Gunner's 2024 Mock Draft - FINAL v3.0 NOW LIVE (p.13)

[Shaw66]

C'mon, Gunner.  I'm not ready yet!

[Westside]

21 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Yea absolutely. You don't have to be an exceptional scout to be a good general manager. The job is more than that. 

 

 

 

Yea I am not in love with the Bullock pick. But not sure where else I'd go given that board. 

 

And yes on Thomas. I do think he will run faster than 4.47. 

I don't want another light weight defensive player, especially a safety. I would rather resign Rapp, sign another veteran to plug in and use a 4th or 5th on a safety.

[starrymessenger]

I would take A. Mitchell well ahead of Leggette. In fact I might well be disinclined to pick him in the first at all, especially considering strength of class. I'm not that bothered by his being a one year wonder or his age but what does bother me is that even in his breakout year he was a no show against the best competition that he faced. I haven't seen his game tape so it's possible his sub par game stats are attributable to something unrelated to his performance but it was definitely a clear trend like maybe 4 games against good Ds. I also don't much like that his reported height was so off the mark. Lets see how he runs. I'm thinking maybe in the 4.4s when the dust settles.

A. Mitchell is projected to run around 4.5 and all things considered that is good enough to establish him as a threat at all three levels. I agree that we could complement him with a true burner but guys like that should be available later in the draft (John Brown was a 3rd rounder) or look at a cheap FA like Mooney who is very fast, gets separation, is only a couple of years older than Legette (26) and is a vet with a 1000 yard season to his credit.

15 minutes ago, PrimeTime101 said:

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU  same type player but only 21 years old. 

A better prospect imo.

[GunnerBill]

19 minutes ago, Westside said:

I don't want another light weight defensive player, especially a safety. I would rather resign Rapp, sign another veteran to plug in and use a 4th or 5th on a safety.

 

It isn't what I want to happen so much as asking what makes sense with the board falling that way? There is no edge value left. The DTs that I think are second round value and a scheme fit are all gone. There isn't an offensive tackle I like enough.... Zach Frazier the center out of West Virginia was the other guy I considered but I am not sure they are spending a second round pick on a low value position when that guy isn't seeing the field as a rookie unless there are injuries. If somehow Morse were to shake free before the draft.... maybe then. 

[DJB]

Not sure why all the surprise around Thomas. Hes a near lock for a top 20 selection and he’s going to test really well at the combine. Hes my clear #4 WR and has Alpha 1 traits and hands  
 

[BillsShredder83]

3 hours ago, Mat68 said:

I can see them going WR saftey.  Im not sure about either guy.  I would rather have the guys that went later.  Worthy, Mitchell, Coleman even Polk before Leggett.  Possibly losing Hyde, Poyer and Rapp I think saftey is a big need.  An under sized guy from a bad defense seems like a stretch for him to be ready out of the gate.  

I have yet to see anyone say this. Out of curiosity what do you like better about Colemans game then Leggett? They seem similar'ish types, but I have Coleman a tier lower at basically everything they do, just my opinion of course

[NewEra]

3 hours ago, DasNootz said:

You might as well pencil in a trade up by KC to jump Buffalo. 

💯  Rice and Leggette would be a nice 1-2

Edited January 29 by NewEra

[GASabresIUFan]

@GunnerBill

I appreciate the time and effort that went into making the Mock drafts.  It's a ton of work and it's appreciated.

 

As to the Bills selections, I agree with the positions but not the players.  At WR, I think the Texas boys, Worthy and Mitchell, are both better players.  I prefer Mitchell, but who knows what Beane will go for.

 

As for the Safety, the rankings I've seen are all over the place, but as a UGA fan, I'm partial to Bullard over Bullock.  I've seen what Bullard can do helping UGA to two National Championships and we could use some guys who expect to win.  Mitchell, a former UGA player as well, has a similar attitude and accomplishments.  

