Astrobot

Dixon was "the #3 guy" until Brown fell into their laps (they had been after Bryce Brown for a long while). That will be no contest. Brown was McCoy's backup until Chip Kelly came in and they got Sproles, Comes down to 3 RBs and a FB or else 4 RBs. I think FB is still the way to go to give the most trouble to the DC. Summers is also a ST guy, and Evan Rodriguez is still in the mix.

I've done the math.We can keep 2 kickers. We can keep 7 WRs but Graham is on the bubble due to his hip, I'll say Caleb Holley and/or Roberson is Practice Squad, and Barden is out. At RB, Ahmad Dixon is a bubble player. Wingo's out especially with his hammy injuries. Caussin's out at TE, Gragg's in as the most athletic TE we have. Smith is a tough out unless they want to keep one less OL. Because of the needed RB, TE, and WR depth, OL needs to be crosstrained up the wazoo, and that's what we're seeing in minicamp. Legursky and MacPherson are out, Asper's on the bubble due to his versatility. Chris Williams will be kept but I don't see what they see in him. He was bad every other week last two years. Bills can't keep all four of Corbin Bryant, Stefan Charles, Jarius Wynn, and Jaquies Smith. I'm putting Smith on the bubble, PS for Wynn and Igbinosun, and waiving Bryan Johnson. At CB, we keep 6, with 6'1" Mario Butler on the bubble with Ron Brooks looking up at him, Brandon Smith on the PS (or out) and Darius Robinson out. Brim and Broomfield are out in the backfield, I think it's Ladler on the 53 and Meeks on the buble due to his ankle. Finally at QB. I think EJ, Lewis, and Tuel make it. I think Dixon can't be put on the PS, but I'll check.

