Aiyuk undergoes surgery: could he fall to us?

[ny33]

I personally think that, between Foster, Duke, and McKenzie, we have a solid back end of the roster, and don’t need to take a prospect as I believe one of them could become a solid third option over the next year or two. They’re also better than the back end of most WRs rooms, though obviously weren’t good enough as 2nd options on the outside last year. 

 

Aiyuk could fall to our pick in the 2nd or even be available in the early third as part of a trade up. He’s a good returner and could let us cut Roberts, keeping developmental WRs at the 4th and 5th (or even 6th) spots. I’d love to get the BPA at o-line (maybe John Simpson), RB, or “Buffalo nickel” with our 2nd, and trade up in the third if he falls. If his injury requires recovery time, we could stash him on IR to return and see how the returning backup WRs do. 

[Bangarang]

He won’t be available.
 

And how does one come to the conclusion that Foster, Duke and McKenzie are better than the back half of most WR rooms? Foster and Duke are fringe NFL players. 
 

 

[MJS]

Duke went through waivers last year and nobody picked him up. Foster did his first year and nobody picked him up. McKenzie was just cut and nobody picked him up. I don't see evidence that those three are considered to be a solid "back end".

 

I like McKenzie for his special teams ability and his speed on gadget plays. Honestly I wouldn't even notice if Foster and Duke were gone.

Edited April 8, 2020 by MJS

[Doc]

2 minutes ago, MJS said:

Duke went through waivers last year and nobody picked him up. Foster did his first year and nobody picked him up. McKenzie was just cut and nobody picked him up. I don't see evidence that those three are considered to be a solid "back end".

 

I like McKenzie for his special teams ability and his speed on gadget plays. Honestly I wouldn't even notice if Foster and Duke were gone.

 

McK barely played on STs.  And his entire career still isn't as productive as what Foster's was in the 2018.  And while Foster was put on waiver prior to his rookie season, he hasn't been since, unlike the other guys.

[thebandit27]

That would be spectacular. I’d be shocked if he gets by the Packers though.

[Doc]

13 minutes ago, thebandit27 said:

That would be spectacular. I’d be shocked if he gets by the Packers though.

 

I'm still predicting a run on WRs at the top of the 2nd.  A lot of teams at the top of the 1st won't be going WR.

[SWATeam]

Generally, I think, if a position group is considered especially deep- teams wait and fill other shallower needs first.  I think we can still get a first round WR talent at the end of round 2

[Mat68]

With depth in this class he could go to rd 3 or 4th.  I assume teams are going to be alot more conservative with injury concerns.

[CapeBreton]

I assume it was a sports hernia so I can’t see that causing him to slide. He is getting some first round hype so I think it’s a long shot he is available for us. Would love to get him though, he’s going to be a weapon. 

[Paup 1995MVP]

Why draft a guy who just had surgery?  Especially if its a Sports Hernia type procedure.  (remember the legendary Kolbe Listenbee from TCU-that never worked out)  And especially with the shortened off season team activities.  There are many other good skill players that will be available that are healthy going into the draft.  

 

And you really can't be serious when you say that Foster Duke and McKenzie are a solid back end of the WR group.  Foster has a whole lot to prove.  The guy caught 3 passes last season.  He looked lost on the field.  Duke isn't bad but he has a lot of work to do to be part of the mix on a regular basis.  And I like McKenzie as a gadget guy, but not a true WR.  I am not sure how much upside any of the 3 really have.  But we can always hope.

 

And explain to me why so many are gung ho about the "Big Nickel" player on our defense.  Do other teams use this so called player?  I don't think that is what has been missing from our team under McDermott.  How is Dugger or Chinn going to make us a better Super Bowl Contender?  I think offense has been missing a whole lot more.  

[RoyBatty is alive]

5 minutes ago, Paup 1995MVP said:

Why draft a guy who just had surgery?  Especially if its a Sports Hernia type procedure.  (remember the legendary Kolbe Listenbee from TCU-that never worked out)  And especially with the shortened off season team activities.  There are many other good skill players that will be available that are healthy going into the draft.  

 

And you really can't be serious when you say that Foster Duke and McKenzie are a solid back end of the WR group.  Foster has a whole lot to prove.  The guy caught 3 passes last season.  He looked lost on the field.  Duke isn't bad but he has a lot of work to do to be part of the mix on a regular basis.  And I like McKenzie as a gadget guy, but not a true WR.  I am not sure how much upside any of the 3 really have.  But we can always hope.

