Bills prospect Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu

[YoloinOhio]

 

Edited February 21, 2021 by YoloinOhio

[Weatherman]

I’m good with it as long as the pass rush and OL are well addressed in FA

[patzen]

I don't know much about this player specifically, but I do love the idea of getting a corner early to pair with Tre. I know there's a lot of different directions we could go but that's definitely a strong option. The corner room would look pretty solid with Tre, Levi, Dane and a first round rookie. 

[HappyDays]

Meh, I don't see the need for us to draft a CB early. CB2 isn't that critical in McDermott's scheme. I'd be fine with Jackson, Wallace, and EJ Gaines in an open competition for CB2 next year. Keep drafting them on day 3. We have much bigger needs to address early in the draft.

Edited February 18, 2021 by HappyDays

[Process]

Hate the idea of taking a CB at 30. We are already young at the position, sign a vet in FA if we want more depth. Sherman may be somewhat washed up but he's a perfect fit for this defense. 

 

We need another playmaker for Josh or front 7 of we go defense. 

[FireChans]

His brother sucked

[YoloinOhio]

Anyone know his speed/athleticism  

[whatdrought]

3 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

Meh, I don't see the need for us to draft a CB early. CB2 isn't that critical in McDermott's scheme. I'd be fine with Jackson, Wallace, and EJ Gaines in an open competition for CB2 next year. Keep drafting them on day 3. We have much bigger needs to address early in the draft.

EJ Gaines tore his Achilles trying to read this. 

[HappyDays]

1 minute ago, whatdrought said:

EJ Gaines tore his Achilles trying to read this. 

 

Yeah I wouldn't necessarily expect him to make it through the season, but I'm fine with Wallace and Jackson this season if it comes to it. If we're drafting defense the front 7 needs to be the priority. Secondary is all set.

Edited February 18, 2021 by HappyDays

[LEBills]

Man, I remember when his brother Obi blew up the combine, was drafted by the raiders in the second round and promptly was a bust.

 

He may be a better player but probably can get a better player at 30. Though I do think we will draft a few CBs this year.

[Process]

2 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

Yeah I wouldn't necessarily expect him to make it through the season, but I'm fine with Wallace and Jackson this season if it comes to it. If we're drafting defense the front 7 needs to be the priority. Secondary is all set.

Gaines was cut. He's not on the team.

[whatdrought]

2 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

Yeah I wouldn't necessarily expect him to make it through the season, but I'm fine with Wallace and Jackson this season if it comes to it. If we're drafting defense the front 7 needs to be the priority. Secondary is all set.

I’m not sure I agree on that for the simple fact of getting value where it exists. CB2 is a relative need, and if the value is there, you pull the trigger.

 

As for Melifonwu- I’m not a tape junkie, but what I’ve read/seen/heard of him is that his size and athleticism is a very nice setup. He offers some upside covering TE’s as well.

 

 

My two later round CB crushes are Israel Mukuamu from SC, and Kelvin Joseph from Kentucky.

[HappyDays]

31 minutes ago, Process said:

Gaines was cut. He's not on the team.

 

I bet we end up signing him for the vet minimum or a little higher. Two seasons in a row McDermott tried to make him a part of the team after seeing him play in 2017. Clearly he thinks he's a fit. Whether he can actually make it through a season is a fair question...

[LABILLBACKER]

43 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

Meh, I don't see the need for us to draft a CB early. CB2 isn't that critical in McDermott's scheme. I'd be fine with Jackson, Wallace, and EJ Gaines in an open competition for CB2 next year. Keep drafting them on day 3. We have much bigger needs to address early in the draft.

Our greatest need is a pass rusher. If Watt snubs us then you absolutely have to use FA better then the swing & miss on guys like Murphy and Addison. I don't know if Ngakoue or Hendrickson are the answers but drafting a late 1st or 2nd rounder is so risky. I do like Basham alot....

[Virgil]

I feel like it’s impossible to think about the draft until I know who they plan to keep or let go in Free Agency. 
 

We may have much larger pressing concerns 

[whorlnut]

30 is WAY too early for corner imo. We have guys that can compete and play well for CB2. Dane Jackson played well when he got snaps. 
 

Get me a playmaker on offense, an offensive tackle, or a twitchy edge at 30. We need to be able to keep up with the chiefs in a shootout. We also might lose Daryl Williams in FA so we will need a RT. 
 