Preseason Edition This season, I'm inviting TBD to help with Power Ranking to determine the pick order for DraftTek mock drafts. I know it's early. But we actually have to have a pick order established in 2 weeks, and DraftTek Analysts need players in rank order for our Big Board in a month. So that we have something to argue about, here is my initial rank-order of teams. THE "TOP-SHELF SIX" San Francisco 49ers Tank Carradine, Corey Lemonier, and Aaron edge-rushing Navorro Bowman will miss games but I love Chris Borland -Shayne Skov - Patrick Willis, with Aaron Lynch in reserve. Jimmie Ward and Eric Reid S Colin Kaepernick Weapons galore: a healthy Michael Crabtree, added Stevie Johnson, Anquan Boldin, Baldwin, Bruce Ellington, Vernon Davis offensive line, wild card: Aldon Smith situation running back depth, can pound it but have speedsters (Gore, Hyde, Lattimore, Trey Millard, LaMichael James who is also PR and KR), distributing one ball to so many playmakers Denver Broncos Peyton Manning. Wild card is sharp dropoff behind him: Osweiler, Dysert, Renner Have aging Wes Welker, Added Emmanuel Sanders and Cody Latimer; Lost Eric Decker, slight improvement Julius Thomas=elite TE Ryan Clady returns, with Franklin, Ramirez on L side. Gone: Wesley Woodyard, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Champ Bailey New: Aqib Talib at LCB, DeMarcus Ware at RDE, T.J. Ward at SS and Bradley Roby at RCB opposite Talib Von Miller at SLB Seattle Seahawks The Champs Russell Wilson, then Tarvaris Jackson and Terrrelle Pryor Backfield of Marshawn Lynch (if he returns--same nonsense in Buffalo), Christine Michael, and Robert Turbin Paul Richardson new WR, Percy Harvin’s healthy, average after that. Michael Bowie replaces Breno Giacomini 0n the offensive line--net gain. Okung, Carpenter-Unger is left side Gone: Chris Clemons, Clinton McDonald and Red Bryant---net loss DL: Avril, Michael Bennett DE's above average,; DTs are Tony McDaniel (added) and Mebane, Kevin Williams which are above average. They added WLB Kevin Pierre-Louis (draft) Legion of Boom backfield is fully intact. New Orleans Saints Drew Brees then a big dropoff (McCown, Ryan Griffin, Logan Kilgore) WRs Brandin Cooks, Stills, Meachem, Colston, , added Brandon Coleman RB Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram; and Khiry Robinson and/or Tim Flanders could impress Jimmy Graham TE is red zone (have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal--then one year deal) Akiem Hicks and Cameron Jordan are NFL's underrated DEs Add Jairus Byrd with Kenny Vaccaro S, and you now have one of top 3 safety duos not a lot of depth New England Patriots Tom Brady OL still above average WRs Aaron Dobson or Josh Boyce will have to step up, Amendola, Edelman must show they're consistent, and Gronk must stay healthy. On DL, Dominique Easley's the wild card with his medical issues, but typical BB pick. Dont’a Hightower, Jerod Mayo and Jamie Collins is impressive LB group Secondary is Top 5: Darrelle Revis, Devin McCourty, Brandon Browner and Logan Ryan. Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers. Healthy. WR Weapons Davante Adams, Jeff Janis, Jared Abbrederis added in the draft. Randall Cobb is healthy. Bryan Bulaga is healthy and the line is average Pass Rush looks good. Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews Ha Ha Clinton-Dix adds the springy athleticism needed on the back end of the defense. Colt Lyerla and/or Jermichael Finley TE THE "PAY ATTENTION TEN" Philadelphia Eagles Chip Kelly is a factor; pace and efficiency are the key concepts Best OL in NFL Darren Sproles added to LeSean McCoy means full throttle without fatigue Jordan Matthews will be thrown into the fire right away and Jeremy Maclin’s back, Gone: DeSean Jackson TE Zach Ertz Wild card is back end of the D. Baltimore Ravens Restructuring mode...okay, they're rebuilding. Ozzie Newsome great drafts Mercenary Steve Smith brought in at wR Pitta returns Gary Kubiak’s calling the offense's plays Jeremy Zuttah>Gino Gradkowski at center Aging but still good D-Line (Ngata, Cody, Brandon Williams, Canty) and adds Jernigan LB unit is top five (Suggs, Dumervil, Daryl Smith, Upshaw, Arthur Brown, and now Mosley from draft) Terrance Brooks should be a fine complement to Matt Elam on the back end of the secondary. Kansas City Chiefs Wild card team in 2014 (9-0 at one point, then 2-5 down the stretch, turnover ratio of +18) Lost to Colts as Andrew Luck led the come-from-behind victory, a microcosm of their season Impressive D (Eric Berry, Jamaal Charles, Justin Houston, Tamba Hali, newbie Dee Ford) Wild card is Alex Smith OL losses will be costly (Branden Albert and Jon Asamoah) Chicago Bears O-Weapons: Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennett, Matt Forte, and Ka’Deem Carey Wild card: Jay Cutler's health (career numbers, then got hurt) DL revamped, adding Lamarr Houston, Jared Allen, Willie Young, and rooks Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton. Chicago needs young LB to improve. CBs could be good if Kyle Fuller learns quickly from vets Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, Brandon Pettigrew, Reggie Bush and Joique Bell. Add: Eric Ebron, Joseph Fauria, Ryan Broyles, Kris Durham, and Kevin Ogletree Sound offensive line Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, and an improving Ziggy Ansah --nice D-Line Add: rookie Kyle Van Noy (who'd better learn quick from Stephen Tulloch and DeAndre Levy in LB corps) Two Too-new coordinators? St. Louis Rams With Buffalo, top NFL Defensive Line= Robert Quinn. Michael Brockers. Chris Long. Better depth than Buffalo though=Aaron Donald., William Hayes, Alex Carrington, Kendall Langford Learning curve for OL, but damn good at outset (Greg Robinson, getting Jake Long and Rodger Saffold) Zac Stacy and Sam Bradford. Tavon Austin: if he stays healthy he can help, but if injured, the unit is average at best (Brian Quick, Britt) The secondary is above average Indianapolis Colts Andrew Luck Added Hakeem Nicks Dwayne Allen returns OL needs development Robert Mathis suspended to start Zach Kerr and Josh Chapman at nose D’Qwell Jackson at MLB is above average Trent Richardson is a wild card Buffalo Bills RB is one of NFL's most-solid on paper (Spiller, Fred Jackson, Bryce Brown, Anthony Dixon, Fred Summers, Evan Rodriguez. Pick 3). The offensive line (Cordy Glenn, Chris Hairston, Eric Wood, Urbik, Kouandjio) gets 5 preseason games to jell WRs Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Mike Williams, Marquise Goodwin (TJ Graham, Easley, Hogan, Elliott) have speed to burn, and might keep 7, so good run-pass balance EJ Manuel is the wild card DL one of NFL's three best, I rank them #2 behind Rams due to Dareus's probable suspension (Mario Williams. Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus, Alan Branch, Jerry Hughes, Lawson, Corbin Bryant, Jarius Wynn) Jerry Hughes was one of the NFL’s most efficient pass-rushers in 2013 per PFF Additions of thumper Brandon Spikes at MLB, Rivers at OLB, Alonso's range moves to OLB Gilmore, McKelvin, Robey, Graham at CB; Aaron Williams, Searcy at S is impressive backfield Cincinnati Bengals Loss of Anthony Collins and Michael Johnson in free agency Rookies Jeremy Hill and Darqueze Dennard will be thrown into the fire early Geno Atkins and Leon Hall return Andy Dalton--meh Tampa Bay Buccaneers Top spenders in Free Agency (Michael Johnson, Alterraun Verner, Clinton McDonald, Josh McCown, Oniel Cousins) Playmakers acquired in draft (6’5″ Mike Evans and 6’6″ Austin Seferian-Jenkins) Darrelle Revis is gone Lavonte David and Gerald McCoy, First-Team All-Pros excellent RBs Doug Martin, Mike James, and rookie Charles Sims THE "WILD CARD FIVE" Cleveland Browns Mike Pettine knows how to blitz, has some pieces to do it, but he's new Johnny Manziel is the wildest of wild cards Josh Gordon suspension will hurt Andrew Hawkins YAC slot guy Solid O-Line and D-Line Jordan Cameron is a freak Above-average D with Karlos Dansby, Donte Whitner, Pierre Desir New York Jets D-Line is disruptive, likely top 3 Rex Ryan's blitz schemes with Muhammad Wilkerson (DE is 2nd in NFL to Watt), Sheldon Richardson DT David Harris, rookie Calvin Pryor WR Eric Decker acquired, draft added Jace Amaro Geno Smith a wild card like Buffalo Loowest percentage of Elite and HQ players in division, per PFF 35% of team is in Poor or Below Avg. ability ranking, most in division per PFF Pittsburgh Steelers Shazier won't help them as much as they think Dick Lebeau’s defensive mind is a plus Shamarko Thomas and Markus Wheaton need to step up Picks Stephon Tuitt and Josh Mauro will play early, learn on the fly Some aging, some inexperienced players is biggest Achilles heel. OL is just below average except for David DeCastro Miami Dolphins Improved OL---Signing Branden Albert, Drafted Ju’Wuan James Ryan Tannehill needs to step up Mike Wallace, Jarvis Landry at WR are just above average No Elite players on team, per PFF DL is underrated (Olivier Vernon, Randy Starks, Jared Odrick) Average LBs, moved Koa Misi to MLB (not sure about how that'll go) Finnegan could be picked on in secondary but Brent Grimes at CB and Reshad Jones at S could help them Lamar Miller at RB is their wild card San Diego Chargers Overachieved in 2013 High-efficiency offense will help them, Rivers to Keenan Allen will help Beyond the secondary, defense is below average OL is below average but with quick passing, it won't have to be. THE "SEVERELY AVERAGE SEVEN" Arizona Cardinals DL is well above average (Calais Campbell and Darnell Dockett) One of the best secondaries in NFL (Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, & rookie Deone Bucannon) Season-long suspension of Daryl Washington, and Karlos Dansby wasn’t re-signed Andre Ellington RB Jonathan Cooper adds more stability to an average OL Carson Palmer profits from a nice group of WRs (Fitz, Floyd, Ginn) New York Giants Likely the second-best roster in the NFC East Gone: Hakeem Nicks; Added: Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz, so net gain in pass game Eli Manning and rook Andre Williams wild cards, along with New OC Ben McAdoo (expect more efficiency) Improved OL Promising DL needs time to gel (Jonathan Hankins, Damontre Moore, and Jay Bromley); Will Jason Pierre-Paul rise up? Washington Redskins A healthy Robert Griffin III DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and TE Jordan Reed are good targets Below average defense, added Jason Hatcher Very good LBs (rookie Trent Murphy, Orakpo, ILB Akeem Jordan, Ryan Kerrigan) Liability is secondary Minnesota Vikings Playmakers Greg Jennings, Cordarrelle Patterson. Adrian Peterson Very good OL (Matt Khalil, John Sullivan and Phil Loadholt) Teddy Bridgewater learning curve is a wild card, will ascend later in season Average DL Xavier Rhodes is rose among thorny secondary LB is below average for now; Anthony Barr will ascend later in season Dallas Cowboys Strength will be offensive playmakers ---Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, DeMarco Murray and rookie Terrance Williams, but will be outscored in half their games with their bottom five defense Defense was below average then lost DE DeMarcus Ware (now with Broncos), LB Sean Lee ( tore his left ACL at the team's OTA ), and DE Jason Hatcher (to Redskins, has camp injury) Questionable choices in recent drafts along both lines Carolina Panthers Gone: Jordan Gross (retired), Steve Smith Cam Newton to Kelvin Benjamin is interesting, but...who else can you throw to? Cotchery (year 11)? Avant (9th year)? Underwood (178 lbs, waived by 3 different teams)? Secondary is well below average Well above average DL (Hardy, Chas Johnson Lotulelei) and LB corps (Kuechly) will keep them in it Atlanta Falcons Matt Ryan. Roddy White. Harry Douglas. Julio Jones are the playmakers. Check. Drafted: Jake Matthews OL. Check. Lost: Sean Weatherspoon. UhOh. Weak defense except for Desmond Trufant Some defensive changes in base nickel alignment will add more stress to D THE "CELLAR DWELLER FELLERS" Oakland Raiders---cream of the crap Significant improvement in Front 7 on D (Justin Tuck, LaMarr Woodley, Khalil Mack, Antonio Smith, Justin Ellis, Sio Moore) Gabe Jackson will be baptized early as OG James Jones a good red-zone target Matt Schaub or Derek Carr? Better decide early Maurice Jones-Drew Tennessee Titans The quarterback position is worrisome with Jake Locker. The transition to Ray Horton’s 3-4 doesn’t exactly fit the strength’s of the defensive personnel. Gone: Alterraun Verner (Tampa Bay) Kendall Wright the playmaker Will Justin Hunter be more consistent in Year 2? Above average OL through the last two drafts Bishop Sankey will get you fantasy points Houston Texans Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starter with backups Tom Savage and Case Keenum J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney are elite Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins will be nice, reliable targets for whoever is throwing them the football. Aging Arian Foster (7th season, tied his career average of 4.5 in 2013) Jacksonville Jaguars Henne or a raw Bortles? Oh, my. Slightly above average WRs, and young (Ace Sanders, Marqise Lee, Cecil Shorts, Mike Brown) Below-average OL means less time to throw Decent DL (Red Bryant, Chris Clemons, Walter Thurmond) Average LB corps Have a different order? A different logic? I want to hear from you. Convince me to change my Power Rankings on the as-yet-unpublished DraftTek Power Rankings Page! --Astro

