Alphadawg7

Like I said, take it for what it’s worth…a rumor at this point since it can’t be verified yet. But he works in the sports marketing department at the network and it was his boss that gave them the heads up.

Someone I know in media just tipped me off that the Bills are supposedly playing the Noon game on Thanksgiving in Detroit. They got a heads up today about it at the TV network he works at in Detroit. As with anything, take it for what it’s worth though.

Obviously I know a CB or two is coming no matter what this draft, I just would prefer one in the first 3 rounds. Again, not advocating to reach, just saying it’s a worrisome hole right now and taking one later doesn’t give me the same confidence as getting a better prospect. At the same time I won’t flip out if we don’t take one early though either. I want Beane to take the BPA every time we pick.

Like Mike Ditka...trade the whole draft for him. 🤣

I will run the Bills and trade up into the top 10 to take the Punt God. LFG, let it all burn haha

First Kudos on all the work bud, good stuff to read Curious why you don't separate Linebacker into MLB and OLB, which I think most ranking sites do and I think is important when looking at the LB rankings. And also, curious as to why you listed Ojabo as an "edge" vs a LB. I feel like I always see him classified as an OLB on ranking sites, and I think he plays as a OLB vs a dedicated edge rusher in the NFL too.

Another great mock you ran here Virgil, thanks for doing these, they are always fun and spur interesting back and forth discussion

I dont disagree that Tre likely makes the difference last year. But...Tre's a big question mark this year. There is no guarantee he doesn't have a set back, there is not certain time table for a return, and there is no way to know what level of play we will see from him this year. His injury often takes a while for a player to really come back all the way from, if they even come all the way back from it. And while I know "speed" is not the primary focus in McD's defense at CB, I am greatly concerned by our lack of it right now with how loaded the AFC is today. But hey, I love offense like anyone else. So I won't hate any offensive picks by any means. And I definitely do NOT want us to reach for a CB or any player ever. But if there is a WR and a CB on the board at 25 closely graded out, I think the CB should be a higher priority. I mean imagine adding another guy like Tre White opposite him the next several seasons on a rookie deal. Especially as the older guys like Hyde and Poyer eventually leave, potentially even sooner in Poyers case. For the record, if an incredible prospect like Garrett or Jameson falls to 25, I am fully on board snagging them.

I am admittedly concerned about the level of play once Tre is back as its not uncommon for these injuries like this to take a player a while to regain form. At RB, its possible to say upgrade from Devin with someone faster, but I also don't see it as a need. Devins stats last year were pretty impressive once he got carries. So I think maybe feed Devin the rock and add a speedy complimentary receiving back in the draft, like what they wanted from JD before having to sign the less impressive Duke. Dont get me wrong, I wont hate drafting say Hall or Walker, never opposed to adding weapons...I just am in the camp that is comfortable with Devin carrying the load this year and less comfortable with the state of our secondary. I know I am pounding the table here in this thread that defense is a bigger concern, which it is, but I am definitely not anti-offense either. Especially since Josh Allen is my favorite player of probably any sport to watch play all time already. But I also want to win a SB, and I have seen way too many offensive juggernaughts either not make the SB or lose in the SB because the opponents D shut them down, and/or their own D failed them. So makes me uncomfortable in the potent AFC to see the state of our CB situation right now, not to mention, Poyer situation is developing still too.

