Draft - Process of Elimination

[Madd Charlie]

Im ruling out some of the pretenders that i have seen mocked to the Bills at different points during the mock season based on what I have seen from the Bills over the course of my 30 years as a fan and some good old fashion common sense.

 

Who the Bills will not pick at 8 and why in my opinion

 

Luke Jockel/ Eric Fisher/ Lane Johnson - Buddy has never drafted offensive line in the first round. The highest was last year when Cordy Glenn was drafted. The Bills and especially Buddy seem to like Glenn a lot at LT besides the fact that moving him to guard as some suggested would basically make Glenn a bust for a GM who is on his way out and trying to save his legacy.

 

Matt Barkley - Weak arm, often injured, under performed senior year, bombed pro day, good weather qb, Rob Johnson, "Sanchize"- just a few of the reasons there is no way in heck Barkley will ever be a Bill. As soon as I see Barkley in a mock for the Bills at 8 I know its pointless to read any further

 

Ziggy Ansah - I wonder if the Bills would look at him if he was from a southern school and Aaron Maybin never happened? Buddy does not like 1 year wonders and I think hes feeling the heat like never before so he wont start this year. Buddy needs a sure thing badly.

 

Cordarrelle Patterson - see Ziggy

 

Chance Warmack /Jonathan Cooper- I dont think Buddy would draft a LT at 8, theres no way he would take a guard no matter who it is. the fact that they let Levitre and Reinhart leave tells me they must have a plan in place. I think they will draft O Line late and the starter most likely is already on the roster like it or not

 

Jarvis Jones - looking at his stats at Georgia i was impressed he really was my favorite for the spot when he was cleared medically. Plus Buddy has history in San Diego where Marcus McNeil was a pro bowler with spinal stenosis although many teams took him off their boards. I think the slow 40 time at his pro day took Jones out of the top 20 if he is there in the second round and our targeted QB is gone or is expected to be available in the 3rd i think we take him then.

 

Bjoern Warner - better fit in a strait 4-3 than a hybrid D

 

Dee Milliner / Xavier Rhodes- once we resigned McKelvin i think that killed this possibility. Too much young talent to sort out before taking another corner this high

 

Sharrif Floyd / Star Lotulelei - looking at talent we are loaded looking at actual performance and injury history now that i think about it this may be a decent option. Buddy only has 6 picks and a lot of holes he cant really draft a position where we have pro bowl quality players this year no matter what. Dont be surprised to see Spencer Johnson brought back

 

whats left? Not a lot at the top of the draft based on the Drafttek (3/23) big board the only players left that are in their top 10 are Dion Jordan and Mingo. LB is definitely a need position and I think Jordan is the safe pick of the two but I bet hes gone to Philly. If Geno is there i hope we take him and let Kolb play first half of next year or until hes injured. If Smith and Jordan are gone and some team like San Fran wont give up some picks to move to 8 then i think you see us reach hard for Nassib or EJ Manuel but i bet the plan would be to trade back.

 

Sorry i know this is long but i had to go on record for future refrence. Feel free to give your opinions.

 

Go Bills

Edited April 1, 2013 by Dayzofglory

[D521646]

I think the Bills could literally go in any direction, frankly, and all speculation is a waste of time, but it is fun to read up what others are thinking.

[Madd Charlie]

yeah there are trends but i think the biggest trend is that the Bills are hard to pin down in the draft

[Beerball]

yeah there are trends but i think the biggest trend is that the Bills are hard to pin down in the draft

So, the biggest Bills' trend is that they don't have a trend?

[Madd Charlie]

lol I think they have a trend of not taking the guy that the " draft gurus" say they should take. They always seem to have a board thats quite different than everything you find on line this time of year

Edited April 1, 2013 by Dayzofglory

[cosmo]

Great points about the O-linemen. So many dumb writers have us taking Johnson or Warmack and really there is no way that is happening, especially Warmack. A guard at #8 really?? He would have to be the greatest ever to justify going that high.

 

You talk about Buddy like he has complete control over who gets picked, are we sure that's the case? It kinda seems like they're fazing him out and Whaley in and just keeping Buddy around for all the scouting he has done on this class. I have no idea, maybe Buddy will have the authority I'm just wondering if anyone knows.

[Madd Charlie]

I actually hope there is someone else running the show based on past results but my understanding is that Buddy basically makes the final decisions. Thats who Marrone refers too as making the decisions in some of the interviews ive seen

[BuffaloBillsMagic1]

Not sure why drafting a guard is a no no with Nix. seem slike we did ok with Wood and LeVitre who both were opur stating guards their first season with us. Weren't they dratedf in 1st round, though lower, i know?

