frogger Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Obviously, Mario Williams, but then who? Hughes is a pass rush specialist, while he plays with a high motor, I fear he won't be able to contain and redirect the run. So...are we drafting one? I have a feeling we are, we can survive with Pears at RT(we don't want to though) we can survive with Johnson, Woods, Williams and Goodwin at WR, even our TEs are not the league's worst...but-we don't have a Wide 9 DE. Options...Kony Ealy, late first round, maybe early 2nd, productive SEC player. He can dip and bend the corner Kareem Martin, a favorite of mine, longest DE in the draft, productivity, 1.5 10 split (very good) better against the run. Dee Ford, I think he's better suited for a 3-4 or a PRS. Late round Webster, has the length, but is a project. Anthony Barr, might be our best option, but at 9? He's insanely athletic, can bend the corner and is strong enough to stack. Please add some other options. Clowney isn't a real option, FYI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Hammersticks Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Hughes on obvious passing downs. Branch the rest of the time. Maybe Lawson peppered in there a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max997 Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 (edited) My guess is they will draft a DE fairly early to go with a combination of Lawson and Hughes I don't think Anthony Barr is an every down DE Branch should and I think will be playing more DT this year which is his more natural position. Edited May 3, 2014 by Max997 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 You'll probably also see some of Bryant and Charles sprinkled in for Branch, while Lawson and Hughes will largely rotate as the rush ends. Jairus Wynn could be in the mix for playing time as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not at the table Karlos Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 If we continue to run the 4-3 under our line will be Branch, K Williams, Dareus, M Williams. Nickle and wide-9 situations will be a rotation of Hughes and Lawson at one end and Mario at the other. We have the players to run almost any defense we want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 If they draft a DE (they should if they have enough picks) I could see 6'6 Kareem Martin from UNC or Scott Crichton from Oregon State. Crichton was here for a visit and if they can get a second 2nd rounder he could be in play. He is ready to play now but Martin has a higher ceiling. Martin isn't as pro ready and could be had in the 3rd. I think Hughes will play a lot but they likely don't want Mario and Hughes playing so many snaps so I think they need another pass rusher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap'nCrunch Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 If they draft a DE (they should if they have enough picks) I could see 6'6 Kareem Martin from UNC or Scott Crichton from Oregon State. Crichton was here for a visit and if they can get a second 2nd rounder he could be in play. He is ready to play now but Martin has a higher ceiling. Martin isn't as pro ready and could be had in the 3rd. I think Hughes will play a lot but they likely don't want Mario and Hughes playing so many snaps so I think they need another pass rusher. Agree with this assessment. Kareem Martin could be invaluable at the right DE in the wide 9. We shouldn't rely solely on Brandon Spikes to improve the run defense. http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/46928/349/out-of-the-box If a trade down from 9 can be executed for another 2nd rounder, maybe that use that extra pick on Martin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreamOnDan Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 I am not comfortable rolling Branch out there at DE in a 4/3 defense.. I think that he is specifically a DT in the new defense. His job last year as DE was about the same thing as DT in 4-3. He would almost always have either Mario, Manny, or Hughes next to him last year.. In this system, he is way less ideal as a DE than Pears or Hairston is a RT in my opinion. While I like the idea of Matthews or Koundijo(2nd rd), I like the Idea of fortifying the D End position even more.. What happens if Mario Williams goes down for the year? Then what? Right now we can pretty much replace any player on the roster with a suitable backup except Mario Williams and EJ Manuel. SO If it were me, and I had the chance to add a DE that could start day 1, relegating Hughes to the same role as he played last year (40-50% of snaps), then I would not only jump at the opportunity but after I would say we have the best Defense in the AFC.. If that goes down then All Manuel has to do is progress and this team makes the playoffs. I agree with the OP, I think this is a major need and I put it up there