Draft Prospect Interviews with Bills - Post 'em here

[Prospector]

11 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

If we want YAC yards, this is not the guy. A gentle breeze brings him to the ground... this may be the first guy I looked up who had zero broken tackles in his highlight real. He does look relatively athletic though.

[Bongo]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/04/06/packers-bears-bills-among-darnell-wrights-visits/

[Yantha]

THREE prospects have met with the Bills on "multiple occasions".

1.  OG O'Cyrus Torrence

2.  RB Bijan Robinson

3.  WR Jordan Addison

 

PRIVATE workouts outside of the combine or pro day arguably shows elevated interest:

1.  DT Gervon Dexter

2.  DT Jaquelin Roy

3.  OG O'Cyrus Torrence

 

So for all the OG additions in the FA, we've not been talking all that much about GUARD.  Most of us, myself included have shifted over to RT, and MLB as "top needs".

 

.....don't be overly surprised if we go with the best OG in the draft in round 1.....

 

Source:  https://walterfootball.com/prospectMeetings/byteam

 

[Nephilim17]

11 minutes ago, Yantha said:

THREE prospects have met with the Bills on "multiple occasions".

1.  OG O'Cyrus Torrence

2.  RB Bijan Robinson

3.  WR Jordan Addison

 

PRIVATE workouts outside of the combine or pro day arguably shows elevated interest:

1.  DT Gervon Dexter

2.  DT Jaquelin Roy

3.  OG O'Cyrus Torrence

 

So for all the OG additions in the FA, we've not been talking all that much about GUARD.  Most of us, myself included have shifted over to RT, and MLB as "top needs".

 

.....don't be overly surprised if we go with the best OG in the draft in round 1.....

 

Source:  https://walterfootball.com/prospectMeetings/byteam

 

 

I've read here many times by knowledgeable posters that Torrence is not a fit for our O-line scheme. So what's happening?
1) The fans' scouting is off.

2) The Bills pros' scouting is off.

3) The Bills know he's not a natural fit but want to take him and make him work in our scheme all the same (they have a history, like with AJ and Basham of trying to change early-round picks).

4) The Bills want to change their O-line scheme.

5) It's a red herring to throw off our true drafting intentions.

I'm curious what those with more expertise think as this seems like a disconnect.

Edited April 6, 2023 by Nephilim17

[The Jokeman]

3 minutes ago, Nephilim17 said:

 

I've read here many times by knowledgeable posters that Torrence is not a fit for our O-line scheme. So what's happening?
1) The fans' scouting is off.

2) The Bills pros' scouting is off.

3) The Bills know he's not a natural fit but want to take him and make him work in our scheme all the same (they have a history, like with AJ and Basham of trying to change early-round picks).

4) The Bills want to change their O-line scheme.

I'm curious what those with more expertise think as this seems like a disconnect.

Or maybe we're trying to get intel on a teammate of Torrence's like DT Gervon Dexter Sr. who he practiced against. As we do have a need for a DT and Dexter is one of those guys that has the size we seem to love. 

[LEBills]

15 minutes ago, Nephilim17 said:

 

I've read here many times by knowledgeable posters that Torrence is not a fit for our O-line scheme. So what's happening?
1) The fans' scouting is off.

2) The Bills pros' scouting is off.

3) The Bills know he's not a natural fit but want to take him and make him work in our scheme all the same (they have a history, like with AJ and Basham of trying to change early-round picks).

4) The Bills want to change their O-line scheme.

5) It's a red herring to throw off our true drafting intentions.

I'm curious what those with more expertise think as this seems like a disconnect.

If I had to guess, the Bills top priority is to upgrade the OL anyway possible whether that is upgrading Bates or Brown or both on the RT side. Bates is only getting about 4 mil per year and is the primary backup at Center so moving him back to the bench is not out of the question imo and may be the reason they think McGovern will be the LG.

 

I don’t think the scheme part is much of a concern when they are looking for talent. Torrence is certainly bigger and less of a mover than they normally have on the line but it doesn’t mean he can’t play RG in our system. They also interviewed Steve Avila who is pretty athletic for his size but not an above 9 RAS guy like most of our line now. I don’t think Torrence will be the guy we take but I think it shows we are looking very, very closely at OL this draft. Or at least that is wishful thinking for me.

[Yantha]

1 hour ago, Nephilim17 said:

 

I've read here many times by knowledgeable posters that Torrence is not a fit for our O-line scheme. So what's happening?
1) The fans' scouting is off.