 

I know you'll look at trades later, but I'd like to see Beane trade down in the 1st to garner at least an extra 3rd rd pick.  Given our needs having 4 top 100 picks would help considerably.  This way we'd be able to get 2 WR, a S, and a DT or Edge.  

 

 

Edited January 29 by GASabresIUFan

[GunnerBill]

2 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

@GunnerBill

I appreciate the time and effort that went into making the Mock drafts.  It's a ton of work and it's appreciated.

 

As to the Bills selections, I agree with the positions but not the players.  At WR, I think the Texas boys, Worthy and Mitchell, are both better players.  I prefer Mitchell, but who knows what Beane will go for.

 

As for the Safety, the rankings I've seen are all over the place, but as a UGA fan, I'm partial to Bullard over Bullock.  I've seen what Bullard can do helping UGA to two National Championships and we could use some guys who expect to win.  Mitchell, a former UGA player as well, has a similar attitude and accomplishments.  

 

I know you'll look at trades later, but I'd like to see Beane trade down in the 1st to garner at least an extra 3rd rd pick.  Given our needs having 4 top 100 picks would help considerably.  This way we'd be able to get 2 WR, a S, and a DT or Edge.  

 

I did consider Bullard as well. He would be a legitimate choice there. I disagre with you on the receivers but I accept I am probably higher on Legette than the consensus. I think he is a stud. My issue with Mitchell is I don't see much pop. He is a bit one paced for my liking. Great hands but certainly as a Bills fit we need explosion. 

54 minutes ago, PrimeTime101 said:

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU  same type player but only 21 years old. 

 

1. He is already off the board here.

2. He isn't completely the same type. Thomas is strictly a vertical receiver. Legette can do that but has more wiggle IMO to be involved in the short and intermediate game.

[HappyDays]

3 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I have seen Dane's reporting on Legette and he is definitely a credible guy. I suppose we will see. I don't know what the film knock on him is that is what I haven't really seen explained so far. 

 

Other than age and one year of production, two things that I've seen in scouting reports:

 

1) Inability to win off the line against press coverage

 

2) Inability to separate at the top of his route against man coverage

 

In general he seems to lack nuance in his release package and route running. More just a pure straight line guy. Those guys tend to fail at the NFL level unless they are total alphas like DK Metcalf.

 

So I think NFL scouts see a raw physical package but already 23 years old and only one year of college production... Which raises the question, does he still have upside to develop into a true WR1/WR2, or will he permanently be stuck in a very specific rotational role?

 

Your own scouting of him may differ, but those are the concerns I've seen.

 

I think Dane Brugler may be underselling him when he lists him as a 3rd round prospect. WRs have never been more important than they are right now so I'd be surprised if he drops even into the bottom half of the 2nd round. Somebody will bet on those traits.

[QB Bills]

What would the Bills have to give up to be able to draft Harrison Jr? Would have to be similar to what the Falcons did for Julio right? If not more?

[GASabresIUFan]

16 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

I did consider Bullard as well. He would be a legitimate choice there. I disagre with you on the receivers but I accept I am probably higher on Legette than the consensus. I think he is a stud. My issue with Mitchell is I don't see much pop. He is a bit one paced for my liking. Great hands but certainly as a Bills fit we need explosion. 

It's funny that you say that, but all Mitchell ever did at Georgia was score clutch TDs and average about 15 yards a catch.  In all 4 CFP games with GA, Mitchell caught a TD.  At Texas, he had 11 TDs and averaged over 15 yards a catch.  He also caught a TD in Texas' CFP game this season.   When I think of what the Bills need, a 6-4 receiver who knows how to get open and make a critical catch, he tops the list.  

 

My biggest issue with Legette is that he did nothing for his first 4 years at USC.  He had a great year last season, but again when I watched him play against UGA, it wasn't memorable.  

