Trades. Picks. And all the drama. Welcome to the Bills draft room.

[Shaw66]

4 hours ago, BabyBills said:

Within the first minute or two of the video, you can see a screen in the background that seems to list team needs.  For the Bills, those were:

 

DT

DE

TE

RB

OLB

OC (hard to tell)

OT

 

If this list is in descending order, it shows just how much they must have valued Cody Ford (only the 7th highest positional need taken in the 2nd round) and didn't value players like Chase Winovich (a player at the 2nd highest positional need that was passed over for a player at the 4th highest positional need).

Is OC offensive coordinator?  Maybe Daboll is on the block!

[BillsFan4]

1 hour ago, Poleshifter said:

I know you were talking about the article, not the video.

 

Please post the quotes about Knox. Fascinating player - no TDs in college, etc. I love the pick, and would love to see the analysis behind it. Thanks in advance.

 

Here it is -

 

Quote

Dawson Knox is a bizarre version of Singletary. The Ole Miss tight end and Bills third-round pick did not catch a touchdown in college. He wasn’t a featured part of an Ole Miss passing game that had receivers like D.K. Metcalf, A.J. Brown and Damarkus Lodge.

 

“You have to watch games, you can’t just watch his targets,” Beane said. “Their scheme wasn’t set up to showcase him.”

 

Beane saw a player who was getting open, but more importantly, he saw Knox show a willingness to stick his face into the running game. He needs technique work because he didn’t have to do it a ton, but his frame and his willingness to block are pluses. Knox ran only three routes in the Rebels’ offense, though, so there will be a learning curve.

 

“Is he not running routes because it’s something he can’t do, or is it the system?” Beane said. “My understanding is it was the system. He’s a really smart kid, so it’s not that.”

 

Then they talk some about about how Beane has traded up 4x and traded down 0x in his 2 drafts here. Beane said it’s more a product of circumstance - being early in the building process. Plus he said in the case of Edmunds and Knox, both were sticking out on his board. 

 

And this was the last section in the Knox section -

 

 

Quote

Beane talked a lot about drafting the best player available. He’s quick to point out that doesn’t mean he’s not drafting for need. If three players fit the value of the pick, Beane will take the player who either fills the biggest need or fills the biggest need at a premium position.

 

“But if you have two guys up there and neither of them are needs, you don’t go down the board to a guy who fills a big need,” Beane said. “At that point, you have two options. Take one of those two guys who don’t fill a need or trade down and try to select them at your value. I’m trying to handle need but at their value, whether it’s going up or going down.”

 

Beane said elsewhere that when he took Singletary, there were still a lot of TE’s on the board. Then right after that pick there was a run on TE’s. He said Knox was the last TE on his board before there was a big drop off in the grades he had on each. He felt Knox would never make it to their pick in the 4th so he traded up. 

 

 

 

He also addressed the Knox pick in his press conference after rounds 2+3. Here it is in case you missed it -

 

 

 

He starts talking about Knox right around the 3:30 mark. 

[Shaw66]

5 hours ago, MAJBobby said:

I could care less how they are dressed, that isn't what makes it professional.  They could have been in Hoodies Bills gear for all I care. 

Maybe in your world.

 

The Bills under McBeane are about EVERY DETAIL.  One of the details clearly is professional dress at certain times.  

 

It might be that professional dress is required whenever Mr. Pegula will be in the room, because he seems always to be in a coat and tie.  

 

Whatever the reason, the Bills are ALL ABOUT getting everything right, including how they present to the outside world.   

 

It's pretty impressive, whether you think a coat and tie is necessary or not.  

 

Friend of mine told me a story.  His son got a speeding ticket and asked his father to go with him.  Father insisted on a coat and tie.  When they got to court, they were the only ones in business dress, and lot of people were in t-shirts, jeans or shorts.   The judge said something like "when you come to this courtroom, you're speaking to the State, and you should show the Court and the State the respect it deserves.  So if you aren't dressed properly, go home and get yourself cleaned up."   When the son's case came up, the judge dismissed the charge, no penalty.  It makes a difference. 

[YoloinOhio]

nice shout out!

[DrDawkinstein]

29 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

Maybe in your world.

 

The Bills under McBeane are about EVERY DETAIL.  One of the details clearly is professional dress at certain times.  

 

It might be that professional dress is required whenever Mr. Pegula will be in the room, because he seems always to be in a coat and tie.  

 

Whatever the reason, the Bills are ALL ABOUT getting everything right, including how they present to the outside world.   

 

It's pretty impressive, whether you think a coat and tie is necessary or not.  