Here's where I stopped reading all Hamilton articles: "Doug Whaley or Buddy Nix, whoever was at the controls on draft day..." Or This Non-Sentence: "the receiving team just let a ball drop in which was recovered by the kicking team"

Here's the link: http://www.buffalobills.com/video/desksite.html

I have Greg Robinson as a LT, I don't see him fast enough out of his stance to pass block. Also Barr. Actually had a low percentage of pass rush wins.

Evans drew 2 15-yard penalties in that game, so subtract 30 from 72 and Evans got Neutered by Cockrell!

Guiton leads WRs extremely well, and can put zip on it. Throws are accurate.

Beerball, you were right on. That's exactly what the Bills tried to do. They tried getting back into the second after taking Kouandjio at 41. They tried to trade with the Dolphins at #57. We have 5 now. http://www.buffalorumblings.com/pages/buffalo-bills-updated-depth-chart-roster Only 3 DEs, which is a little disconcerting.

First thing that came to mind!

We'll still see a RB, DE, CB-S and WTF today lol

My GRAB list: A Seferian-Jenkins Washington TE 6'6" 267 Bashaud Breeland Clemson CB 5'11" 197 Carlos Hyde Ohio State RBF 6'0" 230 Troy Niklas Notre Dame TE 6'6" 270 Scott Crichton Oregon State DE43 6'3" 273

For the final time, I've UPDATED the visitors board, using Final DraftTek Big Board, and have made my picks with trade-down and without trade-down. I'm saying we aren't trading up.

