2023 Draft- Wide Receiver discussion

[whorlnut]

1 minute ago, Kirby Jackson said:

The 5th year option is an interesting element that I hadn’t considered. With the rising cost of star receivers it is a good idea.

Especially when you consider he might have a year where he might not get a ton of PT with Davis still around. That would leave 4 years at a reasonable team-friendly rate. By that time, Diggs will be in his 30’s and we could extend the new guy and roll right along. 

[JMM]

2 hours ago, BearNorth said:

PFF Mock out yesterday has the Bills taking Texas RB Bijan Robinson with the #31 pick.  This board would revolt if the Bills picked a RB in Rd1.

 

 Not this guy. Robinson best back since Saquan. Him and Cook together would be a lethal combo and make our O incredibly dangerous. 

[John from Riverside]

47 minutes ago, Seoulofstone said:

Thing is you’re paying Bates as a starting guard and the Bills are tight to the cap. Saffold came to Buff because of the OL coach and despite being mediocre he wants to stay. So if you pay him (even vet min) which is conceivable in my mind but not necessarily in his, you set yourself up to move on from Bates. I’m not advocating for any of this. I’m just wary of fan driven narratives about draft need.

If Morce decides to retire, we should take a serious look at moving Bates to center and drafting a Center guard combo player to bring along

[Bills Survivor]

17 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

The 5th year option is an interesting element that I hadn’t considered. With the rising cost of star receivers it is a good idea.

I thought the 5th year option only applied to players picked in the first round? Davis was a fourth rounder and has slightly exceeded the expectations of that draft slot but is not good enough to be the 1B that would take this offense to the next level. This seems to be the consensus right now among the fans.

[Solomon Grundy]

2 hours ago, BearNorth said:

PFF Mock out yesterday has the Bills taking Texas RB Bijan Robinson with the #31 pick.  This board would revolt if the Bills picked a RB in Rd1.

 

Not this guy!! There isn't a chance he lasts to 31

[whorlnut]

8 minutes ago, Bills Survivor said:

I thought the 5th year option only applied to players picked in the first round? Davis was a fourth rounder and has slightly exceeded the expectations of that draft slot but is not good enough to be the 1B that would take this offense to the next level. This seems to be the consensus right now among the fans.

Yes…the fifth year only applies to first round picks, which is why you see teams trading back into the first to get a qb that slips. They want that extra year of player control. 
 

Davis’s deal is up after next year. He was signed on a 4 year rookie deal, with no fifth year option. This is one of the main reasons a first round WR makes a lot of sense for this year. 

[Solomon Grundy]

1 minute ago, whorlnut said:

Yes…the fifth year only applies to first round picks, which is why you see teams trading back into the first to get a qb that slips. They want that extra year of player control. 
 

Davis’s deal is up after next year. He was signed on a 4 year rookie deal, with no fifth year option. This is one of the main reasons a first round WR makes a lot of sense for this year. 

When will y'all learn to stop reaching for "because we need" picks. There will be talented receivers to choose from in later rounds. 

[John from Riverside]

1 minute ago, Solomon Grundy said:

When will y'all learn to stop reaching for "because we need" picks. There will be talented receivers to choose from in later rounds. 

There will be talented offensive lineman in the later rounds as well. Best bet at that topic is to go best available player.

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Can we add JSN to the list? Last year, he was the best of the Buckeyes WRs and that includes Olave & Garrett Wilson. He actually reminds me a little of Diggs. He can win anywhere & would be the OROY in the Bills offense.

The OP list is just the guys I’ve seen most of.  I don’t know much about him other than he’s supposed to be selected before we pick and he doesn’t have the prototypical size/speed I was hoping for.  That’s not to say he’s not going to be a great pro.  I have to watch more.  Is he a Keenan allen-ish type prospect?  
 

The purpose of the post is to get all the WR draft prospect discussion in one spot because there will be a lot of it.  Please discuss what you know about JSN so we can all learn more.  I just don’t know enough yet to discuss.

[whorlnut]

27 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

When will y'all learn to stop reaching for "because we need" picks. There will be talented receivers to choose from in later rounds. 

There will be talented linemen and defensive players in later rounds too. Other than the Diggs trade, Beane hasn’t drafted a single WR before round 4. That’s not good enough on a team like this whose identity is throwing the ball. 

