TE Tyler Kroft (Bengals) to the Bills

[first_and_ten]

5 minutes ago, Misterbluesky said:

I wanted Jared Cook,I'll bet he'll do pretty darn well if he signs w/the Saints.

 

Yeah, it will be interesting to see what he signs for.

[NoSaint]

22 minutes ago, first_and_ten said:

 

Yeah, it's a waste of time. An appropriate deal for 4-5 million? What year? 1999?

 

To be fair, 3 years 4.5m total would make him around 40th on the average pay list. So a top ten backup. Probably not far off his actual ability. We paid him as average to slightly above average starter. A bit ambitious for the resume.

Edited March 15, 2019 by NoSaint

[Misterbluesky]

5 minutes ago, NoSaint said:

 

To be fair, 3 years 4.5m total would make him around 40th on the average pay list. So a top ten backup. Probably not far off his actual ability. We paid him as average to slightly above average starter. A bit ambitious for the resume.

SBNation graded the signing a D.

[first_and_ten]

11 minutes ago, NoSaint said:

 

To be fair, 3 years 4.5m total would make him around 40th on the average pay list. So a top ten backup. Probably not far off his actual ability. We paid him as average to slightly above average starter. A bit ambitious for the resume.

 

True, but sometimes you have to pay above average to get a player you want in free agency. Is it a gamble? Sure, but I'm trying to give this group the benefit of the doubt. It's not too expensive of a gamble. Hopefully he turns into a bargain.

[John from Riverside]

I honestly dont know too much about him.....so I am not gonna counter majorbobby with anything

 

Except for the cost.....we pay what the going rate is for TE's plus 10 percent because we Buffalo.

 

They saw something they liked so I will wait......

[Augie]

58 minutes ago, first_and_ten said:

 

True, but sometimes you have to pay above average to get a player you want in free agency. Is it a gamble? Sure, but I'm trying to give this group the benefit of the doubt. It's not too expensive of a gamble. Hopefully he turns into a bargain.

 

That’s what FA is all about, the chance to overpay. Your hope to get to the point where you can do it all (or most of it) through the draft, but we’re not there this year. Most of our deals seem to be structured in a way that we’re not saddled with a bad contract for years. THAT is the key as far as I’m concerned. Hopefully he turns into a pleasant surprise. 

[NoSaint]

2 hours ago, first_and_ten said:

 

True, but sometimes you have to pay above average to get a player you want in free agency. Is it a gamble? Sure, but I'm trying to give this group the benefit of the doubt. It's not too expensive of a gamble. Hopefully he turns into a bargain.

 

Yup. But to pretend Walter (who I don’t particularly like) was quoting 20 year old type numbers isn’t totally fair either. That’s all I was pointing out. 

[BullBuchanan]

2 hours ago, Augie said:

 

That’s what FA is all about, the chance to overpay. Your hope to get to the point where you can do it all (or most of it) through the draft, but we’re not there this year. Most of our deals seem to be structured in a way that we’re not saddled with a bad contract for years. THAT is the key as far as I’m concerned. Hopefully he turns into a pleasant surprise. 

Yea, but if you want to overpay at least do it for good players. You could have had Antonio Brown for the same price as John Brown and Cole Beasely. If you think we won that deal, you probably think a Target knife set is better than one proper knife.

[GunnerBill]

16 hours ago, MAJBobby said:

image: http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/billsb_logo.gif

 Bills sign TE Tyler Kroft (3 years, $18.75 million): FARMER FAIL, GRIGSON GAFFE, CERRATO SUCKAGE, BAALKE BLOOPER, CHIP TRAGEDY, KING CALAMITY Grade 
When this first flashed on the screen, I thought it said, "Bills sign TE Tyler Eifert to a 3-year, $18.75 million contract." That would have made more sense. It still would've been an overpay, but Eifert, despite his injury history, has great talent. 

Kroft, on the other hand? Not so much. He was ranked as a 1.5-star free agent, so like C.J. Uzomah, who was just overpaid by the Bengals, he's an average backup at best. Kroft's best season in the NFL thus far saw him catch 42 passes for 404 yards. He played in only five games last year, hauling in just four receptions. He's also not a very good blocker either. 

I don't know why teams are being dumb with tight ends. They should not be paid this much. An appropriate 3-year deal for Kroft would be worth $4-5 million; not $18.75 million! 

Read more: http://walterfootball.com/freeagentsigninggrades.php#ixzz5iFugVGp8

Read more at http://walterfootball.com/freeagentsigninggrades.php#PopJP9iFZSK9p4pd.99

 

The next time Walter is right will be the first time. 

