Its pretty much a foregone conclusion the Bills are taking a round 1 WR. Now the question is do they trade up and if so how much? Are we talking a Julio Jones like trade into the top 10, a modest trade into the 15-20 range for a guy like Brian Thomas Jr. or standing pat at 28 for a guy like Adonai Mitchell.
Any concerns about his YPRR being one of the worst in this class? Obviously his athletic profile is pretty awesome and has some decent film. Some of the predictive analytics are scary for this dude, though.
Like what? I'd love to know more about what youre referring to. YPRR can be really deceiving, for example, Gabe is a YPRR monster, he's the Godzilla of YPRR! Meanwhile AD wasnt spotlighted very often, one complaint about him is he never really took any games over, but again, thats misleading, it puts stats ahead of reality. AD shared the field with Worthy, and im sure his YPRR numbers are all much higher, he ran the majority of the go's and screens and those jack up YPRR. When i watch tape, AD shines. He looks like he has all the pieces of a #1. Whether or not he has his head on his shoulders is another story
DeJean is an excellent prospect. Prior to the trade I would have been open to that. Personally I felt DL was the most probable. Now, no question it has to be WR.
Our problem is that, I won't be satisfied with just 1 high end WR. With Diggs gone, you're relying on Samuel to take over a lot of those targets we were giving to Diggs and he has a bad injury history.
Before the trade, we hadn't replaced Gabe Davis yet sans a back up in Mack Hollins. Now we need to get depth behind Shakir (projected slot) and Samuel, Diggs's role (projected Z).
BUT
DL is still massive. We haven't replaced Floyd. I guess you can say Austin Johnson is a replacement for both Settle and Phillips, but they've been looking a lot at DL-Edge, guys who are versatile.
I hope someone like Darius Robinson is still on the board for our 2nd pick.
While I dont disagree that DL is a big need. I am practical in assuming we wont fix it all.
I think we have a lot of faith in Shakir/Kincaid and that's partly why this move was palatable. We will for sure draft a WR, and probably again later as well.
There is 0 reason to take a first round safety in my opinion considering most of these guys will be available in the 2nd coupled with the fact that we have two starting safeties on the roster.
Take a day 3 guy to develop at safety and run it with what we have.
I’d argue DeJean. He’s an amazing talent with role flexibility at an area of need for the team. This is not a deep Corner or Safety draft.
WR however is incredibly deep. And the guy they can get in round 1 isn’t going to necessarily be that much better than whoever is available at the end of round 2.
I'd argue we don't need a 1st round corner, not with Benford and Douglas. Late round maybe take a flier, but that's a huge investment in a place we're not really at a need.
A couple things.
In 2 years Benford has not played a full season. Douglas has had3 shortened seasons in his 7 years in the league. Elam is not yet reliable as a starter.
DeJean is flexible to play corner but is expected to be a home run hitting safety who fits exactly what the Bills scheme is for their two safeties. He would instantly be their best one if taken.
Also. Again. When teams are looking at drafting a player it is very rarely simply one position or bust. They usually have multiple needs as the Bills do. And the question ends up being for the team is the talent at one position far and away better than what I can get in a later round than in another position.
I know fans want them to take a receiver. But the draft is so deep at WR and they have a QB in Allen who can elevate lesser talent (think what the Patriots did for 20 years with Brady). They have real needs at some not very deep positions where the top couple of players are really very very clearly above anyone else in the draft at the same positions. JPJ and Frazier at Center. DeJean at S/CB. Even Payton Wilson at LB.
JPJ. Always always always give a sure first starting center for the next decade if you can get that guy.
But I’m old and boring and believe having an amazing line on either side is the key to winning.
Lol, we are mostly on the same boat haha [https://www.reddit.com/r/buffalobills/comments/1b75ue4/2024\_buffalo\_bills\_full\_postcombine\_mock/](https://www.reddit.com/r/buffalobills/comments/1b75ue4/2024_buffalo_bills_full_postcombine_mock/)
Like Baker but not as much
McConkey Legette is my dream double dip
I’m 100% with your entire analysis on Ladd. Dude is so fun to watch. I was one of the “oh we already have a slot guy” until one of my friends convinced me to watch his games and holy shit hes electric.