I did not say those losses were "all" solely on the defense though. But...the defense failed us in every game in the second half of those games at minimum. 2019 - In the second half, our defense gave up 17 consecutive points, including an 8 play TD drive late in the 4th. Then a 9 play game winning drive in OT to lose the game. I know it wasn't all the defenses fault, but giving up 20 points in 2nd half and OT sent us home as our offense wasn't yet at a place to carry the team. -NOTE: I will admit and add that this game was also greatly impacted by the refs. And honestly, our offense should have scored more points if not for those refs and Watson got away with 2 snaps after the clock hit zero in this game too. So I would say the offense also wasn't as bad as the score and stat sheet say because we had multiple drives screwed by awful decisions by the refs. 2020 - Our defense looked like a high school defense going against the Chiefs. Without exaggeration we looked like the worst defense in the league that game, Hill and Kelce were running wide open with yardage between them and defenders. Our defense played like it was a padless walkthrough and we looked like we did not belong on the same field with the Chiefs. Granted our offense struggled too, but our defense was one of the most embarrassing efforts I have seen during the McBeane era. 2021 - Our defense gave up 3 scores in like 3 minutes and 42 points and was unquestionably the most significant reason we lost. So, while its not solely on the defense, and its rarely solely on one player or one unit, but the defense was instrumental in those losses and didn't make the plays it needed in 2 OT losses and was completely out classed in another. Meanwhile, Josh Allen is now second in NFL history with QB Rating in the playoffs, behind only Mahomes by 1 point. They both actually passed Starr after this years game ironically. Our offense this past season averaged 41 points per game in the playoffs. Allen threw 9 TD's and no turnovers with almost 800 yards of offense. So if I had to grade, which side of the ball played a bigger role in us going home this year, it was the defense. And if you look at the past 2 playoff exits, the defense was atrocious in 2020's exit and it gave up 20 second half points in 2019. Offense had its own woes in 2019 and 2020 too, but Allen is on another level now, Davis is ready to take a big role, Knox has stepped into his own, we added a great slot guy in Crowder and weapon at TE in OJ Howard too. Devin busted out last year as well after he finally got carries. Saffold and Bates being here along with Kromer is only going to increase or run game even further. So its a lot easier to feel more comfortable with the state of the offense today before the draft than the holes we have on the D, not to mention the holes we could be facing next year of the D with big decisions on contracts looming on key players. And currently at CB, we have a former UDFA and 3rd string CB ready to take over who struggled against the Chiefs in the playoffs and a former all pro coming off a major injury that could prevent him from playing up to his standards this season as they are tricky to come all the way back from. So I think its more than reasonable to be concerned more about our pass defense that lacks speed right now heading into the draft. A defense that has a pass happy AFC West its gonna see in the playoffs, and the elite speed it will see twice this year from Miami. ' But let me reiterate to everyone, I do NOT want us to reach for any position. If BPA when we pick is offense, take the BPA. I am all for that, I never advocate for reaching. This is simply about what ideally we should do if the right CB is on the board with one of our first 2 picks. I didnt say it was only the defenses fault in all 3 games, but I should have better clarified that so I can see how you took it that way. I meant the defense was bad in all 3 games.

Except I’ve repeatedly said never reach, so there’s that too

If Wilson slides to 25 then I support taking him, I just still think he goes before our pick Come on, I am pretty sure I saw you complaining a lot about the defense this past year And again, we lost 3 consecutive playoff games in 3 straight seasons because of defense. I love offense...I love giving Josh weapons, but to pretend the offense was the issue and not the defense in our KC loss (again), is a false narrative. We had a NORMAL amount of punts but gave up an abnormal amount of points to KC. We scored 36 points in a loss...offense is not why we lost.

Its not completely unrelated, because people are all over this board pleading and arguing to take a WR or a RB at pick 25. People are on this board saying the will flip out if we take a CB round 1. So this isnt about this make believe draft, its about the people clamoring for offense, even back to back picks, who are many are literally the same people who whined for 2 years about Levi, our defense, wanted McD and Beane fired in both 2020 and 2021 every time our defense came up short. Who want Edmunds traded. Who want Poyer traded...etc etc. Who started thread after thread about the end of the KC game. So, I am just saying, dont sit here all off season and plead (not saying you, generalized statement) about drafting offense and then spend the season whining about the defense again like they did last year.

Youre worried about a lull in the middle season yet ignoring defense bounced us THREE consecutive years from the playoffs. PS: Our offense averaged 41 points per game in the playoffs with 3 total punts...Josh Allen had almost 800 yards and 9 TDs in 2 games with zero interceptions and zero fumbles. But tell me how the offense was the problem again...and not the 42 points we gave up including 3 scores in like 3 min to end the game. PPS: You dont think a first round CB helps? So you are basically saying Tre White would not have made a difference in that game? You really believe that? Come on. Might as well trade Tre White then, he wouldn't have made a difference right. Get rid of his contract and get some more draft picks to take more offensive players.

I didn’t say I wouldn’t be happy with those players, I’m saying it’s unrealistic. First of all, find it hard to believe Wilson falls to 25, he’s probably going top 10. But I do believe Beane will stay true to his board, so if a corner isn’t there he likes then I don’t think he would reach, nor should he. I just expect one to be there and don’t expect Wilson to be there.

No disrespect, but by “getting the most out of our DBs” do you mean getting torched by KC in back to back playoff exits? Meanwhile in the 7 games Devin had at least 13 attempts this season he averaged 82 yards and scored 7 TDs which would be 1400 yards and 17 TDs over a full season. I don’t think people even realize that if Devin had just 14 more attempts on the seasons, based on his YPC he would have finished top 10 in rushing this year. And that’ was behind a bad run blocking OL. Meanwhile 7 of the top 10 WRs were drafted in rounds 2 or later. Most of the top RBs were not first round picks either. So I always find this popular response puzzling given the exact same thing can be said about WR and RB. Funny this board complained weekly to replace Levi and thought Dane wasn’t much better, many of which are the same people saying we don’t need to take a CB early. Meanwhile we have gotten bounced THREE years in a row because of our defense twice because they couldn’t make a single stop. Same defense all these people saying to wait on a CB complain about all season long too. I trust Beane and fine with what he decides. I like adding weapons too. But CB is a much bigger need than WR or RB.

