What is The Weakest Position on The Bills Roster That Pick 25 Would Instantly Make the Team Stronger ?

[T master]

As the draft gets closer we all have been listening to & seeing mocks that all the so called "Experts" put down who the Bills can pick at 25 but if there is one position group that could instantly upgrade the Bills that is in need of reinforcement which group do you think that is on the team ?

 

With the WR every one thinks that this could be or should be the pick at 25 but if it wasn't i think they could get a pick later in the draft that would have a good value & be able to pick up a good player Like Gabe was later that could help but that group is pretty strong now as it is  .

 

The O line i feel given who they have brought with as far as players & coaches will be better, the LB ing corp I think is still a strong group but could get a pick later, safety's i think can be as good as last year & could again get a good pick later too .

 

DL with who they had & who they have brought in i this is still a strong group & could be if some of the players produce like they have in the past & of course don't forget what Von will bring can be even better this year .

 

The CB position mainly because we don't know how Tre will be coming back & with Levi gone could be a strong consideration at 25 but they still have some good players there & could find another good player in the second or later like they did with D J .

 

I have heard one person put it this way .

 

Given the strengths of the Bills what would be the one position that could be a luxury pick  this year that would immediately make the team better & being a first round pick they could have this player for 5 yrs with the 5th year option & maybe even 2 more if they decided he was worth franchising or they could let him go after the 5th year .

 

I know some of you will be NO WAY but this made pretty good sense to me when he explained the Running Back position . He said the run game as far as running backs  now on the Bills roster is the weakest area of the Bills over all & if they got a back like Breece Hall , Kenneth Walker, Isaiah Spiller, Brian Robison or fill in the blank _____________ it could be a instant upgrade to strengthen the run game .

 

It would 1 take some of the beating off of Josh & be a immediate upgrade to the running back room plus they would have a good contract/player for 4 or 5 yrs then they could get another. I think Motor is a good back but a stud young RB with good speed - good hands - & a bit bigger for some short yardage work would make a ton of sense .

 

Moss just isn't that guy they thought he would be use him as trade bait if need be to move up in the second to get a WR, CB, or who ever else . I know they brought in the other fella which could be a good back if he plays like he has in the past but he's been around for a bit & hasn't been the player he once was so it's a chance & if he does good he will want a bigger contract next year .

 

When that guy (can't remember his name) said that i thought it makes so much sense for now & the future ! 

 

The Bills running game suffered for most for the year until late then it helped but maybe not as much as it could have with such a back - so that's my pick at 25 Hall may not be there but because every one thinks RB is a none essential position now he could fall to us .

 

Or they could get another really good back that could be there at 25 or who knows Beane isn't afraid to go get the guy he wants that he feels could be that big of a difference maker to put the team in the Super Bowl & have him for quite a while .

 

What do you all think make sense to me ...

[TBBills]

Seeing that this question is asked in every thread I will say the popular answers are "CB, WR, RB" and some say a replacement for Edmunds. 

Edited April 23, 2022 by TBBills

[SCBills]

I wouldn’t say CB, because Tre will be back. 
 

Tre, Dane and Taron is a pretty solid trio and while someone like Booth (if available) might take it to another level, it seems the staff is high on Dane, and for good reason. 
 

Probably RB.  Not saying we should draft one at 25, but Breece Hall’s potential dwarfs anyone we have on the roster. 

[Allen2D̶i̶g̶g̶s̶TBD]

Cornerback is the clear #1 since we are one injury away from needing to put an unproven UDFA into the starting lineup. 

 

Due to the fact that we frequently play in 4 wr formations and just lost Beasley and Sanders, I think a deep threat wr is also a need.

 

I am not a fan of Edmunds and I would like to draft a replacement who plays more physically who can get reps in 4-3 alignments this year and become a full-time starter in 2023. 

[Warriorspikes51]

A legit threat at RB.  Offense then has strong counter punch to anything the Defense does

[TBBills]

14 minutes ago, SCBills said:

I wouldn’t say CB, because Tre will be back. 
 

Tre, Dane and Taron is a pretty solid trio and while someone like Booth (if available) might take it to another level, it seems the staff is high on Dane, and for good reason. 
 

Probably RB.  Not saying we should draft one at 25, but Breece Hall’s potential dwarfs anyone we have on the roster. 

Tre won't be back until mid to end of season.

[SCBills]

11 minutes ago, TBBills said:

Tre won't be back until mid to end of season.

First off, Tre will be back before “the end of the season”.  Pretty soon we’ll have people claiming Tre won’t be back into the final year of his contract. 
 

