, but I still think that the Bills are targeting Locker/Dalton for their 2nd round pick.

I wouldn't be opposed to Newton. But, the logic behind the 3-4 is mind boggling. So, if I'm reading this correctly, if they draft for the scheme they want to use, they are going nowhere? So...ummm...how does a franchise build for different schemes other than through the draft?

Link Looks pretty good. Look forward to the Quinn people pushing for their guy at 3 despite Miller ranked as 2 overall.

That's fair. Clearly Quinn has all of the tools. But do we know he can play the 3-4? Do we have any ideas on how well he'll do in coverage? I'm assuming he is a better fit for strong side in the 3-4, but maybe I'm wrong. Feel free to enlighten.

Link Fairley and Bowers already out of the top 3. Newton to the Bills, Gabbert to the Panthers.

I honestly can't see a trade down. In fact, can someone tell me the last time I team with a top 3 pick traded down? This is one of the deepest draft classes in awhile and the talent at the top (outside of QB) is very good. There are at least 5-6 guys that could go number 1 overall in any other draft. Nix wants to hit on a winner and there will be least 3-4 can't miss guys at the number 3 spot. Whether its Miller, Peterson, Fairley or Dareus, I don't think you can trade out of a position to pick any one of those guys.

If he signed a one year deal and there is no football next season, what happens? By the way, I'm not opposed to this. Chargers probably gave him a bunch of money upfront, the Bills are in no position to do that. If they were close to the playoffs, I could see it differently. But they aren't. Taking a risk on Sanders is silly when you have internal/cheaper options. This does, however, solidify my belief that the Bills could take a safety in the 2nd or 3rd.

Drafting a QB this year also needs to be thought about in the context of a CBA. Some might disagree and say you can't alter plans for unknown variables like whether or not there will be football next season. But, to me, if you draft a QB this year and there is no football (or very little football), its a waste. I'm not sure how it will work if indeed no football gets played (what draft spots teams would have in 2012), but I don't really see how it makes sense to draft a QB only to have him completely locked out of having any conversations with the coaching staff. You could argue the same logic applies for any player drafted, and that is true, but not to the same extent its true for a QB. Also, while I agree with the notion that most successful QBs in the NFL were drafted in the 1st round, the Bills will be picking at the top of the 2nd round (right where Brees was drafted). I'm not saying there is a Drew Brees coming out this year, but I am saying that one of the top 4 QBs could easily be there. (I'd cross my fingers for Locker, who had a great combine despite his terrible senior season).

Just to note, when talking about 3-4 linebackers, specifically comparing Miller to Houston, playing the run is something that can be taught, no matter what size you are (see Antoine Winfield). I haven't seen enough of Houston, but to say he's head and shoulders above Miller in run-defense seems like a bit of hyperbole. Teaching these giant human beings how to drop back in coverage is a whole other story. While its true that both Miller and Houston are probably pretty raw in terms of their coverage skills, Miller really opened some eyes with his techniques during the combine. As Warren Sapp said, "that kinda stuff you are either born with, or you aren't". Just because Houston is quick, does not mean that his 270 lb frame can drop back in coverage. Again, I haven't seen Houston play that much, so I could be wrong (feel free to correct me). But, I'd rather take the guy with natural coverage abilities.

1) Von Miller 2) Jake Locker Alternatively, 1) Von Miller 2) Cameron Heyward I'd love for the Bills to grow the best young defense in the league and those two guys will go a ways in getting us there.

Untrue.

Just because I like saying this in all draft posts, if its not a QB, its Von Miller. And I personally don't think the Bills will take a QB at 3 given the CBA situation.

Why is Gabbert in the conversation as being this high of a pick? He seems overhyped, I really don't get it. Bills won't go QB in first, I just can't see it.

Despite being opposed to it, they make a real strong argument for Green being the guy.

It's a solid point and its not like I'll be totally let down if the Bills go back to back years with drafting the best offensive player available. And, he does look incredible. I just strongly disagree that no front 7 defender justifies a top 3 pick. Unless you were stating that with the assumption that Fairley and Bowers will be off the board. And even if that was your point, I still see Miller as legitimate player at #3. And if we are really going for this BPA argument, why wouldn't the Bills draft Peterson? This is something I am completely opposed to, but he is arguably the 3rd best player in the draft.

I don't know if I buy that. I know of AJ Green's accolades, but why is he so much better than the other guys I listed (Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Dez Bryant)? You're saying Green is more of a stud than Calvin Johnson? Johnson's accolades coming out of college were off the charts if you remember. I'm just blown away that after a year of bitching about CJ Spiller being a luxury pick, Bills fans are already going out of there way to endorse the same type of move. They need to address the defense!!!!! They need to! It's not about "we just need to take the best player available" anymore. Its about building a defense that can compete at the NFL level. AJ Green could very well be the next "Suh". But guess what, that doesn't mean jack **** if our defense can't get the offense back on the field. Just like last year, when we drafted Spiller despite RB being the deepest position on the team, we are going to draft Green despite having a myriad of young receiving talent? Who do you cut? I agree with Nix and Gailey that they can't "miss" on a guy. But, I don't think you take what is arguably the biggest luxury item in a draft (a talented WR and their long learning curve) just bc he is the best player on the board. At some point you need to take into consideration what your franchise needs. And yes, I have read scouting reports like this on Green Link And yes, it does sound like the second coming of Randy Moss. I just don't know how that type of player will help the Bills until they get a QB, a running game and a defense that is at the very least ADEQUATE! Otherwise, Green is on the bench.

