2023 Draft- Wide Receiver discussion

[Solomon Grundy]

1 hour ago, Sammy Watkins' Rib said:

I want a guy that is 6'4"+ or has Hill/Waddle speed. It's seems like it has been forever since we have drafted guys like that. That said, the SMU WR Rice seems like he is a good mix of decent size (6/'2"), good enough speed, good hands and just a player that knows how to play the position. He might be the guy. But we are missing the playmakers with the elite traits. 

Can they draft a guy that actually catches the ball first and foremost!! Get me a guy that can get open and catch the ball when thrown to and I'll be happy. Size and speed be damned!! 

[SCBills]

If there’s a guy within range that has WR1 potential, just go get him.  
 

I say this no matter what we do in FA. 
 

Find a way to get Meyers, OBJ etc.. ok, great, still get that guy at our pick or with a small trade up.  
 

Jordan Addison just seems absolutely perfect on this team.   If he’s still there at, say, 20… I’m making the call. 

[Yantha]

On 12/29/2022 at 4:15 AM, NewEra said:

It’s looking like We’ll be looking to draft at least 1 WR in the first 2 days of the draft.  We’ve gone back to John Brown and Cole Beasley.  Two moves that I’m happy about…. Which is why WR must be addressed early in the draft.  
 

I just wanted to get the discussion going and see who you guys like and in which rounds.
 

Just from watching a decent amount of college football this year and watching a couple hours of highlights, this WR group has some intriguing talent and some electricity in small packages.

 

 

I’ll get it started by talking about the guys I’ve seen the most of.  
 

Quintin Johnston-  TCU-   Early on in the process (only watched live games and highlights), I think I’d give up this years 1st and next years 2nd for him.  6’4, 215 tackle breaking rac monster.  He looks special to me and I think he’ll be a top 10 pick and the 1st wr taken. He’d be perfect compliment to Diggs and a sure fire hall of famer with Josh throwing to him….. as long as he clean up his concentration lapse drops.  As of 12/29, he’s the guy I want.  A guy can dream.  😔 

 

Kayshon Boutte-  LSU-  disappointing junior year and I’m hearing serious character issues.  Dunno if he’s a McD type.  He’s electric with the ball in his hand.  His tape from freshman to junior year looks so much different though.  I want the freshman version.  6’0 185ish. 

 

Rashee Rice-  SMU-  not sure what to think about him.  His tape doesn’t wow me but he’s tough. Solid route runner and catches the ball.  Tough in the open field and making contested catches. 6’2 200.  Rd 2?

 

Cedric Tillman-   6’3 215 34.5 inch arm-  if he runs in the 4.4’s, could he be a 1st rd pick or is he 2nd rd bound like Pickens was?   Similar in speed and stature to gabe but excels in contested catches and is tough after the catch, unlike Gabe. 

 

Then there’s the undersized speed demons-  such an interesting group.  I was hoping to add a wr with speed and also some size- preferably with a larger catch radius and plus contested catch.  Basically, I don’t want another Mckenzie body clone.  Not that all of these WRs are Dirty body clones, but are sub 180ish lbs.  

 

What are your guys thoughts on these guys:

Jalin Wyatt

Josh Downs

Zay Flowers

 

All 3 big time speed threats- but are they big enough to hold up as a go to playmaker and be worthy a late 1st round pick?  Wyatt and Downs could be day 1 selections.  Flowers likely 2. 
 

anyone have knowledge of Tyler Harrell?  Marquez Stevenson-like but probably faster and more built.   Where do you guys think he’ll be drafted?

 

Those are the guys I know most about at the moment- eager to hear what you guys think about them and the others. 

would love more info on:

Jaxon Smith-Njigba 

Jordan Addison

parker Washington

AT Perry

Trey Palmer

Jonathan Mingo

Johnny Wilson

Dontayvion Wicks

Ainias Smith

Puka Nacua

 

Go Bills

 

 

Thanks for this post NewEra.  I'm just scratching the surface on this draft class at WR and appreciate your summary.

