Chris Brown article on Bills Draft Needs

[Hapless Bills Fan]

I have not followed how accurate Chris Brown is or is not about these in previous years.

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/news/draft-prospects-to-watch-nfl-analysts-offer-these-opinions-on-players-who-can-he

 

He seems to be mostly summarizing commentary from Pat Kirwan and former QB Jim Miller from 'Movin' the Chains' on Sirius XM NFL Radio

They "believe the team's focus should chiefly be in the receiving corps and on the offensive and defensive lines."  (ME TOO!)

Miller: "For me just being a quarterback, I want to see a big red zone presence," said Miller. "Not that their receivers weren't productive, but they're smaller type receivers. For me, I like receivers that kind of fulfill every role. You've got your slot guy. You've got your big red zone guy. You've got your speed guy and they have most of those, but I'd like to see a red zone threat. This is a big wide receiver class that they can tap into and you look at the guys last year from (DK) Metcalf, who went in the second round. Deebo Samuel went second round. There were some big receivers that played and played well that offered that size."

 

Kirwan: "The Super Bowl is going to make every GM think about their tight end situation. You've got the two best tight ends in the league who made it to the Super Bowl in Kelce and Kittle. They change games. .....The Bills drafted Knox last year, but why not take another swing? Sweeney was a later round pick, but you look at all the teams that have two good ones. They're successful. The Ravens are playing three tight ends. And Knox and Sweeney were productive, but if you can get a difference maker you do it."

 

On OL, Kirwin doles some gouge from Beane:  "I was just talking to Brandon (Beane)," said Kirwan. "As much as you bought an offensive line, literally four out of the five starters, the way he said it I think they're going to tap into the draft and pick two or three young ones, because they're not only important to have, they'll help Josh Allen."

 

Kirwan believes Buffalo will (also) be looking for a pass rusher."You know they're going to try to have to find one, or with their cap space buy one," said Kirwan of the Bills. "I always say buy one and draft one. It's no good with just one guy. It's too easy to block it. I mean, if you get one on both sides, now you're in business. I would not, however, take a guy in free agency that's over 26."

 

So there ya go, Bills fans, Kirwan says we need a difference maker TE, a difference maker WR, a pass rusher, and 2-3 young OLmen.

 

Kirwan offers an evaluation of two linebackers of interest who "possesses a similar skill set to that of Lorenzo Alexander."

"I watched the linebackers here at the Senior Bowl and the kid from Wisconsin, Zack Baun, he can play (strong side) or (weak side). I think he can blitz. The Michigan kid, (Joshua) Uche. They can both come off the edge like Alexander did.  ....T hey stay out on the field and convert to an undersized speed rusher. And since you're not going to take one in the first or second round, the way the world is molded today that's a way to add another pass rusher and you can get one of those guys in the third or fourth round that can play."

 

[Warcodered]

If Beane manages to get all that this offseason then he really is a witch and this team could be really terrifying.

Edited January 24, 2020 by Warcodered

[3rdand12]

That is really pretty good stuff , from my perspective

[MJS]

That's what we need. Plus a change of pace running back who isn't 96 years old.

[3rdand12]

Just now, Warcodered said:

If Beane manages to get all that this offseason then he really is a witch and this team could be really terrifying.

The O line guys. I wonder where McBeanes finds those gems.
Except 1 position i think the Bills have the line in good shape. Draft O line for the future state.

 RT are expensive in FA. Not sure what they do there besides figure out Cody Ford

I like the DE thinking. But yes

 he might be a Witch to pull all that off.
Looking forward very much to offseason(FA)  draft , refining and defining next years roster. 

1 minute ago, MJS said:

That's what we need. Plus a change of pace running back who isn't 96 years old.

That must be a given ?
Draft another one later in the draft who compliments Devin and or trade for that as well.

 This is big. About what the running game will look like. Time to dial that up.

[MJS]

3 minutes ago, 3rdand12 said:

That must be a given ?

Draft another one later in the draft who compliments Devin and or trade for that as well.

 This is big. About what the running game will look like. Time to dial that up.

 

I don't think we need to draft one. I'd sign a veteran in free agency, especially since McDermott wants to have veteran leadership in every position room.