[GunnerBill]

12 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

Other than age and one year of production, two things that I've seen in scouting reports:

 

1) Inability to win off the line against press coverage

 

2) Inability to separate at the top of his route against man coverage

 

In general he seems to lack nuance in his release package and route running. More just a pure straight line guy. Those guys tend to fail at the NFL level unless they are total alphas like DK Metcalf.

 

So I think NFL scouts see a raw physical package but already 23 years old and only one year of college production... Which raises the question, does he still have upside to develop into a true WR1/WR2, or will he permanently be stuck in a very specific rotational role?

 

Your own scouting of him may differ, but those are the concerns I've seen.

 

I think Dane Brugler may be underselling him when he lists him as a 3rd round prospect. WRs have never been more important than they are right now so I'd be surprised if he drops even into the bottom half of the 2nd round. Somebody will bet on those traits.

 

There is something to #1. I think he can definitely improve his release against press. Honestly I don't see #2 at all personally.

[34-78-83]

5 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

There is something to #1. I think he can definitely improve his release against press. Honestly I don't see #2 at all personally.

#1 seems like something that could be easily developed in him since it requires physicality, which he has in spades.

[PastaJoe]

I wonder if the Patriots would rather trade for Justin Fields, by swapping their first round pick and maybe a lower pick with Chicago’s lower first.

[GunnerBill]

17 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

It's funny that you say that, but all Mitchell ever did at Georgia was score clutch TDs and average about 15 yards a catch.  In all 4 CFP games with GA, Mitchell caught a TD.  At Texas, he had 11 TDs and averaged over 15 yards a catch.  He also caught a TD in Texas' CFP game this season.   When I think of what the Bills need, a 6-4 receiver who knows how to get open and make a critical catch, he tops the list.  

 

My biggest issue with Legette is that he did nothing for his first 4 years at USC.  He had a great year last season, but again when I watched him play against UGA, it wasn't memorable.  

 

Yea Mitchell is good. And he has arguably the best hands in the class. He just leaves me a bit cold. I think he is really solid. But not sure I see the ceiling of some of the other guys. 

 

The one year point on Legette is totally fair.

[HappyDays]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

Yea I am not in love with the Bullock pick. But not sure where else I'd go given that board. 

 

I may be way off the board here but if they choose to double dip at WR how would you feel about Brenden Rice? Size, strength, great hands, ability to high point the ball. He has elite NFL bloodlines if that matters (Jerry Rice's son). He played with Caleb Williams so he has a lot experience in the scramble drill and making himself available to his QB. I see most mocks have him in the 3rd-4th round though.

[GunnerBill]

Just now, HappyDays said:

 

I may be way off the board here but if they choose to double dip at WR how would you feel about Brenden Rice? Size, strength, great hands, ability to high point the ball. He has elite NFL bloodlines if that matters (Jerry Rice's son). He played with Caleb Williams so he has a lot experience in the scramble drill and making himself available to his QB. I see most mocks have him in the 3rd-4th round though.

 

Yea I like him. Testing will be big for where he lands.

[noacls]

4 hours ago, Mat68 said:

I can see them going WR saftey.  Im not sure about either guy.  I would rather have the guys that went later.  Worthy, Mitchell, Coleman even Polk before Leggett.  Possibly losing Hyde, Poyer and Rapp I think saftey is a big need.  An under sized guy from a bad defense seems like a stretch for him to be ready out of the gate.  

6'3" 190 is an undersized safety?  Put him in NFL S&C program and nfl nutrition,  this guy will be 210 in a year

[GASabresIUFan]

45 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Yea Mitchell is good. And he has arguably the best hands in the class. He just leaves me a bit cold. I think he is really solid. But not sure I see the ceiling of some of the other guys. 

 

The one year point on Legette is totally fair.

By the way, the one thing I really like about Bullock is his size. Poyer and Hyde are around 6 feet 200, having a 6'3 safety would be a nice feature as he can challenge bigger receivers.  