 

And explain to me why so many are gung ho about the "Big Nickel" player on our defense.  Do other teams use this so called player?  I don't think that is what has been missing from our team under McDermott.  How is Dugger or Chinn going to make us a better Super Bowl Contender?  I think offense has been missing a whole lot more.  

Agree with everything you say about WRs.

[Doc]

1 hour ago, SWATeam said:

Generally, I think, if a position group is considered especially deep- teams wait and fill other shallower needs first.  I think we can still get a first round WR talent at the end of round 2

 

Judging by what I've seen in past drafts, the deeper positions go at the top of the 2nd because teams believe they're getting 1st round value in the 2nd and don't want to wait and miss out.

[maryland-bills-fan]

I always get cynical when somebody says that there will be  2 or 3 times the number of players at a position THIS YEAR compared to other years.   I wonder if that is a herd mentality or experts quoting experts to build up a false narrative that everyone agrees on.   You might think that players would jockey the year they made themselves available in order to get in the $$$ first round.

 

If there are 15 -20 wide receivers getting drafted in the first two rounds AND we are looking for depth, realize that there are going to be 25-30 or so veteran WR getting dumped into the waiver wire or younger players stashed on practice squads.   There will be film on the waived veterans and we can get a known quality.   A "project" guy can be taken off the waiver wire and stashed on the depth chart  on the roster.  There are two more positions available there this year.   There is more than one way to play the game.  Remember the 3 draft picks we got by trading marginal OL depth.

[Hampton Josh fan]

2 hours ago, MJS said:

Duke went through waivers last year and nobody picked him up. Foster did his first year and nobody picked him up. McKenzie was just cut and nobody picked him up. I don't see evidence that those three are considered to be a solid "back end".

 

I like McKenzie for his special teams ability and his speed on gadget plays. Honestly I wouldn't even notice if Foster and Duke were gone.

Remember Duke was essentially a rookie and produced in limited action. I like him because he makes plays in traffic and gets separation (ie Jets and Houston) Sometimes a guy like Duke benefit from a better receiver corp

[OldTimer1960]

1 hour ago, SWATeam said:

Generally, I think, if a position group is considered especially deep- teams wait and fill other shallower needs first.  I think we can still get a first round WR talent at the end of round 2

I think that there will be good WR prospects available at 54, but “first round WR talent” at 54 is, I suspect, a bit optimistic.  There is a possibility that someone like Shenault that is coming off injury, has injury history and hasn’t been able to work out or be medically checked might be available, but I don’t think that will be enough to entice them.

 

I just can’t see the Bills taking WR in 2nd after spending their 1st on WR (Diggs), Unless there is a WR at 54 that is rated SO much higher than who is available at other positions.  I think that rating gap would have to be pretty wide to entice them to spend their 2nd on WR.

Edited April 8, 2020 by OldTimer1960

[Charles Romes]

Duke looked like a 5-6 in the playoff game when we needed him to be 3. 

[NewEra]

2 hours ago, ny33 said:

I personally think that, between Foster, Duke, and McKenzie, we have a solid back end of the roster, and don’t need to take a prospect as I believe one of them could become a solid third option over the next year or two. They’re also better than the back end of most WRs rooms, though obviously weren’t good enough as 2nd options on the outside last year. 

 

Aiyuk could fall to our pick in the 2nd or even be available in the early third as part of a trade up. He’s a good returner and could let us cut Roberts, keeping developmental WRs at the 4th and 5th (or even 6th) spots. I’d love to get the BPA at o-line (maybe John Simpson), RB, or “Buffalo nickel” with our 2nd, and trade up in the third if he falls. If his injury requires recovery time, we could stash him on IR to return and see how the returning backup WRs do. 

I’d prefer if only one of those guys made the team tbh.  Allowing those guys to compete against each other for 4th-6th wr doesn’t create any competition.  We better add another WR that’s better than those 3 imo.  Seems like such disparity in talent between the 3rd wr and the 4th

[hjnick]

3 hours ago, ny33 said:

I personally think that, between Foster, Duke, and McKenzie, we have a solid back end of the roster, and don’t need to take a prospect as I believe one of them could become a solid third option over the next year or two. They’re also better than the back end of most WRs rooms, though obviously weren’t good enough as 2nd options on the outside last year. 