 

I agree that WR is a need, but I'd only go with a day 1 or 2 pick if the right player slipped.  I think that OG, OT, OC, and Linebacker are higher needs than WR (but I do have faith that Davis will rebound, and Shakir is going to develop into a serious threat).  I even have safety higher than WR with our starters on the wrong side of 30.

 

My draft needs (in order) are:

Left OG

Linebacker 

Right Tackle

Cornerback (I'm not sold on White as a rebound candidate, and this is a pass-happy league)

Right OG

Center

Safety X2 

D-line

Pass Rush

Wide Receiver

 

I'd pick ANY of the positions above in rounds 1-3, but emphasis on the top 7 in the list.

[LABILLBACKER]

On 2/11/2023 at 10:32 AM, Solomon Grundy said:

Can they draft a guy that actually catches the ball first and foremost!! Get me a guy that can get open and catch the ball when thrown to and I'll be happy. Size and speed be damned!! 

Cooper Kupp agrees with your assessment. 

[Nephilim17]

18 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

Cooper Kupp agrees with your assessment. 

We've got that kind of player in Diggs; I'd like a mismatch player to complement Diggs. Especially someone to stretch the field so the safeties can't play low or bracket Diggs all the time.

[Yantha]

I'm looking for a burner like Christian Watson.  Allen's got the arm.

[LABILLBACKER]

7 minutes ago, Nephilim17 said:

We've got that kind of player in Diggs; I'd like a mismatch player to complement Diggs. Especially someone to stretch the field so the safeties can't play low or bracket Diggs all the time.

Then we'll have to trade up for Quentin Johnston. 

[BADOLBILZ]

13 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

Cooper Kupp agrees with your assessment. 

 

 

Kupp doesn't run a 4.3 but he gets from zero to full speed incredibly quick and maintains it.........that's his extraordinary ability.........which has the same kind of impact as great speed.

 

The Bills need a guy who Josh Allen can trust but can also do more than just catch the ball in order to bring the quick game balance back to their passing attack.......that slot guy should still be giving you about 12 yards per catch.

 

The tangible decline for the Bills quick game started when Beasley went from 11.8 to 8.5 from 2020-2021.  

 

That's a huge drop.   Instead of a first down on one play.........you need a 2021 Saquon Barkley or Leonard Fournette carry on the next play just to get to that 12 yards. (gratuitous runnin' bax joke) 

 

 

[GunnerBill]

17 minutes ago, Yantha said:

I'm looking for a burner like Christian Watson.  Allen's got the arm.

 

You know who we could have taken the chance on last year? Christian Watson. 

[NewEra]

40 minutes ago, Yantha said:

 

Thanks for this post NewEra.  I'm just scratching the surface on this draft class at WR and appreciate your summary.

 

I agree that WR is a need, but I'd only go with a day 1 or 2 pick if the right player slipped.  I think that OG, OT, OC, and Linebacker are higher needs than WR (but I do have faith that Davis will rebound, and Shakir is going to develop into a serious threat).  I even have safety higher than WR with our starters on the wrong side of 30.

 

My draft needs (in order) are:

Left OG

Linebacker 

Right Tackle

Cornerback (I'm not sold on White as a rebound candidate, and this is a pass-happy league)

Right OG

Center

Safety X2 

D-line

Pass Rush

Wide Receiver

 

I'd pick ANY of the positions above in rounds 1-3, but emphasis on the top 7 in the list.

You’re welcome.  I’ve been busy with life the last month or so, so I haven’t haven’t dug much deeper on the WRs yet.  
 

You listed every single defensive position as a bigger priority than WR….. interesting.  I thought our D, even though it was banged up all season, was on par with our O.  If our O happened to be banged up like our D was….. our team would’ve been a dumpster fire.  Imagine Diggs getting injured…. Our season would immediately be over.  We scored 10 points in the deciding game…. And everyone was healthy. 

 

LB I can understand if we lose tremaine….. but I think he returns.  You think that Tremaine is a goner I assume?  
 

i agree that pass rush, corner and S are still pretty big needs, but I’d put Wr above all of them atm.  