Second, even if he misses the first 6-8 games, he will be back.  
 

Im fine with taking Booth, but Breece Hall’s talent bumps the RB room up much higher than any mid-late round pick can in relation the talent currently in the room.  We can find CB’s in the 3rd RD that should be solid in our system until Tre comes back. 

[The Dean]

28 minutes ago, Allen2Diggs said:

Cornerback is the clear #1 since we are one injury away from needing to put an unproven UDFA into the starting lineup. 

 

 

Completely agree. That's not to say the Bills must draft a CB in the first round. But I do expect Beane to sign (FA or trade) and draft one in the first two days

 

14 minutes ago, TBBills said:

Tre won't be back until mid to end of season.

 

Do you have specific information you're not sharing? 

[billykay]

31 minutes ago, SCBills said:

I wouldn’t say CB, because Tre will be back. 
 

Tre, Dane and Taron is a pretty solid trio and while someone like Booth (if available) might take it to another level, it seems the staff is high on Dane, and for good reason. 
 

Probably RB.  Not saying we should draft one at 25, but Breece Hall’s potential dwarfs anyone we have on the roster. 

"Tre will be back" , MAYBE.  When he does come back, will he have lost a little and is now good but not all pro like he was? I say draft a CB. They are the best athletes on the field.

[Peace Frog]

Oh?  There's a draft just around the corner?

[Warcodered]

I mean, Punter but we're not doing that.

[Max Fischer]

OL. Not enough depth if starters miss significant time. After Jameson Williams, Zion Johnson might be my top choice amongst realistic choices. 

[Big Turk]

CB. Right now it's Dane Jackson and who knows if Tre isn't ready to go.

1 minute ago, Max Fischer said:

OL. Not enough depth if starters miss significant time. After Jameson Williams, Zion Johnson might be my top choice amongst realistic choices. 

 

Hard to justify a player that sits on the bench at 25 waiting for an injury when we have a starting CB spot open.

[Bleedbuffaloblue]

CB is clearly a high priority need IMO given the uncertainty to Tre’s situation early in the season, but doesn’t need to be filled at #25 unless a real stud falls that far.

Personally I think the need for more speed at RB or WR trumps CB for that first pick. Speed is such a lethal weapon and you can’t teach it. Lord knows our recent losses to KC are more than adequate evidence for Beane or any other FO personnel. I hope they go in that direction in Round 1 and address the CB situation on day two.

[Max Fischer]

2 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

CB. Right now it's Dane Jackson and who knows if Tre isn't ready to go.

 

Hard to justify a player that sits on the bench at 25 waiting for an injury when we have a starting CB spot open.

There’s a good chance that Zion is rated much higher than whatever CBs are on the board. 

[BillsFanForever19]

On 4/23/2022 at 2:45 PM, SCBills said:

I wouldn’t say CB, because Tre will be back. 
 

Tre, Dane and Taron is a pretty solid trio and while someone like Booth (if available) might take it to another level, it seems the staff is high on Dane, and for good reason. 
 

Probably RB.  Not saying we should draft one at 25, but Breece Hall’s potential dwarfs anyone we have on the roster. 

 

Tre is coming off an ACL injury. He won't start the season and may or may not return to top form immediately. Dane Jackson lost the CB2 competition to Levi Wallace last season and underperformed expectations. Taron Johnson is a Nickel Corner.

 

We're heading into the Draft starting the season with Dane Jackson and Cam Lewis on the outside with Practice Squad players for depth and having not signed any CB in Free Agency to replace Levi Wallace. Those that are left on the market at this point are on the wrong side of 30, have injury issues, and/or have declined in play. 

 

Outside Cornerback is a HUGE glaring issue.

Edited April 25, 2022 by BillsFanForever19

[Doc Brown]

10 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

Hard to justify a player that sits on the bench at 25 waiting for an injury when we have a starting CB spot open.

If Jameson Williams is still there at #25 Beane may go into cardiac arrest before turning the card in.  He won't make it out of the top 15.

[Big Turk]

9 minutes ago, Max Fischer said:

There’s a good chance that Zion is rated much higher than whatever CBs are on the board. 

 

So we take him and let our secondary suck? I'm not saying if that's the case it's the wrong decision but it's hard to justify leaving a gaping hole on a Super Bowl favorite team when there doesn't need to be.

[Buddo]

It's obviously Cornerback. We have only 1 of 3 starters, definitely (atm) available for the opening game of the new season.