 

Friend of mine told me a story.  His son got a speeding ticket and asked his father to go with him.  Father insisted on a coat and tie.  When they got to court, they were the only ones in business dress, and lot of people were in t-shirts, jeans or shorts.   The judge said something like "when you come to this courtroom, you're speaking to the State, and you should show the Court and the State the respect it deserves.  So if you aren't dressed properly, go home and get yourself cleaned up."   When the son's case came up, the judge dismissed the charge, no penalty.  It makes a difference. 

 

Let's not slurp Beane too much here. From what I've seen, it's pretty standard practice across the NFL.

 

Thursday night is the big ratings night, and where they show the War Rooms on Prime Time TV. Every team is dressed up for Round 1.

Round 2 gets a bit more casual, shirt and jackets maybe, but no ties.

Saturday is wear whatever you want since it is an all-day affair and the end of a marathon.

 

I havent seen any team that doesnt follow this. Even in previous Bills regimes.

 

There's plenty to be happy about with Beane without giving him credit for unnecessary things.

[Heitz]

11 hours ago, NJKBillsfan said:

From the draft footage Beane looked really unorganized.

Looked like he didn't have a real plan and was just winging it. LOL

 

Gotta be one in every thread I guess! ?

 

 

Great video - love seeing that behind the scenes.  The pressure, the decisions made, the phones being worked, has to be a fun (and stressful) time for those guys!  

 

As for the suits, pretty much the reason I gave up on every trying to work in the NFL.  Heitz don't suit up unless it's a wedding or a funeral. ?  Even most Fortune 500s don't rock suits these days - if I showed up at my clients office in a suit, they would all fall off their chairs...

[Rock'em Sock'em]

Interesting note:

Chicago calls us offers us 87 and a 2020 4th rounder for 74.

 

They eventually traded the pick to NE.

[Shaw66]

59 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Let's not slurp Beane too much here. From what I've seen, it's pretty standard practice across the NFL.

 

Thursday night is the big ratings night, and where they show the War Rooms on Prime Time TV. Every team is dressed up for Round 1.

Round 2 gets a bit more casual, shirt and jackets maybe, but no ties.

Saturday is wear whatever you want since it is an all-day affair and the end of a marathon.

 

I havent seen any team that doesnt follow this. Even in previous Bills regimes.

 

There's plenty to be happy about with Beane without giving him credit for unnecessary things.

Fair enough.  I was just piling onto the same reaction others had.  

[Poleshifter]

@BillsFan4 Thank you for that Knox info. I'm excited to see what this athletic, but raw, young man can do.

 

I wanted the Bills to draft 2 TE this year, and bingo, 7th round, Tommy Sweeney. This guy played in the Senior Bowl. Just seems to lack speed, but should be very useful in the Bills offense.

 

[FeelingOnYouboty]

Dan Morgan and Joe Schoen will both be gone within the next few years. Great hires.

[YoloinOhio]

14 minutes ago, FeelingOnYouboty said:

Dan Morgan and Joe Schoen will both be gone within the next few years. Great hires.

I was planning to say the same thing. Beane is grooming them. 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

5 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

I was planning to say the same thing. Beane is grooming them. 

 

...think we are VERY fortunate that Pegula handed his checkbook carte blanche to McBeane who then hired plenty of exec level personnel guys to build his staff of 17+....we probably have one of the most potential 90 bodies of talent going into TC in recent memory IMO.....stay tuned.....

[John from Riverside]

19 hours ago, Estro said:

I think there's a reason we didn't see any of that.  Just my feeling, but I think Henderson and or Montgomery both of whom went just picks before the Bills would've been the guy if they were still there.  I like the both of them much more than Singletary.  

Well you would be in the minority on that....because everything I am sing is Singletary was considered one of the top 2 RB's in this draft......

 

I admit its a bit of a stash pick....but something tells me we are gonna be glad we drafted him.

[IgotBILLStopay]

21 hours ago, Logic said:

The look of relief on Beane's face when the Lions pick Hockenson is awesome.

I also wonder what it is about Greg Little that caused the Panthers to prefer him over Cody Ford.

Oh, and I LOL'd when the Bears offered NEXT YEAR'S 4th round pick to move up to our spot in the third round. Get real. Beane's expression said the same.

Greg is a LT and Ford more of a RT.

[IgotBILLStopay]

21 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

7 min.. enjoy!

We didnt agree to 11 and 37 for #9 - tells you how much they wanted Oliver

[formerlyofCtown]

2 minutes ago, IgotBILLStopay said:

We didnt agree to 11 and 37 for #9 - tells you how much they wanted Oliver

If you listened he said Oliver was the #1 player on their board not just BPA.

[PIZ]

I just watched it again.  When they got Ford, it was like watching a movie.  Dang they were excited.

 

 

[IgotBILLStopay]

3 minutes ago, formerlyofCtown said:

If you listened he said Oliver was the #1 player on their board not just BPA.