1 minute ago, GunnerBill said:

 

You know who we could have taken the chance on last year? Christian Watson. 

Watson or Pickens would’ve been amazing. 😞 

 

instead we draft a corner that couldn’t beat out Dane or a fellow rookie drafted 5 rounds after him. 
 

I did like what I saw from Elam this year though.  Now we just need our vaunted defensive back gurus to develop him into a star. 

[LABILLBACKER]

Priorities in this exact order should be:

1.  LG

2.  RT

3.  WR2

4.  DE

5.   LB

6.   SS

....If a dynamic wr falls to us then that should be 27.  The next 2 picks OL.  4th round maybe an under the radar pass rusher to replace Basham/AJE down the road. If we lose Tremaine then either sign Vander Esch or go LB in the 5th.  

 

[LABILLBACKER]

16 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

You know who we could have taken the chance on last year? Christian Watson. 

Agree....if we get another chance to draft a 6-4 / 4.39 guy we better consider Johnston if he's close to 27.

[GunnerBill]

On 2/11/2023 at 4:45 PM, KOKBILLS said:

 

Good post...

 

I've already dug in pretty deep on this WR class...A few takes...

 

Forget about Johnston, Addison, and Hyatt unless the Bills trade up a bit...And not just a couple picks...They have very different skill sets, but each brings something to the table that is really good. Hyatt is rumored to run in the high 4.2's, and yes he's a bit thin, but he's a serious gamer that NFL teams will have to respect or face the consequences. Johnston is prototype-type (if that makes sense). I think his floor is Tee Higgins. Addison can really do it all...In this day and age of the NFL, those three will be coveted.

 

After that is Smith-Njigba...He's a REAL polished route runner coming out, but I would be surprised if he runs much better that 4.5. Honestly, sometimes he looks to me like he's running in sand...But he gets open...A lot...And maybe he surprises with his 40 time. He's very good, but he's basically a slot-only option. More of a high-floor guy IMHO. Rashee Rice is really interesting. But I think it will be a stretch to expect him to step into a big role as a Rookie. He's got the tools, he's confident, he looks like a 4.4 guy to me...It's just...how long will it take him to adjust to the NFL game? 

 

I kind of lump Downs, Flowers, and Washington together. I see them all as slot-only options. Flowers is more of move type and the best of these 3 IMHO...He's a serious gamer. He's also on the smaller side obviously (5-9 1/4 -182)... Downs is not big either (5-10-174), and Washington is the thickest but still on the shorter side (5- 10-around 210)...All 3 are Day 2 options...Would not be surprised to see at least one of the 3 get to the Bills 2nd round pick.

 

I really want to see what Cedrick Tillman runs...I think the Pickens comparison is fair, they do have similar traits. I felt Pickens was 1st round prospect, and he is absolutely the guy I would have Drafted for the Bills in the 1st last year. So projecting Tillman there early is not far fetched. If he runs real fast it could happen. Tillman is more of the type-WR I think the Bills need. More prototype size (around 6-3-215), win over the top, contested ball-type. He only played 6 games in 2022...That alone could push him down a little bit. I think the likely scenario for Tillman is early-mid 2nd Round. 

 

Of the rest that I have seen so far, keep an eye out for Puka Nacua...He's got good size (6-1-205...but honestly he looks bigger on the field to me for some reason), he looks like a 4.4-something guy on the field, and he was used all kinds of ways at BYU...He's a Day 2 guy that will have a role in the NFL as a Rookie. And his ceiling is really nice. If the Bills want to wait till the late-2nd for a WR, I think Nacua would be a great option there. 

 

Agree with much of this - it's a good take. My slight points of disagreement:

 

1. Hyatt for me could well get to those last 6 or 7 picks of round 1. He is going to be a very scheme specific fit. Not sure he will be for everyone. He could fly and the combine - agreed, and it only take one team to love him - agreed again, and it certainly possible he goes way before the Bills pick. But I think it is possible he is still there. 