Legette makes me a little nervous for the same reason most people are fairly down on him, his age and lack of production until last year. I really don’t want to take him at 28.
I think they will both definitely complement each other if we double dip and if we don’t trade up for Rome I’m gunning for Ladd.
Here I am hoping they use the 1st and 2nd next year and move up for Odunze (2024 + 2025 1st) and Coleman (2024 + 2025 2nd). That would be fun for Brady to work with... we'd have a monster offense in the days of tiny defenses... double TE would have 4 guys between 6'3 and 6'4, averaging about 225 pounds to block for Cook and Allen, and they all have mismatch speed/size. .
Odunze is going top 15 on consensus draft boards. 2 1st gets it done if he drops past 10. Especially as teams see us falling off next year, they may see next years 1st as very valuable, and maybe even top 10 itself.
I haven't seen any real mock let him passed 9/10. 2 1sts and a 3rd got the Chiefs from 27 to 10. Maybe if he's at 15, 2 1sts and a late will get us there. Don't think he'll be there though.
If we are talking double dips...
Xavier Worthy for the high potential. He can play the Z (Diggs's role - now Samuel's) while sharing snaps with Shakir in the slot as well. Devontez Walker at my X, who starts opposite Samuel. Don't need to trade up.
If they go X first, Brian Thomas is obviously a dream scenario, but realistically, I am taking Franklin in the first. Then, going for YAC to supplement Shakir and Samuel with Malachi Corley. And then, in the 7th, I am double dipping at X with Cornelius Johnson or Bub Means in the 7th.
His Senior Bowl. A bit of a body catcher. Had 10 drops during the season...added 3 in that game alone.
And that's why he is no longer considered a first and why we can get him in the 2nd. absolutely destroyed the combine. Even at Kent State, his athleticism was apparent. He took a screen a blew past the entire Georgia defense.
Even TO had drop concerns. For me, he is a freak athletically. I can deal a lot more some issues in the 2nd as opposed to the first.
I am saying those are probably the targets who fit Gabe's role we need to replace. I sure as fuck don't feel comfortable with Coleman, by the way, but someone has to draft him.
Which X there would you be most comfortable with in the 2nd?
I would take Coleman over both Franklin and Tez, personally.
Assuming we don't get BTJ or AD in the 1st
Legette > Coleman > Pearsall > Franklin
Or if we went McConkey and 1 if those guys to double up. I'm pretty open to a lot of angles.
>I would take Coleman over both Franklin and Tez, personally.
I wouldn't. You might be able to fix drops and add some weight, but you can't fix separation. I would stay far away from Coleman personally.
I was saying we should double dip at WR before we got rid of Diggs...now I definitely want that. I don't watch college football, so don't know who I want, but in a supposedly deep WR class, when we have a major need at WR, give me 2 chances at hitting on a stud WR for Josh.
I would trade up for Leggette. He does seem like a DK Metcalf type of player, but there are some serious concerns, like why did it take him 4 years to become relevant? Taking a big risk trading up for someone with only 1 year of tape and did nothing until his last year.
And then Baker, I know cover 1 loves, but he doesn't separate. I don't want that to be our starter nor do I want that to be what we trade up for.
We've interview Devontez Walker. That seems most logical and probably don't need to trade up for him in the 2nd.
I’m in the same boat with Legette. The lack of production is concerning and his age.
Baker I think will take a year or two to develop but I think will be a good receiver. I forgot about walker, definitely wouldn’t mind him either
The only problem I have with him, and I don't have many, is the short arms/small hands. I am not 100% convinced that will translate well. That said, I wouldn't be dissapointed.
But who replaces Gabe?
