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Roster Concerns Prior to Draft


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1 hour ago, billsfan1959 said:

I would imagine, since we are talking about the Bills’ pick, it would be BPA according to the consensus of the Bills’ front office and coaching staff...

 

But, that’s just me.

 

In Reality, we never know for sure any team actually took the BPA. Baker Mayfield was ranked #8

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40 minutes ago, richardb1952 said:

Appears Bills have made some interesting roster changes that should result in a better offense this next season.  Some areas I am still concerned with prior to the draft are as follows:

1.  Bills need another OT.  It appears they only have three on their roster.  I question whether McDermott is ready to assume a starting role if one of our starting tackles were to be injured.  

2.  I think Bills need to get at least one quality LB, maybe two.  They look awful slim in backups here as was the case when Milano went down.  Also, don't really know how injury will affect him this coming year.

3.  Need at least one other TE, someone versatile, that can block and catch.  Wouldn't mind a rookie here.

4.  I believe we need a penetrating 3 technique DL to help bring pressure up the middle.

5.  Could really use another quality edge rusher for the rotation.  Also because both Hughes and Lawson are possible FAs next year.

6.  Could use a young RB to groom for next year.  I doubt shady will get a new deal next year unless it is of the short term type.  Gore is already on a one year deal.  Could do this next year also as RBs are more "plug and play" than most other positions on the team, but should look into someone with some strong upside for this year so they can learn behind Gore and Shady.

7.  WR may not be as big a need now that Bills have added more talent but if there were one that they think could be a good steal, it might be a good move.

8.  Same for CB and Safeties.  I hope they look for some gems that might fit in and not necessarily need to start but can learn the system and be groomed for future success.

 

?hmmm.. I think I’ve seen these before somewhere..

 

 

Oh yeah! In a hundred threads, some still on page 1..

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TE - Kroft is a decent #2 and I have hope for Croom to develop but we need better. Hockenson, Fant or Smith Jr would be huge.

 

DT - The position got weaker with Kyle's retirement ... Q. Williams, Oliver or Wilkins might make DT even better than last year. Not going after a DT in FA makes me think it'll be at the top of their agenda for the draft.

 

LB - Edmunds and Milano are solid and Alexander still has it but only for 1 more year. Drafting a new starting LB needs to be done. That would leave Alexander available to be a pass rush specialist for those times Murphy is injured.

 

OT - The new guy was signed for 2 years and is 33 I believe... Bringing in his eventual replacement should also be a priority this year.

 

 

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I agree with the OP and most of the following commentary.   But let me ask - do you guys believe we know have a playoff/SB caliber OL? 

 

Most at of the posts about the OL are about depth.   I don’t think we have the right 5 starters yet.

 

I wonder if Beane’s thinking we’re another year out with the OL.   The guys we have now can hold down the fort and at the same time mentor the guys he’s hoping to acquire thru the draft.

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Obviously need an impact player at 9.  I am guessing that Beane and staff will be looking at White (LB) or the BPA at DL ( Simmons, Wilkins, Oliver or Lawrence) as meeting that criteria.  OT, TE, and the other positions just don't have that impact potential now that we have partially addressed them.  Still important to be addressed, but after round 1.

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10 minutes ago, HOUSE said:

 

In Reality, we never know for sure any team actually took the BPA. Baker Mayfield was ranked #8

I think QB is a separate issue and clearly looked at from a need perspective first. As far as all other players, you are right, we never really know. I think, for most teams, it probably becomes a combination of need and BPA. 

Edited by billsfan1959
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27 minutes ago, HOUSE said:

 

Every GM in the league preaches BPA but on draft day it quickly becomes the need player.

I used to think the same thing until it was pointed out you have to factor in value. For example if the biggest need is OT, except four are already off the board do you reach, or trade down? The inverse is also true.

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I say look at a Clay Mathews. He is a guy you could move around a lot and use strictly as a pass rusher. Similar to the role of the Lorax last season, you can drop him down on the line on 3rd down or have him blitz from the SLB position. Move him around and give a offense something else to look for other then Hughes. Limit his snaps and keep him fresh. He wouldn’t be brought in to “play linebacker” He would be a hired gun pass rush specialist. 