[mannc]

5 minutes ago, MJS said:

That's what we need. Plus a change of pace running back who isn't 96 years old.

That’s a must.  Fortunately, easy to find, though.

[3rdand12]

Just now, MJS said:

 

I don't think we need to draft one. I'd sign a veteran in free agency, especially since McDermott wants to have veteran leadership in every position room.

good point about McDs MO in the locker room.

 But i would not be surprised to see Bills keep the Vet they already have one more year. and let him work on the Draft pick. (later pick ( as i think they have their feature back in Devin

2 minutes ago, mannc said:

That’s a must.  Fortunately, easy to find, though.

I don't feel the need for another Yeldon.

nothing against the boy : ) 

[Utah John]

We just spent a second round pick on a guy who's right now our backup right guard, because he's not a good right tackle and because our starting right guard is a beast.  That's not a bust but isn't what you want from a second round pick.   Will the Bills invest even more high picks on an area that played well last year?  I would rather see them re-sign Spain and get an upgrade at right tackle in FA.

 

The reason Kittle and Kelce are important is a numbers game.  Defenses can account for just so many threats, and they give less attention to others, including TEs.  When you have a dominant TE, suddenly there's always someone open because the defense has to do more than it was designed to do.  But, great TEs appear to be even rarer than great QBs.  The guys with the size and physique to play TE are playing strong forward instead.

 

One thing I like about this past season is that there is a wide variety of what works.  The Ravens play three tight ends with a power game.  The Titans use a power game to overcome weaknesses in their roster.  180 degrees away you have the Chiefs with their wide-open attack.  This is just great, really.  Coaches are drafting and acquiring players to fit a certain style, and then adjusting their coaching to fit the players.  The good coaches, at least.  The Bills are doing that too.

[aristocrat]

27 minutes ago, MJS said:

That's what we need. Plus a change of pace running back who isn't 96 years old.

 

i could see rb's being at the top of some lists this year trying to copy the niners and titans success.  

[Augie]

45 minutes ago, Warcodered said:

If Beane manages to get all that this offseason then he really is a witch and this team could be really terrifying.

 

After almost two decades........I’d be thrilled if they can terrify the other team instead of ME! Turning that corner, baby!  

 

 

.

Edited January 24, 2020 by Augie

[ngbills]

57 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

 

So there ya go, Bills fans, Kirwan says we need a difference maker TE, a difference maker WR, a pass rusher, and 2-3 young OLmen.

 

 

 

Basically what I wrote in another thread.

 

Draft a WR; Sign AJ Green or Amari Cooper

Sign Hooper or Henry at TE

Sign Yannick

Sign Conklin

Plenty of draft picks to get more OL and other needs. 

Pretty easy....

[BuffAlone]

24 minutes ago, Utah John said:

We just spent a second round pick on a guy who's right now our backup right guard, because he's not a good right tackle and because our starting right guard is a beast.  That's not a bust but isn't what you want from a second round pick.   Will the Bills invest even more high picks on an area that played well last year?  I would rather see them re-sign Spain and get an upgrade at right tackle in FA.

 

The reason Kittle and Kelce are important is a numbers game.  Defenses can account for just so many threats, and they give less attention to others, including TEs.  When you have a dominant TE, suddenly there's always someone open because the defense has to do more than it was designed to do.  But, great TEs appear to be even rarer than great QBs.  The guys with the size and physique to play TE are playing strong forward instead.

 

One thing I like about this past season is that there is a wide variety of what works.  The Ravens play three tight ends with a power game.  The Titans use a power game to overcome weaknesses in their roster.  180 degrees away you have the Chiefs with their wide-open attack.  This is just great, really.  Coaches are drafting and acquiring players to fit a certain style, and then adjusting their coaching to fit the players.  The good coaches, at least.  The Bills are doing that too.

hey....if we can afford a 2nd round pick on a "backup" guard, then we must be getting better as a team. and if he happens to blossom into a stellar, or even average starter, then that pick would be well spent. Ford will be fine IMO. and a benefit to the team moving forward. just my opinion

[Hapless Bills Fan]

47 minutes ago, Utah John said:

We just spent a second round pick on a guy who's right now our backup right guard, because he's not a good right tackle and because our starting right guard is a beast.  That's not a bust but isn't what you want from a second round pick.   Will the Bills invest even more high picks on an area that played well last year?  I would rather see them re-sign Spain and get an upgrade at right tackle in FA.