As far as edge goes...if we can’t get a twitchy guy that can set the edge and terrorize the qb, then please don’t take one. We already have a slug in Epenesa. Please don’t draft the same player two years in a row with our first pick. We already drafted similar running backs two years in a row and we are still at a need for that position. 

Edited February 18, 2021 by whorlnut

[Seoulofstone]

44 minutes ago, LEBills said:

Man, I remember when his brother Obi blew up the combine, was drafted by the raiders in the second round and promptly was a bust.

 

He may be a better player but probably can get a better player at 30. Though I do think we will draft a few CBs this year.

 

  I hated that Obi went to the raiders. He was all traits but needed a lot of work. Terrible landing spot. His brother may take a lesson from Obi's mistakes, but of course he can't control where he goes. We know that the NFL values traits so I wouldn't be surprised if he gets pushed up the board in a weak CB class. 

  I actually think the Bills would be a good fit but #30 is a bit high for me.

[GunnerBill]

Disagree with those who hate the idea of a corner at #30. I think it is a need and a significant one. After edge and possibly tackle if Williams isn't back it is the best use of the pick matching value and need. 

 

Don't love the player. I have a high 3rd on him I think. If we are drafting a corner a real athlete with speed is the type I think we should target. I actually think Melifonwu might end up a safety at the NFL level.

 

EDIT: should clarify the first para is in theory. In practice I don't love this corner class. The top 3 will be gone and Greg Newsome is the only other guy I'd even consider in the first. Melifonwu and Samuel and Robinson and the other corners I have seen mocked to us there.... no thanks.

 

The idea I most hate though is that we spend #30 on a will linebacker or a guard. That is just bad positional value. 

Edited February 19, 2021 by GunnerBill

[glazeduck]

1 hour ago, HappyDays said:

Meh, I don't see the need for us to draft a CB early. CB2 isn't that critical in McDermott's scheme. I'd be fine with Jackson, Wallace, and EJ Gaines in an open competition for CB2 next year. Keep drafting them on day 3. We have much bigger needs to address early in the draft.

It's worth pointing out that the folks making the decision of who to select are also the folks who have firsthand knowledge of how our defensive schemes and playcalling had to (or didn't have to) adjust to accommodate for a deficiency at CB2. Better coverage improves the pass rush; better pass rush improves coverage -- that sort of thing.

I guess what I'm saying is just because it's perceived to be a lesser role in the defense, does not mean that it isn't/wasn't an issue, and didn't attribute to other positions where there are also perceived issues... It's also not factoring in free agency (more decisions the same people get to make!!!) and offhand, it's looking like DL free agency will be more robust than CB...

[4merper4mer]

With a name like Ifeatu, Rex would have been all over this kid.

[CuseBill]

I've watched this kid alot and he's the real deal.  Good size, great athleticism and speed and a solid tackler.  Has a good nose for the ball.  Was a standout on a subpar defense and played well against a lot of good ACC talent. 

[mannc]

2 hours ago, FireChans said:

His brother sucked

Was wondering about that...

[Freddie's Dead]

I like it.  This guy will probably replace Tarvaris Jackson for most misspelled Bills name of all time.

[YoloinOhio]

1 hour ago, Freddie's Dead said:

I like it.  This guy will probably replace Tarvaris Jackson for most misspelled Bills name of all time.

I never could spell that one OT’s name - he was the one who got arrested for running through the woods naked or something. Cyrus ? From bama. Drafted in 2nd round like 2014 ish

[Hapless Bills Fan]

5 hours ago, HappyDays said:

Meh, I don't see the need for us to draft a CB early. CB2 isn't that critical in McDermott's scheme. I'd be fine with Jackson, Wallace, and EJ Gaines in an open competition for CB2 next year. Keep drafting them on day 3. We have much bigger needs to address early in the draft.

Gaines was released at the end of January.

 

Levi Wallace is a FA - what kind of contract do you want the Bills to offer him?

[Freddie's Dead]

21 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

I never could spell that one OT’s name - he was the one who got arrested for running through the woods naked or something. Cyrus ? From bama. Drafted in 2nd round like 2014 ish

 

Kouandjio.  I had to look it up, I got the ji backwards.

[Milanos Milano]

30 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

I never could spell that one OT’s name - he was the one who got arrested for running through the woods naked or something. Cyrus ? From bama. Drafted in 2nd round like 2014 ish

I could never spell Trent Edwar’s name right. I’d always check down before completing his name. 

