Mister Defense

Josh Allen looks like the Bills quarterback of the future, finally. And the Bills have given him better wide receivers and offensive lineman. Allen looked good without a legitimate running game, without an adequate offensive line, and with very little production from the tight ends. Hard to argue that these areas were not team weaknesses last year. Ditto for the Bills short passing game. Hockenson is an excellent run blocker and high quality physical receiver (760 yards, last year, 15.5 per catch). If he is as good as he seems he will have a significant impact in all three areas. It is hard to imagine that another player, right now, could have more of an impact than TJ Hockenson. As Gronkowski leaves, one of the most important players in the Patriots' success, we get a similar player.

Thanks. Wondering if NFL GMS know more than most of the prognosticators.

I looked a little online but cannot find any mock draft evaluations from last year or the year before. Looking for first round, but any other rounds in addition. I just want to know whose picks were closest to the actual picks. I assume mock drafts are mostly inaccurate, but want to know which were the closest.

Well, possibly. But I would rather they draft a great running back, actually. But I want one in the early rounds, and all conventional wisdom is saying that won't happen. I am not of the mindset that good/great running backs are a dime a dozen, easy to find late in the draft, and think a young high quality running back could end up being the missing piece this year if the Bills are not careful. I want Yeldon as I don't have confidence the Bills are looking at a running back early in the draft.

Just a hunch? Really think the Bills can risk their season on a pipe dream? No sign of life in him last year, consistently. Obviously I hope you are right, but nothing to go on here other than his career stats--not 2018. The Bills cannot take that chance, should not. In the Super Bowl years the Bills almost always cut ties with players when they were done--sign of a good team.

Hope this happens--excellent receiver too, and young. To me, this, inexplicably, has been one of the most important need areas not yet addressed. So, while late in the game, could be a key pick-up. Shoot, at 25, who knows what this guy could do on a good offense.

4 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, two fumbles recovered--playing less than 1/2 of the defensive snaps in 2018.

They definitely should do so. Lawson was a much improved player last year and he is TWENTY-FOUR year old, will get better and better over the next few years, could become a great player. In my view he will become an even more disruptive force this year, as he will get more playing time, due to his performance 1n 2018, and because of his experience last year. Some of the players, like Murphy, that the Bills brought in last year may be out of the league in a few years and Lawson may be a pro bowler. The old Bills would cut him loose; let's see how smart the new Bills are. I say they sign him, as they see what I see.

Thanks; good post. And I hope you are right. But, to me, a great running back this year can make the Bills a playoff team. Allen is a dynamic player, hard to stop and defend. If the Bills add all around back, like a Thurman Thomas, it could be the most important step they take in the draft.

I hope you are right and that it is very early in the draft. But now, he will not be the 3rd down running back! If the Bills are smart enough to get a great back in the first two rounds, he will readily beat out the current running backs--it will be a slam dunk, no contest decision. And the Bills will know that going in. I just hope the Bills are that smart... Josh Jacobs? To address one of the most clear and obvious weaknesses on our team!!!!!!!!!!!! Inexplicable. Yikes.

It is shocking to me how few people understand our dire need for a great running back or two. With that kind of thinking, do our eyes deceive us? Was our running game NOT one of the most profound weaknesses on this team last year, a main reason the Bills were not better, with the only good running done by Allen? Don't say it will all fixed with a better offensive line as we cannot rely on that--McCoy, a very good, sometimes great player as a Bill almost never looked good--and that is not an exaggeration. He looked done. I hope that is not the case, both for his sake and the Bills, but we can only go by what we saw--and what we saw was no longer a starting caliber NFL running back, and, if we believe what we saw, not even a backup caliber running back. The Bills best get a running back or two--and early in the draft--or this will very likely be a major reason the Bills don't succeed this year. Almost no team can do well, especially one led by a young quarterback. without a solid running game. It makes the passing game better, the defense better, and is even more important with our climate. Good running backs are not, no matter the silly common knowledge now, a dime a dozen. See: the 2018 Buffalo Bills . The Bills can not this clear and present, even dire need, go unadressed.

Yes, a likely scenario, but I still would prefer to see the Bills get a great tackle this year. I want this line to be considered one of the best in the league this year as that will mean the offense can be playoff caliber. After this year I believe that the Bills will be picking in the 2nd half of the first round and great tackles almost always go very early. Great tackle in the first and running back in the second, please. Defense for most of the rest, with a possible tight end as well.

Good point; definitely a weak area. But at least the Bills addressed that to some degree.

Why are running backs so devalued now? They were once one of the most sought after players early in the draft. The Bills need a great young running back. If that is the (big) missing link this year, and the Bills do not address this clear weakness in the off season, that would be almost negligent. Josh Jacobs. Running back, Alabama. First round. Last year one of the weakest areas of this team was the running back position. So, buck the trend, get a player in the first round that will make the entire offense go. Trade down a bit, get at least another second round pick, and still nab him.

A joke?

What?? Unprosecuted crime?

Looking at the Dolphins' current quarterbacks, 3 6th rounders and ol' Brock, right now you'd have to say Fitz is the best quarterback on the roster. Shoot, if he keeps playing, he may end up on a good team and be the actual starting quarterback. I hope Miami is not that team, but compared to previous decades, I know little about the current Dolphins. Team in decline or rising?

Aint no one gonna read all of that Yikes..

Well, this stop should bring his career earnings up to 60, 70 million! Not bad for a career back up, drafted in the 7th round, huh? Glad he is a good guy; will likely do a lot of good with his enormous stash of cash...

Thanks, just reading that online. Yes, that does make a difference considering the guy has had only 30 sacks in his career. Hope the Bills got him cheap!

Good move, as he had 9.5 sacks just two years ago. Did not play great last year in New England, but you never know. Depending on contract could be a good low risk, possible high reward signing.

Wow, poor Grabbert..

I had no idea this guy was such a slimeball, choking, strangling, his pregnant girlfriend when she was eight weeks pregnant a few years ago. And now more! I had been in favor, somewhat, of the Bills making a play for their cut slimeball running back after he beat his girlfriend, as the Bills are in a desperate need of a young, highly skilled running back. But reading this it makes me regret my stance. I am glad the new Bills avoid this kind of scum of the earth, that the Chiefs seemed to have gobbled up in their desperate attempt to improve. Makes me proud to be a Bills fan, knowing that this organization won't do that. Who wants to win like that? On the shoulders of scumbags?

Yeah, but who cares about those bashing Josh Allen? They obviously have not watched him play very often if they think he is not an accurate quarterback and ignore the fact that he wings it (way) down the field at record rates. Bills fans with any brains know that we have an elite---and very accurate--quarterback. And an intelligent, hard working one who will get better each game, learning from each snap. Ignorance abounds by NFL analysts who rely on misguided 'common' knowledge rather than their own direct knowledge and research..

Very cool to hear. If the Bengals wanted him then it is an excellent sign he is no good.