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While I'm confident we made a lot of really good moves, I still think we are one year away from having a really quality roster top to bottom.  I agree with most of the OPs assessment and I think that is just too many holes to fill with significant impact players / quality depth.  Notably, DT, Edge Rusher, decent LB depth.  Unless we are able to fill a couple more with the remaining FAs, but I don't see that as likely, at least not impact guys.  I won't depend on more than 2 or 3 rookies at most having a significant impact and getting an impact pass rushing / penetrating DT and an edge rusher worth of salt in the same draft seems unlikely to me.  Not to say we aren't going to be much improved this year and potentially a playoff caliber team, I just think we are at risk of some key injuries having a big time impact because the depth is just not quite there yet.  Slowly but surely building it and doing it the right way for long term success though.

Edited by Mark80
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We need a Defensive Linemen who can penetrate and play on the other side of the line of scrimmage with excellent run-stopping ability, and our Special Teams is still a big "?" although the missing returner element has been addressed. O-line I cannot say as OBD added a coach who has a solid resume, and pulled in some key vets.

 

Our "D" lacked push and teams could run on us. Now before folks pull the #2 overall defense blanket over their heads to hide from the truth consider:

 

We have a pedestrian run "D" (16th rank), then consider how poor we were stopping teams from scoring in the red zone (30th rank), I would add that I think we were also pretty poor in defending short yardage runs that converted down and distance, but I will admit I could not find the stats to back that up (just my eyes). Then add poor ST play which too often placed our D (with the weaknesses above) in close to the worst field position situations (30th in opponent drive starts). Mix these all together and you find your team has needs on the defensive side of the ball and on ST (the latter most of us agree on).

 

I know what our overall defensive ranking was, but over the years teams are using more spread offense and passing more, and our D is solid there. Our D struggled defending against the run in the usual short down and distance situations and in red zone situations. 

 

Teams were very successful against the Bills in those limited situations, but only Belichick and a few others decided to see how far they could push that advantage of porous run "D". That is why I feel our defensive ranking is deceptively skewed. It is a copy-cat league, teams will take notice and test the Bills more in this area this season.

 

I realize there are other factors that can help mitigate the above - improved ST kickoffs, punting, and coverage to tilt the field a bit and get us out of the 30th ranking hole, and getting Josh to better embrace the time of possession concept when our defense has been on the field too long.

 

 

 

Edited by WideNine
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3 hours ago, richardb1952 said:

Appears Bills have made some interesting roster changes that should result in a better offense this next season.  Some areas I am still concerned with prior to the draft are as follows:

1.  Bills need another OT.  It appears they only have three on their roster.  I question whether McDermott is ready to assume a starting role if one of our starting tackles were to be injured.  

2.  I think Bills need to get at least one quality LB, maybe two.  They look awful slim in backups here as was the case when Milano went down.  Also, don't really know how injury will affect him this coming year.

3.  Need at least one other TE, someone versatile, that can block and catch.  Wouldn't mind a rookie here.

4.  I believe we need a penetrating 3 technique DL to help bring pressure up the middle.

5.  Could really use another quality edge rusher for the rotation.  Also because both Hughes and Lawson are possible FAs next year.

6.  Could use a young RB to groom for next year.  I doubt shady will get a new deal next year unless it is of the short term type.  Gore is already on a one year deal.  Could do this next year also as RBs are more "plug and play" than most other positions on the team, but should look into someone with some strong upside for this year so they can learn behind Gore and Shady.

7.  WR may not be as big a need now that Bills have added more talent but if there were one that they think could be a good steal, it might be a good move.

8.  Same for CB and Safeties.  I hope they look for some gems that might fit in and not necessarily need to start but can learn the system and be groomed for future success.

Pretty spot on.  If the right guy comes along I think they will sign him.  Other than that I think they go to the draft, take BPA, and fill out the roster after UDFA signings.

2 hours ago, Kelly the Dog said:

BPA is total nonsense. If the BPA is a QB, C, RB, MLB or S, the Bills are not taking him. They may in third round but that is unlikely except maybe RB. 

 

We still need help at every position though. With OL, TE, DT, LB, DE all essential. 

I dont think BPA means the highest graded player available.  I think It means highest graded player available thats on their board.  Do you really think they spend a whole lot of time scouting QBs when we are set.

Other than QB I think everything is on the table.

Edited by formerlyofCtown
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