Is there any defensive player you'd be happy with at pick 27?

[Nitro]

Bills will have major hoes to fill.  O line, Safety and LB are major areas.   I hope they trade out of 27 and move into the second round.  Pick up extra picks.  Deep draft in Safety so that can be addressed in mid rounds.   Building a successful team you do it front to back, inside out.   O line for the first or second pick.   With Edmunds hitting FA the glaring need for an LB is obvious.  I expect the Bills to use the first pick to replace him.  Defense will be different next season.  Whoever gets Edmunds will get a difference maker.  

[HappyDays]

27 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

WR and OL are my wishes but I’m not sure that a WR, of value, will make it to 27. He OL will have some guys there maybe but possibly not great fits. This class gives me anxiety. 

 

This is the spot I'm at as well. The more I look at the class the more I find it hard to believe a 1st round caliber WR or OL will be there at pick 27. Those positions are too valuable. Last year I thought for sure Jahan Dotson would be a possibility for us and instead he went several picks before. It's why I'm thinking as much as most Bills fans would hate it we may be forced to take a front 7 player to use the value of our pick properly.

[Victory Formation]

No. Trade down at that point.

[BarleyNY]

Let’s see how FA plays out first, but probably not. 

[Chaos]

2 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

Campbell to me belongs in a 3-4 or a team who play a more conventional 4-3 base and just ask their MLB to attack the line of scrimmage. 

Have you considered the Bills might want to start developing a defensive scheme that works with prototypical  NFL linebackers, and does not rely a very rare combination of physical measurements. Most teams seem to be limited by "need" "positional value" and "best player available" while drafting.  Bills seem to have all of that plus "must have physical traits to fit wierd and unusual scheme"

[BillsVet]

3 hours ago, Bill from NYC said:

Seriously?

 

They serious.  

 

And if Buffalo goes safety in the first, maybe they can have former NFL safety and Buffalo HC Dick Jauron come back and make the pick to honor his run of 3 straight 7-9 seasons.  It'd be magical.    

[GunnerBill]

14 minutes ago, Chaos said:

Have you considered the Bills might want to start developing a defensive scheme that works with prototypical  NFL linebackers, and does not rely a very rare combination of physical measurements. Most teams seem to be limited by "need" "positional value" and "best player available" while drafting.  Bills seem to have all of that plus "must have physical traits to fit wierd and unusual scheme"

 

I have considered they might change scheme. But I am not sure they will, or indeed should.

[BillsShredder83]

3 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

I don't think Beane will draft a safety in the 1st round. They've gotten production out of that position from exclusively late round picks. He has treated 1st round picks with proper positional value every year so I'll be surprised if he suddenly breaks that trend.

 

So what do you in the event that all the top WRs and OL are off the board? In that scenario we are either looking at a trade down, or drafting the best front 7 player available.

 

I created this thread because to a lot of Bills fans an offensive player is a foregone conclusion at pick 27. But the board could fall a certain way to where there is no value left on offense. And then Nolan Smith, Lukas Van Ness, Jack Campbell, a player like that could seriously be in contention.

Absolutely clamoring for a trade down in that scenario. It'll hurt less if we go defense after a trade down, and they're bpa at a pos of need

 

But defense is a diminished return in this league.

 

I take a B+ off player over an A defensive player. Depending on situation maybe even B over an A. Not because of need, but the way nfl rules have gone and continue to go. Is what it is

[GunnerBill]

2 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I don’t think that I can. It would have to be some freakish situation where someone absolutely plummets (like Carter 😂😂). If this situation gets a whole lot worse, maybe I could make that work but he’s going to go in the top 5. 
 

I’m in the camp of Bijan or TE > defense. WR and OL are my wishes but I’m not sure that a WR, of value, will make it to 27. He OL will have some guys there maybe but possibly not great fits. This class gives me anxiety. 

 

Dalton Kincaid at #27?

[Chaos]

15 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I have considered they might change scheme. But I am not sure they will, or indeed should.

Let me phrase the question another way.  Should factoring in personnel availability be a significant factor in scheme development? Why make it harder than it needs to be? Maybe there is a good reason, it is a real question. 

[NewEra]

10 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Dalton Kincaid at #27?

I don’t think he’ll be there.  I’d be in favor of it. I think he could be special.  I think he might be a better pass target than anyone in the draft not named Johnston, addison or JSN.  Maybe better than all 3 of them.  Throw him in the slot next to knox.  Dude can get open, catch good passes and catch passes he has no right catching.  Love his potential with Josh in the scramble drill a la Mahomes and Kelce.  

[Punching Bag]

4 hours ago, 3rdand12 said:

because player or position ?

 If Edmunds walks (and I am okay with that ) Bills will than have an Elephant in the room. That position will have to be solved not just patched over.

 

If Edmunds walks I think Bills are changing their defense and Bills may be looking for 2 LBs potentially who can start.  

I like Taron Johnson and was going to get his jersey before he changed number (Always avoid Jerseys with single digit and Johnson on name plate) I do not see the defense without a Edmunds equivalent.   They could use AJ Klein on a team friendly contract temporarily but the defense is going to need to be changed.

