Is It Crazy to Spend Assets to Upgrade the Defense This Offseason?

[st pete gogolak]

The consensus appears to be that the defense was not elite this year, not great or however you want to phrase it.  To me, you can't be second in YPG, third in YPP without at least being good to very good.  Contrast that with an offense that was at the bottom of almost every statistical measure and by many measures was historically bad.  The logical way to go is to spend every available dime upgrading the offense. 

 

What if we're a player or two from that elusive elite or great defense?  Take a penetrating DT (Oliver?) or a DE who can get to the QB (Allen?), sign someone like Anthony Barr, a hybrid OLB/DE who can give you a lot of versatility on getting to the passer.  I wouldn't mind seeing that scenario at all.

 

If you spend assets on defense, you've got too many holes to fill on offense to fix in one offseason.  I'd take remaining money and picks to seriously upgrade the offensive line.  Wideouts, tight end and running back will have to wait.  That will be next season's fix.  I think that fits the timeline.  Next year markedly better; 2020 serious contender.

 

Make sense?

[Doc]

They'll have $90M to spend and probably won't be able to get all the offensive FA's they want, so yes, they should sign some FA's to upgrade the defense.

[oldmanfan]

Top guys in the draft are mostly on defense.   You see a guy with All Pro potential grab him, especially at DE or OLB.

[LABILLBACKER]

We were either 1st, 2nd or 3rd all year in defense. We knew going in our offense was going to struggle with losing several olineman and a poor wr corp for a rookie qb. The Texans game tells you everything you want to know about how this season went. The defense in that game played amazing but the offense and special teams were horrible and cost us the game. These are the two areas of this team we have to put most of our emphasis on. 80% of this offseason has to go to offense along with firing Crosman and Castillo. I don't blame the defense for anything this season for they have played far above my expectations.....

[hondo in seattle]

Obviously  with one of the worst offenses in the league - and one of the better defenses - the priority is offense.

 

But I'm sure McD and Beane both have a few defenders on their Xmas list.   And - like most GMs - Beane  will probably blend BPA with need.  So I'm expecting a few defensive guys in the draft and/or free agency.  

[ILBillsfan]

Offense is obviously the glaring weakness but there are holes to fi on the Defense as well as we have an OLB and DT that are aging and could definitely use an elite DE. So I have no issues in this draft at going BPA since really both sides have issues. 

 

It should be a very interesting off season and draft.

 

 

[Charlottebillsfan2]

Having ten picks and truck load of money to spend I think they can upgrade both sides of the ball. 

 

[jr1]

depth wins championships

[TheBeaneBandit]

The D has a few spots where we should definitely get younger at, esp RDE and 3Tech. If the Bills brass wants to use some of that cash on that side of the ball I'm all for it. Build both sides and build toward sustainable success.

[Jobot]

You need a revolving door of talent.  To spike all the money into the offense would obviously be foolish.  You need good contracts cycling through both sides of the ball at a somewhat consistent pace.  You can't win a superbowl by ping ponging back and forth between having a great offense/poor defense, and poor offense/great defense.

[whatdrought]

We have a ton of money, and there isn’t a whole lot in the FA market on offense.

 

I would love to go into the draft with something like this:

 

2x offensive linemen (Paradis and Williams come to mind) 

 

2x vet playmakers (Cole Beasley and Jermaine Kearse) 

 

1x vet runner (TJ Yeldon) 

 

1 front seven impact player (Jadaveon Clowney, Anthony Barr)

[Mark Vader]

The priority in free agency should be offensive players, but I would not be surprised if we added another player or two on defense. The Bills will have the money to do so.

 

When it comes to the draft, I see the Bills going with both sides of the ball. The defense in this year's class is too good to pass up.

 

We don't know if Kyle Williams or Lorenzo Alexander will retire or come back. Jerry Hughes is still a good DE, but he's going to be on the wrong side of 30 very soon. Will the Bills give Jordan Phillips a new contract? We still need another OLB. We could also use more depth in the secondary. 

 

We have the means to address both the offense and defense, and that's what we should do.

[Koko78]

Depends on who is available and at what cost. Kyle is likely going to need to be replaced, and quality depth at all defensive positions (especially in the secondary) is always a good thing.

 

However, they should not buff up the defense to the exclusion of the offense. Allen still needs weapons, and the offensive line is in serious need upgrades and depth.

[Victory Formation]

 

4 minutes ago, whatdrought said:

We have a ton of money, and there isn’t a whole lot in the FA market on offense.