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Can we add JSN to the list? Last year, he was the best of the Buckeyes WRs and that includes Olave & Garrett Wilson. He actually reminds me a little of Diggs. He can win anywhere & would be the OROY in the Bills offense.

 

Need to dig back into the 2021 film. I know he was super impressive last year because he flashed when I was grading Olave and Wilson but I wasn't breakong him down back then. The concern I have heard on him other than the obvious (injury) is that he is really a slot guy in the NFL. Is that fair do you think? Or can he win outside? 

[78thealltimegreat]

I was right about Breece Hall last year and he would have been perfect in Buffalo prior to his injury and I’ll say it this year give Josh Allen Jalin Hyatt and I’d be shocked if they don’t average 30 a game. 
Jalin Hyatt must be a Buffalo Bill 

[Seoulofstone]

1 hour ago, John from Riverside said:

If Morce decides to retire, we should take a serious look at moving Bates to center and drafting a Center guard combo player to bring along

 Totally agree that it’s very real and worrying possibility. But his retirement shouldnt be something we hope for. It will bring dead cap, create another hole and disrupt OL continuity as well as no doubt bringing a drop off short term. I’m not hearing much enthusiasm for center prospects this year, although I see Schmitz has position versatility.
 

 Joe Marino mentioned that Morse in his media has been very unfazed about how the concussion affects him going forward. Maybe Morse would say that though regardless of his prognosis? 
 

 

Edited December 29, 2022 by Seoulofstone

[John from Riverside]

1 minute ago, Seoulofstone said:

 Totally agree that it’s very real and worrying possibility. But his retirement shouldnt be something we hope for. It will bring dead cap, create another hole and disrupt OL continuity as well as no doubt bringing a drop off short term. I’m not hearing much enthusiasm for center prospects this year, although I see Schmitz has position versatility.
 

 Joe Marino mentioned that Morse in his media has been very unfazed about how the concussion affects him going forward. Maybe he would say that though regardless of his prognosis? 
 

 

It’s possible, this will be like his sixth concussion as you know they get progressively worse and easier as time goes on and the bills should always try to be one step ahead in they’re planning

[Solomon Grundy]

30 minutes ago, whorlnut said:

There will be talented linemen and defensive players in later rounds too. Other than the Diggs trade, Beane hasn’t drafted a single WR before round 4. That’s not good enough on a team like this whose identity is throwing the ball. 

I don't see any Jamarr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Garrett Wilson's in this draft. This pick at 31 needs to be an immediate impact player. Many wanted to reach for a CB last year because it was a "need" when there were immediate impact players available like Breece Hall, George Pickens, etc. If Bijan Robinson is there at 31, you absolutely take him. #31 has to be immediate plug and play no matter what position it is

[buffaloaggie]

We have quality WRs but we obviously lack depth. WR should not be a day 1 or 2 priority. Maybe UDFA. O-Line should be a priority after watching Quessenberry try to fill in. LB and Safety are priorities. You improve the O-line, RB becomes less of a priority. 

 

30. Antonio Johnson S Texas A&M - assuming Poyer is gone

62. Tommy Eichenberg LB Ohio State - assuming Edmunds is gone

94. Steve Avila OG TCU - can also play C

130. Olusegun Oluwatimi OC Michigan - Morse concussions

135. Jalen Graham LB Purdue - Our LB depth is bad

162. Cody Mauch OT North Dakota State - started as a TE in college - banking on better than average athleticism 

OR

Charlie Jones WR Purdue - 1st in receptions  

 

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, Solomon Grundy said:

When will y'all learn to stop reaching for "because we need" picks. There will be talented receivers to choose from in later rounds. 

No offense Grundlepoo, but that’s a strange comment coming from the guy beating down the door for RBs in rd 1-  the position that always has talented players later in the draft. 
 

 

[NewEra]

22 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

I don't see any Jamarr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Garrett Wilson's in this draft. This pick at 31 needs to be an immediate impact player. Many wanted to reach for a CB last year because it was a "need" when there were immediate impact players available like Breece Hall, George Pickens, etc. If Bijan Robinson is there at 31, you absolutely take him. #31 has to be immediate plug and play no matter what position it is

Meh, I’d rather draft a WR, OL, DL that might be in a time share year one than drafting a S or MLB in rd 1.  Both positions may be wide open next year.  
 

