NewEra Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Alphadawg7 said: I think we could pursue some of the following guys in FA along the OL: Donovan Smith, Trent Brown, Mitch Morse, Rodger Saffold, Matt Paradis, Daryl Williams. We already signed Long, who I think could compete to start, but also could be a good depth player. He was much better in Washington surrounded by more talent. Last year with the Jets, he had an injury on his snapping hand which greatly impacted his performance. But right now, I do think he could have a bounce back year now that hes healthy and if we have some better players around him than Jets had. But if can also sign someone like Morse/Paradis to start at C so Long can backup C and maybe even start at G, then it could be a very good signing for us. Then go add one of those tackles and we will have the makings of a much better line already. Be great if they also found a way to add Saffold too. That being said, I have no issues taking an OL in the draft either and think Bills may be eyeing someone like Risner who also seems to want to come to Buffalo. I do however think OL will be one area Beane is most active in with FA so he can get some veteran help to try and immediately stabilize the line for Josh. Word. Considering the lack of talent at WR in free agency and just overall lack of players I’d like to root for, I really hope we can sign a great Oline in free agency and after some of these intriguing playmakers available in the draft. WR, TE, RB. We need all 3 Edited February 17, 2019 by NewEra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 16 minutes ago, machine gun kelly said: Thanks for making me laugh on a slow Sunday. I guess I shouldn’t play poker with you. ...I have to cheat at Solitaire...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuSeYiN_NYC Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 I don't follow college ball but looking at the highlights, kid looks NICE... My thing is, who cares where we draft? If you like the kid, get him at 9. If you trade down and get him, even better. But if he produces and becomes your TE for years, who cares where you drafted him? Allen needs weapons and this kid looks like him and Allen will have a lot of fun together and celebrate together often in the endzone... Get it done Beane... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemma Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 Guy can motor. I bet Daboll would really like to have that talent available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da webster guy Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 On 2/13/2019 at 8:02 PM, White Linen said: There's been 9 TE's drafted in the first round the last 10 years and only 1, IMO, has even been remotely worth it (Evan Engram). I would never draft a TE in the first round and most definitely not at 9 or 12-15. I see your point, and I think there is zero chance Beane would burn a first rounder on any TE, but the good ones like Kelce, Kittle, Ertz can really open up an offense. I think Croom is for real next season, and hope we burn most of our picks on the big boys in the trenches on either side of the ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndirish1978 Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 Hockenson is an excellent blocker as well as receiver. Taking him would also help us a lot in the running game. That said, a good WR makes Ds adjust coverage so it's not as simple as "he can block so he's worth more to us." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 5 minutes ago, Da webster guy said: I see your point, and I think there is zero chance Beane would burn a first rounder on any TE, but the good ones like Kelce, Kittle, Ertz can really open up an offense. I think Croom is for real next season, and hope we burn most of our picks on the big boys in the trenches on either side of the ball. Agreed on how helpful a great TE can be, but too lazy to look up where thy were drafted. A lot of the top FA OL guys were late picks. Spend your money on the best scouts on the planet!!! I also like Croom more than most, so you’re probably wrong about him......? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Call_Of_Ktulu Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 The only thing Croom has is athletic ability. Covented WR almost never pan out as good TE's and in Croom's case he is a horrid blocker, bad route runner, questionable ball security and hands. I was actually hoping Croom would be released but that will probably happen in TC with hopefully a infusion of talent with at least 3 new TE's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndirish1978 Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 (edited) If we sign Morse and Williams in FA we could go into the draft not without feeling pressured to draft OL in the first 2 rounds. This happens and picking a TE early wouldn't be something people complain about because "this OL was available when we picked", Hockenson deserves to be in the conversation in the first based on talent alone. If we can't sign OL in FA my dream draft would be a trade down 1-OT 2- TE 2- WR 3- C Edited February 18, 2019 by ndirish1978 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Barbarian Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 15 hours ago, Chandler#81 said: Astro’s analysis. Ranks Rastro! this makes Hockenson the easy choice. Bloodlines are nice but actual play is what counts and top end speed isnt critical at TE. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Joe Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 (edited) 24 minutes ago, Buffalo Barbarian said: this makes Hockenson the easy choice. Bloodlines are nice but actual play is what counts and top end speed isnt critical at TE. Possibly... although Smith will probably be there at 40.. TJ won’t be and I don’t think Beane picks him at 9.. Daboll might also like Smith having coached him in 2017.. Looking forward to the Combine where I’m sure all will be revealed.. Edited February 18, 2019 by Aussie Joe 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsfaninChicago Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 (edited) On 2/13/2019 at 6:46 PM, IgotBILLStopay said: Could become the Gronk to Josh Allen’s Brady. Now all we need is for New England to take their Torell Troup right before him. Edited February 18, 2019 by Leonhart2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turk71 Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 (edited) Do not draft a TE in the top 15. Do not draft a TE in the top 15. Do not draft a TE in the top 15. ??? Edited February 18, 2019 by Turk71 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2o Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 3 hours ago, Turk71 said: Do not draft a TE in the top 15. Do not draft a TE in the top 15. Do not draft a TE in the top 15. ??? Exactly. I'd rather take another CB at #9 than draft a TE. There is no TE that is worthy of #9. Hell, I don't think there is one worthy of top 20. Maybe in the 3rd Round. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Senator Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 (edited) On their ‘Big Board’, Draftek has Hockenson’s slightly taller teammate, Noah Fant, ranked #28 - the highest ranked TE. Hockenson is ranked #82, behind Fant, Irv Smith, Kaden Smith, and Josh Oliver. Based on that, I’m thinking he’ll be there for us in round 3, maybe even round 4. . Edited February 18, 2019 by The Senator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonzo1105 Posted February 18, 2019 Author Share Posted February 18, 2019 1 hour ago, The Senator said: On their ‘Big Board’, Draftek has Hockenson’s slightly taller teammate, Noah Fant, ranked #28 - the highest ranked TE. Hockenson is ranked #82, behind Fant, Irv Smith, Kaden Smith, and Josh Oliver. Based on that, I’m thinking he’ll be there for us in round 3, maybe even round 4. . This is not really trying to knock Astro, but Drafttek's rankings of players are absolutely terrible. I literally laugh where some of their players are ranked....Hockenson being one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangarang Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 17 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said: We only have one TE in Croom on our roster right now. I gotta believe we'll trade back from 9 and use one of (hopefully) 2 1st round picks to draft Hockenson or Fant. 1st round TEs are typically not a wise investment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.Y. Orangeman Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 Hockenson is great, but this kind of a pick feels like one we make next year after the OL has stabilized and the WR group has sorted itself out. A Sternberger or someone of that ilk sounds more plausible this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PIZ Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maynard Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 (edited) On 2/18/2019 at 5:06 AM, The Senator said: On their ‘Big Board’, Draftek has Hockenson’s slightly taller teammate, Noah Fant, ranked #28 - the highest ranked TE. Hockenson is ranked #82, behind Fant, Irv Smith, Kaden Smith, and Josh Oliver. Based on that, I’m thinking he’ll be there for us in round 3, maybe even round 4. . Interesting that Casserly now has Hockenson going at number 8 to Detroit. Calls him a reach, but the buzz is growing. Casserly Mock Edited February 20, 2019 by Maynard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Senator Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 4 minutes ago, Maynard said: Interesting that Casserly now has Hockenson going at number 8 to Detroit. Calls him a reach, but the buzz is growing. Casserly Mock I’m sure the draft will be filled with surprises, both pleasant and not so pleasant! It will be interesting to see who rises and who falls when the combine starts in 6 days. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreggTX Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 (edited) The more I see and read about this kid, the more I like him. A solid receiver that blocks well. The next Russ Francis, maybe? I hope Beane likes him too. I think he could be a real asset on WR screens too with his short area quickness and blocking ability. He'd be a real mismatch for DB's as a lead blocker on screens and could also be the receiver. Daboll could really get creative with him as well , as the OP suggests, as a flex or H Back. Heck, he could probably be a FB too.. Edited February 20, 2019 by GreggTX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreggTX Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 (edited) On 2/17/2019 at 2:23 PM, Alphadawg7 said: I think we could pursue some of the following guys in FA along the OL: Donovan Smith, Trent Brown, Mitch Morse, Rodger Saffold, Matt Paradis, Daryl Williams. We already signed Long, who I think could compete to start, but also could be a good depth player. He was much better in Washington surrounded by more talent. Last year with the Jets, he had an injury on his snapping hand which greatly impacted his performance. But right now, I do think he could have a bounce back year now that hes healthy and if we have some better players around him than Jets had. But if can also sign someone like Morse/Paradis to start at C so Long can backup C and maybe even start at G, then it could be a very good signing for us. Then go add one of those tackles and we will have the makings of a much better line already. Be great if they also found a way to add Saffold too. That being said, I have no issues taking an OL in the draft either and think Bills may be eyeing someone like Risner who also seems to want to come to Buffalo. I do however think OL will be one area Beane is most active in with FA so he can get some veteran help to try and immediately stabilize the line for Josh. Absolutely! If we sign 4 or 5 quality or solid FA's like Saffold, Washington, Paradis, Tyrell Williams and G McCoy/Malik Jackson, just as an example, we could hopefully get Hockenson and a good WR in the top 2 rounds, then just go BPA. We can use our extra picks to move up a spot or 2 if need be. We need a couple guys in this draft that can contribute right away. Not sure I want D Smith, though. Might as well just keep Mills if that's all we can find at OT in FA. Edited February 20, 2019 by GreggTX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WideNine Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 (edited) On 2/14/2019 at 11:12 