 

Just a point that there were times when our OL didn't play so well.  Eagles, Browns, NE, Ravens, Houston.  Did not open holes for the run game consistently.

Spain is a FA and I think he's part of the run game problem.  Unless we re-sign him (and he's gonna want $$), we have space for 2 G.

 

I don't know if Ford has ever played LG.  I believe Feliciano has, but I don't know how he plays there vs. RG.

 

There also is the point that rookie OL sometimes take a step their 2nd year.  Not always but sometimes.

 

I don't see the 2-3 picks on OL in FA, myself.

[DJB]

I think we go DE in round 1 and move up in the 2nd round for a WR

[Putin]

1 hour ago, DJB said:

I think we go DE in round 1 and move up in the 2nd round for a WR

Don't be surprised if we go CB in rounds 1-2  of course it depends what happens in the free agency, but it wouldn't surprise me at all 

[JaCrispy]

3 hours ago, ngbills said:

Basically what I wrote in another thread.

 

Draft a WR; Sign AJ Green or Amari Cooper

Sign Hooper or Henry at TE

Sign Yannick

Sign Conklin

Plenty of draft picks to get more OL and other needs. 

Pretty easy....

The FA’s sound good but I don’t if we would have enough room under the cap to sign all of them plus our home grown talent that will require extending...

[njbuff]

How do we know what the draft needs are when FA hasn’t started yet?

8 minutes ago, JaCrispy said:

The FA’s sound good but I don’t if we would have enough room under the cap to sign all of them plus our home grown talent that will require extending...

I think the Bills will definitely go with one or two splash FA’s (see Morse from last year).

 

They might go for a home run on each side of he ball. 
 

And there will still be oodles of money left to do what they need to do.

[machine gun kelly]

5 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

I have not followed how accurate Chris Brown is or is not about these in previous years.

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/news/draft-prospects-to-watch-nfl-analysts-offer-these-opinions-on-players-who-can-he

 

He seems to be mostly summarizing commentary from Pat Kirwan and former QB Jim Miller from 'Movin' the Chains' on Sirius XM NFL Radio

They "believe the team's focus should chiefly be in the receiving corps and on the offensive and defensive lines."  (ME TOO!)

Miller: "For me just being a quarterback, I want to see a big red zone presence," said Miller. "Not that their receivers weren't productive, but they're smaller type receivers. For me, I like receivers that kind of fulfill every role. You've got your slot guy. You've got your big red zone guy. You've got your speed guy and they have most of those, but I'd like to see a red zone threat. This is a big wide receiver class that they can tap into and you look at the guys last year from (DK) Metcalf, who went in the second round. Deebo Samuel went second round. There were some big receivers that played and played well that offered that size."

 

Kirwan: "The Super Bowl is going to make every GM think about their tight end situation. You've got the two best tight ends in the league who made it to the Super Bowl in Kelce and Kittle. They change games. .....The Bills drafted Knox last year, but why not take another swing? Sweeney was a later round pick, but you look at all the teams that have two good ones. They're successful. The Ravens are playing three tight ends. And Knox and Sweeney were productive, but if you can get a difference maker you do it."

 

On OL, Kirwin doles some gouge from Beane:  "I was just talking to Brandon (Beane)," said Kirwan. "As much as you bought an offensive line, literally four out of the five starters, the way he said it I think they're going to tap into the draft and pick two or three young ones, because they're not only important to have, they'll help Josh Allen."

 

Kirwan believes Buffalo will (also) be looking for a pass rusher."You know they're going to try to have to find one, or with their cap space buy one," said Kirwan of the Bills. "I always say buy one and draft one. It's no good with just one guy. It's too easy to block it. I mean, if you get one on both sides, now you're in business. I would not, however, take a guy in free agency that's over 26."

 

So there ya go, Bills fans, Kirwan says we need a difference maker TE, a difference maker WR, a pass rusher, and 2-3 young OLmen.