I think it’s highly unlikely Bills leave first 2 rounds with a WR and a RB. The lack of interest around here in improving a defense that gave up 42 points and 3 scores in less than 3 minutes to lose in the playoffs is puzzling to me. A defense who lost a starting corner, has another coming off a big injury with no confirmed time table to return, and is gonna see several guys become free agents next year at key positions too. And watch, there will be 30 threads, of the same people clamoring for all offense early in draft, just whining about the defense this year and how Beane, Frazier and McD should be fired because of it. Just like every year. Rinse and repeat around here.

Wait what? They stopped him tipping plays? Was not aware, that was what I liked so much about him, the pre snap insight

Huh? How does having Thurman allow us to milk a clock that has 17 seconds left, down 4 points, on the 19 yard line on 4th and 13 and needing a TD only for a chance to survive? Can you please explain how Thurman Thomas in his prime changes what happens at the end of this game?

Von wont likely see 70% of the snaps until the playoffs I would guess. With 17 games now, I think they rotate him still a lot more than he is used to in the regular season to keep him fresh and healthy. I Just my 2 cents

Did you watch the game? Milk the drive? HUH??? We scored the go ahead TD on 4th and 13. You think we are gonna milk that with a dive up the middle with Thurman on 4th and 13? To recap fully...19 yard line, 17 seconds to play, 4th and 13. But you think we would have, and I quote, "milked it" had we had Thurman Thomas like RB? How does one milk the clock on 4th and 13 down 4 points with 17 seconds left in the game? Sorry and I mean no disrespect, but this might be one of the weirdest comments I have seen.

Not suggesting we resign him, just saying who is likely calling. HOWEVER: I would like to present some facts that do suggest Devin is not only capable of more, but possibly better than people realize: Of all the RB's who rushed for 850+ yards last year, Devin did it in the fewest carries at 188. All other RB's had at least 202 attempts or more. Based on Devins YPC, had he carried the ball a total of just 14 more times, he would have finished top 10 in the NFL in rushing yards. And he did this DESPITE being 30th in yards before first contact with one of the worst run blocking lines in the NFL on a pass happy offense. Devin only had 7 total games with 13+ carries, 4 came in his last 6 games. In those 7 games, he averaged 81.4 YPG and scored 7 TDs (in 7 games). Projected over a whole season that translates to 1384 yards and 17 TDs. He has a career 4.7 YPC He is among the league leaders in 20+ yard runs since entering the league despite splitting time most his career So I think people are unnecessarily down on Devin. Devin, when given feature RB carries has consistently produced, and done so behind a bad run blocking OL since being here with an OC who was often allergic to running the ball. And this year, we went out and brought back Bates who helped the line once he made the starting lineup, which coincidentally resulted in a boom to our run game. And we added a renown run blocker in Saffold along with bringing in Kromer to rebuild this line. We have also been vocal about wanting to run the ball more to take some wear and pressure off Josh. Our offense broke out last year once we started running the ball well and Devin was a big part of that as he finally started getting meaningful carries consistently down the stretch. So IMHO...Devin could be in line for a big season if he enters the season as the primary ball carrier. And I honestly think that is the plan. Now if someone like Hall or Walker fall to the 2nd its possible Beane sees an opportunity there and makes a move. I mean its not like having 2 RB's is a bad thing or that Devin isn't possible to upgrade from. BUT...I seriously doubt Beane is entering the draft with the feeling he must get one of those guys either and feels good about Devin and maybe finding a complimentary receiving 3rd down back too. My prediction (if we don't take a primary ball carrier in the draft): Devin rushes for 1100+ yards this season and double digit TD's if he gets 13 -15 carries per game.

Madden for sure. BUT: I have to admit, I really like Tony Romo now. I know he doesn't have that all time clout yet, but he is my current favorite by a wide margin out there right now.

Ravens are interested in trading back into the 2nd round. DM me if you are interested in trade talks...

Personally, I would love a trade down if we can pickup maybe a second and third this year or even multiple seconds (like Atlanta) this year. Draft is rich in 2nd and third rounds IMO this year in areas that can really help the team. Or even an extra first next year could be big too.