I thought he said "when Detroit was on the clock", Ed was the highest guy on the board. I still feel they may have ranked Q. Williams as Plan 1A. But Ed Oliver likely was Plan 1B. I am not complaining at all. And Ed Oliver does some things way better than Q. WIlliams - His get off / twitch / change of direction / range are all other wordly (Willaims is just merely good), 

[YoloinOhio]

3 minutes ago, IgotBILLStopay said:

I thought he said "when Detroit was on the clock", Ed was the highest guy on the board. I still feel they may have ranked Q. Williams as Plan 1A. But Ed Oliver likely was Plan 1B. I am not complaining at all. And Ed Oliver does some things way better than Q. WIlliams - His get off / twitch / change of direction / range are all other wordly (Willaims is just merely good), 

Q graded out better in PFF but hard to compare as he had 4-5 star players up and  down his DL for the opposing OL to account for unlike Ed.  That said, he played higher level of competition at times (not every week). Ed was a higher ranked recruit (5 star vs 3 star) but Q had zero red flags. 

Edited May 3, 2019 by YoloinOhio

[IgotBILLStopay]

Quite clear they rated Cody Ford higher than Jawaan Taylor.

[John from Riverside]

13 hours ago, NJKBillsfan said:

From the draft footage Beane looked really unorganized.

Looked like he didn't have a real plan and was just winging it. LOL

I am seriously starting to think you are a troll

7 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

Q graded out better in PFF but hard to compare as he had 4-5 star players up and  down his DL for the opposing OL to account for unlike Ed.  That said, he played higher level of competition at times (not every week). Ed was a higher ranked recruit (5 star vs 3 star) but Q had zero red flags. 

I look at Q. Williams and I seriously wonder if this is a case that he was playing alongside equally talented draftable players......we made this mistake before with a DT that didnt pan out.

[Augie]

I usually wonder “who did they really want that they just missed on?” I feel a bit less of that this year, and that’s a good thing. But, how did they feel about Montgomery vs Singletary. The TE’s? I wonder what they don’t show you? Who went right before us that we wanted? Who did they not even have on the board? So many questions, but the video was very cool to see. 

[BUFFALOKIE]

3 hours ago, BillsFan4 said:

Here it is -

 

 

Then they talk some about about how Beane has traded up 4x and traded down 0x in his 2 drafts here. Beane said it’s more a product of circumstance - being early in the building process. Plus he said in the case of Edmunds and Knox, both were sticking out on his board. 

 

And this was the last section in the Knox section -

 

 

 

Beane said elsewhere that when he took Singletary, there were still a lot of TE’s on the board. Then right after that pick there was a run on TE’s. He said Knox was the last TE on his board before there was a big drop off in the grades he had on each. He felt Knox would never make it to their pick in the 4th so he traded up. 

 

 

 

He also addressed the Knox pick in his press conference after rounds 2+3. Here it is in case you missed it -

 

 

 

He starts talking about Knox right around the 3:30 mark. 

I hate that I cannot hear the questions during press conferences!

[Bad Things]

That's really cool.  Thanks for sharing.

 

I had no idea they did that with Pancho for the first pick.  That's nothing but goodness, all around.

Well done, Mr Beane.

Edited May 3, 2019 by Bad Things

[YoloinOhio]

4 minutes ago, Bad Things said:

That's really cool.  Thanks for sharing.

 

I had no idea they did that with Pancho for the first pick.  That's nothing but good, all around.

Well done, Mr Beane.

First class. 

[Turk71]

Cool to see how they managed to get the guys they were after those first 4 or 5 picks.

[formerlyofCtown]

2 hours ago, IgotBILLStopay said:

I thought he said "when Detroit was on the clock", Ed was the highest guy on the board. I still feel they may have ranked Q. Williams as Plan 1A. But Ed Oliver likely was Plan 1B. I am not complaining at all. And Ed Oliver does some things way better than Q. WIlliams - His get off / twitch / change of direction / range are all other wordly (Willaims is just merely good), 

He did.  I stand corrected.   Definitely was ranked higher than 9 though.  I think Oliver will be the better pass rusher.  Especially as they get older.

[PIZ]

The Colts apparently did a series on the draft.

 

I found this video on their 1st round.  I may be biased, but I like the Bills video better.  It also seems like Beane's team is a family / brother atmosphere.  Ballard comes across as a prick to me.  For comparative purposes:

 

 

 

 

Patriots call to Neal:

 

Patriots call to Winovich:

 

 

 

Wow, what a difference.

 

 

 

Edited May 4, 2019 by PIZ

[WideNine]

On 5/2/2019 at 7:07 PM, Logic said:

The look of relief on Beane's face when the Lions pick Hockenson is awesome.

I also wonder what it is about Greg Little that caused the Panthers to prefer him over Cody Ford.