 

2. Quintin Johnson I get lower on every time I put his tape on. The route running is the first thing... that is only average (and I am a sucker for a route runner, I confess... that is my "type"). But the thing that has soured me on him a little is definitely the lack of hands catches. There is a lot of body catching on his take and hence I don't think he uses that prototypical size that you rightly identify he has as effectively as he could. I think that will turn off some teams. Again I think it is feasible he goes later than people expect, but I suppose I still do think he is gone by #27. 

 

3. I don't think Cedric Tillman has the power of a George Pickens and I'm also not sure he is really 6'3. He looks shorter than that to me. I will be interested to see the measurement. But I see the comparison in that he is a pure downfield, outside receiver. You are not going to ask him to do a lot of short area quickness type stuff you are going to tell him to run down the field, beat his DB and then get his body in position to make a catch. I had a high 2nd on Pickens, I have provisionally a low 2nd on Tillman. 

 

But as I say, overall, I think much of this post is spot on and reflects what I see when I watch these guys too. It is definitely a weaker WR class than last year. The best grade I have currently (Addison) would make him my WR5 in last year's group. There is no superstar prospect in this class. Doesn't mean there can't be a superstar player to emerge from it though. 

19 minutes ago, NewEra said:

 

Watson or Pickens would’ve been amazing. 😞 

 

instead we draft a corner that couldn’t beat out Dane or a fellow rookie drafted 5 rounds after him. 
 

I did like what I saw from Elam this year though.  Now we just need our vaunted defensive back gurus to develop him into a star. 

 

Yea same. I'm not down on Elam really at all, in fact I'm probably more encouraged than I was on draft day. But in a world where Andrew Booth's medicals were what they were Christian Watson would have been my guy last year. And I knew it was probably going to be 2nd half of the season before he came on. His rookie year went pretty much as I'd have predicted it. 

[Solomon Grundy]

43 minutes ago, Nephilim17 said:

We've got that kind of player in Diggs; I'd like a mismatch player to complement Diggs. Especially someone to stretch the field so the safeties can't play low or bracket Diggs all the time.

Only to drop the pass?? If that's what you want, Robert Foster is available 😎

26 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

You know who we could have taken the chance on last year? Christian Watson. 

Scouting matters!!

[BADOLBILZ]

31 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Agree with much of this - it's a good take. My slight points of disagreement:

 

1. Hyatt for me could well get to those last 6 or 7 picks of round 1. He is going to be a very scheme specific fit. Not sure he will be for everyone. He could fly and the combine - agreed, and it only take one team to love him - agreed again, and it certainly possible he goes way before the Bills pick. But I think it is possible he is still there. 

 

2. Quintin Johnson I get lower on every time I put his tape on. The route running is the first thing... that is only average (and I am a sucker for a route runner, I confess... that is my "type"). But the thing that has soured me on him a little is definitely the lack of hands catches. There is a lot of body catching on his take and hence I don't think he uses that prototypical size that you rightly identify he has as effectively as he could. I think that will turn off some teams. Again I think it is feasible he goes later than people expect, but I suppose I still do think he is gone by #27. 

 

3. I don't think Cedric Tillman has the power of a George Pickens and I'm also not sure he is really 6'3. He looks shorter than that to me. I will be interested to see the measurement. But I see the comparison in that he is a pure downfield, outside receiver. You are not going to ask him to do a lot of short area quickness type stuff you are going to tell him to run down the field, beat his DB and then get his body in position to make a catch. I had a high 2nd on Pickens, I have provisionally a low 2nd on Tillman. 

 

But as I say, overall, I think much of this post is spot on and reflects what I see when I watch these guys too. It is definitely a weaker WR class than last year. The best grade I have currently (Addison) would make him my WR5 in last year's group. There is no superstar prospect in this class. Doesn't mean there can't be a superstar player to emerge from it though. 

 

Yea same. I'm not down on Elam really at all, in fact I'm probably more encouraged than I was on draft day. But in a world where Andrew Booth's medicals were what they were Christian Watson would have been my guy last year. And I knew it was probably going to be 2nd half of the season before he came on. His rookie year went pretty much as I'd have predicted it. 

