Rumor: Bills trying aggressively to move up for a WR in round one

[longtimebillsfan]

33 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Yep 

 

The draft is an inexact science. Recent early WRs have been good (Chase, Wilson, Olave, Flowers, Addison, etc..). The top 3 guys in this draft have graded out as high or higher than any WR in the previous 2 drafts. There is no sure thing but not everyone has the same likelihood to succeed either. 

I doubt we will be moving high enough to draft one of tge top 3 wrs.

[Logic]

15 minutes ago, warrior9 said:

I don't understand why people are enamored with Worthy. He is sooo skinny and one trick and that is NOT the kind of receiver we need. We lose to the Chiefs because we can't get off the line. We would probably have the smallest receiving corps in the NFL if we draft him. He will be a monumental bust, IMO. 

 

There is next to 0 chance Beane takes Worthy. 

I think saying there is "next to 0 chance Beane takes Worthy", when the Bills have clearly done a lot of work with him and met with him -- including some late-in-the-process extra work -- is silly. YOU may not like him, and if it makes you feel better to convince yourself that there's "next to 0 chance" of the Bills drafting him, that's fine. But the reality of the situation is that it's very much a possibility.

As for him being a massive bust: I disagree. All this "he'll never get off the line" stuff completely ignores the way modern NFL offenses scheme receivers open. It completely ignores the recent success of guys like Tyreek Hill, Zay Flowers, and Hollywood Brown. It ignores the success of offenses like the Dolphins.

The modern NFL game is all about speed. Speed, speed, speed. It's one of the hardest things to defend. Having a guy who can both take the top off a defense and open things up for the players underneath AND be explosive in terms of RAC is hugely important. It's not just me saying it. Beane and McDermott both spent the offseason talking about adding speed, explosivity, and RAC to the offense. Worthy has all of those things. He also has three years of quality production at Texas.

He is NOT a "straight line speed only", one trick pony. He has lateral quickness, route running ability, toughness, and smarts.

We can agree to disagree on the issue. I think Worthy is gonna be a very good player, and I think he would make perfect sense as the Bills' preferred choice.

Edited April 24 by Logic

[Thurman#1]

7 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

When you have Josh Allen at Quarterback I think one may well lead to the other. 

 

I'm not saying the Bills have to trade into the top 10. I was responding to the idea that a first round receiver pick wouldn't necessarily be the #1. I think it is very likely someone they take at #28 would be the #1 receiver in 2024. It is almost a guarantee someone they traded into the top 10 for would be the #1 on this team in 2024. 

 

 

Well, it's certainly not impossible that one leads to the other. But Allen or not, that's not the way to bet. Improve the whole team. The passing game should certainly be part of that. But not to the point of trading away high-level picks. The way to improve is to have more picks, as many as possible at a high-level. 

 

As for your original intent, sorry about that. I was over-focused. Yeah, I agree that someone they take at #28 would likely be the #1 WR if he stays healthy and things go as expected. (Though sometimes guys get hurt and sometimes things don't go as expected.)

 

But yeah, anyone they draft in the first would be expected to be the #1 next year. 

[Brandon]

Just now, JohnBonhamRocks said:

 I also buy that he cut down to 165 lbs just so he could break that record but usually plays closer to 175. 

 

Well,  that's kind of raises another question.  Do the Bills see him as someone that plays his career at 165,  or do they think they can get him into the 175-180 range over the next couple of years and still retain elite speed and quickness?  

[Don Otreply]

In all reality, what the hell else would they be doing, when even we all know WR is the biggest priority for the teams competitive health going forward…?  It’s the proverbial no brainer,

[Maynard]

13 minutes ago, BarleyNY said:

This year and next. They will have cap space to make some moves for 2025 though. 

Exactly. That is another reason why I’m okay with moving into the top 10. We will actually have some cap space in 2025 to fill holes in FA. 

