Suitable Edmunds Replacements in the draft

[Mark Vader]

On 2/17/2023 at 3:17 PM, chongli said:

So people here want defense...again...with day one or day two picks? 

If we lose Edmunds, then we will have to replace him. I would rather we find someone in free agency for that, but if that's not possible, then the draft is our only option.

 

As much as I want to see an offensive heavy draft, we might have to go with a defensive player with our first pick.

 

If Antonio Johnson is available, I would not hesitate to pick him.

[T master]

On 2/17/2023 at 4:17 PM, Chaos said:

Seems like there are several third round type players who can be suitable Edmunds replacements.  This assumes we are keeping Frazier and our scheme.  

These are two:
DeMarvion Overshown - former safety who grew up to be a linebacker

https://thedraftnetwork.com/sr-prospect/demarvion-overshown-9d45f5cd-68e2-4ed1-ba13-6c61db37b4b8/

 DeMarvion Overshown 🔥 FREAKISH LINEBACKER ᴴᴰ  WARNING EXPLICIT LYRICS

 

Drew Sanders - Projects all over the place from early second to late third

Best Linebacker in the Nation 💪 | Drew Sanders 2022 Arkansas Highlights 🐗 || HD
 

 

 

I'll take me a order of Drew Sanders please make that to go, Oh & could you package that & send it to 1 Bills Drive via door dash ?

 

With Attention ; Brandon Beane . Thank you so very much !!! Have a nice day ...

[MrEpsYtown]

56 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

I'm good on more small linebackers. Size wins in the NFL. It's a trait that Beane has not put enough stock in. I don't want us approaching the offseason with the mindset of just filling positions on defense. It's more about finding the type of player we are missing. Brutal, mean, imposing. Edmunds finally had a very good year but you wouldn't use any of those words to describe his play. Ditto for Milano. Terrel Bernard was supposedly a "heart and soul" guy at Baylor. I want muscle and sinew. It's why I have grown to love the idea of Jack Campell in the 2nd. You watch clips of him and nobody is moving him backwards, he is stopping runners dead in their tracks and even dragging them backwards in some cases. We don't have anyone on defense with that ability right now. Edmunds even when in the right position often gets taken for a ride by the ball carrier. It's part of our overall defensive mindset - "giving up 6 yards is okay." But it isn't okay. Giving up 0 yards is the goal. I'd like our player evaluation to start matching that reality.

Yeah I hear ya. Jack has been my guy for awhile. I think Noah Sewell gives you that type of impact as well, though I like Campbell better.

Holcomb is that Luke Keuchly size, 6-2, 240…so I wouldn’t call him small by any stretch, but some of his production could be attributed to the guys on that D line in front of him. 

 

I also think you get that solid wall with Germaine Pratt. 6-2, 245 of just solid mass running 4.5 who plays with an edge and was rightfully pissed when Ossai hit Mahomes out of bounds. Pratt is my dude and I think signing him hurts the Bengals. 

Edited February 19, 2023 by MrEpsYtown

[Dr.Sack]

I’m confident Beane will not let one of his best draft picks go. I mean he says the goal is to develop and retain top talent. 

[ngbills]

Draft OL x 2, WR early. Then go safety, DT, Bpa. 
 

Sign Devon Bush and Perryman. 

[Chaos]

2 hours ago, Dr.Sack said:

I’m confident Beane will not let one of his best draft picks go. I mean he says the goal is to develop and retain top talent. 

at all costs? Edmunds is seeking offers from other teams in free agency.  

[John from Riverside]

On 2/18/2023 at 6:37 AM, MrEpsYtown said:

Noah Sewell

 

 

 

 

 

My son is a huge Oregon fan lives about two minutes away from the stadium and tried iout for them at one point he knows everything about Oregon football and loves this player

 

They were both linebackers

3 hours ago, Dr.Sack said:

I’m confident Beane will not let one of his best draft picks go. I mean he says the goal is to develop and retain top talent. 

This year beane is in a unique situation. We have always had plenty of money to play with and not a lot of our own picks to have to re-sign in the past this year. Tough choices are going to have to be made. Edmonds might price him right himself right out of our price point

 

I would like to have them back, but if we can’t have him back, we can’t afford a drop off in production. Draft picks are going to have to play from here on out no more sitting behind veterans waiting for their chance.

 

If I had a choice of overpaying, a linebacker or building a wall around Josh Allen, I’m building a wall

Edited February 20, 2023 by John from Riverside

[HOUSE]

Baylon Spector

[Reks Ryan]

On 2/17/2023 at 8:36 PM, newcam2012 said:

Agree. Mike Ditka could be on the board and I'd still advocate for someone on the offensive side of the ball.