[Chandler#81]

12 hours ago, Augie said:

 

That’s what FA is all about, the chance to overpay. Your hope to get to the point where you can do it all (or most of it) through the draft, but we’re not there this year. Most of our deals seem to be structured in a way that we’re not saddled with a bad contract for years. THAT is the key as far as I’m concerned. Hopefully he turns into a pleasant surprise. 

Augie, my dear friend, I think those days can only be found in the rear view mirror. FA & the Cap allow too much freedom for players to leave after their rookie contracts, coupled with having to pay handsomely for QBs & superstar players already under team contracts. It’s impossible to build a team like we did in the 90’s, where you add great talent for 5-6 years, eventually constructing a team that will truly compete for 8-10 years. Sans NE*, it just doesn’t last more than 3 years anymore. Reference Seattle, Denver, Carolina the list grows longer every year of up & coming “powerhouses” who fizzle away through internal erosion. 

We’re even seeing it now with HOF inductees, where true greats of the game played for multiple teams while  maintaining their individual brilliance. 

3 year plans are quickly becoming obsolete and we’ve seen recent evidence of teams pulling off Worst to First turnarounds as an extension of this. Badolbilz is mocking how hopeful we all were last year at this time with a FA Class that was abysmal. And he’s right, though the FO did what they could with the pennies they were allotted. But every team is now seeing nearly 40+% turnover every year. This crushes recently evolving great teams while providing true hope for bad teams. This is our Lot in NFL life today. imo..

[Cripple Creek]

1 hour ago, Chandler#81 said:

Augie, my dear friend, I think those days can only be found in the rear view mirror. FA & the Cap allow too much freedom for players to leave after their rookie contracts, coupled with having to pay handsomely for QBs & superstar players already under team contracts. It’s impossible to build a team like we did in the 90’s, where you add great talent for 5-6 years, eventually constructing a team that will truly compete for 8-10 years. Sans NE*, it just doesn’t last more than 3 years anymore. Reference Seattle, Denver, Carolina the list grows longer every year of up & coming “powerhouses” who fizzle away through internal erosion. 

We’re even seeing it now with HOF inductees, where true greats of the game played for multiple teams while  maintaining their individual brilliance. 

3 year plans are quickly becoming obsolete and we’ve seen recent evidence of teams pulling off Worst to First turnarounds as an extension of this. Badolbilz is mocking how hopeful we all were last year at this time with a FA Class that was abysmal. And he’s right, though the FO did what they could with the pennies they were allotted. But every team is now seeing nearly 40+% turnover every year. This crushes recently evolving great teams while providing true hope for bad teams. This is our Lot in NFL life today. imo..

Get off my lawn?

[Chandler#81]

2 minutes ago, Cripple Creek said:

Get off my lawn?

Did you expect anything less from an old guy pining for days of yore?

[4merper4mer]

15 hours ago, Misterbluesky said:

SBNation graded the signing a D.

And I think SB stands for Super Bowl, which is like totally the best.

[Augie]

4 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

Augie, my dear friend, I think those days can only be found in the rear view mirror. FA & the Cap allow too much freedom for players to leave after their rookie contracts, coupled with having to pay handsomely for QBs & superstar players already under team contracts. It’s impossible to build a team like we did in the 90’s, where you add great talent for 5-6 years, eventually constructing a team that will truly compete for 8-10 years. Sans NE*, it just doesn’t last more than 3 years anymore. Reference Seattle, Denver, Carolina the list grows longer every year of up & coming “powerhouses” who fizzle away through internal erosion. 

We’re even seeing it now with HOF inductees, where true greats of the game played for multiple teams while  maintaining their individual brilliance. 

3 year plans are quickly becoming obsolete and we’ve seen recent evidence of teams pulling off Worst to First turnarounds as an extension of this. Badolbilz is mocking how hopeful we all were last year at this time with a FA Class that was abysmal. And he’s right, though the FO did what they could with the pennies they were allotted. But every team is now seeing nearly 40+% turnover every year. This crushes recently evolving great teams while providing true hope for bad teams. This is our Lot in NFL life today. imo..

 

I still think FA by definition is to overpay. If we can re-sign our own guys, that reduces the premium that is paid. That is my point and why I’d like to make it a smaller portion of the roster.

[HOUSE]

Back up for T.J. Hockenson

 

[CaptnCoke11]

6 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

The next time Walter is right will be the first time. 

Don’t mock the draft bible site 

[GunnerBill]

2 hours ago, CaptnCoke11 said:

Don’t mock the draft bible site 

 

I do think WalterFootball is a bit like the bible. 

 

But I am an atheist. 

