D'haquille aka Duke Williams, Bills' newest WR better than any draft prospect

[HappyDays]

3 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

I don't think he believes in chasing game changing players in the first round, not once he has his QB and MLB.   I think he's look to increase the total talent level on the team.  

 

Since McDermott arrived we've traded up 4 times. Trading up for a QB any team would do, but not every team trades up for an MLB. That leads me to believe they will trade up for any talent that fills a need if they see the value there. A wrecking ball at DT is just as important in McDermott's defense as a rangy MLB. I think they have their eye on Ed Oliver and if he falls past 5 they'll happily trade a mid-round pick to go get him. If the process goes according to plan this will be the last time in a long time we'll be in the range of blue chip 1st round players. I don't think they'll feel comfortable just sitting and waiting to see who falls. They want another elite talent.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

15 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

I disagree.  Last year with the trade-ups for Allen and Edmunds told me he's looking for game changing talent in the 1st.

 

 

...so based on the ever changing landscape so far 'Doc, what position do you see him moving up for or what individual as well that you could see as a perfect fit for "game changing" mantra?.....TE?...OL?...DL?...???.......

Edited April 6, 2019 by OldTimeAFLGuy

[SouthNYfan]

2 hours ago, Doc said:

 

If that's true, then WR is out.  No one is worth 9th overall.  Metcalf is a huge gamble and not worth it.  He reminds me of Yatil Green too much. 

 

And BPA is subjective.  For example, for the Cards, Murray is BPA in the entire draft.  To other teams...not so much.

 

So which is it??

 

No one is worth 9th overall TO YOU.

beane/bills might feel a wr/te IS bpa @#9.

 

You literally just invalidated your first statement by saying you feel it's subjective (which it is, I agree)

[Shaw66]

4 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

Since McDermott arrived we've traded up 4 times. Trading up for a QB any team would do, but not every team trades up for an MLB. That leads me to believe they will trade up for any talent that fills a need if they see the value there. A wrecking ball at DT is just as important in McDermott's defense as a rangy MLB. I think they have their eye on Ed Oliver and if he falls past 5 they'll happily trade a mid-round pick to go get him. If the process goes according to plan this will be the last time in a long time we'll be in the range of blue chip 1st round players. I don't think they'll feel comfortable just sitting and waiting to see who falls. They want another elite talent.

I wonder about this a lot, and you may be right.  

 

I assume three of the trade ups are 22 to 12, 12 to seven and 23 to 16, or whatever the exact numbers were.  Not sure what the fourth one was, but I don't think it was in the first round.   

 

QB is a special case, and I think MLB is a special case for McD, because he's experienced the importance of having a star there.  You may be right that he thinks the same about a star DT.  (One of the adages I often quote is that the most important players in the game are the guys who play closest to the ball, and McD now has three of the four - Center, QR, MLB.  Monster DT is the one he's missing, so you may be right.)   

 

But when you listen to Beane talk about the D line prospects, he says they're deep in this draft.   He said it in response to a question about whether he felt any urgency to go after a position.  The clear implication was that he wasn't in a hurry to chase d line talent in the first round.  That doesn't prove anything, but it's why I think he isn't so likely to trade up.  

 

Still, it's clear he has no fear, so anything is possible.  

[HappyDays]

15 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

I assume three of the trade ups are 22 to 12, 12 to seven and 23 to 16, or whatever the exact numbers were.  Not sure what the fourth one was, but I don't think it was in the first round.   

 

 

We traded up for Jones, Dawkins, Allen, and Edmunds. 4 trade ups in the first two rounds in just 2 drafts. We have 10 picks and I doubt we'll use all of them. They spent a lot in free agency to give themselves flexibility in the draft. 

[starrymessenger]

I agree with those who say that Duke has been gifted an excellent opportunity. Like other position groups on offence there will be lots of competition and room to make the roster, especially if the Bills don't prioritize WR in the draft (if eg. they go DT and edge the first two rounds). Williams is a big physical receiver who tracks the ball well and has excellent hands. The team can use a player with this skillset if he can transition. If Daboll opts for some 11 personnel sets I can see him as a useful complement in his O, and a big help to Allen especially mid-range over the middle of the field. He wasn't asked to block in Edmonton, but if he can do that I can see him as possibly serving occasionally as a borderline hybrid TE. I think he is a better receiver than Charles Clay at this point in Clay's career. 

