RyanC883 Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 with this many needs, you have to take the BPA who can contribute on day 1 and be a game-changer at #10. If that guy isn't there (and I think there will be one or more at 10), then you trade down. I don't care if the guy is a DL (McDermitt likes to rotate them). Game changers can play anywhere. I think we find a CB/Safety in Rd. 2-5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I don't think Alexander is a LB in a 4-3. He will be the primary backup to Hughes and Lawson.McDermott let Alexander know he will be playing a Thomas Davis role with the Bills. We havent installed defense yet, but well be playing a lot of Over and Under fronts, so in Under Ill be on the line of scrimmage as a SAM and in over Ill be off the ball as a WILL. Then on third downs, youll see me on the edge as a spinner, rushing the passer like I did last year. http://billswire.usatoday.com/2017/03/20/buffalo-bills-lorenzo-alexander-interview-free-agency/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellyToughII Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 If the season were to start today, here would be our starting lineups: Offense QB: Taylor RB: McCoy FB: DiMarco TE: Clay O-Line: Glenn/Incognito/Wood/Miller/Mills WR: Watkins/Holmes Defense DE: Hughes/Lawson DT: Dareus/K. Williams LB: Ragland/P. Brown/Alexander CB: Darby/Seymour S: Hyde/Poyer Special Teams K: Hauschka P: Schmidt LS: Ferguson KR: Tate/C. Brown PR: Tate/Hyde So where are the most glaring weaknesses that still need to be filled via free agency and the draft?? To me, it has to be CB. Currently, the Bills have Darby/Seymour/L.Johnson/Roberson/Gaines as the only CBs on the roster. That ain't good folks. Beyond that, there are depth problems galore. OFFENSE DiMarco basically can play the role of a second TE because he can block (and unlike Felton) can actually catch the ball. Adding a much better RT will likely be a priority. I think the Bills can get by with what they have at WR. Unfortunately, they have way too many other problems to address before spending big on a WR. Offensive priorities: Adding a solid RT plus a high quality backup QB and a second TE w/ some versatility. They had interest in RT A. Smith and QB J. McNown. DEFENSE Ideally, you'd like to have a thumper at SS. Hyde and Poyer are cover guys and not very big at 190 lbs. Thus, SS is a need that must be filled. Bigger than that though is the need for quality CBs. Darby and Seymour are decent. L. Johnson (formerly from Carolina) is probably next in line. I'd say that at least two quality CBs are needed or this team is in big trouble. The Bills have already tried to get D. Shead. Defensive needs: CB, CB, SS, LB depth, DE depth. Your thoughts?? There is no more pure SS any longer. You need two that can cover and tackle. WR is our most glaring need right now, DB's can be had deep into this draft no problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonborn10 Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 1. In the base 4-3 I believe Washington and Lawson will be the DE's and Hughes will play a stand-up OLB 2. In the Nickel formation which is the predominant formation, it will be Hughes at DE and Washington will rotate with Dareus and KW at DT. Lawson will stay at DE. Ragland probably is the MLB in the nickel and I suspect the other LB is not on the team right now and will come via the draft. 3. The starting CB opposite Darby is also not on the team now and will come via the draft. 4. Yes Mills is the weak spot on the line. I still think there is an outside chance Glenn moves to LT while Kujo plays LT but with his injury that is now less likely. Mills is adequate until Henderson comes off suspension and they compete for the starting job. The long term starting RT will come in the 2018 draft. 5. Unfortunately, my thoughts leave a big hole at safety, do little to upgrade the passing attack, and still leave them thin at LB. They will draft a safety for sure, but I doubt they will start three rookies two of which would be in the secondary. 6. P. Brown is the wild card. he was terrible last year. If he improves he could push to start and that would move Ragland to one of the OLB spots. If he is no better or regresses he will be a training camp cut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D. L. Hot-Flamethrower Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 (edited) I see 2 DB (a combo of CB and S) and a receiver taken in the first 3 rounds. Preferrably WR, DB, DB This^^^^ I would add that a TE instead of a WR in the first 3 rounds could also be an option. And, LB could be an option. Trading back in round 1 to get another pick in the top 100 players may be the best strategy with as many needs. Edited March 21, 2017 by horned dogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanOverChin Posted March 21, 2017 Author Share Posted March 21, 2017 Hopefully the Bills are considering re-signing some of their own FAs....possibly on the cheap. Guys like S C. Graham (who can also play CB) and LB Z. Brown (who was an MVP candidate last year) are under the radar type players who could really help to fortify this team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeding Bills Blue Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I don't think Alexander is a LB in a 4-3. He will be the primary backup to Hughes and Lawson. Zo's probably playing sam on run downs, not sure his role in a nickel? Maybe an extra rusher, or spelling the other ends? Either way - I think we need another pass rusher in this draft at some point. Looks like preston is penciled in as the will for now... which isn't great and the depth at LB is pretty poor right now. Good depth LBs can be found later in the draft. As for Corners, we don't have enough so its a draft priority. I know theyd like to use poyer and hyde with a 3rd safety in nickel situations. I think Byrd should be a target here for the center field role in a cover 3 (he's a cap casualty as well so it won't affect a comp pick formula). WR2 is a huge priority. I think the depth guys they brought in are actually stronger than our options previously, and brown seems like a decent fit in the slot. The problem is a genuine starter across from Sammy, and I don't think he's on the roster. This should be a priority in the first couple rounds. Lot of holes - and I'd still love to see a QB in the first 2 picks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonborn10 Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I don't think