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It's time to draft a TE

BillsVet

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BillsVet

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A negative effect of Buffalo perpetually rebuilding has been using the draft to fill needs.  New regimes typically mean the previous group's players are sent packing, and thus, need to be replaced.  Now that the Bills have settled on their QB of the future and spent tremendous assets on their defense it's time they drafted a TE.  Charles Clay is a likely cap casualty and Jason Croom doesn't seem to be starting material.  

 

Buffalo hasn't used a high pick (rounds 1-3) on a TE since 2005 when they selected Kevin Everett in the 3rd.  Since that time, several teams have featured TE's who create mismatches, can stretch the middle of the field, and provide Allen with a great weapon.  Most of the top offenses feature one who does just this.   

 

This year's draft offers some solid options and you're not going to find much in free agency.  It's time they use a 2nd or 3rd on a TE.  

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BubbaT Rookie

BubbaT

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28 minutes ago, BillsVet said:

A negative effect of Buffalo perpetually rebuilding has been using the draft to fill needs.  New regimes typically mean the previous group's players are sent packing, and thus, need to be replaced.  Now that the Bills have settled on their QB of the future and spent tremendous assets on their defense it's time they drafted a TE.  Charles Clay is a likely cap casualty and Jason Croom doesn't seem to be starting material.  

 

Buffalo hasn't used a high pick (rounds 1-3) on a TE since 2005 when they selected Kevin Everett in the 3rd.  Since that time, several teams have featured TE's who create mismatches, can stretch the middle of the field, and provide Allen with a great weapon.  Most of the top offenses feature one who does just this.   

 

This year's draft offers some solid options and you're not going to find much in free agency.  It's time they use a 2nd or 3rd on a TE.  

 

Totally agree. It's a position that is integral to most modern NFL offenses. It's time for a good one and the draft seems loaded with them.

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JOE IN HAMPTON ROADS Veteran

JOE IN HAMPTON ROADS

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27 minutes ago, row_33 said:

Not a priority for many decades for the Bills, lots of other needs ahead of this.

 

holy moly how long do you expect this rebuild to take?

16 minutes ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

I want the best TE in the draft and if it means round 1 then so be it. The bills have never had a truly great TE. Ever

Pete Metzelaars

 

But yeah, agreed that has been an empty position for a long time.

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Captain Murica Veteran

Captain Murica

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22 minutes ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

I want the best TE in the draft and if it means round 1 then so be it. The bills have never had a truly great TE. Ever

I'd even  go as far and say draft 2 TEs. This class is pretty deep from what the draft experts are saying. 

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WideNine Veteran

WideNine

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1 hour ago, row_33 said:

Not a priority for many decades for the Bills, lots of other needs ahead of this.

 

 

Respectfully disagree with the low assessment. Although our QB and o-line needs have been right up there.

 

We focus almost too much on our smurf receiver core when a real TE would contribute to pass-pro, run-blocking, receiving mismatches downfield, and short yardage gains against press coverage.

 

It is the versatility of the position that makes finding a quality TE a priority. Belichick knows this and that is why NE always has some great ones on the roster.

 

I expect they will pick up another from this year's deep crop as well.

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GoBills808 Hall of Famer

GoBills808

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46 minutes ago, BubbaT said:

 

Totally agree. It's a position that is integral to most modern NFL offenses. It's time for a good one and the draft seems loaded with them.

Honestly don't know about this. IMO by far and away the best TE last season was Kittle in SF- they had a mediocre offense albeit one decimated by injuries. Kelce is great and played in a great offense, but Ertz is also great and played in a mediocre one. Ebron is a good TE and played in a good offense, but Cook is also a good TE and played in a bad offense. Rams, Saints, Steelers- all top offenses that manage just fine without a top quality TE. I don't think it's a position of importance any moreso than RB to tell the truth, when you look at the distribution of the best tight ends in the league there isn't a ton of correlation between the quality of your offense and the quality of your TE. 

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MJS Hall of Famer

MJS

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53 minutes ago, BubbaT said:

 

Totally agree. It's a position that is integral to most modern NFL offenses. It's time for a good one and the draft seems loaded with them.

 

Hmm. TE was kind of a wasteland around the league this year. There were very few TE's that produced regularly. Playing fantasy football, it was quite difficult to find a TE that produced consistently. Not sure why there was a down year at that position, but there was.

 

I think maybe teams are spreading the field with more 3 and 4 WR sets? Not using TE's quite as much as they used to? We'll have to see how next season goes.

 

In my opinion, WR is infinitely more important than TE and that is a position that must be addressed by the Bills. You can have a really good offense without a good TE, but you can't have a good offense if your WR's suck.

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HappyDays Hall of Famer

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1 minute ago, GoBills808 said:

Honestly don't know about this. IMO by far and away the best TE last season was Kittle in SF- they had a mediocre offense albeit one decimated by injuries. Kelce is great and played in a great offense, but Ertz is also great and played in a mediocre one. Ebron is a good TE and played in a good offense, but Cook is also a good TE and played in a bad offense. Rams, Saints, Steelers- all top offenses that manage just fine without a top quality TE. I don't think it's a position of importance any moreso than RB to tell the truth, when you look at the distribution of the best tight ends in the league there isn't a ton of correlation between the quality of your offense and the quality of your TE. 

