Could the Bills take an OT in the first?

[DapperCam]

How surprised would you be if the Bills took an offensive tackle in the first round this year?

 

They could replace Edwards at left guard for a season with the idea of eventually replacing Dawkins. There are some serious savings available after next season if we choose to trade Dawkins.

[Low Positive]

I'd be surprised, but if that's where the value is, I think they could do it. This is a weak draft, and if you can get a contributor, you have to do it. Even if it doesn't fill immediate needs. 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

From what I have read, all the good OTs will fly off the board.

 

by the way, I have always thought we were super blessed to have drafted Dawkins. He is the perfect LT. he is solid. you don’t want someone that is super elite and then have to break the bank on that position. We get above average play and good value from Dawkins.

[JP51]

I would be surprised but honestly, if some kinda stud fell to us that was totally BPA, I could completely see it. 

[CNYfan]

Yes.  I think they may want to plug a guy in the competition at RG and then be ready to replace the Schnowman soon.

 

I am not opposed to this strategy

[mannc]

The presence of a highly regarded OT on the board at 26 is Beane’s cleanest path to a coveted trade back.  
 

We aren’t drafting one at 26 when we already have solid starters at OT (and decent depth) and have serous needs at DT and edge.

[nuklz2594]

[st pete gogolak]

Just now, mannc said:

The presence of a highly regarded OT on the board at 26 is Beane’s cleanest path to a coveted trade back.  
 

We aren’t drafting one at 26 when we already have solid starters at OT (and decent depth) and have serous needs at DT and edge.

Agree 100%.  We aren’t picking OL at 26.

[Pecker]

I would certainly support the idea.  Dawkins is expensive and, I believe , going to become a liability sooner than later.

 

Most likely, they take an OT in the mid rounds, whom they can evaluate for a full season, before deciding on Dawkins in 2027. 

[gonzo1105]

16 minutes ago, DapperCam said:

How surprised would you be if the Bills took an offensive tackle in the first round this year?

 

They could replace Edwards at left guard for a season with the idea of eventually replacing Dawkins. There are some serious savings available after next season if we choose to trade Dawkins.

@GunnerBill and I talked about this, specifically Caleb Lomu, but the problem you run into is it has to be a guy who’s a LT. Spencer Brown had no flex so that severely limits your options in the top 7 OTs. 
 

Mauigoa, Fano, Miller are RTs only most likely. 
 

It appears that Proctor is going to go out of the Bills range. 
 

That leaves Freeling, Lomu, Iheanachor. Don’t think Freeling is going to come close to making it either and Iheanachor has never played LT but he’s so raw and athletic you can make it happen but you’re starting back at square 1.
 

To me the only guy that could be available that makes sense for the Bills is Lomu and there is a possibility he’s gone as well 

 

 

 

 

 

[Rigotz]

What? No

[Paup 1995MVP]

7 minutes ago, mannc said:

The presence of a highly regarded OT on the board at 26 is Beane’s cleanest path to a coveted trade back.  
 

We aren’t drafting one at 26 when we already have solid starters at OT (and decent depth) and have serous needs at DT and edge.

We need an edge, a LB, a DT and a WR.  We get those 4 positions covered with good players that can contribute right from the start, we will have had an excellent draft.  And then try to get a boundary CB to be our #3 behind Benford and Hairston, would be a bonus.  We do not need to be drafting O linemen when they will be backups at best this year.  Spencer Brown is here for the long term, and Dion assuming he continues to play at a good level, should be here for at least another two years.  We have Alec Anderson and Austin Corbett to compete at LG.  And Lundt and Grabel can compete for the swing tackle position.  And we always have a half dozen undrafted guys who can show what they got at O Line as well in training camp.  If we did not have so many needs, especially on defense it would be nice to draft Dion's replacement.  But its probably at least a year too soon.

[BarleyNY]

1 hour ago, DapperCam said:

How surprised would you be if the Bills took an offensive tackle in the first round this year?

 

They could replace Edwards at left guard for a season with the idea of eventually replacing Dawkins. There are some serious savings available after next season if we choose to trade Dawkins.

I’d be very surprised, but it would be a reasonable selection if that’s how the board fell. I don’t see it happening because I think need will be a big factor and we have more pressing needs. I’ll be disappointed if we do t take a developmental LT somewhere in the draft. That player could certainly start their career inside. 