 

Kirwan offers an evaluation of two linebackers of interest who "possesses a similar skill set to that of Lorenzo Alexander."

"I watched the linebackers here at the Senior Bowl and the kid from Wisconsin, Zack Baun, he can play (strong side) or (weak side). I think he can blitz. The Michigan kid, (Joshua) Uche. They can both come off the edge like Alexander did.  ....T hey stay out on the field and convert to an undersized speed rusher. And since you're not going to take one in the first or second round, the way the world is molded today that's a way to add another pass rusher and you can get one of those guys in the third or fourth round that can play."

 

Best show hands down on NFLR.  They almost always give you an interesting perspective.

[Dkollidas]

I prefer to draft O-Linemen later on. Especially this year, I think it’s a bad O-Line class in general. There are just so many guys that have hit that are late rounders or undrafted. I think we just need to keep building the depth and the majority of the group just needs time on task.

 

I think he’s totally correct about edge rushers. Even if they get Shaq back, I think he and Hughes are rotational guys at best. Sign a stud and draft a guy who can rotate with one of Hughes/Lawson, or vice versa, draft a stud and sign a mid level type of player. 
 

I believe they should draft 2 receivers and sign 1 as well. The signee could be as simple a guy as Geronimo Allison., just added competition. But with the depth of this class they need to draft at least two, one in rounds 1-2 and one in rounds 3-5. 
 

As for tight end, if Hooper is willing to come to Buffalo, I’d look into it. He and Knox would be a solid 1/2 punch there. If not, then I’m fine with the group we have for another year. 
 

As for that edge/SLB hybrid spot vacated by Zo, I would love to see either of Baun or Uche. I believe Baun will be a top-40 pick though. Uche should be available in the 3rd or 4th.

 

I also believe running back is a draft need as well. Maybe a day 3 player but someone who can come and contribute behind Singletary. 

[JoPoy88]

It would be nice to have an elite offensive line. Been a loooong time since the bills could say they had one. That’ll help Allen more than anything.

[NewEra]

7 hours ago, ngbills said:

Basically what I wrote in another thread.

 

Draft a WR; Sign AJ Green or Amari Cooper

Sign Hooper or Henry at TE

Sign Yannick

Sign Conklin

Plenty of draft picks to get more OL and other needs. 

Pretty easy....

I’m sure one team will sign the best free agent WR, DE, TE and RT.  

[ALF]

4 hours ago, JoPoy88 said:

It would be nice to have an elite offensive line. Been a loooong time since the bills could say they had one. That’ll help Allen more than anything.

 

That would also help the running game like it did for the 49ers

[bigK14094]

Resigning Spain would be a great move, he was excellent this year.   A proven starter...use some cap space there.  As for receiver, the draft is the way to go.  I am not a Cooper believer and think Green is to injury prone in his later years, so not a fan of signing either.  Edge is critical, and that will be the #1 pick......and, another corner is always a good idea, a bigger on at that who can tackle better than the guys we have now.  And, who knows how much White will cost when the time comes........I am not forecasting how that dialog comes out.

[SoCal Deek]

With their available cash I see them signing one major upgrade on each side of the line of scrimmage. Until those deals are inked all Mocks are really premature. The good news is that there are multiple ways this could play out, and multiple minor holes to fill. The Bills do not need to go ‘all in’ on any one player or roster spot. It’s a good place to be! (For a change) 

[Chuck Schick]

15 hours ago, Utah John said:

We just spent a second round pick on a guy who's right now our backup right guard, because he's not a good right tackle and because our starting right guard is a beast.  That's not a bust but isn't what you want from a second round pick.   Will the Bills invest even more high picks on an area that played well last year?  I would rather see them re-sign Spain and get an upgrade at right tackle in FA.

I think you're jumping the gun on Ford.  It's been so long since we have drafted an o-lineman early AND had huge expectations and pressure to perform, we don't realize how difficult it is for a rookie.  Injuries to Waddell and Nsekhe put him in an even tougher spot.  

I think the dude is going to be a beast in the next couple years. Great, nasty attitude and physical skills, just needs some work.  