 

I just want out team to have 2 really good pass catchers. TEs are glorified WRs these days, that's how Gronk and Ertz and Kelce are used. So I don't care if we draft a WR or a TE in the first 2 rounds but one way or another we need players that can get open and catch the ball. That is far and away our biggest need.

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WideNine Veteran

WideNine

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Just now, GoBills808 said:

Honestly don't know about this. IMO by far and away the best TE last season was Kittle in SF- they had a mediocre offense albeit one decimated by injuries. Kelce is great and played in a great offense, but Ertz is also great and played in a mediocre one. Ebron is a good TE and played in a good offense, but Cook is also a good TE and played in a bad offense. Rams, Saints, Steelers- all top offenses that manage just fine without a top quality TE. I don't think it's a position of importance any moreso than RB to tell the truth, when you look at the distribution of the best tight ends in the league there isn't a ton of correlation between the quality of your offense and the quality of your TE. 

 

Probably more to do with how well they are used in those offenses, but a good one can be something an offense can build around.

 

Granted the 49ers have a lot of holes...man did that defense take a dive over the past few years, but you can bet that defenses will have to game plan around Kittle (if he stays healthy) for years to come.

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GoBills808 Hall of Famer

GoBills808

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2 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

I just want out team to have 2 really good pass catchers. TEs are glorified WRs these days, that's how Gronk and Ertz and Kelce are used. So I don't care if we draft a WR or a TE in the first 2 rounds but one way or another we need players that can get open and catch the ball. That is far and away our biggest need.

Just quick point that Gronkowski is actually being used as a decoy/blocker a ton lately to get mismatches for Pats RBs when defense goes nickel on him but other than that I tend to agree. Great TEs have mismatches all over the field, especially if they're effective blockers, but having good wideouts as someone suggested above is imo a lot more important. 

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lacoy38 Practice Squad

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100 percent agree. We need a well rounded TE and have since Metzlaars left. Doesn’t need to put up Kelce/ Gronkowski stats but be an above average blocker and red zone threat .

if he can do that I’d be content with a Scott chandler numbers!

I like both the guys from Iowa- not at 9 but either in a trade down to mid first or trading back from the 2nd into late 1st

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3rdand12 Hall of Famer

3rdand12

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1 hour ago, row_33 said:

Not a priority for many decades for the Bills, lots of other needs ahead of this.

 

I think it is time to change that. Its bad when you miss Scott Chandler.

 Daboll can make use of them. And Clay might be done
Teams have scouted out for lack of TEs lol.
Croom is half receiver. Need another in line blocker and a great chipper with hands enough for the dump off. Allen needs one of those
Logan Thomas not sure yet. but it should not be too hard to upgrade him ?

1 hour ago, Pete said:

Keith McKeller aka K-gun

Natural fit as a Buffalo Bill  lol !

1 hour ago, Captain Murica said:

I'd even  go as far and say draft 2 TEs. This class is pretty deep from what the draft experts are saying. 

right after we add some picks to the second and third round 

 but yes.I am serious about getting some new viable talent at TE if possible asap.
right after our Pro Bowl O line is built, bought, borrowed ? and drafted

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BubbaT Rookie

BubbaT

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54 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

Honestly don't know about this. IMO by far and away the best TE last season was Kittle in SF- they had a mediocre offense albeit one decimated by injuries. Kelce is great and played in a great offense, but Ertz is also great and played in a mediocre one. Ebron is a good TE and played in a good offense, but Cook is also a good TE and played in a bad offense. Rams, Saints, Steelers- all top offenses that manage just fine without a top quality TE. I don't think it's a position of importance any moreso than RB to tell the truth, when you look at the distribution of the best tight ends in the league there isn't a ton of correlation between the quality of your offense and the quality of your TE. 

 

Tell it to KC and Philly and the Browns for that matter  (and the Pats for every year except this one).Even the Rams 2 TE's had 57 catches total. That's a decent amount of usage.  Croom is all they have as a catching option out of the position. It is nowhere near good enough.

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3rdand12 Hall of Famer

3rdand12

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49 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

Honestly don't know about this. IMO by far and away the best TE last season was Kittle in SF- they had a mediocre offense albeit one decimated by injuries. Kelce is great and played in a great offense, but Ertz is also great and played in a mediocre one. Ebron is a good TE and played in a good offense, but Cook is also a good TE and played in a bad offense. Rams, Saints, Steelers- all top offenses that manage just fine without a top quality TE. I don't think it's a position of importance any moreso than RB to tell the truth, when you look at the distribution of the best tight ends in the league there isn't a ton of correlation between the quality of your offense and the quality of your TE. 

It would depend on the Offense you want to run . Daboll might see some solid talent and make better use of them than previous regimes. Allowing the package flexibility and a decent ST players as well. The comment about Bellchik style spot on. he runs a very flexible offense ,and enjoyed some very good TEs to assist the success

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Augie Hall of Famer

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19 minutes ago, BubbaT said:

 

Tell it to KC and Philly and the Browns for that matter  (and the Pats for every year except this one).Even the Rams 2 TE's had 57 catches total. That's a decent amount of usage.  Croom is all they have as a catching option out of the position. It is nowhere near good enough.