 

 

[Iverwig]

57 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Yea Mitchell is good. And he has arguably the best hands in the class. He just leaves me a bit cold. I think he is really solid. But not sure I see the ceiling of some of the other guys. 

 

The one year point on Legette is totally fair.

I get it on AD not being a burner but all he does is get open. I think he is being undervalued by some and believe he will be very successful in the league.  He is a football player. The one knock I would have on him is durability. He was hurt 2 out of 3 years in college. 
 

It’s all good and maybe I am just biased as a Georgia fan. 

[L Ron Burgundy]

5 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

 

Agreed.  Schoen was not ready for that job. 

I dont think it's Shoen, he just inherited a catastrophe.   They should have gone full rebuild style.   That team seriously lacks talent.

[Nextmanup]

Christ, we're back to this crap already?

 

I can't do mock drafts anymore.  The whole thing is just completely 100% irrelevant.

 

 

[JGMcD2]

4 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

McD gets Beane in.  Then, within 5 seasons, Daboll is gone, replaced by the QB coach, who then is out, replaced by the next QB coach.....

I didn’t realize that Daboll, Dorsey and Brady were part of the front office. 

[gonzo1105]

I think Benson is a round 4 guy. He has really poor vision. He tends to want to hit it big and dance sideways instead of hitting the hole. Once he gets going he’s a load but that’s the hard part for him. I understand every draft is different but I loved Chase Brown who I thought was a better prospect than Benson and he went around 4 

[chongli]

Every single mock I have seen has the Jets taking an OT in the first no matter what. It is pretty much assured.

[GASabresIUFan]

15 minutes ago, Iverwig said:

It’s all good and maybe I am just biased as a Georgia fan. 

As a fellow UGA fan, I am admittedly biased as well, but considering he helped win 2 National Championships, I think our bias is at least based on real success on the field.  It's not like we are Ohio State fans or someone who can't win the big one.

 

I'm all for the Bills drafting any of Bowers (TE), Mitchell (WR), McConkey (WR), Bullard (S), Lassiter (CB), Van Pran (C), Tykee Smith (S), Mims (OL), Edwards (RB), and Jacksaint (WR) because they are all really good football players with proven track records of success.  The Bills could certainly benefit from guys who know how to win.  

 

Also most of the guys listed are top 3 rd picks.  Bowers, Mitchell, Mims, and Lassiter have 1st rd grades.  Bullard, Tykee Smith, and Van Pran have 2nd rd grades, and McConkey a 2nd to 3rd rd grade.  

 

If the Bills went Mitchell first, Bullard second, and then grabbed Edwards (RB) and Jacksaint late in the draft I'd be thrilled for the Bills because those guys would make the Bills a better football team.  

 

Edited January 29 by GASabresIUFan

[John from Riverside]

Love the position selections
 

I’m a big Troy Franklin guy so I’m hoping that he actually drops a little bit but Legette is intriguing

 

Definitely need the safety

[TPS]

A very skill-position loaded draft in R1. You have:

7 WR

6 OT and CB

5 Edge

4 QB

2 DT

1 G and TE

 

Any chance of your R2 QBs going in R1?

[Mr. WEO]

6 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

This is one problem with staffing the coaching ranks and FO's in the NFL.  Guys get in and want to bring in their buddies or "promote from within" (in order to maintain authoritative control).   

 

39 minutes ago, JGMcD2 said:

I didn’t realize that Daboll, Dorsey and Brady were part of the front office. 

 

 

Step closer to your monitor...

 

48 minutes ago, L Ron Burgundy said:

I dont think it's Shoen, he just inherited a catastrophe.   They should have gone full rebuild style.   That team seriously lacks talent.

 

 

Schoen/Daboll decided not to pick up Jone's 5th year (which would have been 2023 at 22 million).  Then they had the opportunity to franchise his this year.  After one mediocre season that resulted in a playoff win, they instead chose to re-sign him with the 8th highest guarantee in the league--$82 million/2 years, which was $10 million MORE than it would have cost to franchise him for the same 2 years.