I think 2 will allow this to happen: http://www.drafttek.com/2014-NFL-Mock-Draft-Round1.asp

THE 13 PLAYERS WHO "WON'T BE THERE AT PICK 9": Jadeveon Clowney South Carolina DE43 Greg Robinson Auburn LOT Jake Matthews Texas A&M LOT Taylor Lewan Michigan LOT Johnny Manziel Texas A&M QB Teddy Bridgewater Louisville QB Blake Bortles UCF QB Khalil Mack Buffalo OLB43 Sammy Watkins Clemson WRF Mike Evans Texas A&M WRF Aaron Donald Pittsburgh DT43 C.J. Mosley Alabama ILB Darqueze Dennard Michigan State CB This does not include: Anthony Barr UCLA DE43 Kyle Fuller Virginia Tech CB Justin Gilbert Oklahoma State CB Zack Martin Notre Dame OG LT Odell Beckham LSU WRF

Hello Newman. The Bills could afford to wait until RD4 and still get one of the top 4 RBs in this draft. I'd hope they get a OL and a playmaker in RD1-3. Ebron-Evans would be OK with me as the playmaker. Martin>Lewan for OG/RT in my opinion.

Lewan will be a decent LT and a horrible RT. Watkins will be a decent receiver on a team that runs screens. That's Not us. Mosley will be forever-injured; Borland will outplay him. Jeremy Hill will be overdrafted, as will Storm Johnson, Tre Mason, and Jerick McKinnon. Hyde, West, and Andre Williams get my vote for the Bills in various rounds. I wouldn't be surprised to see 2 RB and 2 DE. Speaking of DEs, Demarcus Lawrence will be overdrafted. He's good, but there too few pass rushers in the Irvin/ Hughes mold in this draft. Ra'Shede Hageman is the real deal.

Dallas would have to give us their 16 and 47 for the 9; we'd likely have to give them our 4th to make it even: http://www.drafttek.com/NFL-Trade-Value-Chart.asp?RequestTeam=DAL I'd think about repackaging the 41-47 and move back up into the first. But it doesn't work out badly 1 16 Buffalo Eric Ebron TE North Carolina 2 41 Buffalo Stephon Tuitt DE Notre Dame 2 47 Buffalo Carlos Hyde RBF Ohio State 3 73 Donte Moncrief WRF Ole Miss 5 149 Kenarious Gates OG Georgia 7 224 Phillip Gaines CB Rice

In Martin, you'd be taking a Pro Bowl OG at the very least and I assume 2 RD2 players in the trade-down. To me, that's better than Matthews and one RD2 player. We have Martin going at #19 to Miami right now, so a trade with Baltimore at #17 is a possibility. Ravens are looking for (RT, DE, and S) so they might trade up for Matthews or Clinton-Dix at 9. 17 up to 9 will cost them a RD2 this year and a RD3 next year. Here's one way that plays out: BUF RD1---Martin OG RD2---Seferian-Jenkins TE RD2---Breeland CB/S RD3---Moncrief WR RD4---Hill RB

One more mock draft to go. I just updated this with the new draft slots from our new mock. I added Khalil Mack, picked 1st in our mock draft, but he's 20 minutes away so I counted him as a visit.

Yep. Monmouth College QB. Was with Aaron Corp. http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=80646&draftyear=2012&genpos=QB

Manziel- Cleveland Clowney- Houston Bortles- Tampa Bay Mack- Jacksonville Evans- Oakland Bonus: Watkins-San Francisco Matthews - Buffalo Barr - Atlanta

I'm editing Comments and Grades for DraftTek for the whole thing, but I'm getting paid to watch! Wrong thread, but we're re-simulating the whole 7 Rounds after every pick, so drop by! http://www.drafttek.com/2014-NFL-Mock-Draft-Round1.asp

Get Both Watkins and linemen. RD1 Watkins WRF Clemson RD3 Dakota Dozier OG Furman RD4 Seantrel Henderson OT Miami RD5 Joe Don Duncan TE Dixie State RD7 Bennett Jackson CB Notre Dame

Bills will draft two DEs and no WR, Will draft a RB over 225 lbs., Won't draft Ebron, and take a CB/FS by Day 3. --Astro