2) The Bills pros' scouting is off.

3) The Bills know he's not a natural fit but want to take him and make him work in our scheme all the same (they have a history, like with AJ and Basham of trying to change early-round picks).

4) The Bills want to change their O-line scheme.

5) It's a red herring to throw off our true drafting intentions.

I'm curious what those with more expertise think as this seems like a disconnect.

 

I'd go with #4.  

I think that there is change coming in 2023.  We may have as many as 3 new starters on the O-line as it was exposed last season as a weakness.  I also think that there is a desire for an in your face style of running game to compliment what we know Josh can do.  

Change is coming!

[nosejob]

37 minutes ago, Yantha said:

 

I'd go with #4.  

I think that there is change coming in 2023.  We may have as many as 3 new starters on the O-line as it was exposed last season as a weakness.  I also think that there is a desire for an in your face style of running game to compliment what we know Josh can do.  

Change is coming!

 

 

The Sporting News top 140. They have Wright at 41 and Washington at 44. (FWIW....Sanders at 33 and Campbell at 70.)

 

OBL was looking at the Defenses in our division and we are gonna have to be tuff on the Oline. Darnell Washington would be a good add. Give me him and Avila after the 1st rd.

 

[jethro_tull]

My dream for the Bills is and has been Iowa TE Sam LaPorta who unfortunately is not on the visit list.  He plays like Gronkowski 2.0 and a new mock by CBS Sports has him going to the Cowboys at 26.  Sure hands, nose for the game and demonstrated high YAC.    

 

[gonzo1105]

1 minute ago, jethro_tull said:

My dream for the Bills is and has been Iowa TE Sam LaPorta who unfortunately is not on the visit list.  He plays like Gronkowski 2.0 and a new mock by CBS Sports has him going to the Cowboys at 26.  Sure hands, nose for the game and demonstrated high YAC.    

 

 

He is not Rob Gronkowski. For all the catches, Gronkowski was a hell of a blocker, something that LaPorta is not. Laporta reminds me of a Noah Fant type. 

[HappyDays]

We're doing a lot of work on TEs. It feels like a guarantee that we'll be drafting a TE2 at some point.

[MrEpsYtown]

On 4/6/2023 at 2:12 PM, Nephilim17 said:

 

I've read here many times by knowledgeable posters that Torrence is not a fit for our O-line scheme. So what's happening?
1) The fans' scouting is off.

2) The Bills pros' scouting is off.

3) The Bills know he's not a natural fit but want to take him and make him work in our scheme all the same (they have a history, like with AJ and Basham of trying to change early-round picks).

4) The Bills want to change their O-line scheme.

5) It's a red herring to throw off our true drafting intentions.

I'm curious what those with more expertise think as this seems like a disconnect.

 

I would say it's 3 or 5. Also just due diligence. Maybe they want to take a closer look. 

Edited April 10, 2023 by MrEpsYtown

[Buffalo_Stampede]

 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

 

[HappyDays]

 

Another TE. Lock that position in somewhere in your mock drafts.

[HappyDays]

 

[CNYfan]

On 4/6/2023 at 2:01 PM, Yantha said:

THREE prospects have met with the Bills on "multiple occasions".

1.  OG O'Cyrus Torrence

2.  RB Bijan Robinson

3.  WR Jordan Addison

 

PRIVATE workouts outside of the combine or pro day arguably shows elevated interest:

1.  DT Gervon Dexter

2.  DT Jaquelin Roy

3.  OG O'Cyrus Torrence

 

So for all the OG additions in the FA, we've not been talking all that much about GUARD.  Most of us, myself included have shifted over to RT, and MLB as "top needs".

 

.....don't be overly surprised if we go with the best OG in the draft in round 1.....

 

Source:  https://walterfootball.com/prospectMeetings/byteam

 

It would take quite a bit to surprise me at this point.

[LEBills]

8 hours ago, HappyDays said:

We're doing a lot of work on TEs. It feels like a guarantee that we'll be drafting a TE2 at some point.

Many people said he was the best TE at the senior bowl which included Luke Musgrave

[ganesh]

9 hours ago, HappyDays said:

We're doing a lot of work on TEs. It feels like a guarantee that we'll be drafting a TE2 at some point.