[Brandon]

Just now, Don Otreply said:

In all reality, what the hell else would they be doing, when even we all know WR is the biggest priority for the teams competitive health going forward…?  It’s the proverbial no brainer,

 

I think there's an outside chance they might make a modest move up the board for Latu,  in particular,   if they're satisfied with the medicals.  Top 10 pass rushing prospect most years available at something of a bargain price...I can see McDermott and Beane being highly interested.  

 

I'd much prefer a WR,  but I wouldn't be shocked by that. 

[BillsVet]

 

11 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

For several years if they trade future picks.

 

Playing it safe most years is partly why they've ended their season with a Divisional Round loss three years running.  Yet, the one time this regime went big on draft in 2018 they landed Josh.  Credit to McBeane for being bold and positioning themselves to move up for JA.  You can't do that every year, but there's a time and a place for it, notably QB and now WR.  Fortune favors the bold. 

  

The NFL remains an offensive-driven league and I'm not sure how people keep missing this.  You don't get as far with a pedestrian or even decent offense and a regular season excellent defense in the playoffs.  The strategy hasn't worked in years.    

Other thing is to what's happening in the background.  No, this isn't Whaley and Brandon using future picks they might never have had after RW passed away which has been pointed to in this thread.  But it probably isn't lost on McBeane that they are selling PSL's, a new stadium is going in, and they need to win.  I don't think Terry is as hands-on with the Bills, but that's a factor, even if distant.  McBeane should take a calculated risk, if they deem the player worth it, because Josh deserves more than what is on the roster now.   

[Don Otreply]

2 minutes ago, Brandon said:

 

I think there's an outside chance they might make a modest move up the board for Latu,  in particular,   if they're satisfied with the medicals.  Top 10 pass rushing prospect most years available at something of a bargain price...I can see McDermott and Beane being highly interested.  

 

I'd much prefer a WR,  but I wouldn't be shocked by that. 

I’d be hesitant to take a guy with a chronic neck issue, from what little I’ve read he has had to alter his technique to prevent further injury…,  not a good sign, but what the hell do I know…👍

[Brandon]

2 minutes ago, Don Otreply said:

I’d be hesitant to take a guy with a chronic neck issue, from what little I’ve read he has had to alter his technique to prevent further injury…,  not a good sign, but what the hell do I know…👍

 

Same,  and that's why I added the caveat regarding the Bills' assessment of his medicals.  

[Virgil]

Today on WGR, they were talking about someone they trust from the Athletic saying the Bills are trying to trade up into the top 10 for Rome Odunze

[julian]

2 minutes ago, Don Otreply said:

I’d be hesitant to take a guy with a chronic neck issue, from what little I’ve read he has had to alter his technique to prevent further injury…,  not a good sign, but what the hell do I know…👍

Man, if it is true that the player had to alter his technique to not risk a catastrophic career ending 2nd neck injury then I’m shocked he’s still a mid 1st round pick by most accounts.

[Pre1236]

Matt Miller just now on Dan Patrick: “the Bills are big game hunting at wide receiver “

 

Rome Odunze 🙏🙏🙏

[julian]

3 minutes ago, Virgil said:

Today on WGR, they were talking about someone they trust from the Athletic saying the Bills are trying to trade up into the top 10 for Rome Odunze

Please baby Jesus let this happen and allow our new chosen one to catch 10 for 150 and 2TDs at Houston on Sunday night football while dismantling the Texans and Diggs.

[BarleyNY]

16 minutes ago, Maynard said:

Exactly. That is another reason why I’m okay with moving into the top 10. We will actually have some cap space in 2025 to fill holes in FA. 

Next offseason it’ll be easier to sell FAs on the team too. We would already have an explosive, complete offense and would just need some defensive playmakers to round out a SB caliber roster. 

[Allen2Moulds]

11 minutes ago, Virgil said:

Today on WGR, they were talking about someone they trust from the Athletic saying the Bills are trying to trade up into the top 10 for Rome Odunze

Wow....I'll have to look for that. The suspense is killing me.  Tomorrow can't come soon enough. 

