Bills keen on Alabama RB Najee Harris, per NBC Sports and Tony Pauline

[Bray Wyatt]

2 minutes ago, Virgil said:

I just don’t get the love for this kid.  He doesn’t have NFL speed to me.  

Rumor has it he can run sub 4.4, read an article saying he ran a 4.45 at Alabama last year, that’s plenty of speed especially for his size 

[mannc]

4 minutes ago, The Governor said:

They’re going to trade up.

I suspect so, either in the first or second round.  But they don't have the ammunition to move up very far.

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

This would be a helluva early give-up on Moss. He's supposed to be an all-around back, too.

[Governor]

1 minute ago, mannc said:

I suspect so, either in the first or second round.  But they don't have the ammunition to move up very far.

They’ll have to get ahead of the Steelers if they want him. 

7 minutes ago, Success said:

Sign me up.

 

But there is really zero way to know what they'll do.  As has been stated, the current braintrust enjoys the smokescreen concept.

 

People keep saying this but there hasn’t been a single pre-draft smokescreen from this regime.

[OldTimer1960]

I can’t tell if Harris is really good or not.  His OL was so dominant that he was untouched on many big plays.  He will definitely not be running through holes like he had at Alabama anywhere in the NFL and for sure not behind the Bills’ OL.

[ExWNYer]

16 minutes ago, Max Fischer said:

I don't believe any reports that claim inside knowledge of what the Bills will do. Any leaked information out of One Bills Drive was likely done on purpose to create more favorable trading terms.

 

 

 

14 minutes ago, Max Fischer said:

 

I'd say there was heavy "speculation" but I don't recall any reporter claiming to know what the Bills were going to do.  If I remember correctly, few fans and media had Josh Allen as the Bills prime target, and Ed Oliver was more logic than inside knowledge. 

 

Agree. Leaks rarely, if ever, come out of the Bills FO unless they purposely want something out there. They are as tight-lipped as it gets. They are taking an Edge or CB, IMO. I don't see a RB in the 1st Round. There will be better value at other positions.

[biggerdaddynj]

To those of you at TBD who are much more football savvy than me, I’m a layman, no shame admitting that.  How do you feel about our run blocking and which type of RB to take and when?  

 

As a layman, at 30 I like going BPA and from what I’ve read and heard in various outlets, there’s not much difference between 30 and the next dozen (though if Harris is there great but I think we have to move up and I’d rather go down a little for an extra 3rd, get a big 1 technique DT earlier than later—here’s the Drafttek pick value link:  https://www.drafttek.com/NFL-Trade-Value-Chart.asp)

 

Running behind a ‘Bama line and running behind the run blocking line we have is very different (our OL is last year’s, I assume with Ford, who many don’t seem to feel is the player we moved up to draft—as an OT mind you—think the Williams re-signing puts that to bed).

[Logic]

1 minute ago, OldTimer1960 said:

I can’t tell if Harris is really good or not.  His OL was so dominant that he was untouched on many big plays.  He will definitely not be running through holes like he had at Alabama anywhere in the NFL and for sure not behind the Bills’ OL.

Fair.

 

What intrigues me about Harris is the speed and pass game ability he has at his size.

 

He’s not JUST a power back, IMO. He has the speed to get to the edge and he’s smooth in the passing game.

 

Again: I’m not passionate about it one way or the other. But if they want a potentially Pro Bowl level RB on a rookie contract for five years, I’m not gonna freak out. It’s not as if we didn’t all just watch our franchise QB be our ENTIRE running game in the playoffs.

[HOUSE]

Did the article say who we like in 2023 ?

 

This is very important reading

[streetkings01]

If we draft a RB in the 1st I’m thinking that means Singletary is gone. They seemed to trust Moss a lot more last season than Singletary.

Edited March 26, 2021 by streetkings01

[4thandGoal]

Again we dont need a RB,,, we need defensive line and a CB --- then maybe we can think of RB... 

[DrDawkinstein]

13 minutes ago, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

This would be a helluva early give-up on Moss. He's supposed to be an all-around back, too.

 

I'd imagine Harris at #30 means he's coming in as #1 RB, which then means he replaces Singletary.

 

Harris as your every-down back.

Moss as the change of pace thumper

Breida as the change of pace speeder

2 minutes ago, 4thandGoal said:

Again we dont need a RB,,, we need defensive line and a CB --- then maybe we can think of RB... 