How much tape have you watched of these WR prospects?  It’s hard to have that opinion if you don’t know much about the prospects.  I think Johnston is going to be a star in the right system.  Especially ours. 

[whorlnut]

26 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

I don't see any Jamarr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Garrett Wilson's in this draft. This pick at 31 needs to be an immediate impact player. Many wanted to reach for a CB last year because it was a "need" when there were immediate impact players available like Breece Hall, George Pickens, etc. If Bijan Robinson is there at 31, you absolutely take him. #31 has to be immediate plug and play no matter what position it is

Did anyone think Justin Jefferson would be what he is today?  If you say yes, then why did he last till 22?  The point is…there should be someone there when we pick that can step in and compete with Davis next year and be the guy the following year. 
 

You talk about “immediate impact” as if it’s a thing with this team. How many times have we seen this staff bring rookies along painfully slow?  

[BillsShredder83]

8 hours ago, OldTimer1960 said:

I really like what little I’ve seen from Josh Downs.  Man, he would be a serious upgrade for this team at slot WR, but is the slot a position worth even a late first?  I would not think that he would make it past the early 2nd.

 

Hyatt from Tennessee has speed and played well this year, too.

 

Parker Washington is an atypically thickly built slot option.

A slot beast is absolutely worth a #1 to me.  Would need to be a zone beater like Cole 2020, but wpuld prefer they also bring elite speed. Cant say i know who that is, but we are sorely missing production out of that position!

Chain moving is alwaya going to help points, but the dink n dunk offense is always reliable, unlike a team relying on big plays constantly.

 

Also helps control TOP (was essentially our run game 2020) and keep defemse fresh. Love it!

 

Anyone know who matches that profile best?

[Nextmanup]

I would suggest having a look at the WR corps for Alabama!  They will probably all end up in the NFL anyway...one or 2 of them have to be phenomenal athletes.

That place is a conveyor belt of nationally ranked talent.

 

 

[Solomon Grundy]

34 minutes ago, NewEra said:

No offense Grundlepoo, but that’s a strange comment coming from the guy beating down the door for RBs in rd 1-  the position that always has talented players later in the draft. 
 

 

There's "talented" then there's "sure fire" players. Breece and Bijan, IMO, are "sure fire". Kenneth Walker, Dameon Pierce I considered " talented". I like Johnston, but check his dropped pass rate. 

[LyndonvilleBill]

5 hours ago, Solomon Grundy said:

I like his teammate Dontay Demus Jr. too. Big body, contested catch guy. Injury concerns though, but so was Pickens. Demus was the guy in MD prior to his injury. 

Thanks. I'll have to watch some highlights and read a little more on him. The ACL injury would always be stuck in my mind though. Usually cross players off my list when I see ACL (Drafting players at least).

 

[GunnerBill]

2 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

There's "talented" then there's "sure fire" players. Breece and Bijan, IMO, are "sure fire". Kenneth Walker, Dameon Pierce I considered " talented". I like Johnston, but check his dropped pass rate. 

 

Kenneth Walker was sure fire. He will end up being the best back from that class when they are all said and done and careers are complete.

[Solomon Grundy]

36 minutes ago, whorlnut said:

Did anyone think Justin Jefferson would be what he is today?  If you say yes, then why did he last till 22?  The point is…there should be someone there when we pick that can step in and compete with Davis next year and be the guy the following year. 
 

You talk about “immediate impact” as if it’s a thing with this team. How many times have we seen this staff bring rookies along painfully slow?  

He lasted because other teams "reached" for need pieces instead of best player available. Luckily the Vikings scored on a "need" piece in Jefferson. 

[ArtVandalay]

Did i enter a time machine and go back to the drought? I thought we were 12-3 getting ready for MNF for claim #1 seed and a bye, yet here we are talking about the draft in December... 

[LyndonvilleBill]

3 hours ago, NewEra said:

That’s no way to live John.  

Interesting- I watched some Jarrett-  he reminded me of Curtis Samuel.  Nothing really stood out to me except his athleticism, but I haven’t watched very much yet.  Maybe a poor man’s Dj Moore?

