Bills prospect OT Liam Eichenberg

[Coach Tuesday]

1 hour ago, Niagara Bill said:

As I recall the history, ND O-lineman do not have a good track record of success. When you have four linemen likely to be drafted from the same team the question is good coaching, or great players. I suggest the former.

You recall incorrectly.

[Victory Formation]

1 hour ago, BuffaloRebound said:

Zack Martin was considered best O Lineman in NFL for a long time.  Now Quentin Nelson is. 

Doesn’t mean Eichenberg will be good because you’ve included him in that group.

[BuffaloRebound]

10 minutes ago, Victory Formation said:

Doesn’t mean Eichenberg will be good because you’ve included him in that group.

They’re Notre Dame linemen.  Responded to post saying Notre Dame O-Lineman not having good track record of success. 

[Blokestradamus]

Just going to put this out there because I want it on the record.

 

If you ask me to pick a player from this draft class, that isn't a quarterback, to make the Hall of Fame, it's Liam Eichenberg.

[BADOLBILZ]

On 4/4/2021 at 10:03 PM, Aussie Joe said:

Well plenty of other teams ignore this and take other positions in Round 1.

 

You talk the Chiefs up a lot but they took a RB in Round 1 last year .

 

Im also actually saying the opposite of drafting for need by the way...

 

 

 

I've never based my draft philosophy off of what one team does...........they all make tactical errors...........case in point.......I've liked all of the players that McBeane have chosen in the first round.........but they reached up for need for Cody Ford. 

 

I was thrilled when the Chiefs chose Edwards-Helaire.   Bad decision.  All teams make bad decisions.   Doesn't make them NOT bad decisions.

[Victory Formation]

1 hour ago, BuffaloRebound said:

They’re Notre Dame linemen.  Responded to post saying Notre Dame O-Lineman not having good track record of success. 

Got ya.. they’ve had some good ones over the years but I don’t think Eichenberg will be one of them.

[BADOLBILZ]

11 hours ago, Blokestradamus said:

Just going to put this out there because I want it on the record.

 

If you ask me to pick a player from this draft class, that isn't a quarterback, to make the Hall of Fame, it's Liam Eichenberg.

 

 

Yeah I see his ceiling as a more agile version of Andrew Whitworth.............who IMO would be a lock HOF'er if he had played in a big market or on a great team during his prime.

 

Whitworth played a lot of guard early in his career before becoming a very good LT.........which is likely how Eichenberg would start out in Buffalo.

[Thurman#1]

On 4/4/2021 at 10:49 PM, YoloinOhio said:

Liam Neeson??

 

 

Yeah, but Gallagher.

 

On 4/5/2021 at 12:50 AM, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

The much more important aspect wrt drafting him in round 1 is that he's not a LT prospect, IMO.

 

The part about him playing past the whistle is just part of his comp to Ford..........who has been a disappointment to say the least.

 

 

He hasn't been a disappointment. If anything he's been unable to be unevaluated. First they put him in the wrong position for a year. Then they switched him in a year with no offseason. Then they switched him again to the other side, which is a huge adjustment. Then he was injured.

 

He should be a good one as long as he doesn't turn out to be injury-prone. He has to prove it, but looks like he'll be good if they put him in one position - inside - and let him get used to it.

Edited April 10, 2021 by Thurman#1

[Thurman#1]

17 hours ago, Blokestradamus said:

Just going to put this out there because I want it on the record.

 

If you ask me to pick a player from this draft class, that isn't a quarterback, to make the Hall of Fame, it's Liam Eichenberg.

 

 

Wow. Hunh.

[Coach Tuesday]

I’ll say this - if they pass on this guy because of Cody Ford and he turns into an All Pro, that will make THREE All Pro players - Metcalf, Teller and Liam - passed up on for the sake of Cody Ford.  Would be a damn shame.

[BuffaloRebound]

Guys who can play Left Tackle always go higher in draft than people think.  

[Putin]

On 3/31/2021 at 9:39 PM, Special K said:

 

Why? He’s not Travis Kelce, but he’s a nasty run blocker, can play TE or H-back, and is a capable pass catcher....worth a mid-round pick, IMO.