 

Beane will likely go more towards BPA than reaching for a need. And for the talent in this draft, it looks more like an RB will be the smart pick late in the 1st than reaching for a second-tier DL. But anything is possible. Especially at #30.

[Logic]

Again I’ll say...

 

For being fans of a team whose franchise QB was their entire running game in the playoffs last year, Bills Mafia sure is hostile to the idea of adding a potentially elite RB.

 

I get the argument. “Poor value in the 1st”, “it’s the blocking”, etc, etc...

 

I’m just saying that there are worse things than getting elite running back play on a rookie deal (and for five years, too, since you get the fifth round option on 1st rounders). You’d think not having our star QB have to double as our RB1 would be a GOOD thing!

[Governor]

8 minutes ago, Logic said:

Again I’ll say...

 

For being fans of a team whose franchise QB was their entire running game in the playoffs last year, Bills Mafia sure is hostile to the idea of adding a potentially elite RB.

 

I get the argument. “Poor value in the 1st”, “it’s the blocking”, etc, etc...

 

I’m just saying that there are worse things than getting elite running back play on a rookie deal (and for five years, too, since you get the fifth round option on 1st rounders). You’d think not having our star QB have to double as our RB1 would be a GOOD thing!

People are just being silly. Value doesn’t matter at all this year. We need 2 players from this draft that will help us get to the next step. It doesn’t matter at all “where” we draft these players.

 

The  only smokescreen here would be getting Javonte NC to slip to us. We’re definitely taking a RB.

Edited March 26, 2021 by The Governor

[OldTimer1960]

20 minutes ago, Logic said:

Fair.

 

What intrigues me about Harris is the speed and pass game ability he has at his size.

 

He’s not JUST a power back, IMO. He has the speed to get to the edge and he’s smooth in the passing game.

 

Again: I’m not passionate about it one way or the other. But if they want a potentially Pro Bowl level RB on a rookie contract for five years, I’m not gonna freak out. It’s not as if we didn’t all just watch our franchise QB be our ENTIRE running game in the playoffs.

I won’t be distraught if they pick Harris, but I am skeptical that he will be more than an average NFL back, especially with the Bills weak run blocking OL.  With the re-signing of Williams and Feliciano, it isn’t likely that the run blocking is going to be much better in 2021.

[ExWNYer]

1 minute ago, Logic said:

Again I’ll say...

 

For being fans of a team whose franchise QB was their entire running game in the playoffs last year, Bills Mafia sure is hostile to the idea of adding a potentially elite RB.

 

I get the argument. “Poor value in the 1st”, “it’s the blocking”, etc, etc...

 

I’m just saying that there are worse things than getting elite running back play on a rookie deal (and for five years, too, since you get the fifth round option on 1st rounders). You’d think not having our star QB have to double as our RB1 would be a GOOD thing!

 

I have been a diehard Alabama fan my whole life and I love Najee Harris. I also think that Etienne has a chance to be special. That said, I think taking a RB in the 1st Round would not be the best allocation of resources. This is a predominantly 10 and 11 personnel offense and it does not need a 'bell cow' RB. There are guys with a gear that Singletary and Moss don't possess who will be available outside of the 1st Round. Williams, Gainwell, Jefferson, & Hawkins just to list a handful.

[Canadian Bills Fan]

I look at it this way..Bills are just 3 picks ahead of the 1st pick in round 2.

 

This is almost like drafting a RB in the 2nd round which I'm sure a lot of people here would feel better about.

 

I would understand if we were drafting top 15 but we are not.

 

Need to get used to this winning mindset. A lot of us still feel like we are the old Bills who always draft in the top half of the draft every year

[OldTimer1960]

2 minutes ago, The Governor said:

People are just being silly. Value doesn’t matter at all this year. We need 2 players from this draft that will help us get to the next step. It doesn’t matter at all “where” we draft these players.

I’m not a card carrying member of the “never-rb-in-first” club.  I am just not sold that Harris (or Etienne) are really likely to be elite in the NFL.

[Canadian Bills Fan]

5 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

I’m not a card carrying member of the “never-rb-in-first” club.  I am just not sold that Harris (or Etienne) are really likely to be elite in the NFL.

