Elam Fairing well in Big D.

[billsfan89]

14 hours ago, OldNMBillsFan said:

SB Nation's 2022 first round re-draft has Benford going #23, Cook going #20, and Shakir going #18. I think getting 3 first rounders in the 2nd, 5th, and 6th rounds more than makes up for the Elam miss.

 

2022 NFL re-draft SB Nation

 

 

 

I would also argue that if you did a redraft thus far Bernard would also go in round 2. The 2022 draft is setting up this current run of success. 2023-2024 draft class development this year is going to likely make or break the success of this season. If Kincaid can continue to have a nice bounce back, Torrence continues to be solid as a rock, and D. Williams plug in when needed on defense that class which also featured two trade downs to acquire more picks in the future will be a nice piece of business. 

 

Then in 2024 if Keon continues to develop, Davis plays like a solid role player on offense, Solomon plays like a solid role player on defense, and Cole stabilizes one of the safety spots that's a solid draft too (and you still have Grable and SVPG as depth along the O-line from that class). Stinks that they couldn't get mileage out of Carter or Ulo as even just role players, but every draft is gonna have misses. 

 

2025 early returns aren't terrible. Mad Max being hurt to start the year is a bummer, but the rookie DT's have plugged in when needed and Strong has been a decent piece on defense as well. Plus Hawes has come in on offense and been a role player. 

[Billsfanatic8989]

Gross that he was out there on the road against the 2x defending champs. We can't let something like that happen again. 

[boyst]

20 hours ago, Pete said:

taking WR Justin Shorter in the 5th round over Puka Nacua

Imagine having Shakir in slot and then being able to slide Nacua to the big slot position? The motion to do so would be awesome especially considering we now have call me who can go out wide and get the contested balls. 

Those three would be a top trio in the league instantly

[JerseyBills]

On Wfan yesterday,  someone was crapping on Elam , once their other CB in think Banks is back he'll see the bench, I thought he looked fairly well so far

[JP51]

On 9/15/2025 at 2:03 PM, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

how can you miss so badly on a CB? It’s almost unheard of. 

JD Williams says hold my beer.... 

[Mister Defense]

11 hours ago, boyst said:

The year we drafted elam... It was different. Bad draft. The plan sucked. 

 

Wait, you think the 2022 draft was "bad"? "No plan"--and then that this most recent draft was also like that?

 

2022 draft--Four quality starters: James Cook, a pro bowl running back, and by almost anyone's  standards, one of the top 5 backs in the NFL now, Khalil Shakir,  a great slot receiver, a vital part of this great offense, and our Superstar's go to player, Terrel Bernard, our solid starting linebacker, playmaker, and Christian Beford, one of the best cornerbacks in the league.

 

4 high quality starters, most of them likely pro bowl players, several of them some of the best players at their positions--Cook, Shakir, and Benford--and you just flatly say it was a "bad draft"! Am I missing something here?

 

What the heck would a good draft be to you then?

 

That is your evidence to support your post I challenged, in which you said they "seem to go into the draft without a plan"--but somehow, with no good plan, draft 4 high level starters?

 

And you are making the point that they did the same thing, "no plan", for the draft this year.  I really hope, by your definition, you are right--and they had the same kind of  "bad' plan this year they had in 2022. And have drafted 4 more high level, pro bowl caliber starters.

 

I would take that--and every GM in the NFL would as well, I think.

 

Sheesh, what would you think makes a good draft, by your unusual standards?

 

Do you really believe this stuff?

 

 

Edited September 17 by Mister Defense

[BigDingus]

11 minutes ago, Mister Defense said:

 

Wait, you think the 2022 draft was "bad"? "No plan"--and then that this most recent draft was also like that?

 

2022 draft--Four quality starters: James Cook, a pro bowl running back, and by almost anyone's  standards, one of the top 5 backs in the NFL now, Khalil Shakir,  a great slot receiver, a vital part of this great offense, and our Superstar's go to player, Terrel Bernard, our solid starting linebacker, playmaker, and Christian Beford, one of the best cornerbacks in the league.

 

4 high quality starters, most of them likely pro bowl players, several of them some of the best players at their positions--Cook, Shakir, and Benford--and you just flatly say it was a "bad draft"! Am I missing something here?

 

What the heck would a good draft be to you then?

 

That is your evidence to support your post I challenged, in which you said they "seem to go into the draft without a plan"--but somehow, with no good plan, draft 4 high level starters?

 

And you are making the point that they did the same thing, "no plan", for the draft this year.  I really hope, by your definition, you are right--and they had the same kind of  "bad' plan this year they had in 2022. And have drafted 4 more high level, pro bowl caliber starters.

 

I would take that--and every GM in the NFL would as well, I think.

 

Sheesh, what would you think makes a good draft, by your unusual standards?

 

Do you really believe this stuff?
 