I hope it is the later rounds or pick a TE in 1st or 2nd only if a TE is the BPA.    The Bills haven't figured out how to maximize Knox in the passing game.   The Bills need to make Knox their #2 receiver and focus on getting OL protection in the draft.  Otherwise, with two TE, we will be simply using them for blocking at the Line and blocking downfield with no one to catch. 

[SydneyBillsFan]

8 hours ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

 

 

Dunno about a DT that only weighs 290....we already have one of these. 

 

I'd prefer some real beef at DT.....say 320-plus

[gonzo1105]

46 minutes ago, SydneyBillsFan said:

 

Dunno about a DT that only weighs 290....we already have one of these. 

 

I'd prefer some real beef at DT.....say 320-plus

There aren’t many dominant 320 pound DTs anymore. The game has changed. Most 320 guys can’t get to the QB which is why you see DTs getting smaller. The top guys with those attributes go top 15 

[HappyDays]

 

[MrEpsYtown]

1 hour ago, gonzo1105 said:

There aren’t many dominant 320 pound DTs anymore. The game has changed. Most 320 guys can’t get to the QB which is why you see DTs getting smaller. The top guys with those attributes go top 15 

Daron Payne is really the only one…and Dexter Lawrence, but he’s a different flavor. To me, I think what people really want but just don’t know it is a Jeffrey Simmons/Quinnen Williams/Christian Wilkins sized defensive tackle. 6-3, 305-310 range with the same quick first step as Ed Oliver. Find me one of those. 

[HappyDays]

 

[Warriorspikes51]

 

[HappyDays]

Our very own @Astrobot ranked the TEs by the number of contacts the Bills have had with them:

 

Based on this list, if I had to guess our possible targets:

 

Round 1: Dalton Kincaid

Round 2: Darnell Washington

Round 3(or 4?): Luke Schoonmaker

[Dr. Who]

Just now, HappyDays said:

Our very own @Astrobot ranked the TEs by the number of contacts the Bills have had with them:

 

Based on this list, if I had to guess our possible targets:

 

Round 1: Dalton Kincaid

Round 2: Darnell Washington

Round 3(or 4?): Luke Schoonmaker

My favorite two and in that order. Please get one of them, Beane.

[HappyDays]

1 minute ago, Dr. Who said:

My favorite two and in that order. Please get one of them, Beane.

 

Yeah those would be my targets as well. Either get the best pure pass catching TE or the best pure blocking TE. Knox is already our jack of all trades TE. Get a specialist to round out the group.

[Warriorspikes51]

 

[HappyDays]

The list of top-30 visits so far:

 

WR Jordan Addison

WR Justin Shorter

WR Zay Flowers

WR Jalin Hyatt

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

WR Tank Dell

TE Luke Schoonmaker

TE Luke Musgrave

TE Darnell Washington

OT Darnell Wright

G O'Cyrus Torrance

DT Jacquelin Roy

DT Zacch Pickens

DT Gervon Dexter

S Jordan Battle

S/LB Marte Mapu

 

Every 1st round pick we've made in the McDermott era was a top-30 visitor. Even Tre White although he wasn't a top-30 visitor for the Bills, he was for the Panthers when Beane was still with them.

 

Last year it was reported very late in the process that Kaiir Elam was a top-30 visitor, almost like they tried to stealthily bring him in. If a similar report comes out the week of the draft you can just about lock that player in as our 1st rounder.

 

Edited April 11, 2023 by HappyDays

[Warriorspikes51]

10 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

The list of top-30 visits so far:

 

WR Jordan Addison

WR Justin Shorter

WR Zay Flowers

WR Jalin Hyatt

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

WR Tank Dell

TE Luke Schoonmaker

TE Luke Musgrave

OT Darnell Wright

G O'Cyrus Torrance

DT Jacquelin Roy

DT Zacch Pickens

DT Gervon Dexter

S Jordan Battle

S/LB Marte Mapu

 

Every 1st round pick we've made in the McDermott era was a top-30 visitor. Even Tre White although he wasn't a top-30 visitor for the Bills, he was for the Panthers when Beane was still with them.

 

Last year it was reported very late in the process that Kaiir Elam was a top-30 visitor, almost like they tried to stealthily bring him in. If a similar report comes out the week of the draft you can just about lock that player in as our 1st rounder.

I appreciate your posts.  You are a huge contributor to this board! 

 

10 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

Every 1st round pick we've made in the McDermott era was a top-30 visitor. Even Tre White although he wasn't a top-30 visitor for the Bills, he was for the Panthers when Beane was still with them.