 

There arent many "Elite" RB's right now

 

CMC

Kamara 

Henry

 

Argument can be made for Cook and Chubb but aside from those 5, I dont know if I would call any others elite

[BillsShredder83]

1 hour ago, Canadian Bills Fan said:

 

Think anyone would do a 4th for Singletary?

Highly doubtful, but in this scenario id takewhatever someones willing to send back. 6th or even 7th. Reclamation project for a team with a nasty RBlock oline in place

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

1 hour ago, SCBills said:

Najee Harris looks to be there at 30 in most mock drafts.  Etienne is gone before then in most.  
 

Id absolutely be in favor of this.  Najee Harris not only gives us a stud RB, but he’s a beast in the passing game. 
 

Have to imagine Singletary would be getting moved if we draft a RB early.  

 

I hope to God they draft an RB. Imagine how much better this team would be with a running game. I think Singletary is a good rotational back and above average pass blocker. I don't feel there's a reason to get rid of him? 

[Canadian Bills Fan]

One thing is for sure, Bills wont be able to keep winning by abandoning the run game.

 

It will eventually catch up to us.

 

We need a good RB to keep defenses honest

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

2 hours ago, Logic said:

https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/college-football/cfb/player-news/headlines/10038711?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline hears that the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills are all high on Alabama RB Najee Harris.

Pauline initially forwarded the Steelers and Dolphins as players for Harris back during the Senior Bowl. And that, the analyst writes in this week's mailbag, has not changed in the interim. He is now hearing that the Bills could be in on the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Alabama standout, too. The Steelers and Bills (pick Nos. 24 and 30, respectively) are right in range for Harris near the end of the first round. Miami's spot is slightly trickier for a running back -- they hold two Day 1 picks, No. 3 and No. 18 -- simply because they're picking higher. A trade down by the Dolphins from that No. 18 selection, if Harris is their target come the draft, would make sense.

 

Harris or ETN puts this offense over the top. I'm not sure why people are against drafting a RB w the freakin 30th pick. It's really the perfect place to draft a high level RB. Now if it was w a top 10 selection I can see why, but this just makes perfect sense.

[Mij yllek]

How many players available at #30 can step into the starting lineup on day one and make a huge difference?

I would say Etienne and Harris for sure and maybe a CB like Jaycee Horn.

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

8 minutes ago, Canadian Bills Fan said:

 

There arent many "Elite" RB's right now

 

CMC

Kamara 

Henry

 

Argument can be made for Cook and Chubb but aside from those 5, I dont know if I would call any others elite

There's not many elite QBs either, it still doesn't make it less of a priority.

[Nelius]

2 hours ago, SCBills said:

Najee Harris looks to be there at 30 in most mock drafts.  Etienne is gone before then in most.  
 

Id absolutely be in favor of this.  Najee Harris not only gives us a stud RB, but he’s a beast in the passing game. 
 

Have to imagine Singletary would be getting moved if we draft a RB early.  

 

Hearing a lot of CB at 30th chatter now with the Breida pick-up, and historically the 30th pick is an absolute wasteland of CB misses. The last three drafts have had corners taken at 30th, and look at this bunch - Noah Igbonegene, DeAndre Baker, Mike Hughes. I wouldn't want any of them.

 

Guess we'll see how this draft shakes out but it feels like the type of spot where you're only getting the 5th or 6th best at the CB position by that point, so why not just go BPA. If that's Harris I'm all for it.

[In Summary]

2 hours ago, mannc said:

I'd be OK with Harris or Etienne at 30.  I would NOT be ok with a trade up for them.

Agree.  With the exception of Allen, Beane's record doesn't justify trading up.  I also want an infusion of rookies to make the team because Allen's next contract will require us to have contributions from as many (or more?) affordable players as we have now.  Bills are positioned well to not chase players or positions.

[TBBills]

Good it means we aren't grabbing a RB at 30

[Bob in STL]

So the Bills are interested in Etienne, huh? 

[DCofNC]

3 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Unless they trade Singletary I can’t see this at all. 

Not sure you could get a stale bag of chips for him.  He’s a cut candidate if they draft a guy.  Either way he’s playing for his roster spot come TC, as is everyone on the RB list currently.