 

1. I am feeling a Christian Watson comp with Hyatt......he's shorter but similar build,  seems to have the same kind of explosiveness,  neither catch the ball with their hands much but when you are wide open you don't have to etc..   Hyatt is about a year and a half younger than Watson was as well.

 

2. I've seen people try to compare Quintin Johnson to Tee Higgins.........and they are not comparable IMO in that as you mentioned Johnson is a body catcher and Higgins catches the ball with his hands.   Higgins' catch radius is much larger.

 

As for last season..........as it turned out the Bills probably could have waited on CB because the league made the transition to CB pretty easy.    Bills fans thought Beane had nailed it with Elam and Benford playing a lot early.........but it turned out handsy college CB's arrived at just the right time so there was a lot of value to be found all over the draft at CB.

 

 

[Yantha]

1 hour ago, NewEra said:

You listed every single defensive position as a bigger priority than WR….. interesting.  I thought our D, even though it was banged up all season, was on par with our O.  If our O happened to be banged up like our D was….. our team would’ve been a dumpster fire.  Imagine Diggs getting injured…. Our season would immediately be over.  We scored 10 points in the deciding game…. And everyone was healthy. 

Yeah, I kind of have my draft needs in two tiers of players that could use an upgrade and/or competition

LG Saffold 

LB Klein 

RT Brown 

CB White 

RG Bates 

OC Morse 

These would be the 1st priority for me for early round draft picks (right now...  things change dramatically after FA)

 

Then yes, I have D-line ahead of WR in the list but really I'm just concerned with developing the next era of safeties.  DT would be a luxury pick I think if the right player slipped.  And again I have WR at the bottom, but because I still like our top 3 (again, I see Davis rebounding and Shakir is going to be special IMO).

 

1 hour ago, NewEra said:

LB I can understand if we lose tremaine….. but I think he returns.  You think that Tremaine is a goner I assume?  

 

No, I think Tremaine will be made an offer, but I want to replace Klein / improve depth / give more versatility in alignments.
 

i agree that pass rush, corner and S are still pretty big needs, but I’d put Wr above all of them atm.  

Watson or Pickens would’ve been amazing. 😞 

 

instead we draft a corner that couldn’t beat out Dane or a fellow rookie drafted 5 rounds after him. 
 

I did like what I saw from Elam this year though.  Now we just need our vaunted defensive back gurus to develop him into a star. 

 

[Straight Hucklebuck]

I want WR in Round 1.

 

What this team also needs to realize is they have the biggest piece to a great offense already, a franchise QB.

 

So what they need to do now is decide what kind of offense they want to be and draft and sign those those type of weapons specially.

 

Don’t let the Buffalo media bully you into this run first, Kurt Warner approved, checkdown offense. 
 

If you want deep shots, aggressive then you’ll need a Jalin Hyatt. 
 

If you want a route running offense, then it might be a volume WR like

Jarvis Landry in FA, or Jaxson Smith-Ngijba. 
 

But our Buffalo media was all over Allen and Dorsey for how the Miami Playoff game looked, the lack of efficient underneath routes.

 

I think you can have that offense, but the Bills have to draft that way, instead of peanut buttering everything and trying to do everything well. 
 

The bottom 3 WRs on this team need to go, two of them are FAs already. Pick a direction Buffalo and start investing in that path.

[RyanC883]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Agree with much of this - it's a good take. My slight points of disagreement:

 

1. Hyatt for me could well get to those last 6 or 7 picks of round 1. He is going to be a very scheme specific fit. Not sure he will be for everyone. He could fly and the combine - agreed, and it only take one team to love him - agreed again, and it certainly possible he goes way before the Bills pick. But I think it is possible he is still there. 

 

2. Quintin Johnson I get lower on every time I put his tape on. The route running is the first thing... that is only average (and I am a sucker for a route runner, I confess... that is my "type"). But the thing that has soured me on him a little is definitely the lack of hands catches. There is a lot of body catching on his take and hence I don't think he uses that prototypical size that you rightly identify he has as effectively as he could. I think that will turn off some teams. Again I think it is feasible he goes later than people expect, but I suppose I still do think he is gone by #27. 