[mannc]

2 hours ago, Paup 1995MVP said:

We need an edge, a LB, a DT and a WR.  We get those 4 positions covered with good players that can contribute right from the start, we will have had an excellent draft.  And then try to get a boundary CB to be our #3 behind Benford and Hairston, would be a bonus.  We do not need to be drafting O linemen when they will be backups at best this year.  Spencer Brown is here for the long term, and Dion assuming he continues to play at a good level, should be here for at least another two years.  We have Alec Anderson and Austin Corbett to compete at LG.  And Lundt and Grabel can compete for the swing tackle position.  And we always have a half dozen undrafted guys who can show what they got at O Line as well in training camp.  If we did not have so many needs, especially on defense it would be nice to draft Dion's replacement.  But its probably at least a year too soon.

I expect a sixth or seventh round pick to be used on a depth OT or guard (like the Lundt selection last year) but that is it.  Using 26 on OT would constitute grossly negligent roster management.

Edited April 22 by mannc

[HIT BY SPIKES]

58 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

From what I have read, all the good OTs will fly off the board.

 

by the way, I have always thought we were super blessed to have drafted Dawkins. He is the perfect LT. he is solid. you don’t want someone that is super elite and then have to break the bank on that position. We get above average play and good value from Dawkins.

 

I agree that the top OTs will be long gone before we draft at 26th overall however there are some good OTs that could be starters at RT by the end of their rookie year with a view to making a move to rid Dawkins after this year and moving this drafted rookie to LT.

 

With respect to Dawkins, I feel he could be a truly elite NFL LT if he just fully dedicated himself more to his profession in the off-season.

 

Every beginning of the new training sessions we receive reports of Dawkins coming into them overweight.

 

Dawkins seems to hit stride after the 5th or 6th game of each season and then is very impressive to the last whistle of the season.

 

He could also be less of a social butterfly in terms of his off-season activities during the season.

 

I appreciate he wants to be part of the community but there has to be a balance in that.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

8 minutes ago, HIT BY SPIKES said:

 

I agree that the top OTs will be long gone before we draft at 26th overall however there are some good OTs that could be starters at RT by the end of their rookie year with a view to making a move to rid Dawkins after this year and moving this drafted rookie to LT.

 

With respect to Dawkins, I feel he could be a truly elite NFL LT if he just fully dedicated himself more to his profession in the off-season.

 

Every beginning of the new training sessions we receive reports of Dawkins coming into them overweight.

 

Dawkins seems to hit stride after the 5th or 6th game of each season and then is very impressive to the last whistle of the season.

 

He could also be less of a social butterfly in terms of his off-season activities during the season.

 

I appreciate he wants to be part of the community but there has to be a balance in that.

He’s a goof ball. I have come to terms with that. Like I said, the blessing in disguise is that we don’t have to pay as much at the position. 

[BillsShredder83]

5 hours ago, DapperCam said:

How surprised would you be if the Bills took an offensive tackle in the first round this year?

 

They could replace Edwards at left guard for a season with the idea of eventually replacing Dawkins. There are some serious savings available after next season if we choose to trade Dawkins.

Next season itd save us $20m per Spotrac. What that doesnt account for is his deal gets more expensive each year, and while I believe hes played well, hes over the hill physically.

 

More expensive + declining play is a great guy to draft a replacement for. Plus youd get to eyeball his replacement for a whole year to decide if youre all set or need to make a different move.

 

I dint see us as true competitors this year. Draft should be handled as "best for 2027 and beyond".

 

Start the mini rebuild now, and be able to really open a legit window 2027. Id absolutely take a T at 26th if the board dictated it!! Id hope we add one somewhere in this class

[H2o]

Could they? Yes. Will they? I highly doubt it. It seems they have had some interest in Austin Barber of Florida. He's a 3rd/4th Round guy. 

[NewEra]

I wouldn’t be happy about it, but I could see it if the right guy falls.  If Ioane falls, he should be the pick imo.  Not much chance of that happening though 

[billsfan89]

Unlikely, I think the Bills simply have more pressing needs. I know Dion is getting older but the Bills probably can get 1-2 more good years out of him and usually when you draft someone in round 1 you are looking for a guy to plug in right away as opposed to a place where you have some time to develop a talent.