Idk whether or how well he will make out against a big step up in the level of play. I doubt that he will be a star but he may prove a useful addition and well worth a roster spot. At the very least it' will be interesting to see how his story plays out.

[Doc]

34 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

...so based on the ever changing landscape so far 'Doc, what position do you see him moving up for or what individual as well that you could see as a perfect fit for "game changing" mantra?.....TE?...OL?...DL?...???.......

 

DL.  Could be Oliver, Allen, or Williams.

 

33 minutes ago, SouthNYfan said:

So which is it??

 

No one is worth 9th overall TO YOU.

beane/bills might feel a wr/te IS bpa @#9.

 

You literally just invalidated your first statement by saying you feel it's subjective (which it is, I agree)

 

No, I meant no WR is worth 9th overall. 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

1 minute ago, Doc said:

 

DL.  Could be Oliver, Allen, or Williams.

 

 

No, I meant no WR is worth 9th overall. 

 

...Doc, on the OL side, keep seeing the Taylor kid's name popping up more often....yes?...no?...maybe?......

[Shaw66]

25 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

We traded up for Jones, Dawkins, Allen, and Edmunds. 4 trade ups in the first two rounds in just 2 drafts. We have 10 picks and I doubt we'll use all of them. They spent a lot in free agency to give themselves flexibility in the draft. 

As I said, I don't think trade ups to move higher in the second are that noteworthy.  We're talking here about using major draft capital to move up higher than 9.   That's what I think is unlikely.  But as I said, what do I know?   I don't have Beane's private number. 

 

And Dawkins and Jones weren't Beane's drafts.  

Edited April 6, 2019 by Shaw66

[Doc]

1 minute ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

...Doc, on the OL side, keep seeing the Taylor kid's name popping up more often....yes?...no?...maybe?......

 

I don't see it  I think they'll give Dawkins this season to prove that he's the franchise LT they thought he could be when they drafted him and looked like he could be in 2017.  If he is, great, no need for another LT.  If not, then Nsekhe takes over there, they move Dawkins to LG to potentially take over for Spain next year, and draft a LT next year.

[SouthNYfan]

20 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

DL.  Could be Oliver, Allen, or Williams.

 

 

No, I meant no WR is worth 9th overall. 

 

Which is subjective.

 

[Doc]

16 minutes ago, SouthNYfan said:

Which is subjective.

 

Exactly.  So who is to say who is truly BPA at 9?  In this case, it will be the Bills.  They may not want to invest anything more into the WR corps and look to another position, claiming that the other position was "BPA."

Edited April 6, 2019 by Doc

[SouthNYfan]

20 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

Exactly.  So who is to say who is truly BPA at 9?  In this case, it will be the Bills.  They may not want to invest anything more into the WR corps and look to another position, claiming that the other position was "BPA."

 

That I agree with.

 

Mecalf is very polarizing

Similar to Allen and Edmunds

Athletic freaks with huge upside but big risk (boom/bust)

Beane's track record last year would suggest that they want high upside freaks, at least early in the draft, which would point to Metcalf/fant

They also may decide that wr/te aren't as important as DL/OL right now

They also might decide to play it safer this year with the lower ceiling/higher floor prospect with less risk

It's all a crapshoot right now haha

 

[3rdand12]

1 hour ago, HappyDays said:

 

Since McDermott arrived we've traded up 4 times. Trading up for a QB any team would do, but not every team trades up for an MLB. That leads me to believe they will trade up for any talent that fills a need if they see the value there. A wrecking ball at DT is just as important in McDermott's defense as a rangy MLB. I think they have their eye on Ed Oliver and if he falls past 5 they'll happily trade a mid-round pick to go get him. If the process goes according to plan this will be the last time in a long time we'll be in the range of blue chip 1st round players. I don't think they'll feel comfortable just sitting and waiting to see who falls. They want another elite talent.

whom ever they pick at nine should be elite talent. That fills a need.

 : )

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

1 hour ago, Doc said:

 

I can't see them taking a TE at 9.  I just can't.

 

 

They went after AB and then decided against it and signed JB and CB.  Again I can't see them taking a WR, much less in this class, anywhere on day 1 or 2.  Next year?  Maybe.

I don't either.