[Captain Hindsight]

12 hours ago, wppete said:

I have a felling Beane and Shoen have something cooking. 🤞🏻 

That would be something. Giants need some blue chip talent tho. Would be surprising to see them trade to 28

[Don Otreply]

8 minutes ago, julian said:

Man, if it is true that the player had to alter his technique to not risk a catastrophic career ending 2nd neck injury then I’m shocked he’s still a mid 1st round pick by most accounts.

From what I read…,  I can not attest to the article s veracity, 

[gonzo1105]

12 minutes ago, Virgil said:

Today on WGR, they were talking about someone they trust from the Athletic saying the Bills are trying to trade up into the top 10 for Rome Odunze

It’s not surprising to me as he’s an immediate # 1 Buffalo type guy just can they find the right match for the right price

[mannc]

27 minutes ago, longtimebillsfan said:

I doubt we will be moving high enough to draft one of tge top 3 wrs.

Thank you.  No one in the top 10 is interested in moving to 28, and the Bills’ first next year is a devalued asset because the assumption is that it too will be a late pick.   A move up to the mid-teens is possible, but that’s about it.  Although I do think it’s possible that Odunze slides to that part of the draft…

[OldTimer1960]

39 minutes ago, BarleyNY said:

This year and next. They will have cap space to make some moves for 2025 though. 

But not all that much cap space.

[zow2]

I'm of the mindset, the Bills should definitely move up.  They are still in win now mode, as long as Josh Allen is in his prime years.  He needs an elite WR, and with Diggs gone it matters even more.  Let's face it, they will do whatever they can do to win a Super Bowl now.  Once Allen is gone or his career ends, they can rebuild from scratch.  For now, do what it takes to get a damn elite WR.

[warrior9]

41 minutes ago, section122 said:

 

I disagree strongly that he is a 1 trick pony.  He is indeed fast but he was the leading wr for texas with ad mitchell on the team.  He can play the position.  Being fast is the cherry on top.

I just don’t see it. He was a superior athlete, rarely pressed, wasn’t asked to do a ton. If he has a successful career (even similar stats to what he had at Texas) I’d be STUNNED. It’s incredibly rare that undersized guys like that make it in the NFL. We also need a bigger receiver. We don’t need worthy. We have Samuel and KS

[mannc]

15 minutes ago, Virgil said:

Today on WGR, they were talking about someone they trust from the Athletic saying the Bills are trying to trade up into the top 10 for Rome Odunze

Bears don’t have a second this year, so I suppose they could be tempted by 28 and 60 plus the Vikings’ second next year…

[OldTimer1960]

20 minutes ago, BillsVet said:

 

 

Playing it safe most years is partly why they've ended their season with a Divisional Round loss three years running.  Yet, the one time this regime went big on draft in 2018 they landed Josh.  Credit to McBeane for being bold and positioning themselves to move up for JA.  You can't do that every year, but there's a time and a place for it, notably QB and now WR.  Fortune favors the bold. 

  

The NFL remains an offensive-driven league and I'm not sure how people keep missing this.  You don't get as far with a pedestrian or even decent offense and a regular season excellent defense in the playoffs.  The strategy hasn't worked in years.    

Other thing is to what's happening in the background.  No, this isn't Whaley and Brandon using future picks they might never have had after RW passed away which has been pointed to in this thread.  But it probably isn't lost on McBeane that they are selling PSL's, a new stadium is going in, and they need to win.  I don't think Terry is as hands-on with the Bills, but that's a factor, even if distant.  McBeane should take a calculated risk, if they deem the player worth it, because Josh deserves more than what is on the roster now.   

Disagree - they have been good enough to win, they just didn’t.  It is very hard to win 3-4 playoff games in a row and sometimes it’s very little things that are the difference.  
 

Even if you’re right, how are they going to win with 1 hotshot WR and a crumbling D?  I just don’t think 1 WR is going to make that difference and the cost to trade for one will hamstring any hope to address other holes.

 

Further, if all it took was a great WR, then Miami would be SB champ and SF would have beaten KC last year.