[LABILLBACKER]

Nope....a few months ago I was keen on Najee but I think for value either UNC back will do later. Use the 30th for a pass rusher. Besides Daboll is too stubborn to run anyway. It will again fall on Josh's shoulders to lead the team in rushing tds.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

1 hour ago, Canadian Bills Fan said:

 

There arent many "Elite" RB's right now

 

CMC

Kamara 

Henry

 

Argument can be made for Cook and Chubb but aside from those 5, I dont know if I would call any others elite

 

I thought taylor looked really solid against buffalo.  But honestly, so does Hines.  I don't know that i need some specific player to take all the touches.  Fresh legs seem to be as important as anything else.

[colin]

well, the fastest impacting/easiest to transition to the nfl positions are

RB

CB

MLB

 

you can get day one starters at those positions all over the draft, w CB being the most valuable position, and thus often the higher pick.

 

im quite sure we won't take an MLB early, so to get a day one starter, we need CB, RB, with a small shot at DL or OG, but i suspect the DL and OG left at 30 will be a cut below the top RB, and possibly below the CB they want (i just assume our FO can spot a DB from a mile away, and if a guy they think is a day one starter is there, i suspect they grab him, maybe even trade up).

 

the above aside, that kinda leaves RB.  if we get harris at 30 and he is what he looks like, athletic w good vision and a bruiser, that's a huge huge addition to our O.  him on a screen or running against a light box will make it really hard to play d vs the bills.  if our blocking soldifies (and it should, given we are bringing everyone back and cody should be healthy and ready) and we get like even average TE production, i think kiper is right that we might be one impact RB from a chip.

 

ill trust the process on this, but i expect to get a starter at RB or TE, and (by the end of the year) CB in the draft.  if we get DL (and i think we have to draft a big guy for the middle, but perhaps not first pick) it will just be a rotational guy (as all of ours are) and LB will be a backup anyhow.

[Norcalbillsfan]

I still feel like if the bills are going RB at 30 it's Etienne. He's everything the bills want speed and pass catching. Just my 2 cents is if the CB or edge they want isn't there at 30 then they look at Etienne cuz he instantly makes the offense better. If the CB or edge is there they take it in a heart beat then maybe take a speedy pass catching back later rounds or just rotate breida. Either way I think Breida is the insurance if they don't get the back they want.

[John from Riverside]

I dont see it

 

The signing of Brieda convinced me that we want to get faster at the RB position......we already have our hammer in Moss who will be the main back.

 

The only thing that would leave me to believe RB at 30 is if Devin S. gets traded now....I think that pick 30 is totally going to be a defensive player

[Juice_32]

Gimme Javonte in the second🤞 

[stinky finger]

3 hours ago, Virgil said:

I just don’t get the love for this kid.  He doesn’t have NFL speed to me.  

 

Have to admit, I'm kind of hung up on this myself. 

54 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

I dont see it

 

The signing of Brieda convinced me that we want to get faster at the RB position......we already have our hammer in Moss who will be the main back.

 

The only thing that would leave me to believe RB at 30 is if Devin S. gets traded now....I think that pick 30 is totally going to be a defensive player

 

I'm good with D being the first selection as long as we don't force the issue. I suspect Beane won't.

52 minutes ago, Juice_32 said:

Gimme Javonte in the second🤞 

 

I'm listening. 

 

What do you do at 30?

[Virgil]

2 hours ago, Canadian Bills Fan said:

 

There arent many "Elite" RB's right now

 

CMC

Kamara 

Henry

 

Argument can be made for Cook and Chubb but aside from those 5, I dont know if I would call any others elite

I’d say Cook has earned it the past two seasons. He’ll have the injury question mark above him for a while, but he’s on the right track.  
 

I think Chubb will be on that list after next season.  Even splitting time, he’s solid 

[PrimeTime101]

5 hours ago, Logic said:

https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/college-football/cfb/player-news/headlines/10038711?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline hears that the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills are all high on Alabama RB Najee Harris.

Pauline initially forwarded the Steelers and Dolphins as players for Harris back during the Senior Bowl. And that, the analyst writes in this week's mailbag, has not changed in the interim. He is now hearing that the Bills could be in on the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Alabama standout, too. The Steelers and Bills (pick Nos. 24 and 30, respectively) are right in range for Harris near the end of the first round. Miami's spot is slightly trickier for a running back -- they hold two Day 1 picks, No. 3 and No. 18 -- simply because they're picking higher. A trade down by the Dolphins from that No. 18 selection, if Harris is their target come the draft, would make sense.

 

Thank you captain obvious Tony Pauline

[Locomark]

I heard they want a punter....