 

I would love to go into the draft with something like this:

 

2x offensive linemen (Paradis and Williams come to mind) 

 

2x vet playmakers (Cole Beasley and Jermaine Kearse) 

 

1x vet runner (TJ Yeldon) 

 

1 front seven impact player (Jadaveon Clowney, Anthony Barr)

Perfect.

[Mark Vader]

6 minutes ago, whatdrought said:

We have a ton of money, and there isn’t a whole lot in the FA market on offense.

 

I would love to go into the draft with something like this:

 

2x offensive linemen (Paradis and Williams come to mind) 

 

2x vet playmakers (Cole Beasley and Jermaine Kearse) 

 

1x vet runner (TJ Yeldon) 

 

1 front seven impact player (Jadaveon Clowney, Anthony Barr)

I like the way you think.

 

Would love to have Yeldon & Paradis. Do you really think the Texans will let Clowney walk?

[billspro]

54 minutes ago, st pete gogolak said:

The consensus appears to be that the defense was not elite this year, not great or however you want to phrase it.  To me, you can't be second in YPG, third in YPP without at least being good to very good.  Contrast that with an offense that was at the bottom of almost every statistical measure and by many measures was historically bad.  The logical way to go is to spend every available dime upgrading the offense. 

 

What if we're a player or two from that elusive elite or great defense?  Take a penetrating DT (Oliver?) or a DE who can get to the QB (Allen?), sign someone like Anthony Barr, a hybrid OLB/DE who can give you a lot of versatility on getting to the passer.  I wouldn't mind seeing that scenario at all.

 

If you spend assets on defense, you've got too many holes to fill on offense to fix in one offseason.  I'd take remaining money and picks to seriously upgrade the offensive line.  Wideouts, tight end and running back will have to wait.  That will be next season's fix.  I think that fits the timeline.  Next year markedly better; 2020 serious contender.

 

Make sense?

 

I would be all for signing Barr to play a similar role to Zo. I would like oline with that 1st round pick and a WR with the 2nd round though.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

Yes we should.  Especially if that 1st round pick lands us near Greedy Williams or Josh Allen.  Greedy would give us a bookend, shut-down corner opposite tre for the foreseeable future.  Josh would give us versatility in that he will be an excellent SOLB/edge rusher combo.

[wagon127]

Its ok to get some defensive talent upgrades as well, but you need offense. Referees when it comes to calling penalties, are more likely to target the defense then offense. Get Josh Allen the weapons he needs, so we can see what he is truly capable of.

[Dave Allen]

From my view, the elite defenses have at least one elite playmaker at each level. White and Edmunds are on their way, but we don't have that one guy on the DL who strikes fear into the quarterback. If the Bills have a shot at a guy like that in the draft, I'd be all for it. Otherwise, I expect them to focus more on adding depth.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

4 minutes ago, wagon127 said:

Its ok to get some defensive talent upgrades as well, but you need offense. Referees when it comes to calling penalties, are more likely to target the defense then offense. Get Josh Allen the weapons he needs, so we can see what he is truly capable of.

 

What?  

[Royale with Cheese]

Never can have too many pass rushers 

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

No- any upgrade should be considered, provided it is an upgrade.

 

Watch this defense play week to week. It can definitely be improved. 

 

Good at yards against and mediocre at point prevention is not elite. 

[BillsSB2020]

To me, you never neglect an entire unit. The defense has some flows for starters, but they're very good. That being said, neglecting an entire unit is a good way to ensure they're not what you thought they were.

[The Jokeman]

1 hour ago, st pete gogolak said:

The consensus appears to be that the defense was not elite this year, not great or however you want to phrase it.  To me, you can't be second in YPG, third in YPP without at least being good to very good.  Contrast that with an offense that was at the bottom of almost every statistical measure and by many measures was historically bad.  The logical way to go is to spend every available dime upgrading the offense. 

 

What if we're a player or two from that elusive elite or great defense?  Take a penetrating DT (Oliver?) or a DE who can get to the QB (Allen?), sign someone like Anthony Barr, a hybrid OLB/DE who can give you a lot of versatility on getting to the passer.  I wouldn't mind seeing that scenario at all.

 

If you spend assets on defense, you've got too many holes to fill on offense to fix in one offseason.  I'd take remaining money and picks to seriously upgrade the offensive line.  Wideouts, tight end and running back will have to wait.  That will be next season's fix.  I think that fits the timeline.  Next year markedly better; 2020 serious contender.

 

Make sense?

Building on strength is never a bad idea especially when guys like Kyle Williams and Lorax are over 30 and might fall from grace/retire. Toss in you never know what can happen next year in terms of injuries etc. So yes, I look to add to the defense but of course offense is the bigger concern.