 

Aiyuk could fall to our pick in the 2nd or even be available in the early third as part of a trade up. He’s a good returner and could let us cut Roberts, keeping developmental WRs at the 4th and 5th (or even 6th) spots. I’d love to get the BPA at o-line (maybe John Simpson), RB, or “Buffalo nickel” with our 2nd, and trade up in the third if he falls. If his injury requires recovery time, we could stash him on IR to return and see how the returning backup WRs do. 

I think you are missing the point on why we would draft a WR in the 2nd or 3rd round this year.  Supposedly, the WR talent level is very deep this year.

 

I'm not looking for a WR to be 3, 4, or 5 this year, I'm looking for him to be #1 or #2 next year (or at least compete with those guys).

[BillsVet]

3 hours ago, MJS said:

Duke went through waivers last year and nobody picked him up. Foster did his first year and nobody picked him up. McKenzie was just cut and nobody picked him up. I don't see evidence that those three are considered to be a solid "back end".

 

I like McKenzie for his special teams ability and his speed on gadget plays. Honestly I wouldn't even notice if Foster and Duke were gone.

 

Bills fans typically over-value their players compared to the market.  Still a need to take a WR who can play this draft given that their depth beyond Beasley is player who've been consistent in the passing game.

 

[papazoid]

saw him in a mock go in 1st round

 

i'll say early 2nd

 

 

[RoyBatty is alive]

1 hour ago, Hampton Josh fan said:

Remember Duke was essentially a rookie and produced in limited action. I like him because he makes plays in traffic and gets separation (ie Jets and Houston) Sometimes a guy like Duke benefit from a better receiver corp

 

I want Duke to succeed as much as any player i can recall, great come back story BUT he when he had his shot when it was most critical to  making a tough but very catchable TD he didn't.  Had he made that TD catch vs Houston we most likely win that game.

[DCOrange]

3 hours ago, thebandit27 said:

That would be spectacular. I’d be shocked if he gets by the Packers though.

I'm really curious to see what the Packers end up doing. I think Michael Pittman is a really good fit for them, though people that are not me would probably say that's too early for him. I think he checks all of the boxes the Packers and LaFleur are generally looking for though.

[Paup 1995MVP]

1 hour ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

Agree with everything you say about WRs.

Thanks man.  Who is Roy Batty btw?

[RoyBatty is alive]

33 minutes ago, Paup 1995MVP said:

Thanks man.  Who is Roy Batty btw?

 

Interesting, you are the only one to ever ask.  He is one of the main  protagonists in Blade Runner as portrayed by Rutger Hauer, here is his death scene

 

[Hampton Josh fan]

1 hour ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

 

I want Duke to succeed as much as any player i can recall, great come back story BUT he when he had his shot when it was most critical to  making a tough but very catchable TD he didn't.  Had he made that TD catch vs Houston we most likely win that game.

That would have cemented his spot going forward.  It would have been a great grab, but he did get two hands on  it. Maybe I'm being a fan, but I want to see him go to camp and compete for a spot. Easy guy to root for. 

[LABILLBACKER]

2 hours ago, maryland-bills-fan said:

I always get cynical when somebody says that there will be  2 or 3 times the number of players at a position THIS YEAR compared to other years.   I wonder if that is a herd mentality or experts quoting experts to build up a false narrative that everyone agrees on.   You might think that players would jockey the year they made themselves available in order to get in the $$$ first round.

 

If there are 15 -20 wide receivers getting drafted in the first two rounds AND we are looking for depth, realize that there are going to be 25-30 or so veteran WR getting dumped into the waiver wire or younger players stashed on practice squads.   There will be film on the waived veterans and we can get a known quality.   A "project" guy can be taken off the waiver wire and stashed on the depth chart  on the roster.  There are two more positions available there this year.   There is more than one way to play the game.  Remember the 3 draft picks we got by trading marginal OL depth.

55 wrs were invited to the combine. Most experts expect 35-45 wrs drafted. That would make this one of the deepest classes in 20 years. It would be foolish not to select at least 1 wr in this draft considering the age of Brown & Beasley. Who knows what becomes of Foster or Duke even though I think Duke has more upside.

[John from Riverside]

4 hours ago, Bangarang said:

He won’t be available.
 

And how does one come to the conclusion that Foster, Duke and McKenzie are better than the back half of most WR rooms? Foster and Duke are fringe NFL players. 
 

 

Because a lot of teams back half of rosters are fringe NFL players?

 

I mean....I WOULD like them to be better then that but......all teams face that problem

[Doc]

2 minutes ago, Hampton Josh fan said:

That would have cemented his spot going forward.  It would have been a great grab, but he did get two hands on  it. Maybe I'm being a fan, but I want to see him go to camp and compete for a spot. Easy guy to root for. 