[NickelCity]

I think the Bills believe that both Geno and Barkley will be gone before 8. I imagine they will take a LB or Warmack, and then take either Manuel, Wilson or Nassib in the 2nd (whichever one of them falls to our 2nd round pick).

[OldTimer1960]

Luke Jockel/ Eric Fisher/ Lane Johnson - Buddy has never drafted offensive line in the first round. The highest was last year when Cordy Glenn was drafted. The Bills and especially Buddy seem to like Glenn a lot at LT besides the fact that moving him to guard as some suggested would basically make Glenn a bust for a GM who is on his way out and trying to save his legacy.

 

==> Nobody said that you have to move Glenn to OG if you draft Lane Johnson. I'd consider Johnson for LT and move Cordy to RT - then you have two potentially very good OTs and Wood at Center. Fill in with some half-decent OGs and you have a good OL to pass protect, and pave the way for a run-oriented OL.

 

I'd be less interested in Warmack at OG since that still leaves marginal Erik Pears starting at RT.

[Dibs]

Luke Jockel/ Eric Fisher/ Lane Johnson - Buddy has never drafted offensive line in the first round.

 

Good post....but this line is a little irrelevant.

Buddy has only had the say over 3 drafts......with 3 1st round picks. One cannot define a trend from such a small sample.

Furthermore, his three picks could easily have been classed as "best player available" picks.....further removing the concept of any pattern.

 

That said, I agree with you in that I think it very doubtful the Bills will go OT in the 1st.

[NastyNateSoldiers]

Alec Ogletree he is by far the best Linebacker in this draft, He should be our pick. I dont care bout his character concerns. That always seems to benefit the good teams.

Ogletree will be a top 5 talent in this draft. Once the gms start everyone will be gushing about this guy. Hes a sideline to sideline tackling machine and he has great coverage abilitys. This pick should be a no brainer pick ,Especially considering how bad our lbs were last season. Plus Buddy said.we need 2 lbs this offseason.

[Madd Charlie]

Not sure why drafting a guard is a no no with Nix. seem slike we did ok with Wood and LeVitre who both were opur stating guards their first season with us. Weren't they dratedf in 1st round, though lower, i know?

 

that was 2009 when Nix was hired as GM and its thought that the draft board was already in the works. Im not saying he cant draft o line but we had a pretty solid o line the lat few years with Wood ( when healthy) Levitre and a bunch of other dudes like a converted guard playing LT and low draft picks and some guys other teams threw away. Now that we have an ex o lineman as coach i expect that the trend will continue and the will perform very well even without Levitre. Im sure Marrone was totally on board with letting him go

 

Alec Ogletree he is by far the best Linebacker in this draft, He should be our pick. I dont care bout his character concerns. That always seems to benefit the good teams.

Ogletree will be a top 5 talent in this draft. Once the gms start everyone will be gushing about this guy. Hes a sideline to sideline tackling machine and he has great coverage abilitys. This pick should be a no brainer pick ,Especially considering how bad our lbs were last season. Plus Buddy said.we need 2 lbs this offseason.

 

I like him too but the Bills never draft those guys and when they do they regret it as in Marshawn Lynch

Edited April 2, 2013 by Dayzofglory

[NastyNateSoldiers]

This is the yr teams can take a chance on players because of the lack of top end talent. So even though we usually shy away from character concern players. We can take that chance.

I look at it this way were gonna take a chance on a guy anyways because of the lack of talent available might as well take a chance on a guy with character concerns that can play then a guy with good character with on field talent concerns.

 

I dont mind even taking a guy like Tyler Eifert because I believe he will be a difference maker at a position of need

Edited April 2, 2013 by NastyNateSoldiers

[GG]

So, the biggest Bills' trend is that they don't have a trend?

Age old checkers strategy. Always keep em guessing.

[NeverOutNick]

Alec Ogletree he is by far the best Linebacker in this draft, He should be our pick. I dont care bout his character concerns. That always seems to benefit the good teams.

Ogletree will be a top 5 talent in this draft. Once the gms start everyone will be gushing about this guy. Hes a sideline to sideline tackling machine and he has great coverage abilitys. This pick should be a no brainer pick ,Especially considering how bad our lbs were last season. Plus Buddy said.we need 2 lbs this offseason.