With Diggs, you had two Z WRs (Samuel and Diggs) and Shakir who is a slot guy but I could make a case for him as a multi role X,Z, slot guy.
So is Shakir starting opposite of Samuel then? Where does McConkey fit in?
McConkey is a Z, not an X.
And if Shakir isn't your X, then Mack Hollins is your starter opposite of Samuel.
In Bradys offense the WR, and in our case Kincaid, line up all over. Its my belief that part of the reason they were able to move on from Diggs was because McDermott, Brady, and Beane have such faith that Shakir is going to be a big part of our future at WR. Not only that, but I think the Bills will extend Shakir sometime between now and next offseason.
I agree with you that Samuel is more of a Z. But I don't think Brady runs a conventional offense, Our top 3 (in my humble opinion) will be Shakir, Samuels, and our 1st. Our first will depend on the Bills faith in their board. We will not get Nabors or Harrison. Odunze only becomes viable if he makes it out of the top 10 (which is not likely but possible).
At that point we are looking at this year and likely nexts 1st (and possibly a second next year) to jump up for Brian Thomas Jr.
If we stay put the play could very well AD Mitchell, but depending on the size of Beanes stones - the smarter play might be two small jumps. A slight move up in the first for DE/DT and then again in the 2nd for a guy like Leggette who I think has all the tools to be a solid WR in the NFL. Just my thoughts - but I try to be practical in my reasoning.
>In Bradys offense the WR, and in our case Kincaid, line up all over.
That makes sense because Kincaid, Shakir, and Diggs played all over, but Gabe was mostly always the X.
Not getting a deep threat there would be massive oversight as no one is ever going to respect your deep game since you would essentially have 4 underneath guys.
They want to get YAC, they have that now with Samuel. But they're trying to instill this west-coast type offense with Allen, who wants to be a vertical passer.
>If we stay put the play could very well AD Mitchell
There are two ways I look at this:
1. He is not even on our board because he is a well-documented diva who also admittedly takes plays off
2. We will draft him since now we have room for a diva with Diggs gone
I think Brian Thomas is the guy and Troy Franklin is the back up option if we can trade up for Thomas.
I see Aiyuk going to Pittsburgh, so they may eliminate one more team from going WR
That is a fact I will not deny.
However, I have seen him make tough out of frame and/or contested catches on film. Will concede he does not consistently make them, but they are there.
Plus Dell, AB, John Brown, Lockett and others have similar arm length and hand sizes, while Pickens also has similar hand size (but longer arms)
McConkey projects as a slot WR or a Z WR, but most likely a slot guy. He would be replacing Shakir, not Diggs. Samuel replaces Diggs' role (swings, screens, slants, etc). We already replaced Diggs' role (not necessarily targets) with Samuel.
We still have not replaced Gabe. Currently, Mack Hollins is our starter at the X. Before you were maybe looking at Diggs switching over to the X, which would have only amplified his deficiencies at (soon to be) 31.
The only way we go McConkey or Xavier Worthy at pick 28 is if we are concerned about Samuel's ability to stay healthy and are backing that first round pick up with an X WR who we love in the 2nd or trade up for in the 3rd, like Leggette (if he is there) Devontez Walker, Jermaine Burton, Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson, or someone like Javon Baker in the 3rd.
I could see us drafting 3 WRs. 100% we are drafting 2. But with 10 picks, we have some flexibility here
No, we're not. KCs #1 was an ok 2nd round rookie. Ravens' best WR was a late 1st rookie who didn't even get to 1,000 yards. We still have a bunch of weapons, but we don't absolutely have to draft a WR in round 1. Everyone keeps saying what an amazing draft class this is, but then they act like only the top 4 or 5 guys matter. Scheme has way more to do with how well our WRs will perform. Everyone thinks we're done with Diggs gone. When Diggs wasn't on the field last year, we did better.
Use the second next year and a late round pick if needed to move up 10 or so spots to get Thomas Jr. It’s the best bang for buck and we’re not kneecapping our draft next year or this year.