 

Wallace is gone, and Tre White uncertain to be back for the first few games.

 

The need should be obvious to anyone, and hence the fact that it would be the easiest position to draft, to upgrade the team.

 

As The Dean pointed out, that doesn't mean they have to, or even should go, CB in the first, simply that it's the one position of actual need that we have, going into the draft.

 

Think of it this way, if we had to play a game now, which position do we not have covered with known starting ability?

 

We have a solid WR corps, RB is okay, as we've only lost Breida, and replaced him anyway.

 

O-Line has been addressed, with re-signing Bates, and getting Saffold and the guy the other day.

 

A whole bunch of D-Line have been signed, alongside one Von Miller.

 

Safeties, as was.

 

LBers as was,(starters) although depth needed.

 

 

[Doc Brown]

11 minutes ago, Max Fischer said:

There’s a good chance that Zion is rated much higher than whatever CBs are on the board. 

I wouldn't mind the pick but why sign Saffold and Bates then?

[BillsFanForever19]

13 minutes ago, Max Fischer said:

There’s a good chance that Zion is rated much higher than whatever CBs are on the board. 

 

We're set at Guard this season. Yes, Saffold is signed to a 1 year deal, but that doesn't mean they're already looking to replace him next season before even seeing how he plays here. He could perform at a high level and then look to extend him.

 

Bates is signed to a long term contract at decent money for a Starter but a lot for a reserve. He was signed to start in Chicago. Beane wouldn't have matched that deal if he planned on him being a reserve. He'd have let him go and signed a cheaper alternative.

 

If we're spending our 1st on a guy that won't start until next season, there's a myriad of positions we could take outside of Guard. Even if Corner doesn't play out well, there could still be a WR that would get more playing time than a Guard would this season.

 

After signing or retaining 4 different Guards this offseason, using a 1st on Guard as well seems a little much for me.

Edited April 23, 2022 by BillsFanForever19

[Doc Brown]

2 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

So we take him and let our secondary suck? I'm not saying if that's the case it's the wrong decision but it's hard to justify leaving a gaping hole on a Super Bowl favorite team when there doesn't need to be.

This regime has never prioritized CB2.  They like Dane Jackson and I think they're confident in their ability to find someone to compete as a starter in the later rounds at CB that can step in and start right away if need be.  They may also sign a veteran.

[Max Fischer]

6 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

So we take him and let our secondary suck? I'm not saying if that's the case it's the wrong decision but it's hard to justify leaving a gaping hole on a Super Bowl favorite team when there doesn't need to be.

You may be aware there are six additional rounds. 
 

 

6 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

We're set at Guard this season. Yes, Saffold is signed to a 1 year deal, but that doesn't mean they're already looking to replace him next season before even seeing how he plays here. He could perform at a high level and then look to extend him.

 

Bates is signed to a long term contract at decent money for a Starter but a lot for a reserve. He was signed to start in Chicago. Beane wouldn't have matched that deal if he planned on him being a reserve. He'd have let him go and signed a cheaper alternative.

 

If we're spending our 1st on a guy that won't start until next season, there's a myriad of positions we could take outside of Guard. Even if Corner doesn't play out well, there could still be a WR that would get more playing time than a Guard would this season.

 

After signing or retaining 4 different Guards this offseason, using a 1st on Guard as well seems a little much for me.

And what happens if Saffold (32), Bates (never started more than 4 games) or Morse lose weeks, or months?  The current depth is not comforting. 

[Max Fischer]

11 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

I wouldn't mind the pick but why sign Saffold and Bates then?

Because they are pretty starters. However, Linemen tend to get dinged up, and right now the Bills backups have a significant talent gap. 

[BillsFanForever19]

27 minutes ago, Max Fischer said:

You may be aware there are six additional rounds. 
 

 

And what happens if Saffold (32), Bates (never started more than 4 games) or Morse lose weeks, or months?  The current depth is not comforting. 

 

Ike Boettger was retained. He started 10 games for us last season (7 the year before) and was performing better than Feliciano. He's coming off injury, but is expected to be ready to start the season. Greg Mancz started 4 games last season for Miami. Cody Ford should be given a Camp with a superior OLine coach than he's ever had, given the investment we made in him. Also, David Quessenberry, who was signed to be one of our Swing Tackles, also has the ability to play Guard.

 

Offensive Line has been addressed HEAVILY this offseason already in signing SIX lineman and vastly upgrading our Coaching. If you want to Draft some more depth or insurance Round 3 or beyond, that's fine. But you don't spend your 1st Round pick on depth or insurance. Not with the holes we have this season.