[SoCal Deek]

6 minutes ago, Chuck Schick said:

I think you're jumping the gun on Ford.  It's been so long since we have drafted an o-lineman early AND had huge expectations and pressure to perform, we don't realize how difficult it is for a rookie.  Injuries to Waddell and Nsekhe put him in an even tougher spot.  

I think the dude is going to be a beast in the next couple years. Great, nasty attitude and physical skills, just needs some work.  

I agree. People think all you only need to be big to be an O Line regular. They forget that unlike other roster spots the O Line is out there for every snap and is really a choreographed Unit. Much, much harder than a WR who maybe gets targeted three or four times a game and can run a sloppy route or block without most fans ever noticing. Give the kid some time!

[machine gun kelly]

16 hours ago, MJS said:

 

I don't think we need to draft one. I'd sign a veteran in free agency, especially since McDermott wants to have veteran leadership in every position room.

MJS, I know one of the free agency options mentioned in that article this week was Kareem Hunt.  Even with his previous substance abuse suspension and a small personal amt of weed taken from, but not cited by the Police wouldn’t hold Beane back from going after him.  They tried last year, but Cleveland picked him first, and he was a significant compliment to Chub who is much like Singletary.  
 

He is big, powerful, fast, can be elusive, and a good catcher.  I would still keep Yeldon, for his pass catching skills.  He wouldn’t be that expensive, could sign back who we needed, and probably fill some holes like they did last year.  Frees them up in the draft to go after two WR, a TE, and an edge rusher.

[GreggTX]

16 hours ago, 3rdand12 said:

The O line guys. I wonder where McBeanes finds those gems.
Except 1 position i think the Bills have the line in good shape. Draft O line for the future state.

 RT are expensive in FA. Not sure what they do there besides figure out Cody Ford

I like the DE thinking. But yes

 he might be a Witch to pull all that off.
Looking forward very much to offseason(FA)  draft , refining and defining next years roster. 

That must be a given ?
Draft another one later in the draft who compliments Devin and or trade for that as well.

 This is big. About what the running game will look like. Time to dial that up.

 

What OL "gems" are you refering to? Our OL is very average except at RT where Ford really struggled and Nsekhe was often injured as well as being below average. We need to continue to make big upgrades on the OL. I don't think our OL is in "good shape" by far. We've still got a lot of work to do there.

[3rdand12]

44 minutes ago, GreggTX said:

 

What OL "gems" are you refering to? Our OL is very average except at RT where Ford really struggled and Nsekhe was often injured as well as being below average. We need to continue to make big upgrades on the OL. I don't think our OL is in "good shape" by far. We've still got a lot of work to do there.

I worded it poorly. Where can Beanes find us some gems for future state via the draft.

Beane has raised the bar in just one off season the line up to average or better than. and now has depth.

and yes there is work, but is it is no longer a crap fest. another year together will do wonders.

We disagree bu not by much. Fix the RT and the whole line will look better. 

[offyourocker]

17 hours ago, ngbills said:

Basically what I wrote in another thread.

 

Draft a WR; Sign AJ Green or Amari Cooper

Sign Hooper or Henry at TE

Sign Yannick

Sign Conklin

Plenty of draft picks to get more OL and other needs. 

Pretty easy....

sign the top free agent at 4 different positions??? Not gonna happen.  We signed one last year

[HappyDays]

18 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

So there ya go, Bills fans, Kirwan says we need a difference maker TE, a difference maker WR, a pass rusher, and 2-3 young OLmen.

 

We can honestly solve everything this offseason. Sign AJ Green and Ngakoue. Draft the best pass rusher available in the 1st round. Draft a tall WR between rounds 2 and 4 (Mims, Pittman, Colin Johnson, etc.). Draft at least 2 o-linemen after the 1st round. TE does not need to be a big focus, Knox has all the tools to become elite - give him a chance to develop and use this offseason to fill the real holes on the team.

 

Realistically our offseason will not look identical to that outline but I hope it will look similar. We'd come into the 2020 season with a top tier WR and pass rusher, and young players at those positions to learn the ropes from the veterans. I think we will draft competition for Levi Wallace too.

 

I just hope we don't play moneyball this offseason. I'm not saying we need to be reckless like the Rams, but we have the money to pay two top free agents. This year is arguably our biggest Super Bowl window. It's not the time to sit on our hands.