 

People I can emphasize enough the defense isn't going to win games; especially in the playoffs. 

 

Load up on protecting Allen and get him weapons. He will win playoff games!

Mike Ditka was a tight end in the NFL.   That's an offensive postion.    Although he did also play defense in college.

 

Maybe you mean Dick Butkus?

 

 

[PrimeTime101]

On 2/17/2023 at 5:17 PM, Chaos said:

Seems like there are several third round type players who can be suitable Edmunds replacements.  This assumes we are keeping Frazier and our scheme.  

These are two:
DeMarvion Overshown - former safety who grew up to be a linebacker

https://thedraftnetwork.com/sr-prospect/demarvion-overshown-9d45f5cd-68e2-4ed1-ba13-6c61db37b4b8/

 DeMarvion Overshown 🔥 FREAKISH LINEBACKER ᴴᴰ  WARNING EXPLICIT LYRICS

 

Drew Sanders - Projects all over the place from early second to late third

Best Linebacker in the Nation 💪 | Drew Sanders 2022 Arkansas Highlights 🐗 || HD
 

 

Chaos, your title to this thread is kind of an oxymoron (and no, I am not calling you that lol) 

 

Saying a draft pick will replace Edmunds is like using a crystal ball. The draft is a crap shoot. Could be better, worse or the same and to each extreme. 

 

This player has the potential yep, I will agree. BUT!!! I would never use "Suitable Edmunds Replacements in the draft" on any player replacing Edmunds because Edmunds is far from the best and much further from backup caliber. You never know in the draft. I LIKE THE PICK THOUGH  

[Norcalbillsfan]

On 2/17/2023 at 3:02 PM, Victory Formation said:

Draft one, sign one.

 

In the Draft:

 

1.) DeMarvion Overshown

2.) Jack Campbell

3.) Drew Sanders

 

Free Agency:

 

1.) Leighton Vander Esch

2.) Jordan Jenkins (Tweener/have him lose weight)

I'm a Vander Esch fan and he completely fits the attitude McBean loves. But he's more of an old school LB, he reads and runs down hill to make a tackle. Fraziers D asks their LBs to do alot in coverage and be space eaters in the middle of the feild. That's not Vander Eschs game, though he is tall and lanky he's more old school style. It would be getting an upgraded version of AJ Kleins style of game.

[BillsFan2313]

On 2/17/2023 at 5:25 PM, newcam2012 said:

You think 3rd round draft choice Bernard can get it done? 

 

We have our next STs stud

 

I like David Long or TJ Edwards if we have to replace Edmunds 

Edited February 21, 2023 by BillsFan2313

[Straight Hucklebuck]

On 2/17/2023 at 6:05 PM, MrEpsYtown said:

Yeah he’s probably the first one off the board. Dude can play. He’s better than Nick Bolton. I have no issue grabbing him in the first. 

 

Dude. Absolute stud.

Let Edmunds go, and draft Simpson?

 

Honestly, let Edmunds walk and sign a cheaper FA. 

 

With only 6-picks, its starting to look like the Bills are going to have to trade back and acquire more picks. 

 

When you listen to Locked on Bills, its like Bills should take a middle rounder S, LB, DT, DE. There aren't enough draft picks for this. 

 

 

Edited February 21, 2023 by Straight Hucklebuck

[KDIGGZ]

I had a dream that Edmunds went to Baltimore and I'm like what the heck they just signed their LB to big money already. But if they don't sign Lamar maybe they are loading up on defense instead and hope to win games 3-0 lol

[Chaos]

7 minutes ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

Let Edmunds go, and draft Simpson?

 

Honestly, let Edmunds walk and sign a cheaper FA. 

 

With only 6-picks, its starting to look like the Bills are going to have to trade back and acquire more picks. 

 

When you listen to Locked on Bills, its like Bills should take a middle rounder S, LB, DT, DE. There aren't enough draft picks for this. 

 

 

I think they Bills need to borrow from the future.  Trade the 24 first round pick (which God Willing is 29th to 32nd) for a second third and fourth (or something like that)

5 minutes ago, KDIGGZ said:

I had a dream that Edmunds went to Baltimore and I'm like what the heck they just signed their LB to big money already. But if they don't sign Lamar maybe they are loading up on defense instead and hope to win games 3-0 lol

they could probably make the playoffs doing that. but not much more. 