He’s not just nasty run blocker he’s a freaking BEAST of a blocker, unfortunately we don’t have a 4th round pick this year 

[Thurman#1]

5 hours ago, Coach Tuesday said:

I’ll say this - if they pass on this guy because of Cody Ford and he turns into an All Pro, that will make THREE All Pro players - Metcalf, Teller and Liam - passed up on for the sake of Cody Ford.  Would be a damn shame.

 

 

I'd argue the reason they let Teller go had less to do with Ford and more to do with Boettger, Bates and Spain/Long.

[Special K]

1 hour ago, Putin said:

He’s not just nasty run blocker he’s a freaking BEAST of a blocker, unfortunately we don’t have a 4th round pick this year 

 

I'm guessing he would have to be picked with pick 93, but I wouldn't have a problem with the Bills taking him there.

[OldTimer1960]

On 4/9/2021 at 10:57 AM, Blokestradamus said:

Just going to put this out there because I want it on the record.

 

If you ask me to pick a player from this draft class, that isn't a quarterback, to make the Hall of Fame, it's Liam Eichenberg.

Out of curiosity, what do you see in him that makes you believe that?  
 

I like his aggression and he looks to be a good prospect, but after watching him against Clemson and Alabama this year, I am not sure that he is a great LT prospect.  I still think he can go late 1st/anywhere in 2nd.

 

Bills’ are sitting in a position where they will really have to show their scouting acumen to make good selections.  

 

[Victory Formation]

On 4/10/2021 at 4:30 AM, Thurman#1 said:He should be a good one as long as he doesn't turn out to be injury-prone. He has to prove it, but looks like he'll be good if they put him in one position - inside - and let him get used to it.

I think he can be good, not great. I question his mobility on pull plays and whether he can lead block in open space. Seems to have pretty good power when it comes to pushing the pile, but even that isn’t spectacular. He could be a decent guy though when it comes to pass protecting for Josh Allen, good if not solid player, will never be very good let alone elite. Good enough in the sense that we don’t have to draft OL this year unless there’s a spectacular player there. He’s not a bad player, just not overly wowed away by him.

[Blokestradamus]

On 4/11/2021 at 12:06 AM, OldTimer1960 said:

Out of curiosity, what do you see in him that makes you believe that?  
 

I like his aggression and he looks to be a good prospect, but after watching him against Clemson and Alabama this year, I am not sure that he is a great LT prospect.  I still think he can go late 1st/anywhere in 2nd.

 

I value technical proficiency very highly and I think Eichenberg is as technically proficient an offensive tackle as I've ever scouted. I felt like I had to really delve into his technique to find little issues because he's such a clean prospect. If he can work out a solution where he stops his left foot getting a little wide in some of his pass sets, I don't see anything that he does that isn't somewhere between above average to elite.

 

Run blocking, I think he's scheme diverse. He needs to cut out a few lazy plays where he leans on people. For anyone that doesn't consider him athletic enough, just watch him reach blocking, it's a thing of beauty. The only prospect in the run game that I've compared to Joe Thomas without even a hint of hyperbole.

 

I am out on a limb with Eichenberg and I know it. I've spoken to around a dozen people that I know who do this for work or as a hobby and only one has him in their top 5 players in the class. For me, he's my #1 player.

[GunnerBill]

2 hours ago, Blokestradamus said:

 

I value technical proficiency very highly and I think Eichenberg is as technically proficient an offensive tackle as I've ever scouted. I felt like I had to really delve into his technique to find little issues because he's such a clean prospect. If he can work out a solution where he stops his left foot getting a little wide in some of his pass sets, I don't see anything that he does that isn't somewhere between above average to elite.

 

Run blocking, I think he's scheme diverse. He needs to cut out a few lazy plays where he leans on people. For anyone that doesn't consider him athletic enough, just watch him reach blocking, it's a thing of beauty. The only prospect in the run game that I've compared to Joe Thomas without even a hint of hyperbole.

 

I am out on a limb with Eichenberg and I know it. I've spoken to around a dozen people that I know who do this for work or as a hobby and only one has him in their top 5 players in the class. For me, he's my #1 player.