 

From what I recall, it was a perfect pass.  It was very disappointing to see him muff it.

[Hampton Josh fan]

8 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

From what I recall, it was a perfect pass.  It was very disappointing to see him muff it.

Maybe he should have, but if you watch that 4th qtr., JA was looking for Duke and he was the only one getting separation. At the risk of sounding irrational, I think the rookie needs another look. 

[Doc]

3 minutes ago, Hampton Josh fan said:

Maybe he should have, but if you watch that 4th qtr., JA was looking for Duke and he was the only one getting separation. At the risk of sounding irrational, I think the rookie needs another look. 

 

I'd have to see the play again.  And I'm all for bringing him back and giving him a chance to compete.

[LABILLBACKER]

16 minutes ago, Hampton Josh fan said:

Maybe he should have, but if you watch that 4th qtr., JA was looking for Duke and he was the only one getting separation. At the risk of sounding irrational, I think the rookie needs another look. 

I'm not going to judge Duke on that one play. What little we saw of him last year he made contested catches that Zay couldn't dream of making. I honestly don't see Foster, Easley or RayRay making this team. And if I had a choice between Aiyuk or Claypool @ 54 I'd take Brandon. This would allow McB to flex him as a KR/PR over Roberts if they choose that route?

[Hampton Josh fan]

19 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

I'm not going to judge Duke on that one play. What little we saw of him last year he made contested catches that Zay couldn't dream of making. I honestly don't see Foster, Easley or RayRay making this team. And if I had a choice between Aiyuk or Claypool @ 54 I'd take Brandon. This would allow McB to flex him as a KR/PR over Roberts if they choose that route?

I would go Claypool , and that would be pretty formidable. If Knox developed, wow.

[Bangarang]

1 hour ago, John from Riverside said:

Because a lot of teams back half of rosters are fringe NFL players?

 

I mean....I WOULD like them to be better then that but......all teams face that problem

That’s kinda my point...

 

Saying our bottom 3 WRs are better than most bottom 3 WR rooms is silly. They are jags just like pretty much all the bottom 3 guys on every other team.

[Troll Toll]

1 hour ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

 

Interesting, you are the only one to ever ask.  He is one of the main  protagonists in Blade Runner as portrayed by Rutger Hauer, here is his death scene

 

One of my absolute favorite movies!

[Billl]

3 hours ago, Hampton Josh fan said:

Remember Duke was essentially a rookie and produced in limited action. I like him because he makes plays in traffic and gets separation (ie Jets and Houston) Sometimes a guy like Duke benefit from a better receiver corp

Guys like Duke become insurance salesmen from better receiving corps.

[Beast]

6 hours ago, Bangarang said:

He won’t be available.
 

And how does one come to the conclusion that Foster, Duke and McKenzie are better than the back half of most WR rooms? Foster and Duke are fringe NFL players. 
 

 

Is Williams a fringe NFL player? I seem to remember him having the most targets in our last playoff game.

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

2 hours ago, DCOrange said:

I'm really curious to see what the Packers end up doing. I think Michael Pittman is a really good fit for them, though people that are not me would probably say that's too early for him. I think he checks all of the boxes the Packers and LaFleur are generally looking for though.

I agree with you.  He's a faster version of a young Randall Cobb.  He's a versatile player that can play in the slot or outside.  He can go deep and is a good YAC guy on shorter routes.  I don't expect him to be around at pick 54 but he would be a great value there.  I'm not sure that Beane will be locked into any particular position on day two.  He'll be looking for value that will improve the roster.  IMHO he'll be looking for guys that fall and for whom he has a higher draft grade than where they are available.  In the past, this has prompted him to trade up.

[BuffaloRebound]

There’s definitely room for a Reagor, Aiyuk, Shenault, Hamler type guy to see the field a lot this season.  I’d prefer one of those guys in the 2nd and a downhill physical RB like Moss in the 3rd.  

Edited April 8, 2020 by BuffaloRebound

[Bangarang]

1 minute ago, Binghamton Beast said:

Is Williams a fringe NFL player? I seem to remember him having the most targets in our last playoff game.

Seriously? Yes, he’s still a fringe NFL player despite having the most targets in 1 game. ?

[Beast]

5 minutes ago, Bangarang said:

Seriously? Yes, he’s still a fringe NFL player despite having the most targets in 1 game. ?

Yeah, seriously. Nice emoji.