 

The result was predictable:  starting 2023, he was absolutely awful (again)...until he was injured (again).   Big chunk of the cap on a useless QB---all of this was predictable/avoidable. This is the Blake Bortles deal.

[JGMcD2]

5 hours ago, JGMcD2 said:

Is that what happened here in our front office? 

 

8 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

7 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

This is one problem with staffing the coaching ranks and FO's in the NFL.  Guys get in and want to bring in their buddies or "promote from within" (in order to maintain authoritative control).   

 

1 hour ago, JGMcD2 said:

I didn’t realize that Daboll, Dorsey and Brady were part of the front office. 

 

 

Step closer to your monitor...

I encourage you to do the same… 😁

Edited January 30 by JGMcD2

[SydneyBillsFan]

Quote

11.  Minnesota Vikings – Kool-Aid McKinstry – Cornerback, Alabama

 

You're pulling my middle leg?

[Governor]

Giants are moving up for a QB or they take your selection at 6 as a last resort. They really don’t have a choice.

 

This is year 3 and Schoen still hasn’t selected a QB. You don’t get a 12 year plan in NY. It’s this year or they are gone. They need their Franchise guy. It’s ***** or get off the pot for those clown shoes.

Edited January 30 by Governor

[PrimeTime101]

3 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I did consider Bullard as well. He would be a legitimate choice there. I disagre with you on the receivers but I accept I am probably higher on Legette than the consensus. I think he is a stud. My issue with Mitchell is I don't see much pop. He is a bit one paced for my liking. Great hands but certainly as a Bills fit we need explosion. 

 

1. He is already off the board here.

2. He isn't completely the same type. Thomas is strictly a vertical receiver. Legette can do that but has more wiggle IMO to be involved in the short and intermediate game.

I will give you the bolded... Don't think hes off the board here.. huge assumption, There are multiple draft profiles that have him going late first round....  Bullard as more of what we need.  we have plenty of underneath players. Diggs, Shakir, Kincaid. I am for sticking to one player that does one thing REALLY WELL  rather than a player that does a bunch of things good. We need a Really good deep threat, that has moves in his rout running game. this guy is that answer. 

[Big Blitz]

Trade up in RD 2 to get Nubin and I’m good with this.  

[Chicken Boo]

I want no parts of Leggette.  5 years before he began to produce, his route tree is limited and his highlights are filled with contested catches, which leads me to believe that he doesn't separate, bringing us back to his route running.

 

The NFL is filled with great athletes.  You have to be more than that.  

[boater]

Wide Receiver, I agree. And so does Mel Kiper. Though he picked someone else:

 

[Process]

Good stuff gunner. I don't follow college closely enough to have an opinion on specific players but id be very happy with wr and s in the first two rounds.

[Dan in Owego]

4 hours ago, GASabresIUFan said:

It's funny that you say that, but all Mitchell ever did at Georgia was score clutch TDs and average about 15 yards a catch.  In all 4 CFP games with GA, Mitchell caught a TD.  At Texas, he had 11 TDs and averaged over 15 yards a catch.  He also caught a TD in Texas' CFP game this season.   When I think of what the Bills need, a 6-4 receiver who knows how to get open and make a critical catch, he tops the list.  

 

My biggest issue with Legette is that he did nothing for his first 4 years at USC.  He had a great year last season, but again when I watched him play against UGA, it wasn't memorable.  

Mitchell reminds me a little of Ju Ju smith- Schuster, which isn't a put down he put together some quality years.

 

Going to be a lot of moving and shaking by april, keeping my eye on that cat from Western-Kentucky huge Deebo vibes.

[Dan in Owego]

3 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

Christ, we're back to this crap already?

 

I can't do mock drafts anymore.  The whole thing is just completely 100% irrelevant.

 

 

The draft is HOPE!!! 

 

A needed commodity for all Bills fans, at least for this one🤪