Latest from Kiper & McShay

[Kirby Jackson]

Lots-0- talent for the O line this year too, and the QB's and O linemen are trending to be more in demand then any other positions it seems. As every team is looking for that franchise QB, and because teams trend to move around their best pass rushers the RT is more in demand then ever before. Road grading OG's if you want a power run game.

 

Four OT's Matthews, Robinson, Lewan, Martin all could go in the top 12 picks, mostly because four QB's will be taken in the top 8 picks this year, or those OT's would go quicker IMO.

 

Then you have Kouandjio, Yankey, Swanson, Moses, and Richardson all could move up into the first round.

 

My take is teams are looking long and hard at the 49ers, and how they built that O line with 3 first round picks. The Seahawks with two first rounders, and a second rounder on their line.

 

 

Anyway, i highly doubt Watkins will be there at #9. Although Eric Ebron should be, and the Bills sure could use a Vernon Davis clone at TE. I wouldn't cry very much about that pick.

 

I am not set on WR; I am set on Watkins. The OLine certainly needs to be addressed and there should be ample opportunities to do so. I'd like a minimum of 1 OL starter in this draft. I just don't think that you need to use the 9th pick for that unless you need a LT.

[Buffalo Barbarian]

Sorry, need insider, but the picks are:

 

McShay's latest has the Bills selecting Sammy Watkins (Clemson WR) who inexplicably falls.

 

Kiper has the Bills selecting Jake Matthews (TA&M OT).

 

Would be good with those picks

[1B4IDie]

I'd take this with a grain of salt. McShay's mock is a bit odd, since he has Watkins dropping so far. I also never trust anything Kiper has to say - really wish I knew how he was still employed.

 

That said, if Watkins drops to us, I think it's a no-brainer. Otherwise, I'd go with the best OT available.

Kipper is self employed.

That's how.

[Webster Guy]

I don't think I ever seen the Bills pick who anyone projected them to so I wouldn't read too much into what anyone thinks... Just my 2 cents..

[Green Lightning]

I'm not ready to jump on SW bandwagon. We need a big tall fast receiver who's open when he's not open. I don't think that's Watkins. Let's see what he does in the combine. Almost 70 percent of his passes were under 7 yards.I know his YAC are epic, but that's college. You have linebackers running 4.5 in the pros. it won't be as easy as was in college. I like to see him catch some downfield balls and run some longer routes at a pro day before saying he's NFL ready. He sounds like Stevie with more athleticism. I'd rather trade down and grab Ebron and get another high pick.

Edited February 8, 2014 by Green Lightning

[jumbalaya]

Our needs are #1 WR, OT, OG, LB, TE, S if Byrd leaves, CB.

 

Free agency: sign Byrd, a veteran CB, sign a veteran LB and if Moeki is not an answer sign a veteran TE.

 

Draft WR or OT in first, reverse that in the second, get a guard in rd 3.

 

Or trade down, draft a TE or WR in the first and T & WR / TE in round 2. Guard in 3rd.

[thewildrabbit]

I am not set on WR; I am set on Watkins. The OLine certainly needs to be addressed and there should be ample opportunities to do so. I'd like a minimum of 1 OL starter in this draft. I just don't think that you need to use the 9th pick for that unless you need a LT.

Looking at all those OT's taken in the first round in last years draft (particularly the first 3 of 4) that all ended up at RT I think that philosophy is now very much out dated.

 

Plus, Mel Kiper states that this years top 3 OT's are even better then last years top three. So, if it weren't for all those teams needing franchise QB's this year they would all be gone by the time the Bills choice at #9. Yet, they still all might be gone.

 

My mock

1. Texans- needs, QB-OLB-CB- Johnny Football
   
2. Rams- needs, OLB-FS-OG- DE Clowney
   
3. Jacksonville- needs, QB-DE- Bortles
   
4. Browns-needs, QB -WR-Bridgewater
   
5. Raiders- needs,QB, WR, RB, DT,CB- Sammy Watkins
   
6. Falcons- OT,TE. pass rush- Greg Robinson
   
7. Bucs- needs QB-TE- LB- Khalil Mack
   
8. Vikings- needs QB-LB-SS-Derek Carr
   
9. Bills- needs, OT-WR-TE-OG- Jake Matthews
   

So, that leaves OT Jake Matthews- OT Taylor Lewan- TE Eric Ebron- LB CJ Mosley- LB Anthony Bar

 

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/Kiper-Top-3-OTs-better-than-2013-trio/d207b2da-20d3-4e4d-9ffc-0f07e2ea0f22

[KGUNBILLS]

Our defense is much better than our offense. If we can fill holes on defense, I'm all for it, unless the FO chooses a more promising QB than we already have. We wouldn't need much offense if we had the #1 defense.