 

 

[warrior9]

40 minutes ago, Brandon said:

 

I don't think he's a 'one trick' type by any stretch.  The size issue is definitely a real concern,  IMO,  but he's otherwise a real receiver prospect,  not just a track guy running vertical routes.  He's been a 60+ catch guy three years in a row at Texas.  He can run routes. 

 

I'm not sure he's their first choice or anything,  but I definitely think he's in play for the Bills.   

He wasn’t asked to do much at Texas. If he can’t get off the line in the NFL, he will relegate to just that. Speed sweep guy and occasionally catch a nice deep ball. 

[BarleyNY]

6 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

But not all that much cap space.

That is incorrect. The Bills can easily create a huge amount of cap space next offseason. 

[SWATeam]

15 minutes ago, warrior9 said:

He wasn’t asked to do much at Texas. If he can’t get off the line in the NFL, he will relegate to just that. Speed sweep guy and occasionally catch a nice deep ball. 

He doesn't even look nearly as fast as his timed speed.  He's high cut with those long legs.  Once he gets going he's electric but I don't see him as very sudden or elusive.  I'd hate the pick.

Edited April 24 by SWATeam

[Process]

The more I think about it the more I want them to go all in and get Rome. 

 

Id prefer to keep 60 this year and 1 of our top 3 picks next year. 

 

If we can get him for this year's first, next year's first and one of next years second, I am in. 

 

[Chandler#81]

11 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Can we make an agreement that we won’t compare whatever happens Thursday to trading up for a WR a decade ago?  In case people haven’t realized, the world is much different now. The Bills are Super Bowl contenders with a top 2 QB and missing WR1 & WR2. Additionally, a top end WR used to account for like 7% of the cap. Now it is almost double that. When you have an elite QB, you are really in a tough spot if you have to pay WR too. 

In the postmortem of Diggs’ departure, I’m thrilled we’ll be free & clear of his salary next year. I wouldn’t have thought it impossible and it’s the reason I believed we were stuck with the primadonna. We’ll get through this even if we miss the playoffs this season. IF we land MHJ, the East dominance continues.

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

8 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

Disagree - they have been good enough to win, they just didn’t. by definition they haven't been good enough. It is very hard to win 3-4 playoff games in a row and sometimes it’s very little things that are the difference.  Like not having speed and big play ability at WR and not addressing playmakers who are difference makers sooner.
 

Even if you’re right, how are they going to win with 1 hotshot WR and a crumbling D?  I just don’t think 1 WR is going to make that difference and the cost to trade for one will hamstring any hope to address other holes. The D is not crumbling and a field stretching, all around WR can make a big difference. If we don't have someone like that this year, defenses will put us in a box.

 

Further, if all it took was a great WR, then Miami would be SB champ and SF would have beaten KC last year. Patrick Mahomes

 

 

 

Edited April 24 by D. L. Hot-Flamethrower

[Kirby Jackson]

47 minutes ago, Thurman#1 said:

 

 

True, random things aren't relevant.

 

But looking at how similar strategies have worked in the past is extremely relevant. It just is. There's no randomness involved here. They're looking at whether to follow the exact same strategy that produced the - failed - Sammy Watkins trade and many others besides. Un-random.

 

And again, there's no particular reason to think the Julio trade was a success. They got a terrific WR, an all-timer. And they went from a 13-3 record the year before they drafted him to never winning a Super Bowl and having far more losing years than winning years.

 

They will draft based on the quality of the players this year. Of course. Very fair and completely correct.

 

But if they are smart - and they are  - they will strategize whether or not to make trades and particularly what kind of trades to make or not make, based on what has worked and what has very notably NOT worked in the past.

 

 

 

Again, Massey-Thaler makes this clear. Massive trade-ups fail a lot more than they succeed.

If we are going to “look at things that are similar” why is the Watkins deal more relevant than Julio? The Falcons were 13-3 the previous year with a franchise QB. They made a similar move in terms of how far that they came up. That’s way closer to this situation.

[Lost]

26 minutes ago, Virgil said:

Today on WGR, they were talking about someone they trust from the Athletic saying the Bills are trying to trade up into the top 10 for Rome Odunze

 

I don't care what it takes.  Get it done.   If the Bills don't, the Chiefs are sitting there ready to pounce.