Apologies. I thought it was clear that I was referring to the Lions and their notorious years of spending high draft picks on wide receivers during the Matt Millen era. I thought that was obvious.

It sounds like you have a case of the Maybin's. Not every rushing OLB has to be huge. Look at Clay Matthews. Listed at 6-3, 250. Von is at 6-3, 240. They have the same build and Matthews is definitely not getting swallowed up. And lets not forget that Maybin and Miller played completely different positions in college. And, again no offense, but first off, there likely isn't "Suh talent" at all in this draft and if there is, it won't last until #3, it will be gone in the first two picks. Fairley's talent does not "dwarf" everyone elses. I honestly don't know where this comes from. Fairley exploded on to the scene this year. Yea, I agree, he's really good and I'd love to have him but lets settle down with the hyperbole. And I'm not sure about the other judgments either. Bowers "screams slacker". Based on what? The fact that he only finally put it together this past year? That is unfortunately how it goes with NFL prospects. Very few of them are consistent throughout college and by the time they put up big numbers they declare for the draft anyways (thus unless they have terrific freshman/sophomore years, they'll generally be coming to the NFL with only one strong college season under their belts). That's why its important to give guys like Von Miller a lot of consideration. Not only has he dominated, but he is the only guy other than AJ Green to have dominated consistently.

Here is more on Von Miller (Link) not to hijack a thread devoted to AJ Green, but rather to further make the argument that he is the guy the Bills need, not Green.

First off, and with all due respect, how do any of those other guys you listed have bigger question marks than Fairley? There has already been a tremendous amount of speculation over Fairley's stock dropping due to question marks like his mental makeup, his character on and off the field and the fact that he, like many in this draft, only has one dominant season under his belt. In fact, in terms of consistency, he is way more of a question mark than guys like Dareus and Miller. That being said, I agree that overall, the top of the draft has a lot of question marks. But, I don't think its all that different from most years aside from there being no QB guaranteed to go #1 overall. Fairley and Bowers are considered the can't miss guys bc of their domination last year, but neither of them have put up consistent numbers over their entire careers. Dareus, while having ups and downs this season, is generally considered the best bet. You know what you are going to get. His domination wasn't as overt as what Bowers and Fairley did this year, but he was still performing very will despite injury setbacks. Von Miller blew up in the senior bowl (Link) and has dominated for two years in a row. In fact, not sure how many people know this, but he led the nation in sacks in 2009 with 17. And this past year he netted 11 sacks, which isn't too shabby. I know some people are having fun drawing comparisons to Maybin, but they are completely unfounded. Aside from the fact that both appear undersized, there is really nothing similar about them. Miller is a sideline to sideline run defender and has played OLB his entire career. He would be making as lateral a transition as possible for a college OLB going to the NFL and playing in a 3-4 scheme. In fact, as it stands now, he is my pick for the Bills at 3. He is everything they need right now on defense. Now, I agree that AJ Green is an explosive player who will probably have a great career, but so what? Look at some of the can't miss receivers in past years and look at how they have helped their teams. Fitzgerald, C. Johnson, Crabtree and D. Bryant all come to mind first as can't miss players in their respective drafts. A few of these guys (Johnson and Crabtree) were said to possibly be the best overall talents in their drafts. And, while some have fared better than others, all 4 of these guys generally have played very well (obviously Johnson and Fitzgerald are the best). But the kick is, NONE of these guys had a direct impact on their respective teams that aided in a turnaround. While its too early to judge Bryant and maybe Crabtree, Johnson has been dominate and yet the Lions have still struggled. Fitzgerald had his years linking up with Warner, but he has only played on 2 Cardinal teams that made the playoffs. And he's been in the league for 7 years. But look at guys like Clay Matthews and how he changed the face of the Packer's defense immediately. I think the Bills 100% need to draft a defensive playmaker. Taking AJ Green would be the Detroit Lions way of rebuilding and that is a proven disaster.

Is Gailey saying the future of NFL offenses is going to be the Mobile/Running QB? I'm not sure if I agree or even understand that sentiment. Look at the top QBs in the league: Rodgers, Manning, Brady, Rivers, Big-Ben, Vick, M. Ryan, Brees Vick and Big-Ben are the only QBs in that group who truly make things happen with their legs. Rodgers is capable of running and makes great throws on the run, but his strength is his arm. And Vick specifically has become much more of a pocket passer this year and many point to that as a reason for his reemergence. I'm not saying that Cam Newton or Gabbert won't be good players, I'm just saying, I don't see any wave.

I know Bills aren't coaching him, but did anyone catch Locker? SI had him as atrocious.

Only way Evans goes (if football is even played next year) is if he is outplayed by the other guys. He won't be released for financial reasons.

As most successful teams do, I imagine the Pats will use their pick to solidify the defensive front 7. That unit had the toughest time against the Jets IMO. They couldn't get to Sanchez at all. Their receivers could use an upgrade, but they can likely fix that in the later rounds. I can't imagine the Pats are shaking in their boots to get Green and I can't imagine them "trading up" with two 1st round picks already. The only skill position player I could see them drafting in the 1st round is a RB like Ingram.

What in that said he was going to draft Peterson or Green? I know Kiper grades out Peterson as number 3 overall on his big board, but I'm not sure I buy that. I could maybe see Green, but I think its more likely that Bowers comes our way as I think the Fairley hype puts him into the top 2 picks. Overall, solid interview, though I wish the media would grill him a little more about things. That guy was somewhat of a brown nose. You don't see that on WFAN or WEEI.