 

I'm thinking DL and/or OL before TE

[3rdand12]

1 hour ago, starrymessenger said:

I agree with those who say that Duke has been gifted an excellent opportunity. Like other position groups on offence there will be lots of competition and room to make the roster, especially if the Bills don't prioritize WR in the draft (if eg. they go DT and edge the first two rounds). Williams is a big physical receiver who tracks the ball well and has excellent hands. The team can use a player with this skillset if he can transition. If Daboll opts for some 11 personnel sets I can see him as a useful complement in his O, and a big help to Allen especially mid-range over the middle of the field. He wasn't asked to block in Edmonton, but if he can do that I can see him as possibly serving occasionally as a borderline hybrid TE. I think he is a better receiver than Charles Clay at this point in Clay's career. 

Idk whether or how well he will make out against a big step up in the level of play. I doubt that he will be a star but he may prove a useful addition and well worth a roster spot. At the very least it' will be interesting to see how his story plays out.

good post.

[#34fan]

No way he's running butt-naked in the middle of the field like that in the NFL.

 

We've had LB's that cover better than CFL corners.

[eball]

1 hour ago, starrymessenger said:

I agree with those who say that Duke has been gifted an excellent opportunity. Like other position groups on offence there will be lots of competition and room to make the roster, especially if the Bills don't prioritize WR in the draft (if eg. they go DT and edge the first two rounds). Williams is a big physical receiver who tracks the ball well and has excellent hands. The team can use a player with this skillset if he can transition. If Daboll opts for some 11 personnel sets I can see him as a useful complement in his O, and a big help to Allen especially mid-range over the middle of the field. He wasn't asked to block in Edmonton, but if he can do that I can see him as possibly serving occasionally as a borderline hybrid TE. I think he is a better receiver than Charles Clay at this point in Clay's career. 

Idk whether or how well he will make out against a big step up in the level of play. I doubt that he will be a star but he may prove a useful addition and well worth a roster spot. At the very least it' will be interesting to see how his story plays out.

 

Very reasonable take and, I think, an appropriate level of expectations. If Duke wows us all, great!

[SouthNYfan]

15 minutes ago, eball said:

 

Very reasonable take and, I think, an appropriate level of expectations. If Duke wows us all, great!

 

Agreed.

 

I didn't read through all of the thread, but the op asserts, even in the title, that he's better than any draft prospect.

He's also 25.

DK for example is 21.

That's 4 years, which isn't peanuts in the NFL.

Drafting a guy who might be with you for 8-10 years vs 4-5 for Duke before they hit that 30-31 year old wall, is something that shouldn't be ignored.

[LSHMEAB]

3 hours ago, R Y G A R said:

I hope Mckenzie makes it. I like him a lot on those jet sweeps. 

The jet sweeps went from trash to effective when they started giving the ball to McKittrick and not Zay. 

[LSHMEAB]

4 hours ago, Shaw66 said:

 

 

There wasn't any press about where Williams looked.  My recollection is that all of a sudden, out of the blue, it was announced that he had signed with Buffalo.   I don't recall any news about any visits, to Buffalo or otherwise.   I think Williams was flying under the news media radar.   It was known, apparently, that he had permission from his Canadian team to look for a US deal, but I never saw anything saying this guy was available.   

 

 

I appreciate the fact that you're rooting for a guy working hard to overcome personal obstacles. That being said, it's entirely possible he flew under the radar because there wasn't much interest league wide. We tend to hyper-focus on Bills acquisitions. In the grand scheme of things, he's not LIKELY to be an impact player. I think the odds are 50/50 he even makes the team.

 

The same was said of Robert Foster so you never know. 

[Shaw66]

2 hours ago, LSHMEAB said:

I appreciate the fact that you're rooting for a guy working hard to overcome personal obstacles. That being said, it's entirely possible he flew under the radar because there wasn't much interest league wide. We tend to hyper-focus on Bills acquisitions. In the grand scheme of things, he's not LIKELY to be an impact player. I think the odds are 50/50 he even makes the team.

 

The same was said of Robert Foster so you never know. 

That's probably true.  He's like those couple of camp favorites several years ago - everyone loved the guys, and then they got cut and never caught on anyplace else.  

 

But I'll come back to where I started - the guy seems to have great hands, and great hands can hide a lot of ills.  

 

We'll see.  

[CSBill]

15 hours ago, starrymessenger said:

I agree with those who say that Duke has been gifted an excellent opportunity. Like other position groups on offence there will be lots of competition and room to make the roster, especially if the Bills don't prioritize WR in the draft (if eg. they go DT and edge the first two rounds). Williams is a big physical receiver who tracks the ball well and has excellent hands. The team can use a player with this skillset if he can transition. If Daboll opts for some 11 personnel sets I can see him as a useful complement in his O, and a big help to Allen especially mid-range over the middle of the field. He wasn't asked to block in Edmonton, but if he can do that I can see him as possibly serving occasionally as a borderline hybrid TE. I think he is a better receiver than Charles Clay at this point in Clay's career. 

