OldTimer1960

This is a very unrealistic expectation.

I don’t know that Beane will have the cap to do what you’re suggesting in FA, but I hope so. I agree on S. you did talk some about the mid-rounds, but right now the Bills have to wait 69 picks after 60 for their next pick. 3rd and up to mid4th are the meat of the mid-rounds. Not to say they can’t get lucky and find good players later (ex: Shakir, Poyer, Diggs, others), but counting on finding good ones there is not a sound strategy. In the end, I see no way that they can fill all of the holes they have this year unless they have some magic in FA. Maybe the best approach then is to load up the offense and expect to give up 28 a game on D.

I agree - at DE, I think they would have to think hard about Latu and consider Chop Robinson- after that no thanks until at least 60. The top 2 DTs and several of the next tier are a little too similar to Oliver and playing two smaller DTs would expose Terrel Bernard’s smaller size. Agree, not big DT worth 28. Also agree that S not worth the pick over WR.

I am not pounding the table to pick defense in round 1, but at present, the offense needs 1 starter and 1 depth receiver and maybe bakups at RB and IOL if a good player is there at one of their picks. I think the D needs starting DT, pass rushing DE, backup DT, starting S and probably a depth CB. I think the defensive needs are quite a bit greater than the needs of the offense. Now, if there is a WR there at 28 that they really like, I won’t be upset at all if they draft him. I know FA is yet to play out, but if we listen to Beane’s own words, he isn’t shopping at the high or even middle tiers due to cap restrictions. Maybe they will sign some players to fill those holes on D before the draft - if so great! I am just not expecting that to be the case and if you need defenders to play meaningful time this year it seems like you at least need to consider getting one early and settle for a lower tier, but still good WR prospect. Again, not arguing no WR in round 1, rather highlighting that I think many are not realizing how many true holes there are on D.

Got it and I agree there.

I don’t see any comparison between Franklin and Diggs. Diggs is a great route runner and Franklin can run fast in a straight line if there is nobody to push him off his route at 175lbs. Unless the Combine was just a really bad day for him, I would not be sure I’d take him at 60. I see the talent in Mitchell, but something still feels like it’s missing. I would certainly understand if they took Mitchell at 28.

No negative connotation was intended. Pretty much all of us would love a great new WR weapon. The problem to me is that, at least for now, they could not even put a full defense on the field and 60 and two very late 4th round picks are not going to fix that. It will be a difficult decision, for sure. To the point that the WR talent is better than the defensive talent - it’s true in general this year. But, while high upside, low production guys like Robinson feel too risky for my taste, I’m not sure the WRs after Thomas Jr are much better prospects than Robinson. I’m out on Worthy at 28 due to size and a bit questionable hands and I’m liukewarm on Mitchell and cool on Coleman. I know this board is high on Legette and I see size and speed there - I have not seen any pundits list him as a top 50 prospect (of course that doesn’t mean they aren’t wrong).

I understand that we are all hoping for a shiny new WR - and it IS a need, but there will be good WR prospects available at 60 and *maybe* it is better value to take a swing on Chop Robinson’s traits (if available) at 28 and then come back with someone like Polk at end of 2nd. I am just speculating, not advocating for that at the moment.

Later like end of the 4th?

I think that not having a 3rd might push them to go D in 1st and leave wr to 60. Not what we all might want, but if they still need a potential starter at DE (in case Von can’t return to some form), they won’t find that at 60 whereas they might still find someone who could step in and provide what Davis did at 60.

And Beebe weighed a lot more than 165.

Yes, that’s possible. I think if they go back about 10 spots and add in one of their late 4ths, they might get into the back end of the 3rd.

The 2 picks the Bills now have in the 4th PLUS the 3 5th rounders combined might get them a mid to late 3rd. And they really can’t afford to trade 5 picks for that 3rd. I think they will look to trade back out of the first - maybe 10 plus spots to try to work a deal (throwing in a 4th or 5th) to get a 3rd rounder.

Their QB is playing for $300 and a room in the back corner.

You could be right, but I hope not. I understand that free agency has yet to play out and they might find a few stop-gap vets to fill defensive holes, but they likely will need to count on some rookies on that side of the ball and I’d rather it not be late 4th and 5th round guys having to play. This defense could be pretty bad next year.

If they do (unless it’s a trade of a player), I still would not trade up. They are going to need their 2nd and 3rd to play a fair bit on defense this year.

I’m ok with a move down, but it won’t recoup a 3rd unless they move down quite a ways.

Well, you are right that they could. I don’t think that would be smart business. With the state of the defense, they will probably be picking earlier in each round next year. I would not trade that away.

With today’s news about receiving a comp pick at the end of round 4 instead of the expected round 3, we can expect no trade up in the first. They can’t afford to trade up in first then address the gaping holes on defense at 60 and the sit until end of 4th to get another defender. Forget “double dipping” at WR early, as well.

Scratch trading up in the first.

I would not trade next year’s 1. This could be a step-back season with all of the losses on D. I would not want to be sitting here a year from now having traded a mid 1st round pick for an extra 2nd this year.

He has lots of revenue from NFL - NHL not so much.

Add Mitchell has better hands. Add Mitchell has better hands. Add Mitchell has better hands.

Regardless of whether Bills met with him or not, I really enjoyed watching 3 games of Ladd McConkey (Alabama, Auburn, Oregon (22)). His footwork is amazing. I know he isn’t an X and the Bills need a big X, but what the Bills really need are good offensive weapons and to my eyes he is a good one. I’m not saying they should take him, but I would sure understand if they do and then look for another guy to play Davis’ role in a low-end FA or later (maybe Javon Baker if he is around near the 4th). I would not count on Justin Shorter, but I would not discount him getting some play time at X.

Michigan had 18 players at the Combine. I would not let “visit points” all be attributed to Jenkins and Wilson there. I’m not saying that the Bills aren’t interested in either, but it isn’t surprising that more Bills scouting was done for Michigan than other schools with fewer prospects.