Edited April 23, 2022 by BillsFanForever19

[Doc Brown]

2 minutes ago, Max Fischer said:

Because they are pretty starters. However, Linemen tend to get dinged up, and right now the Bills backups have a significant talent gap. 

They're okay looking I guess.  The question of this thread was what position in the first round would we get significantly better with this year with a first round pick.  It's hard to argue that CB or RB isn't the correct answer.  As for depth, we could do worse than Ford, Capra, Mancz, and eventually Boettger.  Quessenberry can also play guard if need be.  I don't see it as dire of a need.  However, long term Zion would be a great pick to replace Saffold.

[Jackalope89]

No one had any worries about Tre White pre-injury. But after he went down, the corner position just didn't have a lock down guy. A couple guys would make a play here or there, but not the shut down cover ability that was needed. So even if Tre White comes back 100%, depth is still an issue. Get at least 1 more shut down guy if possible.

[hemma]

Hard to say anything other than CB

[Solomon Grundy]

1 hour ago, TBBills said:

Tre won't be back until mid to end of season.

Neither will Jameson Williams, but many still want to draft him

1 hour ago, Allen2Diggs said:

Cornerback is the clear #1 since we are one injury away from needing to put an unproven UDFA into the starting lineup. 

We just had one starting there before he left to Pittsburgh with his underwear 

[SCBills]

1 hour ago, Buddo said:

It's obviously Cornerback. We have only 1 of 3 starters, definitely (atm) available for the opening game of the new season.

 

Wallace is gone, and Tre White uncertain to be back for the first few games.

 

The need should be obvious to anyone, and hence the fact that it would be the easiest position to draft, to upgrade the team.

 

As The Dean pointed out, that doesn't mean they have to, or even should go, CB in the first, simply that it's the one position of actual need that we have, going into the draft.

 

Think of it this way, if we had to play a game now, which position do we not have covered with known starting ability?

 

We have a solid WR corps, RB is okay, as we've only lost Breida, and replaced him anyway.

 

O-Line has been addressed, with re-signing Bates, and getting Saffold and the guy the other day.

 

A whole bunch of D-Line have been signed, alongside one Von Miller.

 

Safeties, as was.

 

LBers as was,(starters) although depth needed.

 

 

Heres my point..

 

I don’t necessarily want to draft him at 25, but Breece Hall elevates our RB room a ton compared to a 3rd RD pick who will just end up fighting for time with Singletary and Duke. 
 

There’s a handful of CB’s that will be available in the 3rd RD that can upgrade our DB room. 

[LyndonvilleBill]

Great. Another Breece Hall thread.🤬.

[intimidatortj]

Cornerback.

 

It is a "premier" position as Brandon Beane likes to refer to.

 

Wide Receiver, Running Back, Tight End, Offensive Tackle, Safety are not desperate needs. 

[Big Turk]

1 hour ago, Max Fischer said:

You may be aware there are six additional rounds. 
 

 

And what happens if Saffold (32), Bates (never started more than 4 games) or Morse lose weeks, or months?  The current depth is not comforting. 

 

Expecting to find a starting corner to start from day one other than the first round is a putting a whole hell of a lot of faith in your scouting staff to be perfect and the board to fall to you properly. They better be 100% sure in that case and that's a near impossible ask.

 

 

Edited April 23, 2022 by Big Turk

[Milanos Milano]

RB. And Breece Hall is there for the taking. 
 

Punter is the next biggest need, and maybe we can take mega man leg cannon in round 4 or 5. 

[Aurelius]

1 hour ago, Doc Brown said:

This regime has never prioritized CB2.  They like Dane Jackson and I think they're confident in their ability to find someone to compete as a starter in the later rounds at CB that can step in and start right away if need be.  They may also sign a veteran.

I agree here.  We draft at a weird spot where the premier first round CB talents that we really want will likely be off the board.  I generally don’t see a lot of sense using our first round pick on the 4th or 5th best CB and can probably push that pick back to the 2-5th rounds.  There is some quality depth at CB and high upside out there.    Our staff will also likely have guys down the draft board that they love and will develop. If it’s not a Stingley or Sauce I’m not sure it’s worth that first pick.
 

Our first round pick should be a must-have type guy.  I think we have more need for a do-it-all RB with current roster build.  Will likely also be able to draft a stud WR here but less of a need than RB and probably more depth down the line at WR.  I can still see a trade up if they love somebody and maybe move somebody to get there.  It will be a mystery until draft time and probably surprise us all. 
 