[Formerly Allan in MD]

If the Bills don't find a FA corner and edge guy, I believe they'll go that way with number one.  There should be many good receivers still available in two if we still need one.

[billykay]

17 hours ago, DJB said:

I think we go DE in round 1 and move up in the 2nd round for a WR

IMO, bank on it.

[BillsVet]

20 hours ago, Warcodered said:

If Beane manages to get all that this offseason then he really is a witch and this team could be really terrifying.

 

Only if he floats.  Then again, what also floats?  Small rocks? Churches?  I think a duck also does...and Beane is no duck.  

 

Couldn't resist the Holy Grail reference.

 

Beane clearly isn't a witch.  RIP Terry Jones of Sir Bedevere fame.  

[Hapless Bills Fan]

2 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

We can honestly solve everything this offseason. Sign AJ Green and Ngakoue.

 

I dare not start another "what's up with the love?" thread, but what's up with the AJ Green love?  The man was a genuine difference-maker for Andy Dalton.   Great player. But he's gonna be 32 and hasn't played a full season since 2017.  

 

TBH, I'm not enthralled with the top WR FA.  It's one reason why I think going after a FA TE may provide more value (assuming Atlanta doesn't back up the Brinks for Hooper and/or we satisfy ourselves about Henry's health)

 

57 minutes ago, Formerly Allan in MD said:

If the Bills don't find a FA corner and edge guy, I believe they'll go that way with number one.  There should be many good receivers still available in two if we still need one.

 

IMO....we should re-sign Shaq if at all possible, find a FA edge, AND draft a guy.   Like Beane said, a QB can't damage us much if he's sitting on his butt.

 

I liked Kirwan's comments on "undersized edge rusher" LBs.  I don't know squat about the players he mentioned, but the philosophy made sense.

 

I tend to agree that if they like someone who falls near them at Edge or OL in Rd 1, they'll wait until Rd 2 for WR (much though I hate to say it).  But that's how I parse the talk about "those guys go fast" at edge and "deep class" at WR.

[T master]

I have always liked Brownies knowledge about the game & it's players he seems to be very well versed in not only the game but he definitely has the pulse of what goes on at 1 Bills Drive for sure !!

 

It has to be a life style you have to live, eat ,breath that stuff every day & chaats what he does i know there are people here Bills fans that don't like what he has to say SAY IT AIN'T SO ? but i would tend to give him a bit more credit than just the average fan if for nothing else because it's his job & i believe he's good at what he does !! 

[HappyDays]

21 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

what's up with the AJ Green love?  The man was a genuine difference-maker for Andy Dalton.   Great player. But he's gonna be 32 and hasn't played a full season since 2017.  

 

He is still a #1 even at his age. It also creates a cascade effect for the rest of the receivers. John Brown will be covered by the #2 CB and we can stop pretending Cole Beasley can play outside. 

 

Green isn't in his prime but as a stopgap/veteran presence for our draft pick he's a perfect fit. And I think his injuries have a lot to do with Cincinnati's awful facilities. Our medical and training facilities are second to none.

 

I've seen 2 very reputable posters say the Bills tried to trade for Green but Mike Brown nixed the deal. So I actually expect us to sign him IF Cincinnati lets him go. That's the only question in my mind.

[ChasBB]

Nice to have 9 picks! ...

   1st Rnd - 1

   2nd Rnd - 1

   3rd Rnd - 1

   4th Rnd - 1

   5th Rnd - 3 (additional picks from Cleveland & New England)

   6th Rnd - 2 (additional pick from Cleveland)

   7th Rnd - 0 (gave up pick to Cleveland)

 

Can still pick up quality talent in 5th round to develop - great to have 3 picks there and/or use to trade up with.

[buffalover4life]

Easy! Add Hunter Henry, Yannick Ngakoue, trade next years first, with this years first. CeeDee Lamb@ #9-10. Resign the O-line and add depth to the OL with the 2nd and 3rd pick, draft another RB in the 4th round.

 

Make a real run at it next year with a schedule that should supply enough adversity to galvanize the football team. 

 

Time to start swinging for the fence in the final 2-3 years of Josh Allens rookie contract