[CSBill]

Well, its very very early in the process. There have been a lot of good points made in this thread. Here's my take: There are two good things for the Bills and their needs this year:

1. There are at least three, maybe four teams in front of us that are going to draft QBs—and we don't need one. Moreover, I'm not sure I'd draft anyone of them over EJ if he was there. That, of course, is highly debatable, but the bottom-line is, we're not in QB seeking mode, and at least four teams in front of us are. So that leaves us looking at the other five/six best options.
    
   
2. Building on the first observation: Not only are we now able to focus on the five best non-QB options, this is a draft deep in talent. Especially at one position we are in need of, an OT. Also, if Watkins for some odd reason does drop to 9 (I don't really see that happening—and, especially if Robinson is already off the board), then I see him as the pick. But, I doubt that scenario plays out, which means I think the Bills end up taking the unsexy, but very needed, best OT they like/want at that point, sans Robinson.
   

The only thing I know for sure: It's going to be a long three months!

Edited February 9, 2014 by CSBill

[mannc]

Assume we have to get up to #4 to get watkins, then a trade looks like this:

 

We get #4, #100(4th round), and #231(7th)

We give #9, #41(2nd), #137(5th), and #169(6th)

 

That's an even money trade, down to the penny, in terms of the DVC. See here: http://www.calculato...-pick-value.php

The Bills better not be trading up for anyone in the first round.

[respk]

With all of the holes the Bills need to fill they really shouldn't be trading up in the draft. If anything they should be looking to trade down and get more picks just like last year.

Edited February 9, 2014 by respk

[Kirby Jackson]

Looking at all those OT's taken in the first round in last years draft (particularly the first 3 of 4) that all ended up at RT I think that philosophy is now very much out dated.

 

Plus, Mel Kiper states that this years top 3 OT's are even better then last years top three. So, if it weren't for all those teams needing franchise QB's this year they would all be gone by the time the Bills choice at #9. Yet, they still all might be gone.

 

My mock

1. Texans- needs, QB-OLB-CB- Johnny Football
   
2. Rams- needs, OLB-FS-OG- DE Clowney
   
3. Jacksonville- needs, QB-DE- Bortles
   
4. Browns-needs, QB -WR-Bridgewater
   
5. Raiders- needs,QB, WR, RB, DT,CB- Sammy Watkins
   
6. Falcons- OT,TE. pass rush- Greg Robinson
   
7. Bucs- needs QB-TE- LB- Khalil Mack
   
8. Vikings- needs QB-LB-SS-Derek Carr
   
9. Bills- needs, OT-WR-TE-OG- Jake Matthews
   

So, that leaves OT Jake Matthews- OT Taylor Lewan- TE Eric Ebron- LB CJ Mosley- LB Anthony Bar

 

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/Kiper-Top-3-OTs-better-than-2013-trio/d207b2da-20d3-4e4d-9ffc-0f07e2ea0f22

 

Last year's draft was so different than previous years. There honestly was a lack of talent everywhere but safety and OL. Typically the top 10 is QBs, franchise LT, pass rushers and elite skill players. I think that you will see a return to tht this year. You do not plug certain spots in the top 10 IMO because you can plug them later in the draft without much of a dropoff. If you pick in the top 10 you look for elite guys that can make game changing plays.

[thebandit27]

 

 

Last year's draft was so different than previous years. There honestly was a lack of talent everywhere but safety and OL. Typically the top 10 is QBs, franchise LT, pass rushers and elite skill players. I think that you will see a return to tht this year. You do not plug certain spots in the top 10 IMO because you can plug them later in the draft without much of a dropoff. If you pick in the top 10 you look for elite guys that can make game changing plays.

 

Yes! This ^ is drafting in a nutshell.

 

Thanks for stating it so eloquently.

[thewildrabbit]

Last year's draft was so different than previous years. There honestly was a lack of talent everywhere but safety and OL. Typically the top 10 is QBs, franchise LT, pass rushers and elite skill players. I think that you will see a return to tht this year. You do not plug certain spots in the top 10 IMO because you can plug them later in the draft without much of a dropoff. If you pick in the top 10 you look for elite guys that can make game changing plays.

I think it really depends on the talent level of the players in the top ten, and first round. I also think the trend is shifting towards QB's & Tackles, O line. Teams are learning to build the lines first.

 

I get where you are coming from because that thinking has been prevalent in the NFL for years.

 

This year Mel Kiper thinks the top 3 OT's are even better then last years top 3 OT's that went in the first four picks.

 

So, stating that I think those top three OT's should be gone by 10, and that they would go earlier if 6 of the 9 teams picking early weren't desperate for a franchise QB.

 

What's funny is that I read one article where a GM thought that this years crop of QB's isn't as great as so many think it is, and perhaps only one or two will become a top QB.

 

Anyway, we will certainly find out in May

Edited February 9, 2014 by FeartheLosing

[Kirby Jackson]

I think it really depends on the talent level of the players in the top ten, and first round. I also think the trend is shifting towards QB's & Tackles, O line. Teams are learning to build the lines first.