Alexander is a LB in a 4-3. He will be the primary backup to Hughes and Lawson.Agreed. He will see a lot of time rotating at DE. My vision for the base 4-3 has Washington starting at DE and Hughes at OLB. Lorax could also play DE in this scenario. In the nickel he will rotate with Hughes and Lawson at DE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBonhamRocks Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Hopefully the Bills are considering re-signing some of their own FAs....possibly on the cheap. Guys like S C. Graham (who can also play CB) and LB Z. Brown (who was an MVP candidate last year) are under the radar type players who could really help to fortify this team. Have most definitely been hoping that Z. Brown, Robey-Coleman, Graham, and/or A. Williams come back at discounted rates. If those 4 guys are on the roster as depth, then we're in better shape than without them. Robey-Coleman as CB5 and Graham as S3 would be ideal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonborn10 Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 with this many needs, you have to take the BPA who can contribute on day 1 and be a game-changer at #10. If that guy isn't there (and I think there will be one or more at 10), then you trade down. I don't care if the guy is a DL (McDermitt likes to rotate them). Game changers can play anywhere. I think we find a CB/Safety in Rd. 2-5.The only game changer that I would stay at #10 would be Adams or Hooker. If you said they take Foster at 10 I would probably be ok with that. Both Adams and Hooker will likely be gone unless there is a run on QBs. Therefore I advocate, trade down and take BPA from five positions - CB, S, TE, WR, QB. There is no OT that is worth wasting a day 1 or day 2 pick. Have most definitely been hoping that Z. Brown, Robey-Coleman, Graham, and/or A. Williams come back at discounted rates. If those 4 guys are on the roster as depth, then we're in better shape than without them. Robey-Coleman as CB5 and Graham as S3 would be ideal.Feels unseemly but I would like to see A. Williams back on a reduced incentive laden contract. I feel bad asking the neck injury guy to play for less money but if he wants to play that is the only fair way to structure a deal from the FO perspective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Muellers Ghost Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Nice post, it's good to take a look at the big picture sometimes. With free agency winding down it seems Whaley has positioned himself for the two strongest positions in the draft WR and DB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo_Stampede Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 (edited) RT, CB, LB, S, WR Edited March 21, 2017 by TheTruthHurts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Agreed. He will see a lot of time rotating at DE. My vision for the base 4-3 has Washington starting at DE and Hughes at OLB. Lorax could also play DE in this scenario. In the nickel he will rotate with Hughes and Lawson at DE. Hughes is a 4-3 end and Washington is a 4-3 DT. Washington will back up Williams and Dareus. Lorax will be our version of Thomas Davis...will be an off the ball linebacker in some fronts and DE in others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 There is a lot of too end talent in the db area. Lattimore, hooker or such could slip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillsGospel Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 If we do select CB, I hope it's a trade down as the only 2 worthy of a top 10 imo are Lattimore/Sidney Jones and with the injury to Jones they should consider a move down in this case, I have a feeling they're in love with Peppers which would make me ill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Hughes is a 4-3 end and Washington is a 4-3 DT. Washington will back up Williams and Dareus. Lorax will be our version of Thomas Davis...will be an off the ball linebacker in some fronts and DE in others. Washington could okay 43de in the NFL for this defense. As a sub package it could work out well as he sets a great edge on the strong side while Lawson holds down the weak side. I am so curious in this is consider floating Hughes as trade bait for a LB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Washington could okay 43de in the NFL for this defense. As a sub package it could work out well as he sets a great edge on the strong side while Lawson holds down the weak side. I am so curious in this is consider floating Hughes as trade bait for a LB. Washington is a DT in a 4-3. We don't play in a 3-4 anymore where you have bigger ends. We're not trading Hughes. He's our starting every down edge rusher. I know you think you know more than McDermott about the Bills defense but you're just wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Washington is a DT in a 4-3. We don't play in a 3-4 anymore where you have bigger ends. We're not trading Hughes. He's our starting every down edge rusher. I know you think you know more than McDermott about the Bills defense but you're just wrong. Dwan Edwards was a dt. Look at his career in buffalo and Carolina with mcd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilcoam Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 IMO the huge holes in the starting lineup are in no particular order, RT, WR#2, WR#3, Corner #1, and Safety #1 I think Hyde is your starting nickel CB and starting safety will come in the first 3 rounds of the draft As our Bills will play in nickel and dime 65% of the time That's why I think we won't be drafting any front 7 players I also think starting WR#2 and Corner will come in the first 3 rounds of the draft I don't think we take a QB high but I could be wrong I'd love to see the 4th round pick to be a WR#3 but it could just as easily be another corner/safety or tackles, or depth QB I think we are fine at TE, RB and everywhere else on the O jc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Dwan Edwards was a dt. Look at his career in buffalo and Carolina with mcd Dwan Edwards was a 3-4 defensive end with Buffalo in George Edwards system 3-4 system. Kyle Williams was the nose tackle and Stroud was other end. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/2010.htm He was a defensive tackle with the Panthers in McDermotts base 4-3 defensive alignment. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/nfl-blog/article63809772.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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