[YoloinOhio]

Just now, IronMaidenBills said:

I could never spell Trent Edwar’s name right. I’d always check down before completing his name. 

Dad jokes, you have 

[Thurman#1]

6 hours ago, Process said:

Hate the idea of taking a CB at 30. We are already young at the position, sign a vet in FA if we want more depth. Sherman may be somewhat washed up but he's a perfect fit for this defense. 

 

We need another playmaker for Josh or front 7 of we go defense. 

 

 

I don't know if they pick this guy, but when we faced KC, we couldn't face them with much man to man, we just didn't have the speed. This might help us match up with them better.

 

Of course, so would a pass rusher.

[aristocrat]

He’s got the size that’s for sure. I want a physical guy who tackles like Winfield. 

[Kmart128]

While he was a solid player for us he is in no way worth a 1st round pick. He was the 3rd best player in our secondary after Cisco and Trill. Melinfonwu just never lived up to his hype. He should be a 4th round prospect at best and thats just because of his size, athletism, and potential

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, Kmart128 said:

While he was a solid player for us he is in no way worth a 1st round pick. He was the 3rd best player in our secondary after Cisco and Trill. Melinfonwu just never lived up to his hype. He should be a 4th round prospect at best and thats just because of his size, athletism, and potential

 

I have a third on him but that is based really on the fact I think he might make a nice safety down the road. Agree he is nowhere close to a 1st rounder. 

[HOUSE]

I don't want any Ifeatu on my team. WTF

[Beerball]

Is it time for a pinned "who have they met with" thread?

 

https://13wham.com/buffalo-plus/bills-latest-news/bills-contact-ub-running-back-jaret-patterson

[Buffalo03]

We should on draft guys who's name we can pronounce

[SoCal Deek]

This is one of those positions where you’ll have to see who’s still on the board at 30. If their other top prospects are gone I could see a CB being taken. (Assuming he’s graded as a first round talent.) CB is one of the positions that plays every down in the modern NFL, and with Tre locking down the other side you could put the opponent in a real jam by locking down the other side as well. Add to it that Tre is already under contract, you’d be set for years! 

[CuseBill]

Just to be clear, when I posted above that he is the "real deal", I have no idea whether he is first round talent or not because obviously that involves how he compares to every other draft eligible player at every position.  I don't watch that much college football to make that kind of analysis.  I do think he has the talent to play in the NFL and I do think he would fit into the Bills' defense.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

1 hour ago, Buffalo03 said:

We should on draft guys who's name we can pronounce

We can nickname him 'Iffy'.

*
Too many may think 'Ifeatu' is a latter day name version of 'He Hate Me'.

[DCOrange]

15 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

Anyone know his speed/athleticism  

He's got a chance at sneaking into the 4.4's which is very good considering he's also 6'2"-6'3". He's a really good athlete like his brother was. Not sure he's worth a 1st round pick, but as a Cuse alum, it's nice to have multiple players with a good chance of being drafted this year.

 

I don't think he's a Year 1 impact guy but I think he's a pretty good fit in our scheme. He flashes pretty much all of the skills that we look for in our corners and I think he could be converted to a safety if it doesn't work out at corner too.

 

Kind of weird that Syracuse has three draftable DBs this year despite the team as a whole being horrendous. The defense was definitely betrayed by arguably the worst offense in the country, but the defense wasn't great either.

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, DCOrange said:

He's got a chance at sneaking into the 4.4's which is very good considering he's also 6'2"-6'3". He's a really good athlete like his brother was. Not sure he's worth a 1st round pick, but as a Cuse alum, it's nice to have multiple players with a good chance of being drafted this year.

 

I don't think he's a Year 1 impact guy but I think he's a pretty good fit in our scheme. He flashes pretty much all of the skills that we look for in our corners and I think he could be converted to a safety if it doesn't work out at corner too.

 

Kind of weird that Syracuse has three draftable DBs this year despite the team as a whole being horrendous. The defense was definitely betrayed by arguably the worst offense in the country, but the defense wasn't great either.

 

Interesting on tape he doesn't look like a 4.4 guy to me. I actually wrote "average speed" in my notes on him. Certainly didn't look to me like he played that fast. I think safety is his future in the NFL.