 

I agree, though just wanted to point out that most outside of Buffalo don't consider Terrell Bernard to be a top tier LB.

 

Just to put it in perspective, PFF gave him a 47.6 grade for 2024 (165th among LBs) and just for laughs, he's got a 79 overall rating in Madden 😆

 

I know, I know, we all hate PFF. I'm only bringing up that in a redraft, he likely wouldn't be valued as highly as we value him. 

 

Regarding everything else, I think wasting a 1st round pick on Kaiir Elam kinda sours things a bit. 

 

The Bills have a severe lack of elite talent & play makers, so consistently falling to change that with your 1st round picks reflects poorly on Beane regardless of late round hits.

[Mister Defense]

Just now, BigDingus said:

 

I agree, though just wanted to point out that most outside of Buffalo don't consider Terrell Bernard to be a top tier LB.

 

Just to put it in perspective, PFF gave him a 47.6 grade for 2024 (165th among LBs) and just for laughs, he's got a 79 overall rating in Madden 😆

 

I know, I know, we all hate PFF. I'm only bringing up that in a redraft, he likely wouldn't be valued as highly as we value him. 

 

Regarding everything else, I think wasting a 1st round pick on Kaiir Elam kinda sours things a bit. 

 

The Bills have a severe lack of elite talent & play makers, so consistently falling to change that with your 1st round picks reflects poorly on Beane regardless of late round hits.

 

Yes, I agree and did not say Bernard was in the same category as Cook, Shakir, and Benford, and called him a solid starter only, which overall he has been for the Bills, a pleasant surprise. This year hopefully he joins the rest in the higher tier, but his size may prevent that.  We will see.

 

But I really do think that they did get those elite playmakers you speak of, and that we all want more of, and in the 22 draft that the other poster rips apart.  See bold above.

 

 

 

[Einstein]

Cowboys fans are finding out.

 

 

 

 

[Richard Noggin]

8 minutes ago, Einstein said:

Cowboys fans are finding out.

 

 

 

 

Yeesh. 

 

I will always appreciate his 2 picks of Mahomes, even if his appearance in last year's AFCCG was a big part of why we lost. 

[boyst]

9 hours ago, Mister Defense said:

 

Wait, you think the 2022 draft was "bad"? "No plan"--and then that this most recent draft was also like that?

 

2022 draft--Four quality starters: James Cook, a pro bowl running back, and by almost anyone's  standards, one of the top 5 backs in the NFL now, Khalil Shakir,  a great slot receiver, a vital part of this great offense, and our Superstar's go to player, Terrel Bernard, our solid starting linebacker, playmaker, and Christian Beford, one of the best cornerbacks in the league.

 

4 high quality starters, most of them likely pro bowl players, several of them some of the best players at their positions--Cook, Shakir, and Benford--and you just flatly say it was a "bad draft"! Am I missing something here?

 

What the heck would a good draft be to you then?

 

That is your evidence to support your post I challenged, in which you said they "seem to go into the draft without a plan"--but somehow, with no good plan, draft 4 high level starters?

 

And you are making the point that they did the same thing, "no plan", for the draft this year.  I really hope, by your definition, you are right--and they had the same kind of  "bad' plan this year they had in 2022. And have drafted 4 more high level, pro bowl caliber starters.

 

I would take that--and every GM in the NFL would as well, I think.

 

Sheesh, what would you think makes a good draft, by your unusual standards?

 

Do you really believe this stuff?

 

 

Someone please respond to my post so I remember to get a chance to remember to reply

[Spiderweb]

16 hours ago, JP51 said:

JD Williams says hold my beer.... 

Ah, memory says he wasn't even good at that, but he sure could run for the bus extremely fast.

[Chandler#81]

1st Round flop gets traded to a crappy team and shines.

STOP THE PRESSES!

[Mr. WEO]

3 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said:

1st Round flop gets traded to a crappy team and shines.

STOP THE PRESSES!

 

who is shining where?

[boyst]

10 hours ago, Mister Defense said:

 

Wait, you think the 2022 draft was "bad"? "No plan"--and then that this most recent draft was also like that?

Yes I think it was a bad plan. We drafted by need at CB in the first round. Then by BPA later supposedly. Though, it was said BPA in the first round according to Beanie. 

 

 

Round 1, Pick 23: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

Round 2, Pick 63: James Cook, RB, Georgia

Round 3, Pick 89: Terrel Bernard, LB, Baylor

Round 5, Pick 148: Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State

Round 6, Pick 180: Matt Araiza, P, San Diego State

Round 6, Pick 185: Christian Benford, CB, Villanova

Round 6, Pick 209: Luke Tenuta, OT, Virginia Tech

Round 7, Pick 231: Baylon Spector, LB, Clemson

 

Round 1 we had needs at Center considering we were planning on moving on from Morse (which, well, you'd think we had that plan ahead of time because long term planning). So, Linderbaum was a solid talent and better than Elam as BPA goes. From Cole Strange (G) to Lloyd (LB) there were better BPA available than Elam. Even Breece Hall was a need and BPA and we went RB in round 2. Cook was not going to be an every down back or the talent he became by draft projection. We got a good bargain there.