[Straight Hucklebuck]

On 2/19/2023 at 3:13 PM, HappyDays said:

 

I'm good on more small linebackers. Size wins in the NFL. It's a trait that Beane has not put enough stock in. I don't want us approaching the offseason with the mindset of just filling positions on defense. It's more about finding the type of player we are missing. Brutal, mean, imposing. Edmunds finally had a very good year but you wouldn't use any of those words to describe his play. Ditto for Milano. Terrel Bernard was supposedly a "heart and soul" guy at Baylor. I want muscle and sinew. It's why I have grown to love the idea of Jack Campell in the 2nd. You watch clips of him and nobody is moving him backwards, he is stopping runners dead in their tracks and even dragging them backwards in some cases. We don't have anyone on defense with that ability right now. Edmunds even when in the right position often gets taken for a ride by the ball carrier. It's part of our overall defensive mindset - "giving up 6 yards is okay." But it isn't okay. Giving up 0 yards is the goal. I'd like our player evaluation to start matching that reality.

Keith Ellison

John Digiorgio 

Coy Wire

John Wendling

Nic Harris

Alvin Bowen

Tony Steward

Kiko Alonso

Terrell Bernard

 

This team has a history of trying to convert Safety into Linebackers. 

 

The Bills hit on Milano, but I agree with this comment and others that the mindset of this team is to play prevent defense. 

 

Anything but "get beat over the top" seems to be the goal. 

 

 

[Gregg]

Saw this posted at the Buffalo Range.

 

Bengals LB Germaine Pratt, age 26.   

Pratt has evolved into one of the most underrated LBs in the NFL, as he amassed 190 tackles, 3 INTs, 3 FFs, and 9 PBUs in 2021 and 2022 

Pratt’s 90.1 coverage grade was the best in the NFL and his 90.1 overall since week 8 was the top among LBs   PFF grade = 80.  Higher than Tremaine's. 

SPOTRAC is projecting a salary of $10 million AAV  vs   Tremaine Edmunds $17 - $18 million AAV

[MrEpsYtown]

18 minutes ago, Gregg said:

Saw this posted at the Buffalo Range.

 

Bengals LB Germaine Pratt, age 26.   

Pratt has evolved into one of the most underrated LBs in the NFL, as he amassed 190 tackles, 3 INTs, 3 FFs, and 9 PBUs in 2021 and 2022 

Pratt’s 90.1 coverage grade was the best in the NFL and his 90.1 overall since week 8 was the top among LBs   PFF grade = 80.  Higher than Tremaine's. 

SPOTRAC is projecting a salary of $10 million AAV  vs   Tremaine Edmunds $17 - $18 million AAV

Yep thats my guy. I been flooding this board with that suggestion. Love Pratt. 

[st pete gogolak]

If we draft Overshown, can we please, please, please have Keegan-Michael Key do player introductions at least one game!

[dpberr]

There are linebackers in this draft that I'd argue are better than T. Edmunds.  I think some of them have better football instincts coming out of college than he did.  

 

My criticism of Edmunds is that he's 70% amazing athlete, 30% football player, and he lacks the football instincts that makes for a superstar linebacker.  He plays with less hesitation now, years later as he understands the game more.  Linebacker is a position where you want more instinct, more understanding of the game. 

 

 

[MrEpsYtown]

3 hours ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

Let Edmunds go, and draft Simpson?

 

Honestly, let Edmunds walk and sign a cheaper FA. 

 

With only 6-picks, its starting to look like the Bills are going to have to trade back and acquire more picks. 

 

When you listen to Locked on Bills, its like Bills should take a middle rounder S, LB, DT, DE. There aren't enough draft picks for this. 

 

 

Yeah I think they will go vet, but not dirt cheap vet, middle/high tier. Germaine Pratt, Drue Tranquill, Cole Holcomb, Leighton Vander Esch, Anthony Walker Jr, Bobby Okereke…any of those guys can come in, don the green dot make the calls etc. They also fit the scheme. 
 

One outside the box trade idea is Zaven Collins…I’m guessing the Gannon is going to want to bring TJ Edwards over to run his defense. Maybe Collins becomes available.  

 

I think there a couple of guys in the draft who could step right in an start right away, make all the calls and have the trust of the staff right away and those are Campbell, Simpson, Sewell. The rest of the guys probably won’t be able to step right in as a starter right away, that’s just my opinion. 
 

I think, if Edmunds is gone, one of those guys is probably his replacement, young vets or rookies. 

[Chaos]

8 hours ago, dpberr said:

There are linebackers in this draft that I'd argue are better than T. Edmunds.  I think some of them have better football instincts coming out of college than he did.  

 

My criticism of Edmunds is that he's 70% amazing athlete, 30% football player, and he lacks the football instincts that makes for a superstar linebacker.  He plays with less hesitation now, years later as he understands the game more.  Linebacker is a position where you want more instinct, more understanding of the game. 