Idk whether or how well he will make out against a big step up in the level of play. I doubt that he will be a star but he may prove a useful addition and well worth a roster spot. At the very least it' will be interesting to see how his story plays out.

 

As others have said, the MVP post in this thread.

 

Besides the obvious (getting open and catching the ball), his ticket to making this team will be blocking and special teams contribution. If he can do these well, he has a good shot. And as you point out, if he is adept at blocking, he has the body size to be a hybrid TE/WR role.

 

I'm rooting for him.

[ROCBillsBeliever]

14 hours ago, SouthNYfan said:

 

Agreed.

 

I didn't read through all of the thread, but the op asserts, even in the title, that he's better than any draft prospect.

He's also 25.

DK for example is 21.

That's 4 years, which isn't peanuts in the NFL.

Drafting a guy who might be with you for 8-10 years vs 4-5 for Duke before they hit that 30-31 year old wall, is something that shouldn't be ignored.

 

True: Drafting a guy is an investment of significant capital (especially for a guy like DK, who will go 1st round, by nearly all accounts).

 

True: OP stated that Duke is better than any draft prospect WR in this class.

 

Where this argument falls apart is the investment side. We've invested next to nothing on Duke; whereas, were we to pick up DK at #9, or trade back into the teens to nab him, THAT would be a major capital investment. Part of the reason it's such a major investment is that you know you're drafting a guy in his early 20's (unless it's a BYU kid or a military service situation). Part of the reason we spent chump change (not the whole reason, BUT I'd argue a significant element of that reason) is precisely what you stated: Duke is 25. 

 

What I'm saying is that you're comparing apples to transmissions... different circumstances; different expectations; different sunk costs; different expectations.

[Whites Bay]

1 hour ago, CSBill said:

 

As others have said, the MVP post in this thread.

 

Besides the obvious (getting open and catching the ball), his ticket to making this team will be blocking and special teams contribution. If he can do these well, he has a good shot. And as you point out, if he is adept at blocking, he has the body size to be a hybrid TE/WR role.

 

I'm rooting for him.

The early comparisons on Williams were with Eric Moulds (in terms of size and speed).  Well, THAT would be a winner.  I'd be just as happy if he ended up as the second coming of Marcus Easley.  And special teams is my guess as to where he ends up.

 

[SouthNYfan]

32 minutes ago, ROCBillsBeliever said:

 

True: Drafting a guy is an investment of significant capital (especially for a guy like DK, who will go 1st round, by nearly all accounts).

 

True: OP stated that Duke is better than any draft prospect WR in this class.

 

Where this argument falls apart is the investment side. We've invested next to nothing on Duke; whereas, were we to pick up DK at #9, or trade back into the teens to nab him, THAT would be a major capital investment. Part of the reason it's such a major investment is that you know you're drafting a guy in his early 20's (unless it's a BYU kid or a military service situation). Part of the reason we spent chump change (not the whole reason, BUT I'd argue a significant element of that reason) is precisely what you stated: Duke is 25. 

 

What I'm saying is that you're comparing apples to transmissions... different circumstances; different expectations; different sunk costs; different expectations.

 

I don't disagree with your assessment.

I am not even advocating that we must take a wr at #9

I'm just saying you can't assert he's better than any draft prospect this year

I also can't assert he's not

The age thing is big

25 is Young

21 is younger

Wrs unless all time great tend to hit a wall at 30

 

[Doc]

Williams will actually be 26 in a month.  But he's only played 2 years of professional football, and CFL football at that.  Again he's found money if he shows anything because it cost almost nothing to acquire him.  And he, the signings of Brown and Beasley and the promise of Foster and Jones are the reasons why I can't see them taking a WR in this draft.

[SouthNYfan]

5 minutes ago, Doc said:

Williams will actually be 26 in a month.  But he's only played 2 years of professional football, and CFL football at that.  Again he's found money if he shows anything because it cost almost nothing to acquire him.  And he, the signings of Brown and Beasley and the promise of Foster and Jones are the reasons why I can't see them taking a WR in this draft.

 

All valid points.

26 coming from CFL is definitely less trauma to the body than playing in the NFL, but it's still 4-5 years older than most of the wr prospects.