 

So round 2 we passed up pass rush which we needed. Bitonio was there as was OC Fortner.

 

Round 3 we got Bernard who has respect among Bills fans but we over celebrate him. Got a steal there but it wasn't until round 5 that we projected to actually get someone that was at the time considered a great pick - Shakir.

 

Araiza and Benford; one a punter which ok..whatever. And Benford who we really lucked out with in the 6th.

 

We needed help at CB and double dipped hedging our bets. I don't think that's effective. 

10 hours ago, Mister Defense said:

2022 draft--Four quality starters: James Cook, a pro bowl running back, and by almost anyone's  standards, one of the top 5 backs in the NFL now, Khalil Shakir,  a great slot receiver, a vital part of this great offense, and our Superstar's go to player, Terrel Bernard, our solid starting linebacker, playmaker, and Christian Beford, one of the best cornerbacks in the league.

Hindsight is 20/20 so judging the results by the fruit on the vine isn't fair. If you're doing that also count Araiza who is still playing, please 

 

The overall plan was not solid. If we truly went BPA we would have got anyone else but Elam. Let's say we got Breece Hall in round 1. Round 2 BPA is not Cook but Bonitto, a need for us. Round 3 we could still go with Bernard and double dip at LB since Bonitto is a rusher. Or gone with guard, a need taking Parham or Rhyan.

 

So, judging 20/20 to what we ended up by the fruit on the vine doesn't show we had a good plan going in... We drafted BPA and double dipped at CB and took gambled on Benford, Bernard, and a freaking punter.

 

10 hours ago, Mister Defense said:

4 high quality starters, most of them likely pro bowl players, several of them some of the best players at their positions--Cook, Shakir, and Benford--and you just flatly say it was a "bad draft"! Am I missing something here?

I never said it was a bad draft. I said it was not planned well.

10 hours ago, Mister Defense said:

What the heck would a good draft be to you then?

See above. Words matter.

10 hours ago, Mister Defense said:

That is your evidence to support your post I challenged, in which you said they "seem to go into the draft without a plan"--but somehow, with no good plan, draft 4 high level starters?

They went in drafting players saying they were BPA but... They were of need and we got 2 to pan out. Shakir and Cook. Bernard is good but not great. He is also a little light for my liking and durability is a concern. We need a replacement in 2-3 years.

10 hours ago, Mister Defense said:

And you are making the point that they did the same thing, "no plan", for the draft this year.  I really hope, by your definition, you are right--and they had the same kind of  "bad' plan this year they had in 2022. And have drafted 4 more high level, pro bowl caliber starters.

Feelings and such. Cute but we disagree.

10 hours ago, Mister Defense said:

I would take that--and every GM in the NFL would as well, I think.

 

Sheesh, what would you think makes a good draft, by your unusual standards?

 

Do you really believe this stuff?

 

 

Settle down, Dorothy.

[Coach Tuesday]

Cole Strange?!?

[boyst]

45 minutes ago, Coach Tuesday said:

Cole Strange?!?

he was projected at worst a round 2 pick. we needed OL, specifically OG at the time.

 

i know hindsight shows he didn't pan out but at the time he was quite highly regarded.

[Coach Tuesday]

11 minutes ago, boyst said:

he was projected at worst a round 2 pick. we needed OL, specifically OG at the time.

 

i know hindsight shows he didn't pan out but at the time he was quite highly regarded.

At the time he was considered a MASSIVE reach and the consensus view proved to be the correct one.  If Beane had reached for a guard like that he would’ve fairly been skewered.  Fine to hate on the Elam pick and the flawed process that led to it but at least he was a traits guy at a skill position - that’s where you want to be going with your first round picks and if you’re going to swing and miss, that’s where you want to be aiming.  Not an interior o lineman with a consensus 3-4 round grade.

Edited September 17 by Coach Tuesday

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

This thread is rapidly on the way to needing a rename 😂

[boyst]

21 minutes ago, Coach Tuesday said:

At the time he was considered a MASSIVE reach and the consensus view proved to be the correct one.  If Beane had reached for a guard like that he would’ve fairly been skewered.  Fine to hate on the Elam pick and the flawed process that led to it but at least he was a traits guy at a skill position - that’s where you want to be going with your first round picks and if you’re going to swing and miss, that’s where you want to be aiming.  Not an interior o lineman with a consensus 3-4 round grade.

i just checked the nfl profiles i could find and he was supposed to be a 2nd round grade.

 

i know he didn't pan out.