[LyndonvilleBill]

3 minutes ago, NewEra said:

I don’t think he’ll be there.  I’d be in favor of it. I think he could be special.  I think he might be a better pass target than anyone in the draft not named Johnston, addison or JSN.  Maybe better than all 3 of them.  Throw him in the slot next to knox.  Dude can get open, catch good passes and catch passes he has no right catching.  Love his potential with Josh in the scramble drill a la Mahomes and Kelce.  

A TE in the 1st when this TE class is supposedly one of the best in years? Doesn't seem to me like the best use of draft capital. Plus we aren't even using Knox properly. 🤔

[MrEpsYtown]

@GunnerBillthoughts on Trenton Simpson? He seems more in line with what they look for typically. Came off the edge a lot last year, a bit more in the box this year. I like him a lot, but I love Campbell too. Just a different type of backer. 
 

Drew Sanders seems like a Tremaine clone, with more playmaking ability, bug I am not sure he is a fit either. 

[HappyDays]

29 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Dalton Kincaid at #27?

 

I just put on a video of him and wow I found my newest draft crush. TE wasn't even on my radar in the 1st but his motion looks so fluid and he looks so natural plucking the ball out of the air. You think he complements Knox well if we want to do more 12 personnel?

 

At pick 27 we might have to settle for a weird position like TE or LB if we want to maximize the value of the pick. If the goal is offense only I'd be happy picking a potentially elite pass catching TE like Kincaid and figure out how to fit him into our roster.

[In Summary]

I could accept a D player if rounds 2-4 were OL and WR and there was not the value at 27. Question to me is, is LB a position we want to have cost controlled for 5 years?

[Bill from NYC]

1 hour ago, BillsVet said:

 

They serious.  

 

And if Buffalo goes safety in the first, maybe they can have former NFL safety and Buffalo HC Dick Jauron come back and make the pick to honor his run of 3 straight 7-9 seasons.  It'd be magical.    

Yes, he can come to the podium with Donte Whitner. 

[NewEra]

18 minutes ago, LyndonvilleBill said:

A TE in the 1st when this TE class is supposedly one of the best in years? Doesn't seem to me like the best use of draft capital. Plus we aren't even using Knox properly. 🤔

I agree- and generally speaking, drafting a TE in rd 1 is a terrible idea.  I just love the player and think he could be special.  As a red zone target, he could be elite.  I don’t think any of the WRs are going to be special.  
 

I think he can lineup in the slot and outside and in time with added strength could be effective inline.  We need playmakers-  he could be the best in the draft.  A guy that Josh can just throw it up to and be confidant he’ll bring it down.  We need targets that have the ability to excel in contested catches.  He’s that guy. Or maybe I’m completely overrating him.  🤣 

[Kirby Jackson]

55 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Dalton Kincaid at #27?

I could talk myself into it (depending on who is available). 

[MrEpsYtown]

Antonio Johnson with 8 bench press reps and 31 inch vert. Really? How is that possible?

 

Brian Branch workout seems ok. Maybe he slips a little. 
 

My guy Sydney Brown tested well. Love that guy. 

[Kaenon]

5 hours ago, Special K said:

Antonio Johnson S Texas A&M, but only if all top rated OL and WR are off the board, and dependent on how the Bills address the Safety position in FA.

 

 

As the resident Aggie fan on this board, I'm all for it!

[whorlnut]

No

[BeavercreekBillsFan]

There’s no defensive player I want at 27, I’ll puke if we take one I think. I don’t need some first round pick wasted on a scheme that’s lazy and doesn’t encourage play making. 
 

We badly need weapons and most importantly protection for josh. Which of course means we will waste the pick on a safety. 

[Punching Bag]

20 minutes ago, BeavercreekBillsFan said:

There’s no defensive player I want at 27, I’ll puke if we take one I think. I don’t need some first round pick wasted on a scheme that’s lazy and doesn’t encourage play making. 
 

We badly need weapons and most importantly protection for josh. Which of course means we will waste the pick on a safety. 

 

If he does change alias to PukingInBeavercreek

[Yantha]

Oh there will be heads exploding during the draft.  ...

 

Much more available defensive talent in the first few rounds compared to high end offensive talent.   

 

🍿🍿🍿🍿

We MAY have a shot at the best OG in this class, but if a higher ranked defensive player is sitting there, do you look the other way?

[Victory Formation]

38 minutes ago, BeavercreekBillsFan said:

There’s no defensive player I want at 27, I’ll puke if we take one I think. I don’t need some first round pick wasted on a scheme that’s lazy and doesn’t encourage play making. 
 

We badly need weapons and most importantly protection for josh. Which of course means we will waste the pick on a safety. 

There’s no better way to put it.

[Mark Vader]

Antonio Johnson, Safety Texas A&M

[Orlando Tim]

If Tremaine leaves than a dominant LB would be cool but otherwise OL or TE only unless one of the stud WR are still there.