with OT and TE. Followed by CB, WR,QB, RB.. I would like to see Donald, Ealy, Crighton, or Barr in a Bills Uniform if they can trade out of the 9 pick and if Ebron is gone by the time they pick again.. Maybe get lucky and Koundijo is still there at 2nd pick(balky knee/seems fine), and I think there would be a quality TE left in the 2nd half of the 2nd rd(Niklas maybe?). So I see a trade back situation unfolding like that.. A good WR is sure to be available in the 3rd or 4th rds for all those that want to add a guy there still.. Grab a CB in the 3/4th rd range as well.. Maybe in the 5th rd we can nab up one of those big QB to compete with TUEL and LEWIS, Grab a 7th rd RB and we just had a great draft! Obviously it could go any way so... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOKBILLS Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 (edited) Obviously, Mario Williams, but then who? Hughes is a pass rush specialist, while he plays with a high motor, I fear he won't be able to contain and redirect the run. So...are we drafting one? I have a feeling we are, we can survive with Pears at RT(we don't want to though) we can survive with Johnson, Woods, Williams and Goodwin at WR, even our TEs are not the league's worst...but-we don't have a Wide 9 DE. Options...Kony Ealy, late first round, maybe early 2nd, productive SEC player. He can dip and bend the corner Kareem Martin, a favorite of mine, longest DE in the draft, productivity, 1.5 10 split (very good) better against the run. Dee Ford, I think he's better suited for a 3-4 or a PRS. Late round Webster, has the length, but is a project. Anthony Barr, might be our best option, but at 9? He's insanely athletic, can bend the corner and is strong enough to stack. Please add some other options. Clowney isn't a real option, FYI Barr is not a DE...It will take at least a year for him to bulk up to that kind of role...I just don't see Barr being a fit for a 4-3 team right now...I think if a 4-3 team takes him he'll disappear the same way Dion Jordan did in Miami last year...I'm not a big Ealy fan...And though I like Dee Ford a lot, and to a lesser extent Demarcus Lawrence, I think they're basically Jerry Hughes-types without Hughes speed, and probably will never get big enough... One thing about this Draft...It has been called the deepest Draft in recent memory and I pretty much agree...But if there is one position it's lacking in that position would definitely be 4-3 DE...And the last thing you want to do in a Draft is chase needs...I'm not too crazy about many of the DE prospects...The players I like that may, or may not fit, are Scott Crichton, Will Clarke and Trent Murphy...I just love Murphy...Over the past couple years every time I watched a Stanford game that kid was making plays constantly...He's instinctive and relentless...I think he's getting lost a little in this Draft because he's the classic tweener...But if he was still available at #73 I think it would be an absolute steal... I'm also intrigued a bit by Taylor Hart later on... Edited May 3, 2014 by KOKBILLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voodoo poonani Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 How about Ealy or Tuitt? One of them could be available in the 2nd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryland-bills-fan Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Opposite Mario will be the defensive end that we draft in the second round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 If we continue to run the 4-3 under our line will be Branch, K Williams, Dareus, M Williams. Nickle and wide-9 situations will be a rotation of Hughes and Lawson at one end and Mario at the other. We have the players to run almost any defense we want. I am in agreement with this......I am wondering why people feel that we dont have the horses on our D line all of a sudden.....did we LOSE a D linemen to free agency or something (and Carrington doesnt count....we lost him early and STILL had a very good D line last year) We were mostly in a 4-3 alignment last year ANYWAY people just wont let that sink in......we didnt have the TRUE NOSE to run a 3-4 so Pettine worked with what he had......now we have Kiko on the outside where he belongs........a stud run stop MLB in the middle........and a veteran corner in Corrie Graham for our secondary be it corner or safety We can always use more good players but its not like there is a WEAKNESS there......jesus its the strength of our team Our offense and generating points is what needs to be fixed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Barr is not a DE...It will take at least a year for him to bulk up to that kind of role...I just don't see Barr being a fit for a 4-3 team right now...I think if a 4-3 team takes him he'll disappear the same way Dion Jordan did in Miami last year...I'm not a big Ealy fan...And though