[corta765]

Defense you will always need to put some investments into because of age, change of scheme, etc.. I am not one who believes it's worth trying to build a great defense because the window is so short and things like turnovers are so based off luck. I think the Bills have the right philosophy of having a consistently good unit like they do and if it does be great so be it. This is a league that prefers offense like no other that should always be the focus.

 

That said I expect a 70-30 split between offense to defense with how assets are spent. Truthfully the first round is more defense heavy earlier on. If there is a guy they like on D then go for it, but you better spend the majority of the picks on offense. FA the best players are on OL and Pass rush this year so yea if you can get Anthony Barr and a guy like Safford from the Rams do it.

So I do not think its crazy to make upgrades to the D I think to a certain extent you always should. But after 2 years of spending the majority of assets on the D the focus needs to be far more offensively geared.

[Augie]

Defense will not be ignored. Count on that. 

[MrEpsYtown]

1 hour ago, st pete gogolak said:

The consensus appears to be that the defense was not elite this year, not great or however you want to phrase it.  To me, you can't be second in YPG, third in YPP without at least being good to very good.  Contrast that with an offense that was at the bottom of almost every statistical measure and by many measures was historically bad.  The logical way to go is to spend every available dime upgrading the offense. 

 

What if we're a player or two from that elusive elite or great defense?  Take a penetrating DT (Oliver?) or a DE who can get to the QB (Allen?), sign someone like Anthony Barr, a hybrid OLB/DE who can give you a lot of versatility on getting to the passer.  I wouldn't mind seeing that scenario at all.

 

If you spend assets on defense, you've got too many holes to fill on offense to fix in one offseason.  I'd take remaining money and picks to seriously upgrade the offensive line.  Wideouts, tight end and running back will have to wait.  That will be next season's fix.  I think that fits the timeline.  Next year markedly better; 2020 serious contender.

 

Make sense?

 

I think assets need o be spend on both offense and defense. Barr is an interesting player, but I'd rather just use a draft pick and take Josh Allen, who is younger and going to be cheaper. I always thought Anthony Barr was kind of soft. 

 

I think teh offensive line needs to be fixed in free agency. The best thing for Josh Allen is to have a veteran line in front of him. 

 

I also think we grab a reciever and secondary piece like Eric Rowe who can play corner, safety, and slot. 

 

I think you draft defensive line and linebackers this year, because that is where the strength lies. I don't believe in drafting offensive lineman high unless they are a guy like Quentin Nelson who has literally no flaws in his game. I don't like this receiving class either. 

 

I think you sign a C (Morse or Easton), a guard (Cann or Glowinski) and right tackle (Daryl Williams or Josh Wells). 

 

Grab a receiver like Chris Conley. I think you still draft one somewhere, but you have to grab one in FA. And you sign a tight end or two. Resign Matt Barkley to be the backup. 

 

Use your draft picks to go pure BPA and get some younger players on the defensive line. 

[offyourocker]

I would be very surprised if they don’t sign a OLB to replace Lorenzo long term.  Free agency is deep in LB.  I would think it would be a great free agency period if they come out with a C, G or T, OLB and a WR or 2

[Capco]

I've always been of the opinion that you should draft at least one DB every year.  

 

I wouldn't mind seeing a stud OLB to partner with our current duo but I think FA is where they will get a linebacker.  

 

And the trenches?  Show me a big boy who can demand double teams and I'm all in.  

 

Imo, spending assets on defense is definitely on the table.  

[John from Riverside]

We can do both but this goes nowhere until it has some BALANCE to it.....you cant

 

Not be able to run the ball

Have your QB running for his life

Continue to watch pass catcher's drop balls, not get separation, not make plays

 

You cannot do those things in todays NFL and expect to win.

 

 

[ctk232]

1 hour ago, st pete gogolak said:

If you spend assets on defense, you've got too many holes to fill on offense to fix in one offseason.  I'd take remaining money and picks to seriously upgrade the offensive line.  Wideouts, tight end and running back will have to wait.  That will be next season's fix.  I think that fits the timeline.  Next year markedly better; 2020 serious contender.

 

Make sense?

I think you're right in terms of timeline - but we have too many holes to fill on offense to begin with and it's damn near impossible to address them all in a single offseason. Look at it this way, we could offer 25 guys contracts in FA and have none of them sign. While I'm not necessarily advocating for defensive FA moves given this year's draft, it is still likely that a couple will be made. 