Anyway.

The signings at wr (or who then didn't sign/trade for) could also point to them going after a big athletic wr, as they lack that.

Duke is what? 6'2 and like 215-220? He's a solid size, but I don't think they're betting the farm on him being a #1 outside threat.

Beane, after last year we've seen, loves his athletic specimens.

Even if it's not DK at #9 (or fant who fits that description from a TE spot but is more of a receiver style te) it wouldn't shock me if he grabbed one of the freak bodied guys in the second.

 

They need help at:

Wr

Lb

Te

Dline interior

Dline edge

Rb

 

I think they believe that the oline is shored up enough to not take a high pick this year.

This is a crappy LB class.

Dline is really deep this year, so is oline.

I could see them waiting on both of those.

Value in rb position rounds 3-5 also can be had.

I think a wr or a te early wouldn't be that surprising, neither would a dline player.

 

Ed Oliver is pretty athletically gifted too, he might also get beane's jollies rocking.

It's a really hard draft to peg for us this year I think.

 

 

[Doc]

4 minutes ago, SouthNYfan said:

All valid points

26 coming from CFL is definitely less trauma to the body than playing in the NFL, but it's still 4-5 years older than most of the wr prospects.

Anyway.

The signings at wr (or who then didn't sign/trade for) could also point to them going after a big athletic wr, as they lack that.

Duke is what? 6'2 and like 215-220? He's a solid size, but I don't think they're betting the farm on him being a #1 outside threat.

Beane, after last year we've seen, loves his athletic specimens.

Even if it's not DK at #9 (or fant who fits that description from a TE spot but is more of a receiver style te) it wouldn't shock me if he grabbed one of the freak bodied guys in the second.

 

They need help at:

Wr

Lb

Te

Dline interior

Dline edge

Rb

 

I think they believe that the oline is shored up enough to not take a high pick this year.

This is a crappy LB class.

Dline is really deep this year, so is oline.

I could see them waiting on both of those.

Value in rb position rounds 3-5 also can be had.

I think a wr or a te early wouldn't be that surprising, neither would a dline player.

 

Ed Oliver is pretty athletically gifted too, he might also get beane's jollies rocking.

It's a really hard draft to peg for us this year I think.

 

Of the top-20 receivers last year, only a handful were over 6'2".  While having a taller WR would theoretically better, they're more the exception than the rule.

 

And I agree about athletic specimens, but I think they'll look for one in an area of need.  Like an Oliver.

[SouthNYfan]

2 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

Of the top-20 receivers last year, only a handful were over 6'2".  While having a taller WR would theoretically better, they're more the exception than the rule.

 

And I agree about athletic specimens, but I think they'll look for one in an area of need.  Like an Oliver.

 

Wr is an area of need.

Other than Beasley we don't really have a proven wr on the roster.

Brown is fast but hasn't really done a lot to make me think he's elite.

Zay is okay, and that's all.

Foster looked great end of last year, and maybe they are thinking they want to give him the reigns this year and hope he turns into Antonio brown 2.0 without the diva.

Most of the 5'11 size top wrs have a big body opposite them, or a beast te

Anyway, I think Duke Williams size is fine, I wasn't saying he's small by any means, and he's got a chance hopefully to show his chops.

 

I think wr/te/dline are all equally of need this year and all 3 are in play early.

[Doc]

13 minutes ago, SouthNYfan said:

Wr is an area of need.

Other than Beasley we don't really have a proven wr on the roster.

Brown is fast but hasn't really done a lot to make me think he's elite.

Zay is okay, and that's all.

Foster looked great end of last year, and maybe they are thinking they want to give him the reigns this year and hope he turns into Antonio brown 2.0 without the diva.

Most of the 5'11 size top wrs have a big body opposite them, or a beast te

Anyway, I think Duke Williams size is fine, I wasn't saying he's small by any means, and he's got a chance hopefully to show his chops.

 

I think wr/te/dline are all equally of need this year and all 3 are in play early.

 

A rookie WR is wholly unproven.  And again, with Brown and Beasley getting paid $9M each and guaranteed to start, and Foster being the other starter, where does the rookie fit in?  It's not worth wasting the draft capital this year until they find out what they have, or don't, in Foster and Duke.

[Mat68]

16 hours ago, LSHMEAB said:

The jet sweeps went from trash to effective when they started giving the ball to McKittrick and not Zay. 