 

[Augie]

This just in from the Department of Redundency Department: ANY position would be immediately improved with a player chosen at #25. The only real question actually posed here is what is our weakest position.

 

Especially considering Trey’s injury, I think it has to be CB. Fortunately, it’s also a “key position”, one that you might want to use the 5th year option on. If IOL or Punter were the weakest position, it would be a waste. Taking a CB high is not a waste for this team. I still would not be shocked if a vet is added, and I would be shocked if we don’t take at least one in the first 3 rounds. 

 

 

 

.

Edited April 23, 2022 by Augie

[NoSaint]

3 hours ago, T master said:

As the draft gets closer we all have been listening to & seeing mocks that all the so called "Experts" put down who the Bills can pick at 25 but if there is one position group that could instantly upgrade the Bills that is in need of reinforcement which group do you think that is on the team ?

 

With the WR every one thinks that this could be or should be the pick at 25 but if it wasn't i think they could get a pick later in the draft that would have a good value & be able to pick up a good player Like Gabe was later that could help but that group is pretty strong now as it is  .

 

The O line i feel given who they have brought with as far as players & coaches will be better, the LB ing corp I think is still a strong group but could get a pick later, safety's i think can be as good as last year & could again get a good pick later too .

 

DL with who they had & who they have brought in i this is still a strong group & could be if some of the players produce like they have in the past & of course don't forget what Von will bring can be even better this year .

 

The CB position mainly because we don't know how Tre will be coming back & with Levi gone could be a strong consideration at 25 but they still have some good players there & could find another good player in the second or later like they did with D J .

 

I have heard one person put it this way .

 

Given the strengths of the Bills what would be the one position that could be a luxury pick  this year that would immediately make the team better & being a first round pick they could have this player for 5 yrs with the 5th year option & maybe even 2 more if they decided he was worth franchising or they could let him go after the 5th year .

 

I know some of you will be NO WAY but this made pretty good sense to me when he explained the Running Back position . He said the run game as far as running backs  now on the Bills roster is the weakest area of the Bills over all & if they got a back like Breece Hall , Kenneth Walker, Isaiah Spiller, Brian Robison or fill in the blank _____________ it could be a instant upgrade to strengthen the run game .

 

It would 1 take some of the beating off of Josh & be a immediate upgrade to the running back room plus they would have a good contract/player for 4 or 5 yrs then they could get another. I think Motor is a good back but a stud young RB with good speed - good hands - & a bit bigger for some short yardage work would make a ton of sense .

 

Moss just isn't that guy they thought he would be use him as trade bait if need be to move up in the second to get a WR, CB, or who ever else . I know they brought in the other fella which could be a good back if he plays like he has in the past but he's been around for a bit & hasn't been the player he once was so it's a chance & if he does good he will want a bigger contract next year .

 

When that guy (can't remember his name) said that i thought it makes so much sense for now & the future ! 

 

The Bills running game suffered for most for the year until late then it helped but maybe not as much as it could have with such a back - so that's my pick at 25 Hall may not be there but because every one thinks RB is a none essential position now he could fall to us .

 

Or they could get another really good back that could be there at 25 or who knows Beane isn't afraid to go get the guy he wants that he feels could be that big of a difference maker to put the team in the Super Bowl & have him for quite a while .

 

What do you all think make sense to me ...

there may be no position where the tag is less appealing than here 

[BfloBillsFan]

4 hours ago, TBBills said:

Seeing that this question is asked in every thread I will say the popular answers are "CB, WR, RB" and some say a replacement for Edmunds. 

 

I'm surprised the thread wasn't closed after this answer.  You seem to have included all the positions of need.  👍

[Rochesterfan]

2 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Ike Boettger was retained. He started 10 games for us last season (7 the year before) and was performing better than Feliciano. He's coming off injury, but is expected to be ready to start the season. Greg Mancz started 4 games last season for Miami. Cody Ford should be given a Camp with a superior OLine coach than he's ever had, given the investment we made in him. Also, David Quessenberry, who was signed to be one of our Swing Tackles, also has the ability to play Guard.

 

Offensive Line has been addressed HEAVILY this offseason already in signing SIX lineman and vastly upgrading our Coaching. If you want to Draft some more depth or insurance Round 3 or beyond, that's fine. But you don't spend your 1st Round pick on depth or insurance. Not with the holes we have this season.

 

Ike is coming off an Achilles tear.  He is the one guy that I am sure will not be available to start the season.  
 