 

Second, our defense is very good, but to not address it at all this offseason would be damn near an even greater mistake than this past year with the QB carousel. Despite our deplorable offense this year, you cannot let that blind you as a GM looking to improve the team - you should address both sides of the ball each year to varying degrees. It's abundantly clear our DL needs a top pass rusher, and our secondary could do with a stout DB2, and our LB stable some more depth. These can be mostly addressed via the draft and it's likely some will. 

 

To only spend money on the offense right now means that we are okay with our defense only ever being this good next year. Interestingly, this may very well be enough with a good offense, but I don't think that's the plan of the process here. Beane is going to take what he can to help the team whether that be defense or offense, but he's well aware of the team's needs as are we all.

 

That being said, we should prioritize investing in the OL as much as we can if we want to see the largest jump in offensive production, as those moves aren't sexy, but bolster and raise the level of play of every other offensive skill position. But take care not to neglect our defensive needs, especially along the DL.

[RyanC883]

They def need upgrades.  When you don't sack Broken Back Bradford, something is amiss.  That said, I think they will use their assets to beef up every area of the team.  With 90 million in cap, I would expect a player like Barr in FA, a Center in FA, and the draft to take BPA (Oliver, OT, WR).   With 10 picks, I also see us trading up to get a top OT and WR, both of which should be available late 1st/early 2nd. 

 

We will be adding a lot of talent on both sides of the ball.  Should be exciting. 

[foreboding]

I wish this team would forgoe the shifty rb route and get fast but big physical runners. I dunno when Ivory is there, who is hardly elite, i think the offense stays on track.

[Misterbluesky]

You know the old saying for the draft

 "Take the best man available".

[JoeF]

1 hour ago, whatdrought said:

We have a ton of money, and there isn’t a whole lot in the FA market on offense.

 

I would love to go into the draft with something like this:

 

2x offensive linemen (Paradis and Williams come to mind) 

 

2x vet playmakers (Cole Beasley and Jermaine Kearse) 

 

1x vet runner (TJ Yeldon) 

 

1 front seven impact player (Jadaveon Clowney, Anthony Barr)

We need an impact pass rusher.  With the way this year turned out I wish we would have beaten the Bears for Mack....I think either a nice 5 year, $80 million deal or a high draft pick will be spent on someone who can set the edge and get to the QB.

[whatdrought]

1 hour ago, Mark Vader said:

I like the way you think.

 

Would love to have Yeldon & Paradis. Do you really think the Texans will let Clowney walk?

 

Meh, probably not. But it’s so hard to tell these days.

 

They have been really good at developing front 7 guys, and they aren’t going to do ***** without helping that offensive line. So I could see it happen.

[BillsSB2020]

55 minutes ago, corta765 said:

Defense you will always need to put some investments into because of age, change of scheme, etc.. I am not one who believes it's worth trying to build a great defense because the window is so short and things like turnovers are so based off luck. I think the Bills have the right philosophy of having a consistently good unit like they do and if it does be great so be it. This is a league that prefers offense like no other that should always be the focus.

 

That said I expect a 70-30 split between offense to defense with how assets are spent. Truthfully the first round is more defense heavy earlier on. If there is a guy they like on D then go for it, but you better spend the majority of the picks on offense. FA the best players are on OL and Pass rush this year so yea if you can get Anthony Barr and a guy like Safford from the Rams do it.

So I do not think its crazy to make upgrades to the D I think to a certain extent you always should. But after 2 years of spending the majority of assets on the D the focus needs to be far more offensively geared.

I think it's folly to try to emulate a "master plan" ie Seattle's great defense while Wilson was on a rookie deal etc.

 

Most things that retroactively appear to be master plans were at least partially a result of good timing more than a "master plan." The best approach is to consistently acquire good players at reasonable contracts and the rest will work itself out.

[Chandler#81]

We have 10 Draft picks and lots o cash. Focus on immediate upgrades on Offense, combine a few picks to trade up for a Dplayer we covet.

[Nester]

While I agree priority must be on O, that does not mean you can ignore the D. Kyle May retire and that spot would need to be replaced. An edge rusher and another DB and LB would  extremely helpful. 

 

 

[RochesterRob]

18 minutes ago, BillsSB2020 said:

I think it's folly to try to emulate a "master plan" ie Seattle's great defense while Wilson was on a rookie deal etc.

 

Most things that retroactively appear to be master plans were at least partially a result of good timing more than a "master plan." The best approach is to consistently acquire good players at reasonable contracts and the rest will work itself out.

  I would agree with this in that a master plan appears as such in hindsight.  Just not enough hits in the draft and free agency to think that a master plan always bears fruit.