 

I agree with taking Ogletree or even Jordan (if he's there)...those would be my top 2 picks but am also all for moving back (picking up an extra pick or 2) and taking whatever QB the FO falls in love with (hoping for either Wilson, Manuel or even Barkley if it's later in the round)

[tonyjustbcuz]

Im ruling out some of the pretenders that i have seen mocked to the Bills at different points during the mock season based on what I have seen from the Bills over the course of my 30 years as a fan and some good old fashion common sense.

 

Who the Bills will not pick at 8 and why in my opinion

 

Luke Jockel/ Eric Fisher/ Lane Johnson - Buddy has never drafted offensive line in the first round. The highest was last year when Cordy Glenn was drafted. The Bills and especially Buddy seem to like Glenn a lot at LT besides the fact that moving him to guard as some suggested would basically make Glenn a bust for a GM who is on his way out and trying to save his legacy.

 

Matt Barkley - Weak arm, often injured, under performed senior year, bombed pro day, good weather qb, Rob Johnson, "Sanchize"- just a few of the reasons there is no way in heck Barkley will ever be a Bill. As soon as I see Barkley in a mock for the Bills at 8 I know its pointless to read any further

 

Ziggy Ansah - I wonder if the Bills would look at him if he was from a southern school and Aaron Maybin never happened? Buddy does not like 1 year wonders and I think hes feeling the heat like never before so he wont start this year. Buddy needs a sure thing badly.

 

Cordarrelle Patterson - see Ziggy

 

Chance Warmack /Jonathan Cooper- I dont think Buddy would draft a LT at 8, theres no way he would take a guard no matter who it is. the fact that they let Levitre and Reinhart leave tells me they must have a plan in place. I think they will draft O Line late and the starter most likely is already on the roster like it or not

 

Jarvis Jones - looking at his stats at Georgia i was impressed he really was my favorite for the spot when he was cleared medically. Plus Buddy has history in San Diego where Marcus McNeil was a pro bowler with spinal stenosis although many teams took him off their boards. I think the slow 40 time at his pro day took Jones out of the top 20 if he is there in the second round and our targeted QB is gone or is expected to be available in the 3rd i think we take him then.

 

Bjoern Warner - better fit in a strait 4-3 than a hybrid D

 

Dee Milliner / Xavier Rhodes- once we resigned McKelvin i think that killed this possibility. Too much young talent to sort out before taking another corner this high

 

Sharrif Floyd / Star Lotulelei - looking at talent we are loaded looking at actual performance and injury history now that i think about it this may be a decent option. Buddy only has 6 picks and a lot of holes he cant really draft a position where we have pro bowl quality players this year no matter what. Dont be surprised to see Spencer Johnson brought back

 

whats left? Not a lot at the top of the draft based on the Drafttek (3/23) big board the only players left that are in their top 10 are Dion Jordan and Mingo. LB is definitely a need position and I think Jordan is the safe pick of the two but I bet hes gone to Philly. If Geno is there i hope we take him and let Kolb play first half of next year or until hes injured. If Smith and Jordan are gone and some team like San Fran wont give up some picks to move to 8 then i think you see us reach hard for Nassib or EJ Manuel but i bet the plan would be to trade back.

 

Sorry i know this is long but i had to go on record for future refrence. Feel free to give your opinions.

 

Go Bills

 

 

 

I think the Bills should look to trade down just a few picks if possible in the 1st round, and if possible do a Cleveland (at least I thought Cleveland traded down twice in first round?) and trade down a little further down in the first...probably get your QB in the 20-32nd pick range, and pick up multiple 2nd or 3rd round picks to get us up to maybe 9 or 10 picks in the draft. We have a lot of holes to fill plus depth. I think that QB, WR, TE, LB, G, CB, are all positions that we should address. There are probably other positions as well though so you can't have too many picks!

 

The problem is that I don't see Buddy Nix doing that.....I think he'll go CB in the 1st round, QB in the 2nd or trade up to the top of the 2nd to get Nassib. In the 3rd round expect a WR, in the 4th a LB, in the 5th a G. Not too exciting, but I've never liked Nix's draft strategy for the Bills so far! I really want something flashier for the 1st round, but this is the Bills and they haven't convinced me yet that they are heading in the right direction until I see some positive results!!

[Madd Charlie]

i really hope we do trade down we need more picks desperately with nothing much happening in free agency and having so many needs. Nix is forgiven in my book if we get a late first and a 2 and a 3 or 4

[San Jose Bills Fan]

Not sure why drafting a guard is a no no with Nix. seem slike we did ok with Wood and LeVitre who both were opur stating guards their first season with us. Weren't they dratedf in 1st round, though lower, i know?