Haven't watched Jarrett yet. Just some light reading so far. Will have to do some more research on him. Just a mid-late round thought considering what we've gotten from Diggs. Can lighting strike twice?😉😁

[H2o]

I like Xavier Hutchinson, even though some may not. He has basically been Iowa St.'s only option in the WR group this year, the defense knows it, and they still can't stop him from getting the ball. He has accounted for 1/4 of his team's total yards on offense. He's 6'3" and somewhere between 205-210lbs. The boy can ball and is a solid Day 2 prospect. 

 

 

I also like Cedric Tillman from Tennessee. He's another solid, Day 2 prospect imo. Injuries held him up a bit this year, but the guy is talented and understands how to play the position on many levels. He uses tempo, route running, his size, and can turn on the speed when needed. Another 6'3" 215lb WR who would be a good target for Josh in this offense. 

 

[whorlnut]

4 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

He lasted because other teams "reached" for need pieces instead of best player available. Luckily the Vikings scored on a "need" piece in Jefferson. 

If you can’t recognize WR as a need after this season then I think you just don’t want to see it. 

[ArtVandalay]

2 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

He lasted because other teams "reached" for need pieces instead of best player available. Luckily the Vikings scored on a "need" piece in Jefferson. 

Well not quite, don't forget Ruggs (12), Jeudy (15), Lamb (17), Reagor (21) were all taken in front of him. 

 

Coming out of college there was a lot of talk that Jefferson benefited too much playing from the slot on LSU basically being given free space at will and that wouldn't be there for him in the NFL.

[Solomon Grundy]

2 minutes ago, whorlnut said:

If you can’t recognize WR as a need after this season then I think you just don’t want to see it. 

It's definitely a need, but I don't want them to reach for a player. Especially in rd 1 if  he's not considered "immediate impact"

2 minutes ago, ArtVandalay said:

Well not quite, don't forget Ruggs (12), Jeudy (15), Lamb (17), Reagor (21) were all taken in front of him. 

 

Coming out of college there was a lot of talk that Jefferson benefited too much playing from the slot on LSU basically being given free space at will and that wouldn't be there for him in the NFL.

All of those players were considered better than Jefferson according to the "experts". You even stated their considered evaluation of Justin. Ruggs, Jeudy, Lamb all put up big numbers at well known colleges. Reagor was considered the "speed demon" Philly desired

[whorlnut]

3 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

It's definitely a need, but I don't want them to reach for a player. Especially in rd 1 if  he's not considered "immediate impact"

Again…look at how slowly the bills bring their rookies along. 

[NewEra]

13 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

There's "talented" then there's "sure fire" players. Breece and Bijan, IMO, are "sure fire". Kenneth Walker, Dameon Pierce I considered " talented". I like Johnston, but check his dropped pass rate. 

Breece wasn’t considered to be a Bijan talent according to anyone but you.  That was evident when he went rd 2.  No chance Bijan lasts til rd 2.  But we won’t get into Breece Hall.  He’s a broken jet.  
 

yeah, Johnston’s hands have been inconsistent.  From what I’ve seen so far, his drops have been a focus issue rather than technique.  I just think his pros far outweigh his one cons and he’s a perfect compliment to Diggs.  WRs are super expensive.  RBs are super cheap. Draft the WR and have him under control for 5 years so we can spend $ elsewhere. 
 

Which FA WRs would you like to sign in order to upgrade the position?  I can tell you now, there isn’t anyone worth the price,  We cant afford to miss at this position.  

[wppete]

I watched a lot of TCU this year and Q. Johnson is a special talent. He is a deep threat at all times with a massive frame. 

[Kirby Jackson]

3 hours ago, Bills Survivor said:

I thought the 5th year option only applied to players picked in the first round? Davis was a fourth rounder and has slightly exceeded the expectations of that draft slot but is not good enough to be the 1B that would take this offense to the next level. This seems to be the consensus right now among the fans.

Correct

 

The conversation is about the reasons to draft a WR in the 1st. It isn’t about Davis.

[Kirby Jackson]

4 hours ago, NewEra said:

The OP list is just the guys I’ve seen most of.  I don’t know much about him other than he’s supposed to be selected before we pick and he doesn’t have the prototypical size/speed I was hoping for.  That’s not to say he’s not going to be a great pro.  I have to watch more.  Is he a Keenan allen-ish type prospect?  
 