Oh, and I LOL'd when the Bears offered NEXT YEAR'S 4th round pick to move up to our spot in the third round. Get real. Beane's expression said the same.

 

That was awesome to see, Beane runs a tight ship.

 

He did say that they had high grades on a few guys at 9, but Ed was the highest grade on their board.

 

With all the time they spent scouting and interviewing Oliver you know he was the guy they wanted from the opening bell, and they got their guy and did not have to trade away a dime to do it.

 

I thought Oliver was a top 3 or 4 pick, and when the draft went QB first the chips started to fall our way.

 

I don't think Hockenson was ever on their radar as I think their plan going in was to address TE in round 4 because it was such a deep class. I still like the kid, but glad we got our guy.

 

The reason I think they were originally thinking a TE would fall to them in the 4th was how he responded to the run on TE's in the 3rd (Josh Oliver, Jace Sternberger, Kahale Warring) if they were going to get a TE that still had a decent grade on their board they were going to have to move back into the 3rd to do it.

 

Hard for me to believe that the Bills have such a well-prepared and decisive group running its draft. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 4, 2019 by WideNine

[Logic]

1 hour ago, WideNine said:

 

With all the time they spent scouting and interviewing Oliver you know he was the guy they wanted from the opening bell, and they got their guy and did not have to trade away a dime to do it.

 

I thought Oliver was a top 3 or 4 pick, and when the draft went QB first the chips started to fall our way.

 

I think time will prove that he should have been. Entering 2018, there was talk of him being the #1 overall pick in the coming draft. A somewhat down season (by Oliver's lofty standards) and the "jacket incident" -- not to mention GMs overthinking his lack of size -- led him to fall. Thank goodness! The Bills will be reaping the benefits for years.

[Richard Noggin]

3 hours ago, PIZ said:

The Colts apparently did a series on the draft.

 

I found this video on their 1st round.  I may be biased, but I like the Bills video better.  It also seems like Beane's team is a family / brother atmosphere.  Ballard comes across as a prick to me.  For comparative purposes:

 

 

Wow, what a difference.

 

 

 

Love me some Frank Reich. 

[transplantbillsfan]

This is great stuff!!!

 

Clearly Oliver was the guy they were enamored with, but based on the "at that point (Jones pick) we knew we wouldn't trade down" comment, Beane and Co. clearly valued AT LEAST 3 of the remaining guys worthy or more than worthy of the 9th overall pick.

 

Biggest thing I'm seeing is there was some legit effort to trade up into the 1st for Ford.

 

Also, those guys like MMA.

[Doc Brown]

So, which one of all those people were monitoring our opinions here on TSW?

[GunnerBill]

9 hours ago, formerlyofCtown said:

So it isnt just GM speak.  Ed Oliver was the #1 player on their board and if I heard correctly Ford was 20th.

 

 

Where does it say that? I mean it is totally believable - I had them #2 and #21. 

[GunnerBill]

10 hours ago, FeelingOnYouboty said:

Dan Morgan and Joe Schoen will both be gone within the next few years. Great hires.

 

Certainly think Morgan will. Maybe even as soon as next year if the Bills have a good season. Schoen might last longer because there word on him seems to be great scout but doubts about his ability to lead a department. He was has been a senior personnel guy for 8 or 9 years now without getting too much of a look - not sure he has even had a GM interview anywhere that I have seen. 

[formerlyofCtown]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Where does it say that? I mean it is totally believable - I had them #2 and #21. 

I heard it wrong.  It was pretty noisy at work

[Chandler#81]

It was great seeing Harrison Phillips FaceTiming with Pancho when Beane called him to relay the 1st pick. That said, I wonder what was going through Hari’s mind.. ‘Damn! a DT!!...’?

[ProcessTruster]

On 5/2/2019 at 8:09 PM, wppete said:

Love it!!!! So happy we have the Pegulas and McBeane. They are building something real and we all see it. 

trust the process

[Coach Tuesday]

They played the draft well - but now it’s all about their player evaluations and whether they were right.  

 

As for the video - I seem to remember that the Bills rebuilt their media ops and it shows - it’s refreshing to see Brandon and his cronies out of the picture and replaced by a first-class, professional-looking PR/media product.  

[2003Contenders]

22 hours ago, BabyBills said:

Within the first minute or two of the video, you can see a screen in the background that seems to list team needs.  For the Bills, those were:

 

DT

DE

TE

RB

OLB

OC (hard to tell)

OT

 

If this list is in descending order, it shows just how much they must have valued Cody Ford (only the 7th highest positional need taken in the 2nd round) and didn't value players like Chase Winovich (a player at the 2nd highest positional need that was passed over for a player at the 4th highest positional need).

 

Interesting that WR is glaringly absent.