[HappyDays]

1 hour ago, BeavercreekBillsFan said:

We badly need weapons and most importantly protection for josh.

 

I hear you. Hypothetically what if in FA we sign OBJ and Isaac Semeulo (or equivalent talents at the same positions), plugging our two biggest offensive holes before the draft? Then would you feel more comfortable with defense at pick 27?

[RyanC883]

7 hours ago, MrEpsYtown said:

Jack Campbell 100%. I like Simpson and Sanders too and probably ok with it. 
 

If they fall, Brian Branch, Van Ness, Nolan Smith.

 

Tyree Wilson, Jalen Carter, Myles Murphy if for some crazy reason they fall. 
 

Top corner who might fall. 

 

Brian Branch and Nolan Smith I'd be okay with, as well as a top S or CB.  

 

Basically, I want a guy (preferably on offense) that has a high degree of likelihood of making an impact all year.  If no offensive players are left, then a D is fine.  

 

But, I'm not sure Van Ness fits that. He seems more of a "he should be good" guy than a guarantee type that you look for in Rd. 1, IMO.  I could be totally wrong.  

[John from Riverside]

Without knowing who we brought in in free agency, my answer is no I would not be happy with any defensive player of 27

[Straight Hucklebuck]

Honestly I’d be depressed if this team drafts defense again in April. 

[TheBeaneBandit]

1 hour ago, HappyDays said:

 

I hear you. Hypothetically what if in FA we sign OBJ and Isaac Semeulo (or equivalent talents at the same positions), plugging our two biggest offensive holes before the draft? Then would you feel more comfortable with defense at pick 27?

YES.

[KOKBILLS]

No...

[LABILLBACKER]

2 hours ago, Victory Formation said:

There’s no better way to put it.

That may be the most accurate sentence to describe our defense all year. Well done BeaverCreek!

[BADOLBILZ]

 

The answer is yes you take the best player at a premium position on whichever side of the ball is available unless you can trade the pick for a good player or more value.

 

If you draft for immediate need you end up with Cody Ford instead of DK Metcalf or AJ Brown.

 

The logic behind taking Ford was simple.........sure we may be passing on better players at more premium, but less immediately needed positions........but if Ford is at least solid at RT, it will work out fine.

 

But he wasn't at least solid.........he was terrible.

 

And that's the way drafts go............in the lead up to them it seems like very little separates tiers of players..........but in reality one pick could be a HOF'er and the one's on either side of that selection could be failures.

 

The early rounds of the draft are the place where you are most likely to find your superstar, foundational talents..........so you should aim high and not let temporary need dictate those choices.

 

 

 

Edited March 6, 2023 by BADOLBILZ

[HappyDays]

3 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Not for a safety or a linebacker to replace the ones we lost to FA

 

For me on defense it is not about filling holes, it is about filling in a missing "type" of player. The kind that is okay getting in the face of opponents AND teammates and that opposing players are afraid to be hit by. We are missing size and physicality on defense. Many of us want the defense to start playing more of an attack style instead of a passive style against top offenses. Getting a big brute in the middle of the defense would be a good starting point.

 

Drafting a safety in the 1st I agree that would give me the sense of Beane just trying to fill a hole and personally I wouldn't be happy with that pick. The one that has been named, Antonio Johnson, I don't see a ceiling for him where he becomes a truly game changing player. You almost have to be an all-time great to be a game changer at safety. I think I would take any other position, even RB, before considering safety in the 1st.

[Doc Brown]

5 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

The answer is yes you take the best player at a premium position on whichever side of the ball is available unless you can trade the pick for a good player or more value.

 

If you draft for immediate need you end up with Cody Ford instead of DK Metcalf or AJ Brown.

 

The logic behind taking Ford was simple.........sure we may be passing on better players at more premium, but less immediately needed positions........but if Ford is at least solid at RT, it will work out fine.

 

But he wasn't at least solid.........he was terrible.

 

And that's the way drafts go............in the lead up to them it seems like very little separates tiers of players..........but in reality one pick could be a HOF'er and the one's on either side of that selection could be failures.

 

The early rounds of the draft are the place where you are most likely to find your superstar, foundational talents..........so you should aim high and not let temporary need dictate those choices.

 

 

 

Beane at least to me has followed this strategy and his draft process has always been fine.  QB, MLB, DT, WR, DE, CB are all premium positions he used first round picks to obtain.  The problem is in the scouting department.  I remember Cody Ford being in the 20 to 30 range on most big boards and mock drafts before the 2019 draft.  He may have been there "aim high superstar" talent that they traded up to get when he slipped to the second round.  Boogie Basham was another pick where they thought they were getting great value at a premium position.  

[Fan in Chicago]

11 hours ago, HappyDays said:

Most Bills fans understandably want an offensive player in the 1st round. I get it. But if the board falls a certain way, is there any defensive player realistically available at pick 27 that you would be happy with?

 

I 

Irrespective of the player, no D guy in the first round.

[Freddie's Dead]

No.