PM, Buffalo Junction said: I see him as more of a Witten type, and not a Gronk. I think he'll be a reliable, top end, do it all TE. I watched 5-6 Iowa games this year, and while he stood out I didn't come away with the impression that he was an overwhelmingly dominant force. That said, I think he's the best blocking TE in the draft that can reliably catch the ball... Furthermore, I think he might actually have the best hands in the draft. I would absolutely take Gronk in the top 10.... You have to remember though.... When Gronk came out he had back issues, ran a 4.65, and had occasional games where his concentration was off. Without the back problems he would have gone around 15-20. That's what I'm saying about Hoch.... Amazing prospect, but he hasn't done anything to blow everyone away. I catch the Iowa games too, and I like your Witten analogy. I would not say that being comparable to Gronk is beyond his reach though as I do not think Hockenson has filled out or hit his ceiling yet...and if he stays healthy I have no idea where that may be. His combine measurables will be interesting. Either way if he stays healthy in the right system the kid could be a very dependable TE like Witten. Only time will tell and I like a few TE prospects in this draft. Edited February 21, 2019 by WideNine 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreggTX Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 On 2/17/2019 at 10:40 AM, thebandit27 said: When was the last time a first round TE was a serious contributor? I honestly can't remember What about Eiffert? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommonCents Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 4 minutes ago, GreggTX said: What about Eiffert? Eifert has 1700 yards in six years. 283 yards per season. He has missed so many games. I don’t think anyone would call that pick a success. Ebron was another first rounder, he had a good year this season with Andy Luck but anyone that watched the games sees the drops and the amount of time he spends limping off the field. If you want a blocker draft OL, if you want a pass catcher draft a WR. TEs take too many hits and are one of the most unpredictable positions in the draft. Take a flyer on one and hope for the best, avoid drafting one early. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WideNine Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 50 minutes ago, CommonCents said: Eifert has 1700 yards in six years. 283 yards per season. He has missed so many games. I don’t think anyone would call that pick a success. Ebron was another first rounder, he had a good year this season with Andy Luck but anyone that watched the games sees the drops and the amount of time he spends limping off the field. If you want a blocker draft OL, if you want a pass catcher draft a WR. TEs take too many hits and are one of the most unpredictable positions in the draft. Take a flyer on one and hope for the best, avoid drafting one early. Don't know if it is a this or that kind of thing. I think the better offenses in the league have competent TEs. We don't. We have Croom who fits more the KB big WR role than traditional TE. Picking a TE in the draft is no more a crapshoot IMO than any other drafted position if you count how many receivers that don't pan out. The Bills have grabbed some later round prospects and UFAs TEs that have been meh. The top cupboard is usually pretty bare of great TE talent because those with the elite size and athleticism often end up as basketball recruits. The skills translate well. TEs do take a beating, and may not put up the huge yards on average, but the yards gained are usually those contested 4-7 yard completions needed to move the chains and keep drives alive, or dump offs to keep your QB from taking hits. I am not sure how gimpy Ebron was this past year, either way he was very productive in the red zone and earned his pro-bowl invite. If an elite talent is there at TE I take that prospect over an average receiver prospect. According to most scouting reports, this year there are a few of these more elite TE prospects. It is a deep position this year...that is not usually the case. On the other hand, the way the receiving prospects are bunched up (talent-wise) this year, I am ok with taking one later in the draft...he just has to have sure hands. Can't wait for the draft to see how things pan out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PIZ Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njbuff Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 If he is the player McBeane loves at 9, who are we to argue? We do want the Bills to select the best player at 9, don't we?................... regardless of position. And TE is a HUGE position of need Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Junction Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 On 2/20/2019 at 9:58 AM, WideNine said: I catch the Iowa games too, and I like your Wittin analogy. I would not say that being comparable to Gronk is beyond his reach though as I do not think Hockenson has filled out or hit his ceiling yet...and if he stays healthy I have no idea where that may be. His combine measurables will be interesting. Either way if he stays healthy in the right system the kid could be a very dependable TE like Wittin. Only time will tell and I like a few TE prospects in this draft. Grönk is such a freak that I find it hard to compare anyone to him. The guy just has a different mold like LT. I don’t think it’s fair to even try and compare someone to that. However, there are still plenty of guys below that level of freakishness that are in the HoF. The difficult part is predicting... especially with TEs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphadawg7 Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 (edited) On 2/17/2019 at 8:40 AM, thebandit27 said: When was the last time a first round TE was a serious contributor? I honestly can't remember Here are a few recents: Eifert - Talent is there, cant blame the bad luck of injuries to diminish his actual value and talent when healthy. Picking a TE in the first is about talent, so we cant degrade the value of a first round TE because this specific one had a personal issue with injuries. Thats not "TE Specific" issue. Ebron - Underused in Detroit, but was still a very good TE for them and now Colts are showing what it means to use his talents. Cant diminish his talent and value because the Lions are a poorly run team who never can figure out how to use their assets correctly on offense. OJ Howard - This guy is poised to be a top 5 TE or better for the next 10 years. Greg Olsen - Another guy who was underused on bad teams (Bears), but was still good for them before going to Carolina where he was properly used and one of the best TE's in football. Honorable mention: Gronk was a first round projected TE who slipped due to other factors. Still a first round talent, and look at how important he has been. TE is not as featured of a position in College, so lots of talented TE's usually end their career with modest numbers which often leads to selections outside the first round. But when there are guys that are worth of first round, it doesn't devalue them just because others have come from other rounds. If a guy can really help your football team, you go get him. I would rather have a premier TE prospect, then try and find a hidden gem later. Look at how valuable Kelce was to Mahomes, or Olsen to Cam. Can really help a young QB and be a lethal weapon, especially since they are a hard cover if they are a dangerous receiver given the often mismatch in coverage. Edited February 21, 2019 by Alphadawg7 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 If we stay at 9, Hockenson is the pick IMO. And he will have a bigger impact than any other offensive position selection IMO. WR and OL are deep. We have 9 more picks. And we could also use LB depth and a pass rusher and if we trade down to 15(which I am a-ok with) I highly doubt Hockenson is available. But trading back and drafting Hockenson is my ideal situation for us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 Sign Jesse James and draft Hockenson. We could run two tight end sets. Defenses would have to worry about covering underneath, which opens up Foster. We would be able to run the ball better, with better blocking. And all this would be huge for Josh 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zevo Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 I’m on board...he is good enough at blocking as well as a pass catching threat to warrant the high pick.....having that type of utility in a TE is tough to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GimmeSomeProcess Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 (edited) I’d love the pick, sure a guy like Ebron took a while to develop but a couple of differences. Ebron drops footballs and TJ is superior blocker. I’m all for it. Seeing Daboll watched Gronk destroy defenses and McBeane saw Olson as the best passing game weapon, I can see it. Howard had 26 catches for 463 yards and 6 tds. If TJ can do that in year one, he would help Josh nicely. Edited February 27, 2019 by GimmeSomeProcess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaCrispy Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 On 2/20/2019 at 9:30 PM, njbuff said: If he is the player McBeane loves at 9, who are we to argue? We do want the Bills to select the best player at 9, don't we?................... regardless of position. And TE is a HUGE position of need I think I might be leaning towards Risner before Hockenson...but it is still early Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aristocrat Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 i'd love this to be a trade back and take him at 15 scenario. imagine a scenario like the 2013 draft where we took manuel, woods and kiko but instead we got hockenson and two other guys that can play right away especially on the offense side of the ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racketmaster Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 (edited) A Kelce/Kittle/Ertz type can make a major impact on a team's offense. Hockenson may have been a 2nd or 3rd round pick a few years ago. Kittle exploding this past year with his monster season is going to rocket Hockenson up the draft boards. You see this all the time as the NFL is a copy cat league and is all about comparable players. Kittle was an underused player at Iowa and is close with Hockenson. They have trained together and come from a school that is known for producing quality tight ends. IF Hockenson puts up the measurable at the combine that indicate he is an elite athlete (in the mold of Kittle) then he will likely go top 10. He is a tremendous blocker and his character and work ethic have never been questioned. Unlike Kittle, Hockenson has put up numbers at Iowa and if he puts up excellent combine numbers then he will be a top 10 pick because he will have the numbers/stats, athletic ability, character, size, dual ability, college pedigree and a recent comparable that has exploded in the NFL coming out of the same college. Edited February 27, 2019 by racketmaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenorthremembers Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Just watched three games on Hockenson and to be honest I am a little surprised by all the Gronk and Kelce comparisons going on. He is definitely willing to do it all. But aside from having really good hands he doesnt stand out as an elite top ten talent. He is a good blocker, but he is also streaky at times, especially in the Penn State and Mississippi State games I watched (that Mississippi State defense was fast and nasty). He has some size but wouldnt say he plays big, in fact he comes across as a smaller H-Back despite being 6'5. I will be curious about the speed but he doesnt look like a 4.4 or 4.5 guy on film. I also didnt see crisp route running. I saw a guy who would sneak off an initial block and get wide open rather than getting open using route running skills. Three games doesnt tell the entire story, but I would be against the Bills taking him in the top ten. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat68 Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 If they sign James or a TE draft a TE in rd 2. Fant or Irv Smith have more upside and are more explosive. Modern flex Te. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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