The expectations with Ike is week 10 or so before he is ready - Achilles tears are brutal.

 

Tre’ - the talk and expectations are he is ahead of schedule and may be ready to start the year or at most misses a game or 2.  The Bills based upon normal injury management will most likely limit Tre’ some especially in training camp, but ACL tears are injuries NFL/College players get over and return to normal.

 

Now onto the OP - Based upon this coaching staff and how they use rookies - there is not one position that a drafted player is going to be a difference maker to start the season.

 

Going back to the beginning of McD time as coach - 2 draft picks (Edmunds and White) have started as rookies.  Josh, Oliver, Rousseau, keep going 2nd, 3rd, 4th round picks etc - they all have been worked in slowly.  Josh was earlier than planned with the failure at QB, but the plan was 2-3 weeks on the bench and work his way in.

 

I don’t care what position they draft, but there is almost no chance they have an opportunity to be a regular starter.  If it is CB - they might get some snaps to start, but my guess is Tre’ and Dane are 1-2 for a big part of the early season. A WR will see some snaps, but really as a fill in to help during some 4 wide and maybe as a returner.  OL would be great for depth, but I think they have their planned starting 5.  Same with DL and LB and TE.

 

Even RB - You know especially early that Singletary is getting a bunch of the snaps.  They just are not going to trust the rookie to do everything until he has proven it - especially blocking. So how much impact can he bring giving the team 5 carries and a couple of catches a game.
 

Therefore, my guess is that the Bills are going to look at BPA - just as they have the last few years.  They have limited numbers of guys with first round grades and based on the interviews none are RB.  So I would think that they would draft whatever player had a first round grade and they would start with CB and WR as looks.  If all of the first round talent is gone based upon the interview - I would assume they may look to trade back or they will follow their board and if there is a running back with superior athletic talent that trumps positional value - they might go there, but it is a very limited if.  
 

I am not not sure they believe either of these RBs exceed value by so much that they can trump the lack of importance of the position.

 

We will see, but if people are expecting a rookie - even a first round rookie to have a huge impact - I don’t think you have been paying attention to the team.  There is probably 1 position that impact might occur - DB other than that - there is a tiny chance of impact.

 

 

[BillsFanForever19]

37 minutes ago, Rochesterfan said:

Ike is coming off an Achilles tear.  He is the one guy that I am sure will not be available to start the season.  

 

The expectations with Ike is week 10 or so before he is ready - Achilles tears are brutal.

 

Tre’ - the talk and expectations are he is ahead of schedule and may be ready to start the year or at most misses a game or 2.  The Bills based upon normal injury management will most likely limit Tre’ some especially in training camp, but ACL tears are injuries NFL/College players get over and return to normal.

 

No one has come out and said Tre is "ahead of schedule". You have an incredibly optimistic view on this. I HOPE he is ahead of schedule. But again, no one has said that. Just that he is "on schedule" -

 

https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/3/2/22958602/tredavious-white-on-schedule-in-return-from-injury

 

As the article states, an ACL is a 9-12 month injury. He had his surgery on 12/14/21. 9 months would bring us to 9/14. And that is the soonest he can start PRACTICING. That doesn't mean the second those 9 months are up, they're just going to throw him on the field.

 

Also, 9 months is the soonest doctors recommend. Generally, they recommend an entire year. Studies have shown pushing recovery time puts an athlete at a much greater risk of a second ACL injury -

 

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2325967120985636

 

Your prognosis of him doing work in Training Camp and starting Week 1 is incorrect. The best case scenario is we have somewhere around Week 4-6 Worst case scenario we are without him for the majority of the regular season.

 

As for Ike's Achilles - there has been advances in rehabilitation for Achilles that have shortened recovery time over the years. From an article about Ike found here - 

 

https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2021/12/28/22855008/buffalo-bills-g-ike-boettgers-achilles-injury

 

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Return-to-play rates do vary but levels as high as 78 percent have been reported within the NFL according to studies. The average amount of time takes 8.9 months with some returns as quickly as 5.5 months. We are seeing that in real-time with Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers, recently activated to the active roster.

 

Due to more aggressive rehab, there have been advances that have shaved the return to play in the NFL down to six to eight months. Improvement in performance following the injury has been observed, suggesting that this isn’t as much of a career-ender as it was a decade or two before. Return-to-play rates are north of 80 percent, according to The Athletic on a profile of the Indianapolis Colts’ management of the injuries.

 

Edited April 23, 2022 by BillsFanForever19