 

I fully agree, but I also think I’m higher on Croom than most people. We need to add talent, and Croom needs to learn when he’s no longer going forward to find the stinkin’ ground while holding onto the darn ball! 

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Just Joshin' Veteran

Just Joshin'

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1 hour ago, atlbillsfan1975 said:

Isaac Nauta out of UGA is 6’4 240. UGA did not use him much but the kid can play. Love to see him grabbed if there are second or third. I don’t want him going to Pats. Nauta will be one of those players people will ask ‘how did he last till there?’ in the draft.

What was the reason he was not used much?

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BillsVet All Pro

BillsVet

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1 hour ago, GoBills808 said:

I don't think it's a position of importance any moreso than RB to tell the truth, when you look at the distribution of the best tight ends in the league there isn't a ton of correlation between the quality of your offense and the quality of your TE. 

 

I'd rather defend against a good RB than a TE who can make catches downfield.  And the best offensive teams are throwing to set up their running game.  

 

A good TE forces teams to play defense differently and Buffalo hasn't had that in years.  There will always be "needs" to address, but if we're talking about taking a RB before a TE, well, a that's 1980s mindset.  

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WideNine Veteran

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27 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

How many daughters does Pegula have??

 

...and then you went there Weo.

 

Croom does not fit our true TE needs, but could still be a useful part of the Bills offense, and I don't think his personal life, although awkward, is weighing on coaching decisions to play him or not. 

 

His measurables are almost identical to KB's, but he is faster and has better hands. He was the goat last year for trying to do too much on a play, but his heart was in the right place. 

 

His blocking is anywhere from horrifying to work-in-progress, but he can certainly line up as that big TE-sized WR hybrid that KB was supposed to be for the Bills.

 

I felt like he was coming on as more of a receiving option for Allen towards the end of the year.

 

 

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Brianmoorman4jesus All Pro

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10 minutes ago, The Senator said:

 

Keith McKellar?  Pete Metzalaars?  Jay Riemersma?

.

 

You think those guys were great? Look at their numbers.  Watch a guy like Kelsey, Ertz, Olsen, Gronk or Kittle. Or over the years Gates, Tony Gonzalez, Whitten, jimmy graham for a while etc. Those are just the top of the line guys. We never even had guys in the same league as an Ebron or Delaney Walker. Those guys the Bills had were barely better then Clay. There have been players Bills fans liked but no TE that was even close to excellent. We need a top line TE to grow with Allen and you are probably going to have to draft that guy early.

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The Senator All Pro

The Senator

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3 minutes ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

You think those guys were great? Look at their numbers.  Watch a guy like Kelsey, Ertz, Olsen, Gronk or Kittle. Or over the years Gates, Tony Gonzalez, Whitten, jimmy graham for a while etc. Those are just the top of the line guys. We never even had guys in the same league as an Ebron or Delaney Walker. Those guys the Bills had were barely better then Clay. There have been players Bills fans liked but no TE that was even close to excellent. We need a top line TE to grow with Allen and you are probably going to have to draft that guy early.

 

I guarantee the Bills will not draft a tight end on day one.

.

 

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GoBills808 Hall of Famer

GoBills808

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1 hour ago, BillsVet said:

 

I'd rather defend against a good RB than a TE who can make catches downfield.  And the best offensive teams are throwing to set up their running game.  

 

A good TE forces teams to play defense differently and Buffalo hasn't had that in years.  There will always be "needs" to address, but if we're talking about taking a RB before a TE, well, a that's 1980s mindset.  

I'm not convinced that emphasizing RB over TE is an 80s mindset to tell the truth. If you take the top 5 offenses by yards (not the be-all and end-all of metrics, but they actually line up fairly well w/ PPG as well so I think they're a decent reference point) you're looking at KC, Rams, Bucs, Steelers, and New England. The Chiefs with Kelce (a top tier TE for sure) got 103 catches for 1336 yards, which is enormous production from the TE spot, but they still threw to their RBs for around 70 receptions and 700 yards, and that's without Hunt (a premier back in his own right) for 5 games. So for KC you can definitely make the argument that their TE is more important to their offense than RBs I think.

 

But the Rams rely on Gurley in their passing attack WAY more than their TE. The Bucs have Howard and Brate and they get good production between the two of them, but they're still throwing to Rodgers at a good clip as a receiving back. The Steelers threw at Connor/Samuels more times for more catches and more yards than McDonald, their TE1, although once you add in James' combined production at the TE position it outpaces their RBs. In New England White caught more passes for more yards and more TDs than Gronkowski. If you add in the Saints (a very solid unit offensively), Kamara is far and away more important to their offense than whichever TE they run with in terms of productivity in the pass game.

 

I'm not sure how often the Bucs or Steelers line up in 2 TE sets, but just going by these teams it seems to me that having TWO capable tight ends can help diversify your pass offense, but I stand by what I said about RBs playing as important if not more important a role than TEs in the best modern NFL offenses. 

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