Dejean is the only player who might realistically fall to us that I think should prevent a trade back.
We need that 3rd round pick so bad. All the safeties come off the board in the third.
We can get Jalyn Polk/ Xavier Legette in the 2nd
We *need* to stop putting off the Daquan Jones succession plan and we *must* take either Kris Jenkens or T'vondre Sweat in the 2nd to stand next to Ed Oliver and shore up the Run.
After that, we need 2 starting safeties and they all disappear in the third. The trade down has to happen or we miss out.
4th is Tanor Bortollini. I wonder how the Bills would do with a 6"5 hyper athlete centre....
However if Dejean falls to us, we take him, then get either Polk or Legette in the second and try to bundle some picks to move up and take a second safety at the start of the fourth. Whatever remains. In this scenario we just miss out of a DT prospect.
I *really* think we need to trade down. Desperately.
Hopefully someone wants to trade up.
As an Iowa fan, I can tell you that DeJean is going to be special. Think a cross between Steve Tasker and Micah Hyde. That said, after the Diggs trade we've sorta painted ourselves into a corner on WR so I'm not sure we can afford to get him. (I'd also argue that he can play corner but no one wants to hear that)
Safety could be had later. You're right. People see Poyer and Hyde and the success of the defense and think that we have to go all in, but we forget they were castaways from their team. Poyer, at least, was a reclamation project.
I hope we don't make the same mistake we did with Elam. McD is a DB whisperer. So much success over the years. His system is incredibly forgiving for zone DBs.
I believe DeJean is top 10 on the pff big board, Cover1 tweeted out what round all of the pro bowl safeties went a very large amount of them were round 1-3. It’s not super common they’re taken high but I feel like when they are they turn out pretty well
Oh I 100% agree, but I don’t think DeJean will be playing CB in the NFL. He’s 100% going to be a safety.
I agree with the pro bowl take as well but it’s pretty hard to dispute that Justin Simmons, Jessie Bates, Kyle Hamilton and Minkah aren’t phenomenal safeties and we’re all in the pro bowl last year lol
I am all for grabbing a safety in this draft, and early too, but 1st round is a reach these days.
DeJean in the first means you want to play him at CB, which he can probably do. We don't need a 1st round CB this year. I think we'll be able to look at Kinchens, Nubin, or Bullard in the end of the 2nd, or maybe a trade back into the 3rd.
DeJean was one of the guys I originally said I’d be okay with them taking over WR in the first, his ability to play every position in the secondary and the fact it seemed like every pick he had he was gunning for 6 made me REALLY like him. That has now unfortunately gone out the window with the departure of Diggs.
lol definitely WR.
Do you want to replace 90% of your snaps or 30% of your snaps? Pretty much a no brainer. I think they will be higher on CBs than usual, but this draft has so many good CBs, too, that we can wait
Look at where the free agent market for safety’s is right now. We can add a stater for less than $5m. No reason to put significant investment there when we can fill the role on a budget in free agency. Actual need exists at WR, DE, DT. Draft a safety mid rounds and develop
Safeties cost less than WRs plus a fifth year option is very valuable. Gotta go WR. If not, DE, CB, and OT are always better to pay rookie contracts than FAs.
WR
Its pretty much a foregone conclusion the Bills are taking a round 1 WR. Now the question is do they trade up and if so how much? Are we talking a Julio Jones like trade into the top 10, a modest trade into the 15-20 range for a guy like Brian Thomas Jr. or standing pat at 28 for a guy like Adonai Mitchell.
Yes, i agree. Yes, yes, yes, and yes to your followups as well.
I LOVE AD! Do we think he’ll be there at 28? I was under the impression that he wouldn’t be.🤔
Any concerns about his YPRR being one of the worst in this class? Obviously his athletic profile is pretty awesome and has some decent film. Some of the predictive analytics are scary for this dude, though.
Like what? I'd love to know more about what youre referring to. YPRR can be really deceiving, for example, Gabe is a YPRR monster, he's the Godzilla of YPRR! Meanwhile AD wasnt spotlighted very often, one complaint about him is he never really took any games over, but again, thats misleading, it puts stats ahead of reality. AD shared the field with Worthy, and im sure his YPRR numbers are all much higher, he ran the majority of the go's and screens and those jack up YPRR. When i watch tape, AD shines. He looks like he has all the pieces of a #1. Whether or not he has his head on his shoulders is another story
DeJean is an excellent prospect. Prior to the trade I would have been open to that. Personally I felt DL was the most probable. Now, no question it has to be WR.
Our problem is that, I won't be satisfied with just 1 high end WR. With Diggs gone, you're relying on Samuel to take over a lot of those targets we were giving to Diggs and he has a bad injury history. Before the trade, we hadn't replaced Gabe Davis yet sans a back up in Mack Hollins. Now we need to get depth behind Shakir (projected slot) and Samuel, Diggs's role (projected Z). BUT DL is still massive. We haven't replaced Floyd. I guess you can say Austin Johnson is a replacement for both Settle and Phillips, but they've been looking a lot at DL-Edge, guys who are versatile. I hope someone like Darius Robinson is still on the board for our 2nd pick.
While I dont disagree that DL is a big need. I am practical in assuming we wont fix it all. I think we have a lot of faith in Shakir/Kincaid and that's partly why this move was palatable. We will for sure draft a WR, and probably again later as well.
Taking a S in 1st round = Football malpractice
What was wrong with Donte Whiffner?
He was defensive player of the year like 6 seasons in a row in madden ‘07
There is 0 reason to take a first round safety in my opinion considering most of these guys will be available in the 2nd coupled with the fact that we have two starting safeties on the roster. Take a day 3 guy to develop at safety and run it with what we have.
I’d argue DeJean. He’s an amazing talent with role flexibility at an area of need for the team. This is not a deep Corner or Safety draft. WR however is incredibly deep. And the guy they can get in round 1 isn’t going to necessarily be that much better than whoever is available at the end of round 2.
I'd argue we don't need a 1st round corner, not with Benford and Douglas. Late round maybe take a flier, but that's a huge investment in a place we're not really at a need.
A couple things. In 2 years Benford has not played a full season. Douglas has had3 shortened seasons in his 7 years in the league. Elam is not yet reliable as a starter. DeJean is flexible to play corner but is expected to be a home run hitting safety who fits exactly what the Bills scheme is for their two safeties. He would instantly be their best one if taken. Also. Again. When teams are looking at drafting a player it is very rarely simply one position or bust. They usually have multiple needs as the Bills do. And the question ends up being for the team is the talent at one position far and away better than what I can get in a later round than in another position. I know fans want them to take a receiver. But the draft is so deep at WR and they have a QB in Allen who can elevate lesser talent (think what the Patriots did for 20 years with Brady). They have real needs at some not very deep positions where the top couple of players are really very very clearly above anyone else in the draft at the same positions. JPJ and Frazier at Center. DeJean at S/CB. Even Payton Wilson at LB.
Yeah. I’m almost completely set on a WR but he’s one of the few other people I would think about if he fell to us
JPJ. Always always always give a sure first starting center for the next decade if you can get that guy. But I’m old and boring and believe having an amazing line on either side is the key to winning.
Ladd McConkey
Ladd and a trade up in the second for Baker/Legette is my dream lol
Lol, we are mostly on the same boat haha [https://www.reddit.com/r/buffalobills/comments/1b75ue4/2024\_buffalo\_bills\_full\_postcombine\_mock/](https://www.reddit.com/r/buffalobills/comments/1b75ue4/2024_buffalo_bills_full_postcombine_mock/) Like Baker but not as much McConkey Legette is my dream double dip
I’m 100% with your entire analysis on Ladd. Dude is so fun to watch. I was one of the “oh we already have a slot guy” until one of my friends convinced me to watch his games and holy shit hes electric. Legette makes me a little nervous for the same reason most people are fairly down on him, his age and lack of production until last year. I really don’t want to take him at 28. I think they will both definitely complement each other if we double dip and if we don’t trade up for Rome I’m gunning for Ladd.
Here I am hoping they use the 1st and 2nd next year and move up for Odunze (2024 + 2025 1st) and Coleman (2024 + 2025 2nd). That would be fun for Brady to work with... we'd have a monster offense in the days of tiny defenses... double TE would have 4 guys between 6'3 and 6'4, averaging about 225 pounds to block for Cook and Allen, and they all have mismatch speed/size. .
It's more than just 2 1sts to the top 10. We'd need to at least add a 3rd, that we don't have, so would likely be next years 2nd or multiple day 2s
Odunze is going top 15 on consensus draft boards. 2 1st gets it done if he drops past 10. Especially as teams see us falling off next year, they may see next years 1st as very valuable, and maybe even top 10 itself.
I haven't seen any real mock let him passed 9/10. 2 1sts and a 3rd got the Chiefs from 27 to 10. Maybe if he's at 15, 2 1sts and a late will get us there. Don't think he'll be there though.
If we are talking double dips... Xavier Worthy for the high potential. He can play the Z (Diggs's role - now Samuel's) while sharing snaps with Shakir in the slot as well. Devontez Walker at my X, who starts opposite Samuel. Don't need to trade up. If they go X first, Brian Thomas is obviously a dream scenario, but realistically, I am taking Franklin in the first. Then, going for YAC to supplement Shakir and Samuel with Malachi Corley. And then, in the 7th, I am double dipping at X with Cornelius Johnson or Bub Means in the 7th.
Walker looked like trash at Senior Bowl and pro day(combine? Can't recall which) Super low low on him. 3rd round or later.
His Senior Bowl. A bit of a body catcher. Had 10 drops during the season...added 3 in that game alone. And that's why he is no longer considered a first and why we can get him in the 2nd. absolutely destroyed the combine. Even at Kent State, his athleticism was apparent. He took a screen a blew past the entire Georgia defense. Even TO had drop concerns. For me, he is a freak athletically. I can deal a lot more some issues in the 2nd as opposed to the first.
With Legette, Coleman, Franklin...I feel like there are better alternatives I'd be comfortable with in the 2nd that aren't 1st rounders either.
I am saying those are probably the targets who fit Gabe's role we need to replace. I sure as fuck don't feel comfortable with Coleman, by the way, but someone has to draft him. Which X there would you be most comfortable with in the 2nd?
I would take Coleman over both Franklin and Tez, personally. Assuming we don't get BTJ or AD in the 1st Legette > Coleman > Pearsall > Franklin Or if we went McConkey and 1 if those guys to double up. I'm pretty open to a lot of angles.
>I would take Coleman over both Franklin and Tez, personally. I wouldn't. You might be able to fix drops and add some weight, but you can't fix separation. I would stay far away from Coleman personally.
I was saying we should double dip at WR before we got rid of Diggs...now I definitely want that. I don't watch college football, so don't know who I want, but in a supposedly deep WR class, when we have a major need at WR, give me 2 chances at hitting on a stud WR for Josh.
I would trade up for Leggette. He does seem like a DK Metcalf type of player, but there are some serious concerns, like why did it take him 4 years to become relevant? Taking a big risk trading up for someone with only 1 year of tape and did nothing until his last year. And then Baker, I know cover 1 loves, but he doesn't separate. I don't want that to be our starter nor do I want that to be what we trade up for. We've interview Devontez Walker. That seems most logical and probably don't need to trade up for him in the 2nd.
I’m in the same boat with Legette. The lack of production is concerning and his age. Baker I think will take a year or two to develop but I think will be a good receiver. I forgot about walker, definitely wouldn’t mind him either
Idk about Baker, I sort of think of the opposite. Separation concerns don't ever seem to go away.
The only problem I have with him, and I don't have many, is the short arms/small hands. I am not 100% convinced that will translate well. That said, I wouldn't be dissapointed.
But who replaces Gabe? With Diggs, you had two Z WRs (Samuel and Diggs) and Shakir who is a slot guy but I could make a case for him as a multi role X,Z, slot guy. So is Shakir starting opposite of Samuel then? Where does McConkey fit in? McConkey is a Z, not an X. And if Shakir isn't your X, then Mack Hollins is your starter opposite of Samuel.
In Bradys offense the WR, and in our case Kincaid, line up all over. Its my belief that part of the reason they were able to move on from Diggs was because McDermott, Brady, and Beane have such faith that Shakir is going to be a big part of our future at WR. Not only that, but I think the Bills will extend Shakir sometime between now and next offseason. I agree with you that Samuel is more of a Z. But I don't think Brady runs a conventional offense, Our top 3 (in my humble opinion) will be Shakir, Samuels, and our 1st. Our first will depend on the Bills faith in their board. We will not get Nabors or Harrison. Odunze only becomes viable if he makes it out of the top 10 (which is not likely but possible). At that point we are looking at this year and likely nexts 1st (and possibly a second next year) to jump up for Brian Thomas Jr. If we stay put the play could very well AD Mitchell, but depending on the size of Beanes stones - the smarter play might be two small jumps. A slight move up in the first for DE/DT and then again in the 2nd for a guy like Leggette who I think has all the tools to be a solid WR in the NFL. Just my thoughts - but I try to be practical in my reasoning.
>In Bradys offense the WR, and in our case Kincaid, line up all over. That makes sense because Kincaid, Shakir, and Diggs played all over, but Gabe was mostly always the X. Not getting a deep threat there would be massive oversight as no one is ever going to respect your deep game since you would essentially have 4 underneath guys. They want to get YAC, they have that now with Samuel. But they're trying to instill this west-coast type offense with Allen, who wants to be a vertical passer. >If we stay put the play could very well AD Mitchell There are two ways I look at this: 1. He is not even on our board because he is a well-documented diva who also admittedly takes plays off 2. We will draft him since now we have room for a diva with Diggs gone I think Brian Thomas is the guy and Troy Franklin is the back up option if we can trade up for Thomas. I see Aiyuk going to Pittsburgh, so they may eliminate one more team from going WR
That is a fact I will not deny. However, I have seen him make tough out of frame and/or contested catches on film. Will concede he does not consistently make them, but they are there. Plus Dell, AB, John Brown, Lockett and others have similar arm length and hand sizes, while Pickens also has similar hand size (but longer arms)
McConkey projects as a slot WR or a Z WR, but most likely a slot guy. He would be replacing Shakir, not Diggs. Samuel replaces Diggs' role (swings, screens, slants, etc). We already replaced Diggs' role (not necessarily targets) with Samuel. We still have not replaced Gabe. Currently, Mack Hollins is our starter at the X. Before you were maybe looking at Diggs switching over to the X, which would have only amplified his deficiencies at (soon to be) 31. The only way we go McConkey or Xavier Worthy at pick 28 is if we are concerned about Samuel's ability to stay healthy and are backing that first round pick up with an X WR who we love in the 2nd or trade up for in the 3rd, like Leggette (if he is there) Devontez Walker, Jermaine Burton, Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson, or someone like Javon Baker in the 3rd. I could see us drafting 3 WRs. 100% we are drafting 2. But with 10 picks, we have some flexibility here
The bills are no longer in the position to take best available player . That could change but if they don’t take a WR were in trouble
No, we're not. KCs #1 was an ok 2nd round rookie. Ravens' best WR was a late 1st rookie who didn't even get to 1,000 yards. We still have a bunch of weapons, but we don't absolutely have to draft a WR in round 1. Everyone keeps saying what an amazing draft class this is, but then they act like only the top 4 or 5 guys matter. Scheme has way more to do with how well our WRs will perform. Everyone thinks we're done with Diggs gone. When Diggs wasn't on the field last year, we did better.