I like Dee Ford a lot, and to a lesser extent Demarcus Lawrence, I think they're basically Jerry Hughes-types without Hughes speed, and probably will never get big enough... One thing about this Draft...It has been called the deepest Draft in recent memory and I pretty much agree...But if there is one position it's lacking in that position would definitely be 4-3 DE...And the last thing you want to do in a Draft is chase needs...I'm not too crazy about many of the DE prospects...The players I like that may, or may not fit, are Scott Crichton, Will Clarke and Trent Murphy...I just love Murphy...Over the past couple years every time I watched a Stanford game that kid was making plays constantly...He's instinctive and relentless...I think he's getting lost a little in this Draft because he's the classic tweener...But if he was still available at #73 I think it would be an absolute steal... I'm also intrigued a bit by Taylor Hart later on... Bills met with him at his Pro Day. If they like him he could be a 7th round or, if we are lucky, a UDFA. http://forums.twobillsdrive.com/topic/166404-taylor-hart-deoregon/page__hl__%2Btaylor+%2Bhart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
....lybob Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Don't sleep on Ikponmwosa Igbinosun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 I am in agreement with this......I am wondering why people feel that we dont have the horses on our D line all of a sudden.....did we LOSE a D linemen to free agency or something (and Carrington doesnt count....we lost him early and STILL had a very good D line last year) We were mostly in a 4-3 alignment last year ANYWAY people just wont let that sink in......we didnt have the TRUE NOSE to run a 3-4 so Pettine worked with what he had......now we have Kiko on the outside where he belongs........a stud run stop MLB in the middle........and a veteran corner in Corrie Graham for our secondary be it corner or safety We can always use more good players but its not like there is a WEAKNESS there......jesus its the strength of our team Our offense and generating points is what needs to be fixed I keep asking this same question. We have the same DL (plus more guys we have picked up for depth) since 2012 when we ran a traditional 4-3 and 2013 when we ran a lot of 4-3. The personnel is there to run a 4-3, regardless of the looks Pettine through out there. I would like to see the Bills take a DE in this draft if there is one of value they like but it is not a strong draft for pass rushers so that might not happen... and I think they will be fine anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsVet Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 (edited) I keep asking this same question. We have the same DL (plus more guys we have picked up for depth) since 2012 when we ran a traditional 4-3 and 2013 when we ran a lot of 4-3. The personnel is there to run a 4-3, regardless of the looks Pettine through out there. I would like to see the Bills take a DE in this draft if there is one of value they like but it is not a strong draft for pass rushers so that might not happen... and I think they will be fine anyway. There isn't a proven starting DE opposite Mario on the roster that fits Schwartz's scheme. And while I'm not going to say Schwartz = Wannstedt, both try to get pressure from their front 4. Alan Branch isn't going to do that for you and Jerry Hughes is a liability against the run. They need a base end who can get to the QB and hold their gap against the run. But I'd agree it's not a strong DE draft, certainly not for teams running the 4-3. Edited May 3, 2014 by BillsVet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Clowney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 There isn't a proven starting DE opposite Mario on the roster that fits Schwartz's scheme. And while I'm not going to say Schwartz = Wannstedt, both try to get pressure from their front 4. Alan Branch isn't going to do that for you and Jerry Hughes is a liability against the run. They need a base end who can get to the QB and hold their gap against the run. But I'd agree it's not a strong DE draft, certainly not for teams running the 4-3. Thanks... so that makes sense. If they don't draft a guy who can rush the passer and play the run, do we assume that Schwartz will tailor his scheme more to the personnel we have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Hammersticks Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Clowney. Oh my! Can you imagine? Marsha Brady would be having nightmares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOKBILLS Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Bills met with him at his Pro Day. If they like him he could be a 7th round or, if we are lucky, a UDFA. http://forums.twobil...__+taylor +hart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts