OL in first round

[Brainiac21]

It's likely that the best player available at 8 will be an O-lineman. Maybe even the top 3 players available at that spot. 3 elite OT prospects, and 2 elite OG prospects. I don't think our O-line is better than many other spots on this team, and without Levitre it is one of the worst.

 

Do we really want a rookie QB playing behind a mediocre O-line? I think it may be the #2 priority behind picking the right QB... is allowing him to develop rather than run. If O-line ends up BPA there, I hope they do it.

[Sisyphean Bills]

I say go defense all the way. Get a qb next year

 

Buddy? Is that really you?

[dave mcbride]

Anyone who thinks we are NOT taking either Geno Smith or Matt Barkley in round one is off their rocker. JMO.

 

GO BILLSSS!!!!

 

19 and 0 baby!!!!!

 

Very true!

[ColdBlueNorth]

With 3 premier OT prospects available this year and it being such a coveted position, the Bills might actually have some trade options at #8.

 

If Smith (the only QB ranked in the top 30 or so) does not fall to 8, then I think the Bills could pick up a quality tackle or an impact guard like Chance Warmack. You may be right though, if Smith is not there at 8 the Bills may be able to swing a trade for a team desperate for one of the top O-Linemen and pick up a late 1st and an additional 2nd rounder. With the number of holes to fill and what little separates the 2nd round talent, it would be nice to have some additional picks, but I do not recall a Buddy draft where he did a lot of wheeling and dealing (assuming Buddy is actually at the controls of this upcoming draft and that he does not take more of a back seat).

 

I wonder about the Star kid and his heart condition - is there any interventional procedure to repair it? Was a 1st or 2nd pick talent till that issue was found - it's a shame if there are no options for this kid who you know has worked hard to get to the level he did.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

I get what you're saying. Truth is I couldn't concentrate on the RT play because I was distracted by the QB missing open receivers and tossing game ending picks and our D giving up 200 yds on the ground every week.

 

haha....you make a good point. Also, you nearly made me spit up my morning coffee all over my keyboard

 

I certainly get the urgency to address LB/QB in the early rounds, unfortunately I don't see a LB or QB worth taking with the #8 pick (with the exception if Geno Smith). I see the "good value" picks in the top 10 being OL and DL. I think we're pretty well set at DL, so unless a guy like Milliner or Geno slides to #8, I could definitely see the Bills taking a bookend OT. That would solidify the position for the next 5-6 years. JMO

Edited March 4, 2013 by Johnny Hammersticks

[NE Bills Fan]

Definitely OL. Late in the Fall (rain & snow), get the groud game running on all cylinders.

[Green Lightning]

 

 

haha....you make a good point. Also, you nearly made me spit up my morning coffee all over my keyboard

 

I certainly get the urgency to address LB/QB in the early rounds, unfortunately I don't see a LB or QB worth taking with the #8 pick (with the exception if Geno Smith). I see the "good value" picks in the top 10 being OL and DL. I think we're pretty well set at DL, so unless a guy like Milliner or Geno slides to #8, I could definitely see the Bills taking a bookend OT. That would solidify the position for the next 5-6 years. JMO

 

I just think Cordy will be a great LT and why move him? Trade down and grab a RT later on. If no Geno I'm thinking we should take a chance with Barkley. If not, trade down with someone wanting a LT.

[Section242]

Offensive line would be a horrible 1st rd pick. Why is it considered a safe pick? Guards just don't matter enough to take early.

Edited March 4, 2013 by Section242

[RyanC883]

I like the idea. There are a few premier OL players available. It appears to be the only position with a few people worthy of a top 10 pick (high likelihood of instant impact for your team). It also, as others have indicated, allows us to run the ball on other teams. This would be great for Fitz, TJ, or our rookie QB. Spiller would have a great year, Jackson would have a great year, and we could keep our D off the field, allowing them to go all out when on the field.

 

I think OL in round 1.

QB in RD 2. (Barkley and/or Smith may be here, if not, Wilson or EJ).

WR in RD 3. Swoope hopefully.

LB in RD 4 (hopefully Thomas from Stanford)

LB in RD 5

WR in RD 6.

 

It's likely that the best player available at 8 will be an O-lineman. Maybe even the top 3 players available at that spot. 3 elite OT prospects, and 2 elite OG prospects. I don't think our O-line is better than many other spots on this team, and without Levitre it is one of the worst.

 

Do we really want a rookie QB playing behind a mediocre O-line? I think it may be the #2 priority behind picking the right QB... is allowing him to develop rather than run. If O-line ends up BPA there, I hope they do it.

 

I agree. Plus, the talent level between the top QB, top WR, top LB, etc is narrower than the difference between the top OL prospects and the others.

[KD in CA]

Offensive line would be a horrible 1st rd pick. Why is it considered a safe pick? Guards just don't matter enough to take early.

 

If they go that route, they'll draft a T, not a G.

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

I would be ok with it under a very specific set of circumstances:

1) The Bills aren't willing to trade up to ensure they get Geno Smith

2) Geno Smith isn't available at pick #8 (I don't trust Barkley)

3) We decide that the money that it would take to keep on Levitre would be better served by getting 3-4 new free agents in that will immediate gaps at SS, WR and LB

4) Whoever is brought in is an absolute stud in the trenches and would be an immediate starter

5) we take a QB at the first possible opportunity in round 2

 

This is the only set of conditions where this would seem acceptable, considering the gaping holes we have everywhere else.

Other than that, we have a lot of probe

[Section242]

If they go that route, they'll draft a T, not a G.

 

Still a horrible decision. The team has 1 NFL caliber WR, nothing at LB, and are pathetic at QB. The perception seems to be that drafting an offensive lineman is the safe route. I'd consider taking an offensive lineman no earlier than the 5th rd.

 

I would be ok with it under a very specific set of circumstances:

1) The Bills aren't willing to trade up to ensure they get Geno Smith

2) Geno Smith isn't available at pick #8 (I don't trust Barkley)

3) We decide that the money that it would take to keep on Levitre would be better served by getting 3-4 new free agents in that will immediate gaps at SS, WR and LB

4) Whoever is brought in is an absolute stud in the trenches and would be an immediate starter

5) we take a QB at the first possible opportunity in round 2

 

This is the only set of conditions where this would seem acceptable, considering the gaping holes we have everywhere else.

Other than that, we have a lot of probe

 

Wouldn't most say that about any guy drafted?

 

As for #3 I think they've decided the money that would be used to re-sign Levitre would be better used trying to re-sign Wood.

[Mr. WEO]

If they pick an O-lineman in the first, it will be a clear indicator of how bad this "new" regime will play out.

 

Simply put, bad teams should never, ever spend a 1st round pick on O-line. There is never a bigger waste of a pick.

[Solomon Grundy]

If they pick an O-lineman in the first, it will be a clear indicator of how bad this "new" regime will play out.

 

Simply put, bad teams should never, ever spend a 1st round pick on O-line. There is never a bigger waste of a pick.

 

Agreed. Here are some really bad teams that drafted O- line in 1st rd:

 

Patriots-Nate Solder

Browns-Joe Thomas

Niners-Joe Staley, Mike Iupati

Bengals-Andre Smith

 

I could continue with the bad team, O-line comparisons.... It wasn't so long ago when Bulaga was a popular choice for the Bills, why refuse the choice now?

 

[Section242]

If they pick an O-lineman in the first, it will be a clear indicator of how bad this "new" regime will play out.

 

Simply put, bad teams should never, ever spend a 1st round pick on O-line. There is never a bigger waste of a pick.

 

I agree. It's a passing league the philosophy of building from the inside out has passed. Especially if you don't have a QB and have 1 NFL caliber WR.

[Mr. WEO]

Agreed. Here are some really bad teams that drafted O- line in 1st rd:

 

Patriots-Nate Solder

Browns-Joe Thomas

Niners-Joe Staley, Mike Iupati

Bengals-Andre Smith

 

I could continue with the bad team, O-line comparisons.... It wasn't so long ago when Bulaga was a popular choice for the Bills, why refuse the choice now?

 

Perhaps you missed the point. The pats and the 49ers can draft anyone they want in the first round.

 

Again, bad teams can't waste a first round pick on LT. The Browns are a perfect example. The Thomas pick amounted to nothing--in fact less than nothing, as they passed on Adrian Peterson. 6 years later they still absolutely suck on offense and AP is MVP and singlehandedly carrying the Viking's offense. Ditto for Miami who spent a #1 pick on Jake Long instead of picking Matt Ryan. Miami's offense sucks and they didn't franchise FA Long.

[Rob's House]

Perhaps you missed the point. The pats and the 49ers can draft anyone they want in the first round.

 

Again, bad teams can't waste a first round pick on LT. The Browns are a perfect example. The Thomas pick amounted to nothing--in fact less than nothing, as they passed on Adrian Peterson. 6 years later they still absolutely suck on offense and AP is MVP and singlehandedly carrying the Viking's offense. Ditto for Miami who spent a #1 pick on Jake Long instead of picking Matt Ryan. Miami's offense sucks and they didn't franchise FA Long.

SF sucked when they made those picks

[San Jose Bills Fan]

You may be right though, if Smith is not there at 8 the Bills may be able to swing a trade for a team desperate for one of the top O-Linemen and pick up a late 1st and an additional 2nd rounder. With the number of holes to fill and what little separates the 2nd round talent, it would be nice to have some additional picks, but I do not recall a Buddy draft where he did a lot of wheeling and dealing (assuming Buddy is actually at the controls of this upcoming draft and that he does not take more of a back seat).

 

Buddy didn't deal at all his first two drafts and then dipped his toe in the water last year (and then fell in the pool) when he moved up for TJ Graham.

 

I could see the Bills trading down if a team is desperate for O-line help, which is not a desperate need for the Bills.

 

I could also see a team desperate for defensive backfield help trading with the Bills.

 

It actually wouldn't surprise me if the Bills traded down this year.

 

If they go that route, they'll draft a T, not a G.

 

Agreed. IF they were to go O-line, we can only pray it'll be a tackle and not Warmack.

[CSBill]

After reading many posts, mocks, and player evaluations I am coming around to the idea that the BPA will be an offensive lineman. Unless Millner somehow drops to #8, Warmack or one of the OT's should be our pick. Patterson may be a one year wonder. Jordan may be Maybin. He may be Charles Haley. This team needs to finish fixing the offensive line especially if Levitre leaves. In fact if Millner makes it to #8 that would be a wonderful trade down opportunity. I'm drinking the Kool-aid on a LT and moving Glenn to RT. There is no WR or QB worthy of #8 including Smith and Barkely. Maybe Jones at OLB instead but as of now I think it will be offensive line.

 

It would not be progress to let Levitre walk, and then draft another guard, or even OT .... that is just moving sideways. It would be progress to sign Levitre, and then draft someone else to improve the line.

[Mr. WEO]

SF sucked when they made those picks

 

SF didn't take Staley with their first pick in 2007. They were smarter than that--they picked an impact player.

 

The 49ers didn't suck when they picked Iupati. They would send 5 players to the PB that season and were simply in need of a new HC. The next season that same team that "sucked" make it to the NFCC. So they were already pretty loaded when they picked Iupati.