[warrior9]

43 minutes ago, Logic said:

As for him being a massive bust: I disagree. All this "he'll never get off the line" stuff completely ignores the way modern NFL offenses scheme receivers open. It completely ignores the recent success of guys like Tyreek Hill, Zay Flowers, and Hollywood Brown. It ignores the success of offenses like the Dolphins.

The modern NFL game is all about speed. Speed, speed, speed. It's one of the hardest things to defend. Having a guy who can both take the top off a defense and open things up for the players underneath AND be explosive in terms of RAC is hugely important. It's not just me saying it. Beane and McDermott both spent the offseason talking about adding speed, explosivity, and RAC to the offense. Worthy has all of those things. He also has three years of quality production at Texas.

He is NOT a "straight line speed only", one trick pony. He has lateral quickness, route running ability, toughness, and smarts.

We can agree to disagree on the issue. I think Worthy is gonna be a very good player, and I think he would make perfect sense as the Bills' preferred choice.

You can love a 6'1 170 pound WR. BUT the bolded is ABSOLUTELY and UTTERLY false. That is A HORRIFIC take. 

 

Zay Flowers ran a 4.42 and is 4 inches shorter than Worthy and weighs 10 pounds more. HOLLY WOOD BROWN?!?!?!?!?!?! REALLY?

 

Sure Tyreek has been great but so has: Mike Evans, Davante Adams, JJ, CeeDee Lamb, AJ Brown, Aiyuk, Chris Godwin, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kupp, Keenan Allen, Puka, Deebo, Cooper, and the list goes on.

only ONE has ran under a 4.4.... 

 

Your little fast guys are FAR out numbered.  Be honest, what did you think of Quentin Johnstone coming out of TCU last year? Assume you loved him? 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

The Bills, after all, are notorious for their draft plans leaking.

 

😉

[Xerx]

I think for them to get up into the top-10. they would need to make two trades

 

First into the teens and then up to the top-10

 

If that was going to be the case, I don't think it's happening at the draft table

We'll know of the first move before then and they'd still need to be okay drafting someone in the teens at the cost they gave up, if the other deal fell through which is most likely draft day dependent on the board

[warrior9]

9 minutes ago, SWATeam said:

He doesn't even look nearly as fast as his timed speed to be.  He's high cut with those long legs.  Once he gets going he's electric but I don't see him as very sudden or elusive.  I'd hate the pick.

I would be MISERABLE with the pick.. There is NO WAY Beane sends a card in with Worthy. 

 

I would bet he is blowing smoke to get someone else to take him and get his guy to drop. 

[Gregg]

12 minutes ago, mannc said:

Bears don’t have a second this year, so I suppose they could be tempted by 28 and 60 plus the Vikings’ second next year…

 

I thought the Bears were looking to move on from Fields and will be taking a QB.

[buffaloboyinATL]

25 minutes ago, Virgil said:

Today on WGR, they were talking about someone they trust from the Athletic saying the Bills are trying to trade up into the top 10 for Rome Odunze

I really like Odunze, and have seen him compared to TO and Davonte Adams, which is obviously very high praise.  Watching his highlights, he appears to be well above average at catching contested balls, and has a ridiculous catch radius.  Seeing all of the contested catches does make me wonder how well he will be able to separate in the NFL, but all in all, I would be very excited to get him in Buffalo.  He seems built to play in the Buffalo weather.

1 minute ago, Gregg said:

 

I thought the Bears were looking to move on from Fields and will be taking a QB.

They will be taking Caleb Williams with pick #1, but they also have pick #9.  

[BarleyNY]

2 minutes ago, Gregg said:

 

I thought the Bears were looking to move on from Fields and will be taking a QB.

The Bears have picks #1 and #9 overall in this year’s draft. They are taking Caleb Williams with 1 to replace Fields, whom they traded to Pittsburgh. Them trading 9 to acquire more picks is a possibility. 

Edited April 24 by BarleyNY