 

 

There is a related problem. Having a defense that only works if you one particular guy running it, seems like strategy doomed to failure. 

[DCofNC]

On 2/17/2023 at 6:03 PM, Warriorspikes51 said:

Honestly someone please….WHY did we draft Bernard? The guy is tweener that fits no where. A 6th round pick whatever…but a 3rd?! Ugh.

I’m convinced Beane had been caught on film doing something unmentionable in Oregon and the judge was Bernard’s dad, this was the punishment.

8 hours ago, MrEpsYtown said:

Yeah I think they will go vet, but not dirt cheap vet, middle/high tier. Germaine Pratt, Drue Tranquill, Cole Holcomb, Leighton Vander Esch, Anthony Walker Jr, Bobby Okereke…any of those guys can come in, don the green dot make the calls etc. They also fit the scheme. 
 

One outside the box trade idea is Zaven Collins…I’m guessing the Gannon is going to want to bring TJ Edwards over to run his defense. Maybe Collins becomes available.  

 

I think there a couple of guys in the draft who could step right in an start right away, make all the calls and have the trust of the staff right away and those are Campbell, Simpson, Sewell. The rest of the guys probably won’t be able to step right in as a starter right away, that’s just my opinion. 
 

I think, if Edmunds is gone, one of those guys is probably his replacement, young vets or rookies. 

Vader Esch would be a good stop gap at what should be a very reasonable price.

58 minutes ago, Chaos said:

There is a related problem. Having a defense that only works if you one particular guy running it, seems like strategy doomed to failure. 

Along with having an offense that works with anybody calling the plays bc of JA, so every time your offense has a great season, your Offensive coaching talent is poached and your D remains stagnant.

[GreggTX]

Just sign an average veteran MLB and S in FA, if possible. I'm guessing these aren't the most expensive positions to fill. Good or great OL aren't often available in FA because they are in short supply.

[MrEpsYtown]

Some more Jack Campbell…literally doing things in run and coverage I have never seen TE do. The zone drop, coming off his primary responsibility and picking the ball off is Luke Kuechly type stuff. 

 

I think he will blow up the combine a little. People kind of brand him the dreaded “lunch pail” moniker that implies he is unathletic. I think he is more

athletic than people think. I want this player on my team. 

[Yantha]

While I do like Campbell, I'm also putting Ivan Pace Jr. from Cincy high on the list.  Made the "big board" today....  lol.

 

Not sure if he's a second or third round grade yet.  

[KingBoots8]

I’m all for trading back and getting a few extra picks - provided we address IOL and WR within the first 3 rounds. I’m high on Campbell and think if he was there in the 2nd you can’t pass him up. I would be ok with any of the following playing out:

 

1st round/early 2nd: IOL/WR

2nd round: Campbell or possibly Simpson if they last that long. If not, IOL/WR

3rd round: Drew Sanders, Dorian Williams, or Ivan Pace. One of these guys should be there for us. If we got Campbell or Simpson in round 2, we go IOL/WR.
4th: IOL - probably someone like Voorhis for the IOL if he even lasts that long

 

From here, depending on the trade back and/or whatever other picks we have, WR and S get addressed, and a late round flyer on a running back like KC did to see if we can find some gold.

[BigAl2526]

It's possible Trenton Simpson will still be available when Buffalo picks, and that he would be BPA.  He's a little smaller than Edmunds, but faster.

Edited February 26, 2023 by BigAl2526

[Success]

On 2/17/2023 at 6:03 PM, Warriorspikes51 said:

Honestly someone please….WHY did we draft Bernard? The guy is tweener that fits no where. A 6th round pick whatever…but a 3rd?! Ugh.

 

I happen to be a big believer in Bernard.  You have to LOVE intangibles to be one.

 

He was never supposed to come in as a rookie and make a huge splash. This is a guy who will develop over time, but has the skills to be an impact player. I don't care if I get some eyerolls.  The guy can play, and will be a big contributor.

 

[MrEpsYtown]

2 hours ago, Success said:

 

I happen to be a big believer in Bernard.  You have to LOVE intangibles to be one.

 

He was never supposed to come in as a rookie and make a huge splash. This is a guy who will develop over time, but has the skills to be an impact player. I don't care if I get some eyerolls.  The guy can play, and will be a big contributor.

 

I will say this, I was watching the Jets loss back (not sure why, self torture I guess) and Bernard was actually pretty good. I know the general consensus is that he was godawful in that game, but that isn’t true, at least to my eyes. The dude needs to get stronger. 
 