The purpose of the post is to get all the WR draft prospect discussion in one spot because there will be a lot of it.  Please discuss what you know about JSN so we can all learn more.  I just don’t know enough yet to discuss.

 

3 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Need to dig back into the 2021 film. I know he was super impressive last year because he flashed when I was grading Olave and Wilson but I wasn't breakong him down back then. The concern I have heard on him other than the obvious (injury) is that he is really a slot guy in the NFL. Is that fair do you think? Or can he win outside? 

He’s Diggs 2.0. He’s a ridiculous route runnner with outstanding hands. He just gets open. He may be a slot guy at the next level, especially early, but so what. That’s what Diggs was too. We just added our a slot guy out of retirement. If the Bills want to use him, like they did Beasley. Earlier in his career, so be it. That is a big need.

 

JSN is more explosive than he gets credit for. The Bills need a WR that they can count on. They have some guys that can go crazy (like Davis and McKenzie). JSN would add some stability. He’d be a star for the Bills IMO.

Edited December 29, 2022 by Kirby Jackson

[starrymessenger]

6 hours ago, Greg S said:

Probably have to look at WR's who will be there in the 2nd or 3rd rounds. My guess is the Bills go OL in Rd 1.

As I think they should. This is said to be a strong class IOL (O'Cyrus Torrance has been mocked to us in the first) while the WR group looks to be weaker than in recent years and mostly slot/power slot receiver types when what we need is a big bodied vertical outside guy who can make contested catches. Johnston would be the ideal pick but he's very unlikely to be there for us late in the first (assuming WR was the priority position of need for the Bills, which is not the case). Tillman likely won't be there when we pick in the third. He lacks Johnson's athleticism and speed but he could well develop into the Hodgins receiver type except much better (faster, stronger, more physical/aggressive). If the Bills want him it would have to be our second imo (if at all). Don't know that they go there.

[Mark Vader]

9 hours ago, LyndonvilleBill said:

I'm with Gunner in this. What I've read and seen so far, not one of the stronger classes. I do like what I have seen and read so far on Rice. He may grade out as an early day 2, but if I had to guess right now, he will go on day 1 and I'd be good with it.

 

I was just reading some on Rakim Jarrett from Maryland. Day 2/3 pick. Made Feldmans Freak list. Similar measurables to Diggs. Maybe get lucky again from MD?😁

 

https://thedraftnetwork.com/sr-prospect/rakim-jarrett-5ce28118-eb17-4406-9179-805fa90e73e3/

 

6 hours ago, Solomon Grundy said:

I like his teammate Dontay Demus Jr. too. Big body, contested catch guy. Injury concerns though, but so was Pickens. Demus was the guy in MD prior to his injury. 

I like both of these guys. They were the reason to watch Maryland football.

 

Not first round talented, but definitely day 2 picks. Keep an eye on these two.

[Solomon Grundy]

1 hour ago, NewEra said:

Breece wasn’t considered to be a Bijan talent according to anyone but you.  That was evident when he went rd 2.  No chance Bijan lasts til rd 2.  But we won’t get into Breece Hall.  He’s a broken jet.  
 

yeah, Johnston’s hands have been inconsistent.  From what I’ve seen so far, his drops have been a focus issue rather than technique.  I just think his pros far outweigh his one cons and he’s a perfect compliment to Diggs.  WRs are super expensive.  RBs are super cheap. Draft the WR and have him under control for 5 years so we can spend $ elsewhere. 
 

Which FA WRs would you like to sign in order to upgrade the position?  I can tell you now, there isn’t anyone worth the price,  We cant afford to miss at this position.  

The PRICE is the problem!! Think Davante or Hopkins not gonna want out of their situations? I wanted DJ Chark before he went to Detroit. There are some prospects playing in the Cheez It bowl, Marvin Mims(Okla) and Johnny Wilson(Fl. St) although Wilson hasn’t declared yet

[NewEra]

9 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

The PRICE is the problem!! Think Davante or Hopkins not gonna want out of their situations? I wanted DJ Chark before he went to Detroit. There are some prospects playing in the Cheez It bowl, Marvin Mims(Okla) and Johnny Wilson(Fl. St) although Wilson hasn’t declared yet

Yeah, the price is the problem.  It’s a monumental problem.  Gotta draft WR talent,  stock up for 17