Some age related non-QB fa/draft thoughts for OBD

[freddyjj]

It is apparent that many of this board's subscribers are up in arms over the recent Jets trade up to #3.  While admittedly that is disconcerting, one has to take solace in the fact we now sit at #12 and 21 now as oppose to 21 and 22.  OBD still has options and will likely draft a QB who will be our eventual starter.  For more on that, please read all the surrounding threads.

 

I would like to talk about several areas of need/concern for OBD to address in the remaining FA moves and the 2018 draft.  The Bills were one of the oldest teams in the NFL last year and a quick review points to four areas where some key performers need to be replaced this year or next:

 

• LG will be an area of need in 2019 as Richie is on last year of contract and will be 35 by time the season starts.  In a new Power Blocking scheme, his role is pivotal so OBD would be wise to find his replacement in this years draft and possibly play that player at RG in 2018.  Will Hernandez from UTEP is an ideal replacement but would likely take pick 22 or a high 2nd to grab.  There are several other strong LG candidates later in the draft.  Sidenote:  The Bills Oline will be one of the lowest priced Olines in the next few years as Dawkins, Groy, 2018 rookie TBD and Miller/Ducasse, Mills/ Conor McDermott are not expensive contracts.  This is an area I see OBD building through the draft and scouring the wire in 2018.  Look for a Guard or C/G to be drafted in the upper half of 2018 draft with an eye for a possible 2018 starter at RG with position versatility to also play LG or C in time
• The same age issue is true with the 3 technique DT - Kyle Williams, who will also be 35 by training camp.  2018 will be his farewell tour in NFL and will be OBD should look for another off the nose DT.  Little help on the roster as Adolphus Washington is really a 5 technique DE without a home in this D and could be a training camp casualty if OBD finds an affordable cap casualty FA or a good 3 technique in this draft.  Maurice Hurst, Taven Bryant or Harrison Philips would be late Rd 1 or Rd 2 picks who could play this position with the same tenacity, penetrating style and technique that Meatball exhibits.  Kentavious Street is a mid-late rd candidate too.  Suffice it to say OBD will not want to have Kyle on the field for 65-70% of plays like in 2017 again.
• SAM LB.  Lorenzo Alexander will be 35 by training camp as well.  This position may be least worrisome to OBD of the 3 as in today's NFL this is primarily a run down, set the edge position with some TE coverage responsibility.  This should be easy to fill in the draft as there are some really athletic options here - Lorenzo Carter and Leighton Vander Esch come to mind.  Scheme play a role here as McD/Frazier played 4-2-5 Nickel for 65-70% of plays late in the year with Lorax being replaced by Leonard Johnson or another DB.   Lorax, if on the field in passing downs, will likely be playing with his hand in the dirt as a Pass Rusher, not as on off the ball LB.
• RB1.  Shady will be 30 by training camp, and, despite my being a huge fan,  OBD should look for an eventual replacement in this deep RB draft.  And his primary backup, RB2 Chris Ivory will also be 30 by OTAs.  The $$ paid this past week to Cadet, Jones and Murphy at RB3, 4 and 5  do not preclude their being released prior to camp.  David Johnson the AZ Cards RB was a 3rd rd pick in 2015 and Alvin Kamara went in 3rd round to Saints last year.  OBD could hit gold from a list of RBs such as Nick Chubb, Royce Freeman, Rashaad Penny, Kerryon Johnson could all be there with pick 32 of the 3rd round.  Lets hope we are as lucky as AZ and NO!

 

Of course, this is all just IMHO.  Much will depend on what draft pick collateral could be surrendered in a move up to draft a QB.  Even in that case, the above needs might lead to OBD surrendering 2019 draft assets instead of this year's especially to Cleveland as they already have 12 picks this year.  

 

All in all, the next 7 weeks will reveal what OBD's strategies truly are and how they plan on addressing these areas of need.

 

Edited March 18, 2018 by freddyjj