 

3. I don't think Cedric Tillman has the power of a George Pickens and I'm also not sure he is really 6'3. He looks shorter than that to me. I will be interested to see the measurement. But I see the comparison in that he is a pure downfield, outside receiver. You are not going to ask him to do a lot of short area quickness type stuff you are going to tell him to run down the field, beat his DB and then get his body in position to make a catch. I had a high 2nd on Pickens, I have provisionally a low 2nd on Tillman. 

 

But as I say, overall, I think much of this post is spot on and reflects what I see when I watch these guys too. It is definitely a weaker WR class than last year. The best grade I have currently (Addison) would make him my WR5 in last year's group. There is no superstar prospect in this class. Doesn't mean there can't be a superstar player to emerge from it though. 

 

Yea same. I'm not down on Elam really at all, in fact I'm probably more encouraged than I was on draft day. But in a world where Andrew Booth's medicals were what they were Christian Watson would have been my guy last year. And I knew it was probably going to be 2nd half of the season before he came on. His rookie year went pretty much as I'd have predicted it. 

 

I’d take a speedy downfield route runner with hands.  Playing opposite Diggs should open that guy up a bit.  Anyone you see that fits this mold?  Seems like some guys in later rounds may be available (guy from Iowa State whose name escapes me and PSU guy). 

10 minutes ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

I want WR in Round 1.

 

What this team also needs to realize is they have the biggest piece to a great offense already, a franchise QB.

 

So what they need to do now is decide what kind of offense they want to be and draft and sign those those type of weapons specially.

 

Don’t let the Buffalo media bully you into this run first, Kurt Warner approved, checkdown offense. 
 

If you want deep shots, aggressive then you’ll need a Jalin Hyatt. 
 

If you want a route running offense, then it might be a volume WR like

Jarvis Landry in FA, or Jaxson Smith-Ngijba. 
 

But our Buffalo media was all over Allen and Dorsey for how the Miami Playoff game looked, the lack of efficient underneath routes.

 

I think you can have that offense, but the Bills have to draft that way, instead of peanut buttering everything and trying to do everything well. 
 

The bottom 3 WRs on this team need to go, two of them are FAs already. Pick a direction Buffalo and start investing in that path.

 

agree.  I think we have our slot guy already or get Beasly back.  Need that downfield catching threat. 

 

I’d be ok with OT in rd1 also if a good WR is not there.  Also helps passing game.  

[GunnerBill]

7 minutes ago, RyanC883 said:

 

I’d take a speedy downfield route runner with hands.  Playing opposite Diggs should open that guy up a bit.  Anyone you see that fits this mold?  Seems like some guys in later rounds may be available (guy from Iowa State whose name escapes me and PSU guy). 

 

Xavier Hutchinson. I like him. I think he is probably a 3rd rounder... but if the Bills haven't gone WR in round 1 and the round 2 guys have emptied out I would be fine with taking a shot at Hutchinson at the end of the second. Would be a bit of a reach but a swing on potential. 

[NewEra]

42 minutes ago, Yantha said:

Yeah, I kind of have my draft needs in two tiers of players that could use an upgrade and/or competition

LG Saffold 

LB Klein 

RT Brown 

CB White 

RG Bates 

OC Morse 

These would be the 1st priority for me for early round draft picks (right now...  things change dramatically after FA)

 

Then yes, I have D-line ahead of WR in the list but really I'm just concerned with developing the next era of safeties.  DT would be a luxury pick I think if the right player slipped.  And again I have WR at the bottom, but because I still like our top 3 (again, I see Davis rebounding and Shakir is going to be special IMO).

 

 

I’d be shocked if we see anything different from the D.  It’ll be nickel 85%+ of the snaps.
 

If we keep Maine, we better hope Bernard can fit that versatility you seek (but won’t get).  We 💯cannot sink more resources into that position.  Maine and Milano both getting paid-  3rd rd pick on Bernard.  We play almost all nickel.  And that won’t change until McF is gone.  
 

WR is a much great need imo.