 

I get where you are coming from because that thinking has been prevalent in the NFL for years.

 

This year Mel Kiper thinks the top 3 OT's are even better then last years top 3 OT's that went in the first four picks.

 

So, stating that I think those top three OT's should be gone by 10, and that they would go earlier if 6 of the 9 teams picking early weren't desperate for a franchise QB.

 

What's funny is that I read one article where a GM thought that this years crop of QB's isn't as great as so many think it is, and perhaps only one or two will become a top QB.

 

Anyway, we will certainly find out in May

 

That's kind of the point that you would not pick a RT if you needed a pass rusher, elite skill player, QB or LT in the top 10. Of those needs elite skill player is the only one that I think the Bills need. If you look at players projected in the top 10: Clowney, Watkins, Mack, Barr, Robinson, Manziel, Bortles, Bridgewater and Mattews they all meet that criteria.

Edited February 9, 2014 by Kirby Jackson

[K-9]

Last year's draft was so different than previous years. There honestly was a lack of talent everywhere but safety and OL. Typically the top 10 is QBs, franchise LT, pass rushers and elite skill players. I think that you will see a return to tht this year. You do not plug certain spots in the top 10 IMO because you can plug them later in the draft without much of a dropoff. If you pick in the top 10 you look for elite guys that can make game changing plays.

 

Yep. That's a page right out of Polian's bible.

 

GO BILLS!!!

[thewildrabbit]

That's kind of the point that you would not pick a RT if you needed a pass rusher, elite skill player, QB or LT in the top 10. Of those needs elite skill player is the only one that I think the Bills need. If you look at players projected in the top 10: Clowney, Watkins, Mack, Barr, Robinson, Manziel, Bortles, Bridgewater and Mattews they all meet that criteria.

That's nine. Anyway, Eric Ebron could certainly be placed in that top ten, and is a definite need, along with OT-OG-WR-ILBer, according to drafttek.

 

In every mock draft I've seen WR Sammy Watkins is long gone by the time Buffalo picks, so then what?

 

St Louis http://www.drafttek....raft-Round1.asp

 

ST Louis in a trade http://www.sbnation....t-blake-bortles

 

Tampa Bay / Oakland http://www.cbssports...raft/mock-draft

 

Oakland http://walterfootbal...m/draft2014.php

 

Kiper- Oakland http://insider.espn....l-mock-draft-20

 

Oakland http://nfl.si.com/20...-bridgewater-3/

 

Oakland http://www.bigbluevi...new-york-giants

 

While I wouldn't mind that #9 pick used on a "elite skill' TE who is a supposed Vernon Davis clone. The two weakest areas of the team are run defense and offensive line. Since Kiper stated that this years top three OTs all have a better grade then last years top three. Then, If one of the three top OT's are on the board when the Bills pick at #9. It would seem foolish to me to pass up a player who grades better then the top four players from last year.

 

Oh, just food for thought, 57% of Watkins catches were at the line of scrimmage, i.e. screens! Just sayin.

Edited February 9, 2014 by FeartheLosing

[K-9]

Kipper is self employed.

That's how.

 

Mel Kiper signed a 6 year extension with ESPN a couple years ago.

 

He may generate other income from self-employment, but he earns a PHAT paycheck from ESPN as well.

 

GO BILLS!!!

[3rdand12]

PHAT ? did you just write that : ) ?

[Kirby Jackson]

That's nine. Anyway, Eric Ebron could certainly be placed in that top ten, and is a definite need, along with OT-OG-WR-ILBer, according to drafttek.

 

In every mock draft I've seen WR Sammy Watkins is long gone by the time Buffalo picks, so then what?

 

St Louis http://www.drafttek....raft-Round1.asp

 

ST Louis in a trade http://www.sbnation....t-blake-bortles

 

Tampa Bay / Oakland http://www.cbssports...raft/mock-draft

 

Oakland http://walterfootbal...m/draft2014.php

 

Kiper- Oakland http://insider.espn....l-mock-draft-20

 

Oakland http://nfl.si.com/20...-bridgewater-3/

 

Oakland http://www.bigbluevi...new-york-giants

 

While I wouldn't mind that #9 pick used on a "elite skill' TE who is a supposed Vernon Davis clone. The two weakest areas of the team are run defense and offensive line. Since Kiper stated that this years top three OTs all have a better grade then last years top three. Then, If one of the three top OT's are on the board when the Bills pick at #9. It would seem foolish to me to pass up a player who grades better then the top four players from last year.

 

Oh, just food for thought, 57% of Watkins catches were at the line of scrimmage, i.e. screens! Just sayin.

 

I really don't see Watkins there either. I would think that Ebron is right around Vernon Davis as that matchup nightmare TE. I would be okay with him.