Exceeding Expectations on 2025

[GreggTX]

Which rookie do you think will most exceed expectations? I think Dorian Strong or Jason Hancock. Both of these guys come in with low expectations, but I think they will surprise. Hancock might make a very good deep cover Safety with his speed. Strong already looks impressive and shows a mental toughness and determination that is sure to win over the fans, coaches and teammates. Who is your pick?

[Turbo44]

I think Dorian Strong but if I had a dark horse it would be the TE. We don’t have anybody who blocks like him and he can replace the 6 lineman and also be a receiving weapon because of it. He won’t get many receptions but I could see him being a red zone target especially inside the 10 yard line. 
 

he wasn’t on my draft radar but love the pick

[billsfan89]

3 minutes ago, Turbo44 said:

I think Dorian Strong but if I had a dark horse it would be the TE. We don’t have anybody who blocks like him and he can replace the 6 lineman and also be a receiving weapon because of it. He won’t get many receptions but I could see him being a red zone target especially inside the 10 yard line. 
 

he wasn’t on my draft radar but love the pick

it would be interesting if Joe Brady had formations with Alec Anderson and Hawes out there.

[TheWeatherMan]

The CB/S from Ohio St.  With how awful the S’s looked last year he might win a starting role.  

[Victory Formation]

Deone Walker if I had to guess, maybe Jordan Hancock.

[Dave_Bills]

I get expectations are high but I’ll still say Sanders

[Victory Formation]

1 minute ago, Dave_Bills said:

I get expectations are high but I’ll still say Sanders

Isn’t Sanders expected to be good though? And maybe even Landon Jackson too?

[boyst]

The running back we drafted will be 2nd but my biggest guess is that WR we got at the top of the draft to be our deep threat.

 

Wait... I was dreaming.

 

Hancock also sticks out to me

[Doc Brown]

Draft picks are always so hyped by fans that it's difficult to predict.  Jackson Hawes I guess if Knox or Kincaid are hurt for a period of time.  Can't we just ask who will be the most disappointing?

[BigAl2526]

It's really tough for a mid to late round rookie to make much of an impression in the regular season when they don't go into the season as starters.  It's not that they couldn't be good if they had the chance, it's just that meaningful reps are hard to come by except on special teams.  Dorian Strong might have a level of play that would make coaches feel comfortable starting him, but the Bills really want their first round pick to succeed.  They will give Hairston every chance to start, and if he struggles, the experienced Tre White is going to be the first guy they will think about subbing in.  Strong and Hancock are likely to get only a few snaps per game on defense unless somebody gets injured.  It will be hard for Hairston to exceed expectations because the expectations are pretty high to begin with.  I would guess the rookies with the best chance to exceed expectations would be (#1) Landon Jackson, because he will get a fair number of reps in a defensive end rotation and #2 Deone Walker.  Daquan Jones is 33 years old and showed his age last season.  If Walker shows well, I think his rep count goes up in order to rest Daquan Jones more, in order to save him for the ends of games and for late season play.  Sanders will have chances to impress too, but Ed Oliver should be in his prime.  

Edited 1 hour ago by BigAl2526

[Doc Brown]

5 minutes ago, BigAl2526 said:

It's really tough for a mid to late round rookie to make much of an impression in the regular season when they don't go into the season as starters.  It's not that they couldn't be good if they had the chance, it's just that meaningful reps are hard to come by except on special teams.  Dorian Strong might have a level of play that would make coaches feel comfortable starting him, but the Bills really want their first round pick to succeed.  They will give Hairston every chance to start, and if h struggles, the experienced Tre White is going to be the first guy they will think about subbing in.  Strong and Hancock are likely to get only a few snaps per game on defense unless somebody gets injured.  It will be hard for Hairston to exceed expectations because the expectations are pretty high to begin with.  I would guess the rookies with the best chance to exceed expectations would be (#1) Landon Jackson, because he will get a fair number of reps in a defensive end rotation and #2 Deone Walker.  Daquan Jones is 33 years old and showed his age last season.  If Walker shows well, I think his rep count goes up in order to rest Daquan Jones more, in order to save him for the ends of games and for late season play.  Sanders will have chances to impress too, but Ed Oliver should be in his prime.  

If Hairston becomes the next Elam and Strong becomes the next Benford then Beane needs to sit the first round out from now on.  Let him cook on day 2 and 3.