 

Last year it was reported very late in the process that Kaiir Elam was a top-30 visitor, almost like they tried to stealthily bring him in. If a similar report comes out the week of the draft you can just about lock that player in as our 1st rounder.

Hmmm that's very interesting... keep an eye on a late reported visit with Quentin Johnston or Dalton Kincaid then 

Edited April 11, 2023 by Warriorspikes51

[HappyDays]

 

[BigAl2526]

To this point the only top 30 visits we know of that involve players with close to a first round value are with offensive players.  There are four receivers - JSN, Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison and Jalin Hyatt.  I included Hyatt, though most consider him a second round value at this point.  There are two offensive linemen - Darnell Wright and O'Cyrus Torrence. There is one tight end - Darnell Washington.  Things could change over the next couple weeks, but given Beane's tendency to draft players in the first round with whom the Bills have had a top 30 visit, it sure looks like the Bills are planning on going offense with their first pick.

[gonzo1105]

2 minutes ago, BigAl2526 said:

To this point the only top 30 visits we know of that involve players with close to a first round value are with offensive players.  There are four receivers - JSN, Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison and Jalin Hyatt.  I included Hyatt, though most consider him a second round value at this point.  There are two offensive linemen - Darnell Wright and O'Cyrus Torrence. There is one tight end - Darnell Washington.  Things could change over the next couple weeks, but given Beane's tendency to draft players in the first round with whom the Bills have had a top 30 visit, it sure looks like the Bills are planning on going offense with their first pick.

Or guys people believe are first round grades aren’t really and will be available at 59. Too many draft board warriors dead set because the consensus says they are 

 

Luter is another prospect I really like. Most boards have him a 5th-6th round grade but I have a high round 4 grade on him. Fits the new mold of CB who can play man and zone that McDermott seems to be looking for 

[gonzo1105]

 

[BigAl2526]

22 hours ago, MrEpsYtown said:

Daron Payne is really the only one…and Dexter Lawrence, but he’s a different flavor. To me, I think what people really want but just don’t know it is a Jeffrey Simmons/Quinnen Williams/Christian Wilkins sized defensive tackle. 6-3, 305-310 range with the same quick first step as Ed Oliver. Find me one of those. 

Mazi Smith is a 323 lb DT with speed to be a force rushing the passer and chasing down plays. The question is, can he tap those measurables more effectively in the pros than in college.  He was good, but not as disruptive as you might expect.  He's being graded as a first round prospect mostly on the basis of measurables.

[BigAl2526]

1 hour ago, gonzo1105 said:

Or guys people believe are first round grades aren’t really and will be available at 59. Too many draft board warriors dead set because the consensus says they are 

It is always to be understood that perceptions of fans and media pundits don't always reflect the assessments of NFL scouts and GMs.  Every year people are shocked by players who are picked a couple rounds ahead of  where the mock drafts thought they'd be picked, or drop to day three when we all figured they would be first rounders for sure.  But since we don't have access to the thinking of current GMs before the draft. . .

[gonzo1105]

1 hour ago, BigAl2526 said:

It is always to be understood that perceptions of fans and media pundits don't always reflect the assessments of NFL scouts and GMs.  Every year people are shocked by players who are picked a couple rounds ahead of  where the mock drafts thought they'd be picked, or drop to day three when we all figured they would be first rounders for sure.  But since we don't have access to the thinking of current GMs before the draft. . .

Or you can evaluate players on your own and come to your own consensus just saying, but everyone wants to be lazy then act aghast at the team after they don’t choose a guy. 
 

It’s the same way in college ball, how dare this coach not go after a 5 star player 

[Yantha]

On 4/10/2023 at 10:19 PM, gonzo1105 said:

There aren’t many dominant 320 pound DTs anymore. The game has changed. Most 320 guys can’t get to the QB which is why you see DTs getting smaller. The top guys with those attributes go top 15 

I'm not sure I agree on that one, with respect.

 

The league (and every sport really) is all about bigger, faster, stronger.  On one way you might be right by adding "leaner".

[nosejob]

10 hours ago, BigAl2526 said:

Mazi Smith is a 323 lb DT with speed to be a force rushing the passer and chasing down plays. The question is, can he tap those measurables more effectively in the pros than in college.  He was good, but not as disruptive as you might expect.  He's being graded as a first round prospect mostly on the basis of measurables.

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