[Kelly the Dog]

He's a poor #1 and a pretty good #2, therefore we need a starter. If we get a TE in rounds 1-3 I would be pretty happy with Draft Guy and Kroft as TEs, Brown and Foster on the outside, and Beasley in the slot. And if Duke comes up as the big WR, even if our #4, there are a lot of diverse, interchangeable weapons in the six players in and out of the lineup as receivers. 

[RocCityRoller]

Kroft did have 2 TDs in the game vs Baltimore. For that we should see what he offers. But with 3 good TE prospects, don't sleep on the position in the draft.

[YoloinOhio]

 

[FeelingOnYouboty]

10 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

 

Just needs to stay healthy but I'd love if we spent our 3rd rounder on Kahale Warring 

[Bockeye]

Looking back just for comparison, these are most of the notable 2018 FA TE signings and their subsequent production for the year (Sorry for the format).  

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000923539/article/2018-nfl-free-agency-key-offseason-signings-for-all-32-teams

 

Trey Burton, TE: Signed a four-year with Chicago, $32 million deal, Garafolo and Rapoport report.

G 16 / Rec 54 / Yds 569 / TD 6

 

Tyler Eifert, TE: Re-signed on a one-year deal with a max value of $8 million with Cincinnati, Pelisse reports.

G 4/ Rec 15 / Yds 179 / TD 1

 

Darren Fells, TE: Signed a three-year with Cleveland, $12 million deal, per Garafolo.

G 16 / Rec 11 / Yds 117 / TD 3

Jimmy Graham, TE: Signed a three-year, $30 milion contract that includes $22 million in the first two years with Green Bay, per Rapoport and Pelissero.

G 16 / Rec 55 / Yds 636 / TD 2

Eric Ebron, TE: Signed a two-year contract that maxes out at $15 million with incentives with Indianapolis, per Rapoport

G 16 / Rec 66 / Yds 750 / TD 13

Virgil Green, TE: Signed a three-year, $8.6 million deal that includes a $2.4 million signing bonus with Chargers, per Over the Cap.

G 16 / Rec 19 / Yds 210 / TD 1

Ed Dickson, TE: Signed a three-year, $10.7 million deal with Seattle, according to Over the Cap.

G 10/ Rec 12 / Yds 143 / TD 3

Levine Toilolo, TE: Signed a one-year with Detroit, $2 million contract, per Rapoport.

Luke Willson, TE: Signed a one-year contract worth $2.5 million with Detroit, according to Rapoport.

 

[K-9]

If he stays healthy, I predict he will be the steal of the 2019 FA class. 

[c-troop]

If Tyler Kroft was able to go back to Rutgers next year does he put up a better stat line than Hockenson or Irv Smith Jr. did last year?

Does his NFL experience make him arguably more valuable than either of those names?

In a way, we have our Hock (Kroft) and our Fant (Knox)
and when you compare their intangibles it becomes scary similar. 

- Kroft and Hock both ran their 40's in the 4.70's (4.67, and 4.70 respectively)
- Kroft and Hock are both 6'5

- Knox and Fant are speedier TE's. 
- Knox and Fant both ran their 40's in the 4.50's (4.54, and 4.50 respectively)

Could be a very ideal situation. Looking forward to seeing how our new Red Zone assassins produce. 


 

[RiotAct]

On 3/11/2019 at 5:45 PM, Binghamton Beast said:

Hey, another injury prone TE signing. We had to replace Clay somehow.

 

On 3/11/2019 at 5:36 PM, clayboy54 said:

Good signing if Kroft can stay healthy.

 

On 3/11/2019 at 5:38 PM, dave mcbride said:

"Eh" is right. Like Johnson, another guy who missed most of last season due to injury (foot, in his case). 

 

On 3/11/2019 at 5:38 PM, WMDman said:

pretty good if he can stay healthy

 

On 3/11/2019 at 5:38 PM, dave mcbride said:

Foot injury.

 

On 3/11/2019 at 5:39 PM, dave mcbride said:

Basically, injured more often than not. Not impressed with this one. 

 

On 3/11/2019 at 5:42 PM, Iamkrgr said:

Quite a bit of money for a guy that hasn't been healthy. Not a fan of this one. Let's see what else they have in store. So far a weak start to free agency. 

 

Dun dun dunnnnnnn

[LabattBlue]

On 3/19/2019 at 11:37 AM, K-9 said:

If he stays healthy, I predict he will be the steal of the 2019 FA class. 

?

[teef]

2 hours ago, RiotAct said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dun dun dunnnnnnn

that's a pretty bad ass bump!

[C.Biscuit97]

There are some smart fans on this site.  It sucks but foot injuries are no joke. 

[Locomark]

Time for McBeane to jump on the Rudolph bandwagon that they should have jumped on right after the draft....now the price just went up.