 

Wood and Levitre were drafted when Russ Brandon was the Bills de facto GM.

[1B4IDie]

Wood and Levitre were drafted when Russ Brandon was the Bills de facto GM.

And Levitre was drafted in the second.

 

Im ruling out some of the pretenders that i have seen mocked to the Bills at different points during the mock season based on what I have seen from the Bills over the course of my 30 years as a fan and some good old fashion common sense.

 

Who the Bills will not pick at 8 and why in my opinion

 

Luke Jockel/ Eric Fisher/ Lane Johnson - Buddy has never drafted offensive line in the first round. The highest was last year when Cordy Glenn was drafted. The Bills and especially Buddy seem to like Glenn a lot at LT besides the fact that moving him to guard as some suggested would basically make Glenn a bust for a GM who is on his way out and trying to save his legacy.

 

Matt Barkley - Weak arm, often injured, under performed senior year, bombed pro day, good weather qb, Rob Johnson, "Sanchize"- just a few of the reasons there is no way in heck Barkley will ever be a Bill. As soon as I see Barkley in a mock for the Bills at 8 I know its pointless to read any further

 

Ziggy Ansah - I wonder if the Bills would look at him if he was from a southern school and Aaron Maybin never happened? Buddy does not like 1 year wonders and I think hes feeling the heat like never before so he wont start this year. Buddy needs a sure thing badly.

 

Cordarrelle Patterson - see Ziggy

 

Chance Warmack /Jonathan Cooper- I dont think Buddy would draft a LT at 8, theres no way he would take a guard no matter who it is. the fact that they let Levitre and Reinhart leave tells me they must have a plan in place. I think they will draft O Line late and the starter most likely is already on the roster like it or not

 

Jarvis Jones - looking at his stats at Georgia i was impressed he really was my favorite for the spot when he was cleared medically. Plus Buddy has history in San Diego where Marcus McNeil was a pro bowler with spinal stenosis although many teams took him off their boards. I think the slow 40 time at his pro day took Jones out of the top 20 if he is there in the second round and our targeted QB is gone or is expected to be available in the 3rd i think we take him then.

 

Bjoern Warner - better fit in a strait 4-3 than a hybrid D

 

Dee Milliner / Xavier Rhodes- once we resigned McKelvin i think that killed this possibility. Too much young talent to sort out before taking another corner this high

 

Sharrif Floyd / Star Lotulelei - looking at talent we are loaded looking at actual performance and injury history now that i think about it this may be a decent option. Buddy only has 6 picks and a lot of holes he cant really draft a position where we have pro bowl quality players this year no matter what. Dont be surprised to see Spencer Johnson brought back

 

whats left? Not a lot at the top of the draft based on the Drafttek (3/23) big board the only players left that are in their top 10 are Dion Jordan and Mingo. LB is definitely a need position and I think Jordan is the safe pick of the two but I bet hes gone to Philly. If Geno is there i hope we take him and let Kolb play first half of next year or until hes injured. If Smith and Jordan are gone and some team like San Fran wont give up some picks to move to 8 then i think you see us reach hard for Nassib or EJ Manuel but i bet the plan would be to trade back.

 

Sorry i know this is long but i had to go on record for future refrence. Feel free to give your opinions.

 

Go Bills

 

I agree with most of the logic behind the post.

 

I think an Pass Rushing, attacking DE/LB will be top Priority. If Dion Jordan were there. I think he would be the pick even over Geno Smith.

 

Mario Williams isn't blind side rusher and hasn't been his whole career.

 

If The Bills add in a Pass Rushing specialist to the D-Line mix. It could have a great impact.

 

I agree wholehardetly that the Bills will not draft any O-Line position. They lost 1 player from thier week 1 strating O-Line. He was a very good player but it is not terribly difficult to find a decent guard. Wasting a #8 pick on a speculative perennial all pro guard doesn't really get you much further down the field than having that decent guard.

 

I'd put Jarvis Jones back in the mix, that is only if Pettine is sold that he can work with him.

 

Basically I believe a versatile Pass Rusher is the primary target. I am very glad the rest of the media and talking heads are associating O-Line and QBs with the Bills. Maybe someone will move up past the Bills to get those players so the Pass Rusher can drop to #8.

 

Less than 30 days away.

Edited April 2, 2013 by Why So Serious?