 

I agree with most of the analysis.... I mean I am not close to #1 player status but I have a borderline 1st on him. My slight concerns are foot speed and initial punch in pass pro and I just worry a tad about ceiling. He is very technically advanced I agree and he will be a 10 year starter in the NFL - I think he could play guard but he is a plug and play left tackle for me. I just wonder how much more development there is there. But he is definitely a top 5 tackle prospect. 

[HOUSE]

Sounds like a German Tank driver from WWII

[Blokestradamus]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

I agree with most of the analysis.... I mean I am not close to #1 player status but I have a borderline 1st on him. My slight concerns are foot speed and initial punch in pass pro and I just worry a tad about ceiling. He is very technically advanced I agree and he will be a 10 year starter in the NFL - I think he could play guard but he is a plug and play left tackle for me. I just wonder how much more development there is there. But he is definitely a top 5 tackle prospect. 

 

Given that I'm of the opinion that his floor is exceptionally high, I don't worry about his ceiling but I understand it. It almost feels like 'maxed out Notre Dame OL' is the new Alabama DL trope because they're exposed to such effective coaching.

 

Theoretically, I think he can suffice playing anywhere but center in terms of his skill set. Whether he could effectively get the muscle memory down to switch sides/positions, I couldn't even guess but I think he's left tackle material, obviously. I don't even want the Bills to draft him in a way, because I want to watch him flourish at LT.

[BuffaloBillsGospel]

Landon Dickerson is my favorite OL in this draft, he's literally played every position on the line at some point. Very versatile player imo and you can never have too many good OL.

 

[OldTimer1960]

6 hours ago, BuffaloBillsGospel said:

Landon Dickerson is my favorite OL in this draft, he's literally played every position on the line at some point. Very versatile player imo and you can never have too many good OL.

 

Boat load of injuries in his career, too.  Will he last 4 years in the league?

[BuffaloBillsGospel]

15 hours ago, OldTimer1960 said:

Boat load of injuries in his career, too.  Will he last 4 years in the league?

 

It seems like every player I like in this years draft has injury concerns. 

[WideNine]

On 3/31/2021 at 7:12 PM, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

Again.........when it comes to key positions......LT being one of them........when you need them you REALLY need them.   Desperately.    Interior OL you can always patch up with free agents.

 

Normally I agree with this at G, but with Morse one head-slap away from another concussion and nearing the end of his contract coupled with his weaker power scheme blocking, and the Feliciano struggled blocking at the guard position as well against better teams. I think their priority is shoring up the middle starting-caliber players this offseason.

 

Josh's comfort avoiding the rush and extending plays with his legs often hid the less stellar pass-pro at times, but overall I think against MOST teams our pass protection held up although Josh held the ball longer and struggled finding the open man against teams did not need to send the 5th rusher; However our consistently poor run-blocking even against 4-man fronts was an indictment of our line's capabilities and prevented us from forcing some teams out of that alignment.

 

Any team is going to have a drop off if they lose their starting LT, but I think this year we go after that G/C starting caliber player they can ease behind Morse and Feliciano who can start to back them up or take emergency snaps in a pinch with an eye to eventually taking over one of those positions.

 

Ford may come back and prove himself at G, but I do not see a replacement for Morse on our roster although Felliciano was able to fill in on spot duty and did not screw up snapping the ball even out of the shotgun which was a pleasant surprise. Either way, I do not see any of the o-line FA's Beane brought in as anything more than competition, but I thought the same about Williams who recovered much of his past form.

 

We will see...

 

 

 

 

[BADOLBILZ]

4 minutes ago, WideNine said:

 

Normally I agree with this at G, but with Morse one head-slap away from another concussion and nearing the end of his contract coupled with his weaker power scheme blocking, and the Feliciano struggled blocking at the guard position as well against better teams. I think their priority is shoring up the middle starting-caliber players this offseason.

 

Josh's comfort avoiding the rush and extending plays with his legs often hid the less stellar pass-pro at times, but overall I think against MOST teams our pass protection held up although Josh held the ball longer and struggled finding the open man against teams did not need to send the 5th rusher; However our consistently poor run-blocking even against 4-man fronts was an indictment of our line's capabilities and prevented us from forcing some teams out of that alignment.