That's why if they dont go Wr in the first I would like them to draft Parris Campbell in the second.  Him in that role would be dynamite.  He also has the size and speed to play outside as well.  He could be our Tyreek Hill.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

32 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

A rookie WR is wholly unproven.  And again, with Brown and Beasley getting paid $9M each and guaranteed to start, and Foster being the other starter, where does the rookie fit in?  It's not worth wasting the draft capital this year until they find out what they have, or don't, in Foster and Duke.

 

...bonafide TE is probably the higher priority (I hope)........

[SouthNYfan]

32 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

A rookie WR is wholly unproven.  And again, with Brown and Beasley getting paid $9M each and guaranteed to start, and Foster being the other starter, where does the rookie fit in?  It's not worth wasting the draft capital this year until they find out what they have, or don't, in Foster and Duke.

 

To you it's not.

To the front office it might be.

Wr is not a position of strength right now.

It's a position of uncertainty but with good possibility.

Just now, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

...bonafide TE is probably the higher priority (I hope)........

 

Agreed.

That's why I said wr/te/dline are all on the table.

[Doc]

1 minute ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

...bonafide TE is probably the higher priority (I hope)........

 

Yup.  But if they do go TE, it betting it won't be at 9.

 

1 minute ago, SouthNYfan said:

To you it's not.

To the front office it might be.

Wr is not a position of strength right now.

It's a position of uncertainty but with good possibility.

 

Again SNY, they paid Brown and Beasley good money so they're starting.  Foster showed enough after returning to the active roster to merit being the other starter.  They still have Zay.  And Duke is an unknown.  A rookie WR is completely unproven and drafting one doesn't make WR a position of strength in and of itself.  They won't be taking a WR before day 3 is my bet.

[SouthNYfan]

1 minute ago, Doc said:

 

Yup.  But if they do go TE, it betting it won't be at 9.

 

 

Again SNY, they paid Brown and Beasley good money so they're starting.  Foster showed enough after returning to the active roster to merit being the other starter.  They still have Zay.  And Duke is an unknown.  A rookie WR is completely unproven and drafting one doesn't make WR a position of strength in and of itself.  They won't be taking a WR before day 3 is my bet.

 

Day 3 might be in the cards for a wr.

YOU think #9 is too rich for a TE.

Plenty of other teams might not.

The bills might not.

[Doc]

Just now, SouthNYfan said:

Day 3 might be in the cards for a wr.

YOU think #9 is too rich for a TE.

Plenty of other teams might not.

The bills might not.

 

If the Bills were a TE away from contending, I'd take Hock.  But I'd take the risk of trading down and taker him later in the round.

[SouthNYfan]

2 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

If the Bills were a TE away from contending, I'd take Hock.  But I'd take the risk of trading down and taker him later in the round.

 

Depends where you can trade down to, and how willing you'd be to settle if he gets taken before where youb traded down to.

 

[Doc]

3 minutes ago, SouthNYfan said:

Depends where you can trade down to, and how willing you'd be to settle if he gets taken before where youb traded down to.

 

Yup.  Gotta look at the teams below you.

[Shaw66]

All you guys keep talking about whether this position or that position is an area of need.   That's all well and good, but that is NOT how McBeane are approaching this.  

 

BPA, BPA, BPA.   

 

Beane has told us that he uses free agency to fill holes for the short term, and he uses the draft to build the team for the long term.  And he's also essentially said in recent interviews that he has filled the holes - offensive line and wide out.   That's where he saw problems that needed to be addressed immediately.   In other words he's said that he and McD are ready and willing to play football with the team they can field with the current roster.   

 

The draft is for making the team better, and they don't particularly care WHERE they get better.   The BPA at 9 is almost certainly going to be better than someone they have on the roster.   It could be a defensive lineman, it could be an offensive lineman, it could be a wideout, it could be a tight end, it could be a linebacker, it could be a running back, it could be a defensive back.   McBeane really don't care what position he plays - if he's the BPA in the first round, he's going to make the team better.  

 

McBeane aren't comparing the relative strengths of various positions on the team and decided to point the draft in the area they believe is weakest.   They're going to take the BPA and plug him into the team.   If it creates an excess of talent at the position, they'll trade someone.   

 

It's a very simple philosophy - in the draft, add the best players you can.  

 

Now, when you get down to the later rounds, players remaining tend to have very similar ratings, even identical ratings.  So in those rounds, their are multiple "BPAs," so you can pick the one where your team might need the most help.   But not in the early rounds.   In the early, just take the best player and move on.