[CommonCents]

On 3/11/2019 at 6:49 PM, CommonCents said:

Also coming off of surgery for a broken bone in his foot. That hardly ever ends well for a big guy who gets paid to run and jump. 

 

If he stays healthy he is a good enough pass catcher. 

Silly signing from the jump. 

[Nick the Greek]

On 3/19/2019 at 11:37 AM, K-9 said:

If he stays healthy, I predict he will be the steal of the 2019 FA class. 

So much for that prediction eh? 

[RocCityRoller]

On 3/19/2019 at 11:37 AM, K-9 said:

If he stays healthy, I predict he will be the steal of the 2019 FA class. 

 

well, you screwed Buffalo... ???

[njbuff]

Unfortunately there will be many injuries.

 

This is just strike one.

[GETTOTHE50]

the one signing i didnt get. seemed like beane was desperate to get anyone to play TE.

[RocCityRoller]

On 5/21/2019 at 10:38 PM, njbuff said:

Unfortunately there will be many injuries.

 

This is just strike one.

 

The guy has a history of foot (2018-2019) and knee (2016) injuries

 

BUST

[GunnerBill]

It is worth saying before people lose their sh*t that the Bills did protect themselves against him not being able to shake the injury bug - they can get out after this season for only $1.6m in dead money. 

 

I still think when healthy he was the best TE option out there for this offense (where a guy needs to block and be a passing weapon). Unfortunately a foot injury is the sort of thing that lingers and if they rush him back again I can't see him having much of an impact. Shame because I thought and still think this signing was a sensible low risk, high reward one. 

[Turk71]

17 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

It is worth saying before people lose their sh*t that the Bills did protect themselves against him not being able to shake the injury bug - they can get out after this season for only $1.6m in dead money. 

 

I still think when healthy he was the best TE option out there for this offense (where a guy needs to block and be a passing weapon). Unfortunately a foot injury is the sort of thing that lingers and if they rush him back again I can't see him having much of an impact. Shame because I thought and still think this signing was a sensible low risk, high reward one. 

   This was never low risk. The guy is porcelain and actually got injured the very first day of ota. This was so predictable. How was a guy that only appeared in 5 games and only caught 4 passes last year a better option than a 6'7" 260 LB guy who can block and catch passes, over 14yds per catch last year, and has not missed a single game in the last 3 years? That guy, James, signed after Kroft for less money. I know you like Krofts potential but this situation was sadly predictable imo. 

  They didn't protect themself at all. He was guaranteed 9 million dollars and if he can't play that money is wasted and could have gone to someone who could. 

[GunnerBill]

6 minutes ago, Turk71 said:

 This was never low risk. The guy is porcelain and actually got injured the very first day of ota. This was so predictable. How was a guy that only appeared in 5 games and only caught 4 passes last year a better option than a 6'7" 260 LB guy who can block and catch passes, over 14yds per catch last year, and has not missed a single game in the last 3 years? That guy, James, signed after Kroft for less money. I know you like Krofts potential but this situation was sadly predictable imo. 

  They didn't protect themself at all. He was guaranteed 9 million dollars and if he can't play that money is wasted and could have gone to someone who could. 

 

I just think he is a more complete player and a better fit for what Daboll wants to be than James. I remain of the view James was a product of his offense. Oh and Kroft's total guarantee was just over $6m - James signed for a guarantee of $10.5m.

Edited May 23, 2019 by GunnerBill

[Turk71]

4 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I just think he is a more complete player and a better fit for what Daboll wants to be than James. I remain of the view James was a product of his offense. Oh and Kroft's total guarantee was just over $8m - James signed for a guarantee of $10.5m.

I agree Kroft has a higher ceiling athletically as a pass catcher but definitely did not see him as low risk, nor was I shocked to hear of his injury. I saw James as more dependable, know what you are getting kind of guy. James is 6'7" and not even 25 years old yet so I don't think he has reached his ceiling.

  I hope Kroft can come back but still think there was a lot of hopeful thinking involved with the Bills paying him in the top 15 of tes.

[GunnerBill]

32 minutes ago, Turk71 said:

I agree Kroft has a higher ceiling athletically as a pass catcher but definitely did not see him as low risk, nor was I shocked to hear of his injury. I saw James as more dependable, know what you are getting kind of guy. James is 6'7" and not even 25 years old yet so I don't think he has reached his ceiling.

  I hope Kroft can come back but still think there was a lot of hopeful thinking involved with the Bills paying him in the top 15 of tes.

 

There was always an injury risk - I concede that. But I still think it was a calculated risk with potentially a really nice upside. And if he doesn't come back and contribute I don't think we have lost too much.