 

Any team is going to have a drop off if they lose their starting LT, but I think this year we go after that G/C starting caliber player they can ease behind Morse and Feliciano who can start to back them up or take emergency snaps in a pinch with an eye to eventually taking over one of those positions.

 

Ford may come back and prove himself at G, but I do not see a replacement for Morse on our roster although Felliciano was able to fill in on spot duty and did not screw up snapping the ball even out of the shotgun which was a pleasant surprise. Either way, I do not see any of the o-line FA's Beane brought in as anything more than competition, but I thought the same about Williams who recovered much of his past form.

 

We will see...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eichenberg is a good enough technician to excel at LG and bump out to LT and be good immediately if needed, IMO.  

 

I also think Feliciano is a solid center.   In the power game he was absolutely better than Morse.  Ryan Bates is a decent, full sized C prospect that they've been cultivating for some time now as well.   

 

I would never use a first round pick on someone who projects long term as an interior OL.

 

A simple rule to follow is if you take that player...........and they play up to first round expectations..........can you easily justify giving them a second contract?

 

This is why you tend to see All Pro quality interior lineman hit free agency but that is almost never the case with the key positions..........QB/PassRush/LT/WR1/CB1........when they do they are usually replete with red flags.

 

I've seen the "just use the 1st round pick on a RB and use him up and let him walk in 4-5 years"  takes and I am sure some will use the same logic with inside OL..........but that's not a good way to approach it, IMO.    

 

Needs change FAST.

 

Dawkins could blow out a knee........we could find out that Tre White has had stingers because he has a narrowing of the spine and has to retire........you just don't know.........so IMO you should use that first rounder(and preferably the second as well) on key, big money positions that are hard to fill..........and let the scouts do what they are paid for and find you interior OL and RB's and off-ball LB's etc.. on day 3.

 

 

[WideNine]

1 hour ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

Eichenberg is a good enough technician to excel at LG and bump out to LT and be good immediately if needed, IMO.  

 

I also think Feliciano is a solid center.   In the power game he was absolutely better than Morse.  Ryan Bates is a decent, full sized C prospect that they've been cultivating for some time now as well.   

 

I would never use a first round pick on someone who projects long term as an interior OL.

 

A simple rule to follow is if you take that player...........and they play up to first round expectations..........can you easily justify giving them a second contract?

 

This is why you tend to see All Pro quality interior lineman hit free agency but that is almost never the case with the key positions..........QB/PassRush/LT/WR1/CB1........when they do they are usually replete with red flags.

 

I've seen the "just use the 1st round pick on a RB and use him up and let him walk in 4-5 years"  takes and I am sure some will use the same logic with inside OL..........but that's not a good way to approach it, IMO.    

 

Needs change FAST.

 

Dawkins could blow out a knee........we could find out that Tre White has had stingers because he has a narrowing of the spine and has to retire........you just don't know.........so IMO you should use that first rounder(and preferably the second as well) on key, big money positions that are hard to fill..........and let the scouts do what they are paid for and find you interior OL and RB's and off-ball LB's etc.. on day 3.

 

 

 

True that it is rare to see a team spend 1st round draft capital on an interior OL player, although there was Quinton Nelson and more than a few centers that have gone in the 1st.

 

My focus was more on our future center position and although Feliciano filled in admirably I still have visions of his turnstile play against KC's Jones. The Bills have to be able to match up better against those better 4-man fronts to take the next step.

 

If Eichenberg could back up Dawkins that would be awesome. I avoided posting all those nightmare Dawkins scenarios although they were there in the back of my mind - I am superstitious that way. If Eichenberg has that inside/outside flexibility he would fit the O-line player mold Beane values.

 

Speaking of the Colts and Nelson, reading one of Eichenberg's draft profiles they made a strong case that Indy could take a shot at him. Made some sense pairing him up with Nelson, shoring up their LT position with the loss of Costanzo, and prioritizing protecting the shell-shocked Wentz and easing him into his role with them to see if he can turn his NFL career around.