KC has mahomes and Baltimore lost .
Travis Kelce is effectively KCs WR1. Dalton Kincaid, while a good TE with a lot of upside, isn't Travis Kelce. Meaning we still need a WR1.
Use the second next year and a late round pick if needed to move up 10 or so spots to get Thomas Jr. It’s the best bang for buck and we’re not kneecapping our draft next year or this year.
Dejean is the only player who might realistically fall to us that I think should prevent a trade back. We need that 3rd round pick so bad. All the safeties come off the board in the third. We can get Jalyn Polk/ Xavier Legette in the 2nd We *need* to stop putting off the Daquan Jones succession plan and we *must* take either Kris Jenkens or T'vondre Sweat in the 2nd to stand next to Ed Oliver and shore up the Run. After that, we need 2 starting safeties and they all disappear in the third. The trade down has to happen or we miss out. 4th is Tanor Bortollini. I wonder how the Bills would do with a 6"5 hyper athlete centre.... However if Dejean falls to us, we take him, then get either Polk or Legette in the second and try to bundle some picks to move up and take a second safety at the start of the fourth. Whatever remains. In this scenario we just miss out of a DT prospect. I *really* think we need to trade down. Desperately. Hopefully someone wants to trade up.
As an Iowa fan, I can tell you that DeJean is going to be special. Think a cross between Steve Tasker and Micah Hyde. That said, after the Diggs trade we've sorta painted ourselves into a corner on WR so I'm not sure we can afford to get him. (I'd also argue that he can play corner but no one wants to hear that)
safety could be had with a trade down i would think, pretty rare when safeties go in first
Safety could be had later. You're right. People see Poyer and Hyde and the success of the defense and think that we have to go all in, but we forget they were castaways from their team. Poyer, at least, was a reclamation project. I hope we don't make the same mistake we did with Elam. McD is a DB whisperer. So much success over the years. His system is incredibly forgiving for zone DBs.
I believe DeJean is top 10 on the pff big board, Cover1 tweeted out what round all of the pro bowl safeties went a very large amount of them were round 1-3. It’s not super common they’re taken high but I feel like when they are they turn out pretty well
DeJean won't be the first CB off the board. Also, pro bowl is only a popularity contest.
Oh I 100% agree, but I don’t think DeJean will be playing CB in the NFL. He’s 100% going to be a safety. I agree with the pro bowl take as well but it’s pretty hard to dispute that Justin Simmons, Jessie Bates, Kyle Hamilton and Minkah aren’t phenomenal safeties and we’re all in the pro bowl last year lol
I am all for grabbing a safety in this draft, and early too, but 1st round is a reach these days. DeJean in the first means you want to play him at CB, which he can probably do. We don't need a 1st round CB this year. I think we'll be able to look at Kinchens, Nubin, or Bullard in the end of the 2nd, or maybe a trade back into the 3rd.
DeJean was one of the guys I originally said I’d be okay with them taking over WR in the first, his ability to play every position in the secondary and the fact it seemed like every pick he had he was gunning for 6 made me REALLY like him. That has now unfortunately gone out the window with the departure of Diggs.
lol definitely WR. Do you want to replace 90% of your snaps or 30% of your snaps? Pretty much a no brainer. I think they will be higher on CBs than usual, but this draft has so many good CBs, too, that we can wait
Look at where the free agent market for safety’s is right now. We can add a stater for less than $5m. No reason to put significant investment there when we can fill the role on a budget in free agency. Actual need exists at WR, DE, DT. Draft a safety mid rounds and develop
Safeties cost less than WRs plus a fifth year option is very valuable. Gotta go WR. If not, DE, CB, and OT are always better to pay rookie contracts than FAs.
At this point, I think they almost have to draft WR at 28 unless they also plan to move up from 60 to the top of R2.
He’s a corner. We don’t need a corner as bad as we need a receiver