Now I still question why he was drafted if they didn’t plan on running more 4-3 sets. You can’t draft Matt Milano’s backup in the third. Is he any better than Taron Johnson in the box right now? Meh. But if he adds 10-15 pounds of muscle and keeps his athleticism, there could be something there…if you squint reallly really hard. 

[John from Riverside]

3 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

I will say this, I was watching the Jets loss back (not sure why, self torture I guess) and Bernard was actually pretty good. I know the general consensus is that he was godawful in that game, but that isn’t true, at least to my eyes. The dude needs to get stronger. 
 

Now I still question why he was drafted if they didn’t plan on running more 4-3 sets. You can’t draft Matt Milano’s backup in the third. Is he any better than Taron Johnson in the box right now? Meh. But if he adds 10-15 pounds of muscle and keeps his athleticism, there could be something there…if you squint reallly really hard. 

I am praying that you are right and Bernard was just one of those kids that had high potential but they didn’t plan on using last year
 

I’m not anticipating him being a replacement for Edmonds, but if he can come in and give us quality back up wraps, it will not be a waste of a third round pick

[Chaos]

https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/DJ-Johnson-TE-Oregon

Projected 7th round prospect.  Negative seems to be he is 24 years old. 

HEIGHT: 6-4 (89%*)    WEIGHT: 260 (98%*)
HANDS: 9 (21%*)    ARM: 33 4/8 (74%*)    
SPAN: 80 (92%*)
FORTY: 4.49 (C) (95%*)
SHUTTLE: 4.51 (P) (9%*)
10 YARD SPLIT: 1.59 (C) (70%*)

 

DJ Johnson from Burbank High School was rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 4-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Johnson joined Oregon after being heavily recruited.

 

Elite athletic skills -- Made Bruce Feldman's Freaks List at number 4. He wrote "Johnson had a dominant showing in the Ducks’ spring game, making five TFLs and four sacks. Those numbers are as jaw-dropping as the results the 6-4, 275-pounder has produced in the Oregon training program, posting a blazing 22.88 mph on the GPS to go with a 455-pound bench and 655-pound sumo deadlift."
 

Tougher between the tackles than many expect. Fluid and quick drop into zone, covers enough ground to be Tampa-2 "MIKE" and knows where the markers are.

He has the strong core and powerful hands to shed blockers, and he shows excellent instincts with the ability to quickly locate the ball.

Edited March 18, 2023 by Chaos

[Draconator]

[Simon Says]

OMG 25th ranked LB to replace Edmunds? Isn't he more of an "edge "?

I think he was charged with assault at the last game of the season

[ScorpionZero]

I just don't see how he can replace Edmonds, has almost no experience as off ball LB, and if your gonna be the Mike on the bills you better have a good feel for zone. Maybe take him with pick 204 for a project edge rusher.

[Chaos]

6 minutes ago, ScorpionZero said:

I just don't see how he can replace Edmonds, has almost no experience as off ball LB, and if your gonna be the Mike on the bills you better have a good feel for zone. Maybe take him with pick 204 for a project edge rusher.

Edmunds was once an athletic freak project (except not as big , fast or strong as Beal).  Did you have pacheco identifed as a 7th rounder last year to be a difference maker for the Super Bowl winner.  

[947]

A 260lb LB?

 

I see that his shuttle is in the 9th percentile. That shows his change of direction is very slow despite being really "straight line" fast, that's definitely due to his size. LBs need to be fast changing directions, in coverage and everything else they do. I agree with the others that he's probably an Edge prospect, not a LB.

[Chaos]

1 minute ago, 947 said:

A 260lb LB?

 

I see that his shuttle is in the 9th percentile. That shows his change of direction is very slow despite being really "straight line" fast, that's definitely due to his size. LBs need to be fast changing directions, in coverage and everything else they do. I agree with the others that he's probably an Edge prospect, not a LB.

Did you read the write on draft buzz. Not aligned with your conclusions at all. 

[Low Positive]

9 minutes ago, Chaos said:

Edmunds was once an athletic freak project (except not as big , fast or strong as Beal).  Did you have pacheco identifed as a 7th rounder last year to be a difference maker for the Super Bowl winner.  

Nobody in the NFL had Pacheco as a difference maker last year, including the Chiefs. They took a flyer on a fast small kid in the 7th and got lucky.

[Chaos]

Just now, FrenchConnection said:

Nobody in the NFL had Pacheco as a difference maker last year, including the Chiefs. They took a flyer on a fast small kid in the 7th and got lucky.

And that is exactly my proposition.  I guess people are not familiar with the phrase "Dark Horse"